mascot Archives - The Pitt News

The life and times of ROC the mascot

By Ben Zimmer, Staff Writer • October 4, 2018

ROC, a human-sized bipedal Panther, has been at the center of Pitt athletics for more than a century now, bouncing around the field, waving his arms and entertaining fans with his goofy antics and unassailable school spirit.

Column: New Philly Flyers’ mascot ‘Gritty’ is more fearsome than friendly

By Michael Nitti, Staff Writer • October 1, 2018

Nobody’s sure what animal or interdimensional being new Flyers' mascot 'Gritty' is supposed to be, but we can all agree he’s ugly.

Editorial: Cleveland mascot’s departure signals good first step

By The Pitt News Editorial Board • February 1, 2018

With statues of Confederate generals removed across the South last summer and likenesses of Christopher Columbus vandalized across the North last October, it was only a matter of time before the next symbol...

Roc-Star: the life of a college mascot

By Amanda Reed / for The Pitt News • October 9, 2015

We see him everywhere. At football games, in ads, on social media and in front of the Cathedral. His image is synonymous with Pitt Athletics and school pride — we call him Roc the Panther — yet his...