Penguins – Page 5 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

George Von Benko

George Von Benko, Witer/Author (August 25, 2011):

First , can you tell readers about yourself – how you got started in broadcasting/sports Journalism and where listeners can find your work now?

I started in radio at the age of 15 on WPQR radio in Uniontown, PA. Just turned 59 – so I’ve been around awhile. Various stops along the way in Morgantown, WV at WTAE during the heyday of sports talk radio.

It was Myron Cope, Stan Savran and then me at night. Play-by-play for football and basketball for the University of Cincinnati and color for Duquesne basketball up until last season. I still do a sports talk show on Saturday’s from 10:15 am to 12 noon on WMBS Radio 590 AM in Uniontown.

I do a lot of freelance writing for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Sports Report and do a weekly column called Memory Lane every Tuesday in the Uniontown Herald Standard. I also run the Pirates website for
the Scout network and you can find that at pirates.scout.com.

You’ve covered the Western Pennsylvania sports scene for a number of years, including color commentary for Duquesne basketball. What have been some of your most memorable experiences you’ve had doing so?

Covering all of the Steelers Super Bowl appearances was a big thrill and the Penguins first Stanley Cup in 1991 really sticks out. Having covered the team from its first season in 1967 – I never thought I would see that.

Who were some of the athletes you covered that left the biggest impressions with you – and why?

The super Steelers of the 1970’s were great to cover, I really enjoyed working with those teams, just a great bunch of guys. Maybe the most memorable interview that I did was with Muhammad Ali at his training camp at Deer Lakes.

You’ve covered many teams across a number of sports. What sport/team have you enjoyed covering most, and why?

Doing play-by-play for the 1999-2000 Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team. They were number one most of the season until Kenyon Martin broke his leg in a meaningless Conference USA tournament game. It still hurts because I believe they would have won the national championship had that not occurred.

You’ve come out with a new book – “Memory Lane”. Can you tell readers about the book and what inspired you to write it?

Memory Lane is a compilation of some of my favorite Memory Lane columns about athletes from western Pennsylvania and in particular the area where I grew up in Uniontown. When I was unexpectedly let go by Duquesne before last basketball season my father said now you have time to do the book and I did it. Dad who passed away on June 26 was the driving force behind me doing the book.

What are some of the things that surprised you most as you researched the book – and why?

Since I had written the articles previously there were no real surprises, putting the book together and going through that process for the first time was an eye opener.

The book focuses much on some of the more under-appreciated athletes in Western PA. Who were some of the athletes that deserved more accolades than they received – and why in your opinion didn’t they get that attention?

The first black All American quarterback was Sandy Stephens and his disappointment at not being given an opportunity to try to play quarterback in the NFL still sticks with me. He passed away in 2000 and I think it is great that he was just elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, I just wish that honor had happened when he was still alive. T

he accomplishments of some of the black athletes illustrates what trail blazers they were. There are other forgotten gems like basketball player Sam Sims who put up some amazing point totals in the 1950’s and Dick Washington the first black athlete to score a touchdown in Notre Dame football history.

How can readers purchase the book?

You can purchase the book at all Bradley’s Book Outlets, there are eight of them in Western Pennsylvania. Online the best place to get it is this link to buy the book on the front page of the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame website on the right hand side of the page.

//www.fayettecountysportshalloffame.com/

Taking a step back and looking at the Western PA sports “scene” today versus years ago, how has the Western PA sports landscape changed over the years and what trends have you noticed

The biggest thing for me is the emergence of the hockey franchise. Years ago I couldn’t get any of my friends to go to a hockey game and when I covered a game it was a sparse press box. Now hockey is booming with the fans and the media coverage is amazing. The Steelers remain a constant, but I was a huge baseball fan growing up and the losing has been tough to take – I’m hopeful that the Pirates are on
the right track.

On sports journalism as a whole – how do you think the coverage of sports has changed over the years – and is it for the better now?

I have worked on both sides as a publicity director for the old Eastern Eight basketball conference and as a journalist and it is much more adversarial and contentious than it used to be. Also as far as the broadcasting business experience was the biggest factor in gaining employment. That has changed drastically and in a lot of cases experience can be a detriment – they don’t want to pay for experience these days.

Any predictions for Duquesne basketball this season?

I remain in contact with Coach Everhart and I am hoping he can continue to move the program forward. T.J. McConnell should continue to improve, but they will be hard pressed to replace Damian Saunders and Bill Clark.

Any last comments/thoughts for readers?

Just enjoy the sports scene and be thankful that we have been blessed with some tremendous athletes over the years and we are still lucky to be able to watch some of the talent that wear the uniform of the various Pittsburgh teams

Pittsburgh Penguins Elite

Pittsburgh Penguins Elite:

First, can you tell readers about your program and how it got started?

About eight years ago a group of parents who wanted to create an elite level hockey program for girls in Pittsburgh formed an under-12 team called the Pittsburgh Lady Iceburghs and we competed in a few tournaments every year. The purpose was to create a program here in Pittsburgh, so that elite level girls did not have to leave Pittsburgh to pursue high level girls’ hockey if they didn’t want to. We have achieved that goal and exceeded our expectations by creating an entire program for girls from all over the tri-state region and beyond!

We added the older teams as the girls got older and we kept developing the younger girls to move up in the program. Many of those girls have moved onto college hockey, but some of them are still in our program today. Two seasons ago we proudly joined under the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite banner and our teams are recognized as some of the top girls teams in the Nation, top to bottom. We are now the only all girls USA Hockey organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania, which provides opportunities for girls ages 6 up to 19.

Who can qualify to play and how – and how many people participate?

We hold tryouts every spring for our elite teams, under-12 up to under-19. But, we also have open sessions throughout the year for girls under-10 and under-8, down to 5-6 years old! Any young girl can sign up at any time. We currently have about 150 girls participating in the program between the Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams and developmental (under-10 and under-8).

Who do you play and what tournaments do you participate in?

All our teams play in the premiere hockey league for girls in the US, the Tier 1 Elite League and our older teams play in the most highly competitive and well scouted tournaments and showcases in the US — to include the Beantown Classic in Boston, North American Hockey Academy (NAHA) labor Day Tournament in Vermont, the Stoney Creek Showcases in Hamilton, ONT and the USA-Canada Cup Series held in Toronto, Detroit and Kitchener where only the top US and Canadian teams play against each other to win the “cup” for their country!

The younger teams also participate in “fun” tournaments such as Hocktoberfest and the Manon Rheaume Foundation Invite. We also host one of the largest hockey tournaments in the US, right here in Pittsburgh — the Pittsburgh Girls Thanksgiving Classic.

What skills do you focus on most and what techniques do you use with these athletes?

We believe that the fundamentals of hockey (skating, passing, shooting) are the most important to continue to practice at every level. We provide 5.5 hours of on-ice practice every week which focuses mainly on skills, but also works on other team concepts such as cycling, systems, etc.

Many of our girls continue to play and practice with the boys as well, which is completely accepted and supported, so they are getting a lot of ice time and development. One team is not more important than any other and each team whether under-10 or under-19 is
supported with an age appropriate on and off-ice plan.

Do the Penguins get involved and if so, how?

We are obviously proud to be affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins as we bare their name and jersey/logo. They are extremely supportive and provide advisory support and help us to promote girls’ hockey in many ways through their Youth Hockey Network.

How has the increased fan interest in the Penguins over the past 5 or so years enhanced your program and interest in it?

Hockey has grown in general in Western PA, but certainly the popularity of the Penguins has helped us to grow fans and young fans, including young girls wanting to play the sport. We hold regular “open skates” for free for young hockey girls and we have had girls as young as 4 years old come out and skate. This is exciting for the sport and our program. We plan to be around for the next
10 years to help those girls move on to college hockey.

What’s the next step for these athletes – where do they play next?

Just about each and every girl has a goal of playing NCAA college hockey (which is basically the NHL for girls). We have only had u19 teams for the last 3 years and right now we have approximately 10 girls playing NCAA D1 or D3 hockey, including girls at Dartmouth, Cornell, Norwich, Northeastern and more. We already have 4 girls on the current under-19 team committed to NCAA D1 schools for 2012, including Penn State with their new program starting up.

Is there a professional league, and if so, have any of your alumni played there?

There is a professional league called the CWHL (Canadian Women’s Hockey League) which is in its infancy and the players aren’t paid. None of our alums have played there (yet) because we are a very young organization, with all of our alums still of college age.

Where can fans see you play and how does this experience differ from those of other leagues, if at all?

The best place to really check out our teams and girls’ hockey in general would be the Pittsburgh Girls Thanksgiving Classic held over Thanksgiving Weekend at Robert Morris University and the Iceoplex at Southpointe. There is no gate fee for spectators, and I think that everyone will be surprised at the level of play by the girls!

Any last thoughts for readers?

Any girl out there playing hockey who isn’t involved with Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Girls should contact us at PensEliteGirls@aol.com While it is great to keep playing boys’ hockey as long as girls are comfortable, we offer elite level girls the coaching (professional coaches who have all played at a high level, including female coaches who played for Dartmouth, St. Lawrence University and Harvard) and more importantly, the exposure to help them play at the next level!

Come check us out!

Bill Crawford

Bill Crawford – (October 3, 2011):

First off, can you tell readers how you decided to become a comic –what was that moment when you realized ” this is it – this is what I am going to do with my life!”

Well, I’m not sure I ever had a single moment when I decided to become a comic; I think it was more of a collection of moments failing to become anything else.

What’s been the most exciting venue for you to play in so far and what’s been the funniest experience you’ve had on stage?

DC Improv was an awesome experience. It was the first time people cheered every time the host said I was from Pittsburgh. I’ve been working in Ohio a lot.I had an old woman flash me as soon as I walked on stage recently. I laughed so hard I forgot my material.

Every set should begin like that.

What about growing up in Pittsburgh has most inspired your comedy and routines?

I started in Pittsburgh, so everything about growing up there inspired my comedy. If you want to get big laughs in Pittsburgh, you learn quickly to have a local spin on your material. You can do other stuff there, but it never gets the same reaction.

Also, my mom fist fought the Pirate Parrot at a picnic in the early 90’s. So that helped.

It’s not all glamour is it? How hard is it traveling constantly and starting off, trying to make ends meet?

No. Its very brief moments of glamour on stage followed by a prolonged state of desperation and anxiety off stage. There is nothing funny about trying to do stand-up comedy for a living.

There are a number of good comedians coming out of Pittsburgh –you, Steve Byrne, Billy Gardell….do you guy’s get at all competitive? How do you help one another and work together?

Billy Gardell and Steve Byrne have helped me tremendously. There is no way I would be where I am without them. Both have been a mentor of mine and Steve has taken me on tour with him.

I would take a bullet for either of those guys. If someone was shooting at them at the same time, I guess they would have to compete. Lots of pressure to be a sports fan in Pittsburgh.

How did this influence your comedy?

I never fully understood the magnitude of that pressure or Pittsburgh’s love of sports until I saw a Statue of Franco Harris beside a Statue of George Washington in the main terminal of the Pittsburgh Airport. We consider the Immaculate Reception to be as prestigious as the Revolutionary War. Then it became clear. Being a sports fan in Pittsburgh is as important as being on the frontlines fighting the British for our independence. It writes itself.

Who are your favorite sports teams and athletes – and what makes them so?

Steelers are my team. I’ve always loved football the most. I watch them every Sunday with my family. And if I’m on the road, I find a Steeler bar and watch it with my extended family.

Ever perform in front of any Pittsburgh athletes or meet any? If so, what was that like?I got to do a black tie event at the Duquesne Club. Mario Lemieux was there. Meeting him was a dream come true for me. If you’ve ever been to the Duquesne Club, you know I can’t sayanything else about it.

If you were the GM of any Pittsburgh team, which would it be, why, and what would your first big decision as GM be?

Steelers. I would fire Steely McBeam and burn his costume before a division game. Then I would draft 4 offensive linemen in a row.

Where can fans see you next and can they purchase your material on Cd/print etc.? If so, where?

I will be on the road for rest of the year, but I am headlining the Pittsburgh Improv December 22nd and 23rd. I will have a cd or a dvd available by then hopefully. You can find out where I will be if you check out my Official Site for Comedian Bill Crawford and my twitter account //twitter.com/#!/Crawfability and my facebook page at Bill Crawford

Any last thoughts for readers?

We are living in hard times. I know we are all busy and worrying about our own problems, but its important to remember that we are all on this journey together. Lets take care of each other. If nothing else, lets at least be empathetic towards people struggling. Unless they are from Cleveland.

In that case, F@#K THEM!!

Ian Moran, Penguins Defenseman

Ian Moran (August 27, 2011):

First, can you tell readers what you are up to these days and how you got involved in this career?

I am an Institutional Equities Sales Trader …. It took me about 2 yrs to be able to say that.

Basically, I trade stocks for mutual funds or hedge funds that they hold in their portfolios. I always pictured myself staying involved with hockey, but when I retired there were about 45 other guys who felt the same way & I didn’t get much (if any) of a response from the hockey world.

Once I realized there had to be life after hockey, I stalked my friends that work in finance until I finally got hired.

What lessons from your NHL days have you found to help you at Sterne Agee?

This might sound funny, but trading for mutual/hedge funds is very competitive. There are only so many accounts, and so many trades that are going to occur in each trading day and I am competing with everyone else in Boston to get the trades.

So to trade you have to want to win, be willing to grind it out & work harder than your competition …. Just like in professional sports. But the thing that helped me the most is being able to get yelled at & not take it personally. Clients are like coaches & they will let you know when you screw up … and as some of you may remember, sometimes I didn’t use the glass as often as I should have so I am used to getting
yelled at.

Are you looking to get back into hockey at some point – as a coach or commentator?

Right now, I really enjoy what I’m doing. To do well you need have a “team mentality” & our desk is very similar to a locker room.

How’s your health –specifically your knees which have taken a good deal of abuse in your playing days?

I would classify myself as husky or big boned right now, but I’m told that I have an great personality. My health is pretty good, but my knee is shot. I need to get my left knee replaced.

You played for the team for over 10 years –what were the most lasting memories you’ve taken from your time in Pittsburgh and what made them so?

I love Pittsburgh. Really & truly when I think back to playing, I always picture myself in a Penguins uniform.

Our teams were always incredibly close & I think of everyone I played with as family. I consider myself lucky to have had Craig as a GM, to have had EJ as my first coach ( and then Assit GM) & Chico on the coaching staff for the entire time I was a Penguin.

They promoted a team first & family atmosphere that I don’t think you find in other organizations. I could go on & on about what great memories I have, but I always tell everyone that I was really lucky that I got to be part of something so special for so long.

How did you prove yourself as a rookie? Most rookies find the need to prove themselves to veterans … how did you do so and who helped mentor you?

Our veterans treated me great from the start. Kenny Wreggett was incredible from the start. Every single guy from Mario to Steve Latin made me feel like I was part of the team. I never felt like an outsider or like I was on the fringe and as I got older I tried to treat the younger guys the same way I was treated.

The two guys who taught me the most about being a pro were only Penguins for a short time but they had massive impacts on my career. Steve Leach & Craig Muni. They both taught me how to be a pro.

You always had the reputation as someone who could keep the locker room loose with your sense of humor. Was that always received well by your coaches/teammates and what were some of the funniest experiences you had with the team?

I was basically a clown. Who did I avoid? The starting goalie, always. Never talk to them, ever.

Most of the other guys needed to be kept loose. I never had anyone tell me to zip it or to get serious. You kind of get a feel for the room & go with it.

As a group we had an incredible amount of funny moments. Bergevin, Pushor, Leach, Big Mac are very funny humans. I loved going to the rink & I think the other guys felt the same way.

How hard was it for you to be traded to Boston? Did the fact that it was your hometown make it easier?

I was outside playing hopscotch with my daughter when I got the call. I’m not going to lie, I was crushed.

Craig called me at 3:15 and I honestly thought he was going to ask me to go to the airport to meet somebody. Instead he told me that I was going to Boston. So I wrote the Bruins GM’s phone number on my driveway in sidewalk chalk & was on a plane at 7.

Getting traded is easy for the guys. As soon as you’re in the locker room you’re good to go. For families it is hard no matter where you go, but for us it was a little easier to go to Boston.

Former Penguin Steve McKenna joked in an interview with us that the NHL never fully utilized his offensive skills. What facet of your game do you think was least appreciated by fans/coaches?

I bet the fans don’t know that on the 4th PP unit I was at the top of the umbrella. Problem was Mario & Jags. I always thought they were being selfish when they would score in the first few minutes of a PP.

How has the game changed since you played it – and is it for the better? Why/why not?

The game is better now. Less clutch & grab .. more speed. I think it’s very fun to watch.

Any last thoughts for readers?

I had a great time in Pittsburgh. I think the fans are some of the best in all of sports. I really feel as though I grew up in Pitt. I got there as a young kid & left 10 yrs later with a family. I was lucky enough to have played with a core group that was basically the same age & we grew up together.

I can not stress how lucky I was to be in the Penguins Organization & have such incredible people around me everyday.

Peter Tagliannetti, Penguins Defenseman

Peter Taglianetti:

First, can you tell readers more about your Power Play Training Program?

Being a low-to-middle aged man, the toughest thing as you get older is to stay active and do things to the extreme you did when you were 20.

I’m a certified personal trainer and see clients of other trainers being taught to stay active the way the trainers do it. The trainers put their beliefs in others that don’t really need to do things the same way. There are lots of those trainers out there that try to force their clients into one way of doing things – their way,

I can’t stand that. There are many guys who play on men’s hockey leagues at night who want to stay active and healthy. Well I try to give them a quick synopsis of how to get their leg and butt strength muscles stronger in ways that work for them.

We know now you don’t have to stop working out hard after 30 – your body can take it. 40 is now the new 30 and these middle-aged guys playing hockey at night can still do all of the things to train even at 40 – so there’s an untapped market for helping those guys that was being neglected before this training series.

I met Dr. Wright through my son. He plays football at the University of Pittsburgh and she was the orthopedic surgeon there. Her passion was the senior athlete – those over 30 that liked to bike, play hockey, golf, whatever. She had a core set of training principles that worked for these guys and she And developed the series together.

So far the series is going well. Pittsburgh is a growing market – not yet like Boston or Minnesota that has a rink or two in every town – it’s not there yet, but it’s growing.

You came out of Providence college with a record for the most penalty minutes that still stands. Were you just “misunderstood” in college?

I played under Lou Lamoriello – who became the NJ Devils GM later. He was able to pull players out of areas like Boston which was really hard to do. He had our team all in black – black helmets and shirts… He was one of the first people to start off-ice training – aerobics, stress-testing and more – before many pro teams even.

We had guys that were bigger and nastier – but we were good too. We finished 2nd and 3rd there. We were just bigger and stronger – we hit harder and were nastier. There was always lots of pushing and shoving – lots of brawling on that team.

You started off in Winnipeg but were traded ultimately to the penguins and played along Paul Coffey. How was that for you?

When I was in Winnipeg I played next to Randy Carlyle – he was a Norris Trophy winner himself and I learned a lot from him. I was traded first to Minnesota then to Pittsburgh – all in about three months time.

When I got to Pittsburgh it was like coming home – I knew almost everyone from college and the minors already. Coffey already won like 3-4 Norris Trophies. When Larry Murphy and I got in after the trade around 12 and were going to be playing that night, Coffey pulled me aside and talked to me about how we could get involved more offensively, I just laughed and told him he was the offensive
guy – my job was just to keep the puck out of the net (laughing).

What players or coaches do you remember most from those Stanley Cup seasons?

When Bob Johnson was coach, he never yelled, never shouted or said anything negative. When you play sports you’re used to getting yelled at – but he was just never like that. He always explained but never yelled.

As the season went along we’d win a couple games and lose a couple games – we were nothing spectacular. We lost I think 6-1 one game and were just waiting for him to blow up, but he never did. After a while it sunk in – he was for real. We stopped worrying about making mistakes so much. We could play our game.

It was so much fun to play and practice then. The entire philosophy of the team just changed -you could feel it. And we played much better because of it.

After you retired in 1996, you became the hockey coach at Washington and Jefferson College after playing in the NHL – how did that come about and did you enjoy it?

I happened to be doing business there and was talking to the Athletic Director. He asked if I would be interested in coaching. I said I could handle a couple days a week at first and did it.

I loved it. We had some good teams. It was hard to get kids there – the school took so few kids and it was a small school.

The kids weren’t jocks but they worked hard and loved hockey. I stayed there for two years but some parents started creating issues behind my back and I had enough and walked away from it.

What NHL experiences and coaches helped shape your coaching career – and how so?

I was always taught and told the kids I coached that hockey isn’t rocket science. Hockey isn’t all X’s and O’s like other sports – not like football. No matter what you do, the same things come around and happen again in games. You just ave to keep doing what you are doing.

As an example – if I’m n the defensive zone and the other defenseman with the puck gets it to the right side – he has only two options, so you have to anticipate where things are going. Don’t wait – you have to be three steps ahead.

What facet of your game do you think was most unappreciated?

People said I was tough-nosed – I hit the body. But I took more pride in keeping goals out of my net and having a good +/- I strived for that.

I remember playing for Tampa Bay in its expansion season. I was +16 or 17 even though we had only like 20 wins. The next person was round -5.

People look at goals and assists – back then it was all about that. Just like in football – the quarterbacks and wide receivers get the glory – the lineman get no glory.

When we were going to play Edmonton in the playoffs, we had a few games to play first – one against Calgary. I was just traded and Calgary was my first game. We were playing Calgary and their big star stopped short right before the blue line and I nailed him. It caused a bench clearing brawl.

Afterwards GM Ferguson grabbed me by the shirt, dragged me in front of the team and said “this is the kind of guy I want on my team!”

I played with tremendous college players who never found their niche in the NHL. You have to find your niche. You can play for anybody f you find you niche. Find something you can do well. That’s what I did. I found my niche. I knew I was not going to score 15-20 goals and I adapted to that.

Ok –the Yokozuna Bodyslam Challenge onboard the USS Intrepid. What was that about and how did you get involved??

When I played I Tampa Bay all the wrestlers lived there. Jimmy Hart used to come to the games with his kids and he and I became friends – you remember him, the manager with the bullhorn?

When I was traded to Pittsburgh I got a call from Vince McMahon. They wanted athletes from different sports for a charity event for the armed forces. Hart told Vince he knew me and that’s how I got invited.

They brought me and my kids to New York and had a big reception in a hotel there with all the wrestlers.

The next day we went to the Intrepid I remember the Steiner Brothers wrestling on the floor with my kids and the wrestlers talking about the pranks they played on each other – a lot of this stuff well above the kids level (laughing). I think I moved Yokozuna maybe 6 inches when it was my turn (laughing).

And last thoughts for readers?

It’s funny how its been 20 years since those Stanley Cup seasons.

Time has flown by. I never get sick of talking about it. People think we get tired of talking about this stuff but we never do if the questions and people are sincere about their interest.

Next week is the 20-year reunion. I can’t wait to get together with all of the guys in Pittsburgh and relive those stories. And be reminded of ones I forgot about.

That’s one of the great things about seeing those guys – remembering those great times.

Scott Blasey of the Clarks

Scott Blasey of the Clarks (September 28, 2011)

First off, can you tell readers what you’ve been up to lately and about your new album and upcoming gigs?

Well, I just wrote a new song last night so that’s exciting. The last Clarks record was in ’09 and I wouldn’t mind making another one in the next year or two. Show-wise, we’re in the college season- lots of schools and our annual Halloween cruise on the Gateway Clipper.

The Clarks have been a stalwart of Pittsburgh’s music scene for a number of years. How did you get started and what advice would you give other local musicians who want to make it as well?

We started as a cover band at IUP in ’86. We put out our first record (on vinyl and cassette!) in’88 and made Pittsburgh our home. WDVE started playing our stuff in the early 90’s and it just took off from there. Starting out in the music business is very different today than it was back then.

Play anywhere and everywhere. Write great songs (easier said than done). Get on the youtube and get yourself out there.

Many see the life of a musician as all bright lights and glamour, but it’s a tough business. What’s been the most difficult aspect of the music business for you and how have you been able to overcome it and stay active for so long?

Traveling is difficult. I’m a homebody. I like routines and working out and eating good, and those things are hard to do on the road. Getting along personally and creatively with three other guys for 25 years ain’t easy either.

How has the band managed to stay together through the years when so many bands seem to struggle doing so?

It boils down to respect. You have to respect each other’s ideas, lifestyles and choices, even if you don’t embrace them. That’s hard. And you have to compromise and have common goals.

I know there are hundreds to choose from, but what have been some of the most memorable experiences you’ve had as a musician and what made them so?

The Late Show with David Letterman was a career highlight. It legitimized us to a lot of people. The first Surge Festival at Starlake Amphitheater in 1997 was a defining moment. We headlined a show with Gathering Field and Brownie Mary that drew over 17,000 people.

Who influenced you most in terms of your approach to music and how have you been able to use that influence to create your own sound as opposed to just “copying” another’s?

We were influenced early on by bands like the Replacements, R.E.M. and U2. The Replacements were a big influence because they embraced the punk ethic of it’s more important to be passionate than good.

I think it took a couple albums for us to find our own sound, maybe Let It Go was the first where we took our influences were more subtle and our own voices were coming through.

What would surprise fans/readers most about you and the band?

I didn’t pick up a guitar until I was in college, same with Greg. I joined the band 6 months later and learned on the job. The Clarks are the only band I’ve ever been in.

The Pittsburgh music scene has been growing in prominence but hasn’t launched that huge local artist recently. Is anything missing from the local scene to foster more musical talent?

Actually, hip hop artist Wiz Khalifa is from Pittsburgh and he broke through huge this year. Mac Miller is next I hear.

As far as rock/pop bands there hasn’t been anything big nationally since Rusted Root in the 90s. Anti-Flag tours internationally but they’re not a mainstream success. I don’t know why it hasn’t happened. There are a lot of talented people here. It’s a tough industry and I don’t think it’s anything that Pittsburgh is not doing that’s keeping it from happening.

On to sports….are you a sports fan –and if so, what teams to you follow most and just how avid a fan are you?

I’m a big sports fan, but not huge one like some folks in this town. I can walk away from a Steelers loss without feeling suicidal!

I was a Pirates fan first. My dad used to take me to games at Three Rivers Stadium in the early 70’s. Steve Blass was a hero, and I’ve had the pleasure of talking to him a few times. Then I became a die-hard Steelers fan. Four Super Bowl victories will do that to a sports-loving teenager.

Then of course the Penguins in the early 90s when I was living in Shadyside made me a hockey fan. I got to drink beer out of the Stanley Cup late one night at Doc’s Place thanks to Paul Steigerwald.

Have you had any experiences playing for/around some of the area athletes or hanging out with them? If so, what were those experiences and players like?

I had the pleasure of performing for the Lemieux family at the home of a mutual friend. The kids are fans of the band and Mario and Natalie are great to talk to. Bob Errey is a fan and I’ve talked to him a few times, same with guys like Craig Wolfley and Tunch Ilkin. Walter Abercrombie came up to me after I performed the National Anthem at a Steelers game, shook my hand and told me I did a great job.

Those things stay with you. Everybody I’ve met has been a class-act.

If you could be the GM or player for any local team, which would it be and what would be the first thing you’d do?

Pirates- sign Derrick Lee.

Any last thoughts for readers?

Thank you for all these years of support. Pittsburgh has been very good to us and we love this place.

Steve Byrne, Comedian

Steve Byrne:

First off, can you tell readers how you decided to become a comic –what was that moment when you realized ” this is it – this is what I am going to do with my life!”

I never sought out to become a comic. I ended up getting a job right out of college at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York City, sweeping the floor, taking reservations, etc.. I watched all the young comics come in and out of the club and thought “I’d love to try that out”.

After my first time on stage, I knew that stand up is what I was going to do the rest of my life. Never knowing it could be a career. I’ve been very fortunate.

Continue reading “Steve Byrne, Comedian”

Jim O’Brien

Jim O’Brien, Steelers Author and Sports Columnist (July 15, 2011):

You’ve covered Pittsburgh sports for over 40 years and won numerous accolades across your journalism career. What stands out as the greatest accomplishment for you, and why?

I am proud that I have had two publishing ventures in Pittsburgh and that I always paid my bills.

Beano Cook and I began publishing and editing Pittsburgh Weekly Sports in the fall of my senior year at Pitt in 1963. and we continued to publish this lively and sometimes controversial tabloid for another five and a half years.

We closed down when Beano went to New York to work as a publicist for ABC TV and I went to cover The Dolphins for The Miami News in 1969. We made good on all our subscription orders and we paid all our bills. That almost never happens in such ventures.

I started publishing and editing books on Pittsburgh sports scene, the first two with publisher and Graphics artist Marty Wolfson, and 18 more on my own in 1980. The books met the test of the market place and have been popular the past 30 years. I have not borrowed any money in either venture and do not owe anyone a dime.

I was the smallest kid in my neighborhood in Hazelwood yet I managed to make it to the major leagues in every sport you can name.

You’ve written a number of books on Pittsburgh sports –Lambert, the Man in the Middle and Other Outstanding Linebackers, The Chief, Fantasy Camp, Pittsburgh Proud and so many more. Which of your books are you most proud of, and why?

My favorite book out of the twenty-three I have written, twenty on Pittsburgh topics, would have to be MAZ and The ’60 Bucs.

That is a coming of age book for me. I entered Pitt as a freshman in September of 1960 and one month later the Pirates were playing the mighty New York Yankees in a World Series less than two blocks from the Pitt Student Union.

I thought I couldn’t have picked a better place to go to college. I would later (1966) meet my future wife Kathleen Churchman, who had an apartment on Oakland Avenue a block from Forbes Field when we were both in grad school at Pitt.

Any new books from you that fans should be waiting for?

I have outlined at least seven future books, but have the next one on hold because the book business has been in a state of flux for the past three years, with Borders declaring bankruptcy and Barnes & Noble being up for sale, and payments not being made on product sales.

I hope to write some more books when the retail market scene improves and the book store chains are paying their bills. Right now, I am concentrating on selling the seven books in my series that are still available. The rest are out of print.

Which of them surprised you most in terms of the learnings derived from the research you conducted to complete them – and what about that research surprised you?

Some of my favorites to interview through the years, who were good ballplayers and know how to tell a story, are J.T. Thomas, Dwight White and Mike Wagner of the Steelers, Bob Friend, Ron Necciai, Frank Gustine Sr. and Frank Thomas of the Pirates, Eddie Johnston , Jack Riley and Pierre Larouche of the Penguins, Joe Gordon who worked as a publicist for the Rens, Hornets, Penguins and Steelers, and I have always appreciated what down to earth guys Bill Mazeroski and Arnold Palmer have remained through the years.

On every successful team there are stars, and Pittsburgh has had numerous ones over the years. But there are also the unsung heroes. Who have been some of the more under-appreciated Pittsburgh athletes/coaches over the years, and what made them so, in your opinion?

Dwight White’s death was a real tragedy. He was doing so much good in our community. He called me “Bookman” and he was real passionate during our interviews. He came from humble beginnings and was a real success story. He often said, “I had to come up to hit bottom.”

What has been your favorite Pittsburgh sports teams to cover over the years, and what made them so?

I liked covering the Steelers because Art Rooney Sr. created a culture that still rings the right bell. I always knew Mr. Rooney was special and I welcomed opportunities to sit and talk with him.My grandfathers were dead before I was a year old, and Mr. Rooney was the grandfather I never had. I learned a lot from the man and I still respond to situations by first asking myself, “What would Mr. Rooney do?”

Highly-regarded Pittsburgh sports historian Robert Ruck in a recent interview (//www.pittsburghsportsdailybulletin.com/page106.html) stated that Pittsburgh has come a long way in regards to improving racial attitudes in sports, but still has a way to go. What are your thoughts on this –what differences do you see between the attitudes of fans towards Pittsburgh athletes now versus 30-40 years ago?

I never had a problem as far as racial relations were concerned in my career in sports.

I started my own track team in Hazelwood when I was 12 years old and I recruited young blacks from another neighborhood to compete for my team. When I worked in Philadelphia, Miami, New York and Pittsburgh, I always thought I enjoyed an edge in interviewing black athletes because they trusted me with their stories. I always thought they had more interesting stories to share.

Wilt Chamberlain was one of my boyhood heroes, and I enjoyed great time in his company and got along well with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and other great boxers, and Dave Parker of the Pirates.

More than half the athletes profiled in my books are black, and it bothers me that so few blacks – Maybe one per thousand books – ever buys one of my books. If someone is going to have racist tendencies – and that works both ways – sports will not solve their problems in that respect.

You’ve encountered scores of memorable athletes over the years. What players have stood out to you most over the years, and why?

I’ve been fortunate in my lifetime to meet and spend time with some marvelous athletes, and I never took it for granted.

I had one of the four best seats in the house at Madison Square Garden for the first Ali-Frazier fight, billed as “The Fight of the Century.” I have met and interviewed Ali and Frazier, Joe Louis, Joe Greene, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Namath, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Johnny Unitas, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Michael Jordan, Mike Ditka, Danny Marino, Joe Montana, O.J. Simpson, Billie Jean King, Olga Korbut, Mary Lou Retton, Chris Evert, Donna de Verona, Bruno Sammartino and I once met and shook hands with former President Harry S. Truman in Kansas City.

How have you passed along your experiences outside of your various books and columns?

I am proud that I mentored and helped develop and get jobs for a dozen interns who have become really outstanding public relations executives, sports information people, and writers during my time as the public relations director for the athletic department at Pitt from 1984 to 1988.

I always thought of myself as a teacher disguised as a sports writer.

What are some of your greatest Pittsburgh sports memories –encounters with athletes, interviews, observances…..can you name a few that have stood out to you most, and why you think they have done so?

I attended the 21st birthday party for Muhammad Ali when he was in Pittsburgh prior to his fight with Charley Powell at the Civic Arena in January of 1963.

Myron Cope was there and he had written a story for a national magazine on Ali, who was then Called Cassius Clay. Clay kept calling Cope “Mickey Rooney” during the press conference at the old Sherwyn Hotel, now the main building for Point Park University.

By the way, I met Myron Cope for the first time when I was fourteen and serving as the sports editor of The Hazelwood Envoy. We were both covering the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament at the Pitt Field House.

I asked him, “Mr. Cope, what do I have to do to become a writer?” He replied, in that wonderfully unique voice of his, “Kid, you gotta sit down and start writing!” It’s still the best advice I ever received.

I came back to Pittsburgh in 1979 after a year in Miami and nine more years in New York in time to see the Pirates win the World Series and the Steelers win their fourth Super Bowl in six years. Talk about good timing!

The Steelers were beating the Houston Oilers in the AFC championship game at Three Rivers Stadium, and Rocky Bleier had just scored a touchdown to clinch the contest.

I was standing with the other members of the media in the end zone, so we could get a headstart on getting to the dressing rooms after the game. I think I had a tear in my eye and Joe Gordon,the team publicist, spotted it and recognized my quiet mood. “You OK?” he asked me, and I nodded in return.

But I was emotionally moved because I was thinking, “I’ve come home to Pittsburgh and now I’m going to the Super Bowl with the Steelers? Can it get any better?”

What are your thoughts on sports journalism today with blogging, tweeting and other forms of social media creating a rush to get stories out so quickly, and often creating friction between journalists (as we’ve seen between some in the Pittsburgh sports media industry)?

There’s too much media today for sports, world news, business news, entertainment news and modern technology permits too many people without credentials to write about these things and some unreliable and unreal stuff gets out there.

There are too many tape recorders and cameras everywhere and a lot of irresponsible reporting.

Journalistic judgment is lacking. Sportswriters and sports media don’t care about their personal appearance. Check out the contrast between the media and the athletes. I was told once that if you dress like the equipment manager the ballplayers will treat you in kind. I was told a long time ago to save the tough question for last so you don’t end up with an empty notebook.

Pittsburgh sports journalist Jim Wexell and others have lamented the fact that sports journalism (and to an extent fans as well) has lost the appreciation for getting to know the athletes as people, instead of just their contributions to the team. What are your thoughts on this? Is there truth to this in your opinion? If so why do you think this?

I used to love to spend a few weeks with the Steelers at St. Vincent College during summer training camp. You really got to know the players, coaches and other members of the media, and some great fans as well.

You had great access to the players. You could schedule interviews with them one-on-one and visit them in their rooms.

Now there are too many ropes, too many restrictions, too many rules regarding inter-action with coaches and players, and too many sound-bites gotten on sidewalks outside cafeterias and the like.

I loved to write stories about the players more so than reports on the games. I was able to introduce a lot of great athletes to the readers. There are no true sports publicists anymore. No one offers story ideas. Most of those p.r. people from my early days in the business were former newspapermen and recognized a story when they saw one. There are a lot of good guys in the business, but their roles have changed dramatically.

Any advice for young, aspiring sports journalists?

I would advise anyone interested in being a sports journalist to keep their options open and to be versatile.

The business is going out of business in too many ways. Newspapers and magazines are going out of business. People tell me they don’t have time to read anymore. I feel a little smarter every time I read a book, magazine or newspaper.

If you can write well and speak well you can always get a job. I was a Journalism major for one year at Pitt and then switched majors to become an English major. It was a wise decision. I have worked in every possible form of sports media. Using proper English will still set you apart from the pack.

Any last thoughts for readers?

Some Pittsburgh sports media knock New York, but it was a great place to work when I was in my late 20s. There were twice as many teams in every sport, and I covered some great champions in my day.

But I am glad I am now in Pittsburgh, a great sports town. I enjoyed going to PNC Park and being with good friends and baseball fans in a beautiful ballpark before the Pirates were winning more often than losing.

I always thought going to any kind of game was a good way to spend one’s time. My daughters tell me I never had a real job, and for that I remain grateful. My family is my favorite team.

That’s it. Jim O’Brien

You can get a information on Jim and his books on his website at www.jimobriensportsauthor.com

Stephanie Maust – Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey Association

Stephanie Maust – Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey Association:

First, can you let readers know how the Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey Association and the Steel City Icebergs got started?

The origin of Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey dates back to the 2004-2005 Pennsylvania Amateur Hockey League season. Alex Weber, the then 10-year-old Butler native suffering from Down Syndrome and nerve damage to his right leg resulting from a tethered spinal cord, had a dream of playing ice hockey.

Due to his love for the game, Alex’s parents managed to find the time while juggling work, along with his academic tutoring, doctor visits, and physical therapy sessions to substantiate the need for Alex to participate at the Mite level in the PAHL. After considerable investment of time and effort, permission was granted.

During that season, Alex Weber displayed tremendous enthusiasm as he, for the first time, engaged in competitive ice hockey. As his peers prepared to move up to the Squirts, however, Alex’s parents “noticed that the other children were improving their gross motor abilities much quicker and, for safety reasons, opted not to continue his involvement with ice hockey.”

In the years that followed his last season with PAHL, a saddened Alex couldn’t understand why he had to quit playing hockey. His mother, Chris Weber, commented: “I would try and explain to him that it is not possible because the teams he would join now are skating very fast and I am afraid that he will get hurt.” In response, Alex just shrugs his shoulders and says “I’m tough.”

So, it was Alex’s love for the game that inspired the formation of Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey Association. Alex’s life, and that of his parents, is “tough” enough. It is our goal to provide support to special needs individuals by providing a service that will facilitate:

 Physical development

 Character formation

 Social interaction

 Self-esteem

The lives of families with disabled children are filled with constant struggle–the struggle to: learn simple tasks most of us take for granted, attain the highest possible level of self-sufficiency, strive toward near grade-level academic achievement, and surmount countless barriers survival in this world presents to the handicapped. However, for parents, the stress and worry of meeting these challenges is offset by the joyful spirit “special” individuals so often possess.

It is our hope that in addition to the players’ self-enrichment, involvement in special hockey activities will provide desperately needed “downtime” for the overburden families of participants as well as a forum in which the entire family may come together for mutual enjoyment.

How is the league funded and run?

The league is funded through the generosity of local individuals, organizations, private grants, and fundraising activities. Center Ice Arena in Delmont, PA donates ice to allow us to have more practices than would have otherwise been possible for us. At this time, we are a 100% volunteer run Organization.

Where can fans see the team play and how can they help support the team?

The Icebergs typically play home games at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center. The team has experienced several road games by traveling to Columbus, Ohio to play another special needs team. The team also participated in a national special hockey event in Washington, D.C. and represented the Pittsburgh area in April at the Special Hockey International Tournament hosted in Marlborough, Mass.

Those interested in supporting the team may send a monetary contribution to Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey Association 101 Powell Road Butler, PA 16002 or contact samaust@zoominternet.net regarding volunteer opportunities.

What part does the Penguins organization have to play in the league and team –how does it help?

The Penguins have been instrumental in the successful launch and continued operation of our organization. In addition to their encouragement, marketing efforts and financial support, the Pens continue to provide enriching opportunities for our athletes and families such as the historic first “Special Hockey Winter Classic” at AE Pavilion on New Year’s Eve 2010, participation in the “Special Hockey International Tournament” near Boston, skating at CONSOL Energy Center, and summer camp with Jim Paek and Phil Bourque. Honestly, I could go on and on! They help immensely!

The Penguins organization has been lauded for their community work and participation in regional hockey –it seems to be a central mission of the organization. What do you think drives this mission and how does it affect your association?

As with any organization, the driving force behind a given mission is corporate management.

In the case of the Penguins, high ideals and a strong commitment to philanthropy seems to be prevalent throughout every level of the organization. As a result, their community endeavors have touched many lives in a way that can only be accomplished when performed in the sincerest spirit of service. This mindset continues to affect our organization in a multitude of positive ways.

What players from the Penguins most frequently help – and how so?

I realize that professional athletes have many responsibilities and demands on their time. From the prospective of prioritizing these diverse demands, I strongly support the Penguin players’ commitment to visit the infirmed patients at Children’s Hospital because these children are not able to get out and enjoy a hockey game or participate in the activities our athletes enjoy.

For these reasons, I have not approached specific players to attend our practices. Should time permit, they are welcome to join any Iceberg event!

How can people get registered to play and what are the criteria for being able to do so?

As with most teams, annual player registration with USA Hockey is required. The current fee charged by USA Hockey is $35 per player. Anyone unable to pay this fee is welcome to contact me. I will do my best to find a sponsor.

What are the greatest challenges you face teaching those with developmental disabilities how to play hockey?

We consider it a great privilege to serve individuals with disabilities. The greatest challenge we face is not on the ice. Rather, it is reaching the area’s disabled individuals to make them aware of our program.

Once they begin attending practices, it is amazing how quickly they learn the skills, gain confidence, become more social, and have fun!

What are the greatest frustrations – and rewards – for coaches/volunteers and players?

From the time the organization was founded, it has been inspirational to observe the needs that occur and the unexpected that arises to fulfill it. We have been blessed by awesome participants, volunteers, and donors. As a whole the experience is so rewarding, I don’t really think of any part of it as frustrating.

When does the team actually take the ice against other teams – and who/when do they do so?

We began scheduling games last year during our second season. Other than the tournaments we attended, we played teams from the Columbus and the D.C. metro area both at our home ice at RMU and away.

What have been some of the greatest successes/stories in your time with the Icebergs?

There have been many success stories. One that continues to stand out in my mind is hearing the news that the doctor of one of our participants made the comment that as long as their child continued to participate in our program, he did not see a need for occupational therapy.

Any other thoughts for readers?

Please take a moment to consider anyone you know with a disability who may benefit from our program. Then, spread the word! //www.pittsburghspecialhockey.org Thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration.

Anne Madarasz, Pittsburgh Sports Museum

Anne Madarasz, Pittsburgh Sports Museum (July 3 2011):

First, can you give readers a short history of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum –when it first opened, how fans can visit and how it’s funded?

The Sports Museumopened in November of 2004 as part of a new five story edition that we built to expand the History Center. The Sports Museum is so big, 20,000 square feet on two floors, that we really see it as a “museum within a museum,” but there is no extra charge to visit – you get great sports history and everything else the Museum has to offer.

We built the Sports Museum because we recognized that sports is part of the identity of this region and that this was a great story that our visitors would love to learn about. It has had the added benefit of attracting visitors who might never come to the History Center – what we’ve found is, they visit the Sports Museum, then check out our other exhibits and they’re hooked!

The History Center and Sports Museum are open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are located in the historic Strip District about two blocks from the Convention Center with parking across the street. People should visit our web-site at www.heinzhistorycenter.org or call 412-454-6000 for more information. Members can visit as many times as they like for no charge, so check out a Sports Museum membership as well.

The History Center is funded by donations from public and private sources and through earned income from admissions and events. Exhibits:The Sports Museum has lots of great features – our introductory video is a favorite with visitors. We strive to tell the stories you expect – Super Bowl championships, World Series wins, and Stanley Cup victories, but also to surprise you.

What are some of the most interesting exhibits you have to offer?

A lot of people don’t know that this is a great center for auto racing – we have Chip Ganassi’s winning Indy car from 2000- or that there are more national marbles champions from Allegheny county then anywhere else, or that four Olympic swimmers came from the Carnegie Library in Homestead team –we’ve got their suits, medals, and Olympic diplomas, or that this was a center for world champion boxers in the 1930s and 40s – we have Billy Conn’s light heavyweight belt.

So come expecting to see Franco’s shoes from the Immaculate Reception and Arnold Palmer’s British Open trophy and Mario’s sweater from the Penguins’ first Stanley Cup win, but look for the bocce court and the national champion powerboat, Satchel Paige’s glove, and Coach Pete Antimarino’s letter jacket too.

We’ve also got lots of activities – so throw the footballs and test your vertical leap while you’re here.

What new exhibits are planned within the year?

There is always something new at the History Center and Sports Museum. This past year we did special exhibits on the 1960 Pirates and one on Mario Lemieux for the Winter Classic. We recently added Swin Cash’s Olympic jersey and an exhibit on the roots of mixed martial arts in the region. Coming up look for an exhibit on the Pirates 125th anniversary this year and their roots as the Alleghenys, a
celebration of Pitt’s national championship in football in 1976, material collected from the Civic Arena, and the hanging of the Steel Curtain banner that used to appear at Three Rivers Stadium.

And we’re working closely with the Josh Gibson Foundation in the coming year to recognize the centennial of Josh’s birth. We will bring in a traveling exhibit called “We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball” on July 1, 2012 and unveil a Josh Gibson life like museum figure in the Sports Museum to join our Franco Harris and Bill Mazeroski figures.

We’re always adding and updating the Museum.

How do you choose what to include in the museum among the myriad of artifacts that are available to exhibit?

There are so many great Pittsburgh sports stories – it is hard to choose. Naturally we try and tell the big stories. But we also try and show the incredible breadth of achievement in the region – from women’s football that predates the Passion, to world rowing champions in the 1860s and 70s, to great track and field Olympians. Sometimes we know about these stories, sometimes a call or email starts us on the trail.

We just brought in a wonderful collection related to the inventor of heavy hands – Leo Schwartz, who grew up and lived in Pittsburgh. It will give us the chance to add to our story of Sports and the Body and changing training methods.

I serve on the WPIAL Hall of Fame committee, so I often try and reach out to those athletes for new material for the museum. We hope to be adding Clinton Davis’ track shoes and Brandon Short’s high school jersey soon.

Do you display all the artifacts in your possession or are some artifacts held back (and if so, for what reasons and can fans see these)?

Every Museum has more objects and collections then what you see on display. There are several reasons we don’t put everything out – one is just for the long term preservation of the objects. Light can damage paper and clothing over time and fade it – so we try and rotate those materials so they last.

Also, we want you to come back – if everything we had was on display, we’d never have new stories to tell to bring you back. Finally, we have a huge non-circulating Library and Archives, that you can use and visit, on our 6th Floor.

We’ve built up a big collection of programs, tickets, photographs, high school yearbooks etc. that are used by the media and researchers, as well as the public. It’s a great resource on the history of sport, but most of it is not on display. Yet it’s all accessible to anyone who wants to use it. We share objects in storage with family members and researchers all the time, we just need a little notice to make them available.

How and where do you acquire these artifacts?

We’ve built great partnerships that have helped us acquire these materials.

Before we opened the Sports Museum we put together our Champions Committee, chaired by Franco Harris and co-chaired by Bill Mazeroski, Arnold Palmer, Suzie McConnell Serio, and Chip Ganassi. With more than 70 athletes, media members, and team representatives, the Committee became a key ingredient in getting the word out about the Sports Museum and bringing in materials.

They continue to meet with us and give us leads and ideas. In addition, we have great relationships with the professional sports teams and the athletic departments at the universities, as well as the WPIAL – they are all advocates for and supporters of what we do.

The curators and archivists here work with me to follow the news, reach out to people and generate new ideas and leads on materials. And the public continues to call and email us and offer objects and ideas. Unfortunately, we rarely have a budget to buy collections and a lot of this sports material has become very valuable and collectible.

We’ve been lucky that some of the athletes, teams, major collectors, and families have been so generous in providing the treasures we have.

Any interesting stories on how some of these artifacts have been discovered?

Sometimes it’s asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it’s a chance meeting that leads to great material.

I knew that one of the stories we’d want to tell in the Museum was the story of the great winning tradition of Westinghouse football under Coach Pete Dimperio. I called his daughter Peg, who used to volunteer for us, and she invited me out to meet with her and her brother Pete, Jr. They had all kinds of wonderful stuff to share. We got to talking about my vision for the Museum and I started telling them how I wanted to do a wall of high school letter jackets as part of the display. Peg got up and opened the hall closet door, there was her dad’s letter jacket in a dry cleaning bag – it had probably been there for 40 years. Now it’s in the Museum.

I started asking other people for their jackets – including Jim Kelly. I knew his high school jersey was at the Hall of Fame in Canton, but hoped to get his jacket. Turns out, it was stolen years ago and he didn’t have it. But while I was on the phone talking to him about it, I remembered a great photo of Kelly as a kid, shaking Bradshaw’s hand after he won the national punt, pass, and kick competition. I asked if he still had the trophy from that. He laughed and said no way. A few weeks later my phone rings, its Jim Kelly’s assistant telling me he went looking for the trophy and found it.

Also, now in the Museum. As for chance meetings – I was working a Saturday the year after the Museum opened and bumped into a guy in the Museum who was interested in a picture we had of an early pro football team. Turns out his grandfather was in the picture. I offered to get him a copy and we got to talking. The gentleman, Gregg Ficery, turned out to be a huge baseball card collector. I introduced him to our baseball curator Craig Britcher and they really hit it off. Gregg has become one of our most dedicated and generous donors, constantly looking for rare pieces to add to our collection.

Have any Pittsburgh athletes come through the exhibit –what are their reactions when they see the collections?

Because of the Champions Committee we have a lot of athletes in the exhibits at events, doing programs for us, bringing their family and friends.

A couple of my favorite stories – on opening night Ernie Holmes came to the event. He had given us his helmet for the exhibit, I took him to see it that night. He was clearly touched to see it in the case with objects from his Steel Curtain teammates – Joe Greene, Dwight White, and L.C. Greenwood. Ernie was working then as an assistant pastor at a church in Texas. He told me his next sermon would include thanks for the “lady who keeps memories alive.”

One of the most touching things anyone has ever said to me. One Friday we were very busy – one of the news channels was taping an interview in the gallery with Franco Harris and the public was watching. I was downstairs looking to greet Coach Johnny Majors who had brought some friends in to see the exhibit. A woman visitor came around the corner from seeing the Franco filming and almost walked into Coach Majors and his group. She turned to me and asked, “Is it always like this?” I could only laugh! You never know who you’ll see on the elevator or using our SmartSteps (a new health and history exhibit in the stair well that we just opened), Charlie Batch came to cut the ribbon!

How are you using technology to add to the experience of the exhibits/museum?

We have some great touch screen exhibits in the Museum – you can search out events that happened at Three Rivers, check out Hall of Famers, take a virtual tour of Greenlee Field, used by the Pittsburgh Crawfords in the 1930s. These are fun ways to share lots of information and add to the experience.

Can people volunteer to work at the museum – if so, how and in what capacities?

We have hundreds of volunteers who work as docents, help in the Library, work with collections, help at events – do all kinds of things. Visit the Volunteer link on our web-site to find out more.

Any Last Thoughts for Readers?

The Sports Museum is really designed with the family in mind. We have more than 70 hands on activities integrated into the space with the exhibits. Plus we often feature special programs or events – like the Stanley Cup last year.

If someone in your family isn’t a huge sports fan (I’ve heard those people exist in Pittsburgh) the History Center has so much more to offer – from Heinz 57 to the Story of Innovation to ethnic history and more. Plus a café, a great Museum Shop, and we’re right here in the Strip District.

We look forward to seeing you!