By Jennifer Deigan, Staff Writer On Tuesday, April 26, 2005, 14 Seton Hill University (SHU) faculty and staff members played basketball against 18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football players at the McKenna Recreation Center. The doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and the game started at 8:00 p.m. Approximately 1200 people attended, according to Jim Chester, admissions counselor, who organized this event. The final score of the game was 49-90, Steelers.
AFTER THE GAME, THE STEELERS SIGNED AUTOGRAPHS FOR FANS. HINES WARD STOPPED TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH SENIOR BONNIE PEPERAK AND JUNIOR MATT SYPOLT
“I thought [the game] was a lot of fun and a good chance to socialize,” said Monica Bello, junior. Three members of the Student Representative Organization presented a check to the American Red Cross before the game began. The game started after the national anthem was sung by Kathleen Shields, junior, and Lauren Bradley, freshman. The SHU Cheerleading Squad cheered throughout the game and performed a routine at halftime. “I loved the game. It was nice to see everyone get together for charity…it was also nice in the new rec center. Since 1400 people can fit in it, the whole school can come to events,” said Kelly Pelkey, freshman. The cheerleading squad consists of: Steven Johnson, senior and captain of the team, Shields, co-captain, Pelkey, spirit coordinator, Amanda Swartz, freshman, Lauren Miles, freshman, Danielle Nortum, freshman, Dawn Gianotti, sophomore, Maren Masur, freshman, Lauren Bradley, freshman, Taylee Wilson, sophomore, Sarah Lodzsun, freshman, and Kalesha Jenkins, freshman. “I thought the game was wonderful. It was a good experience for everyone to come and interact with players. I like the new rec center a lot – I like the colors, the setup, and especially the walking track,” said Lodzsun. The faculty/staff members who participated in this event were: Chester, number 2, Mike Brewer of graduate and adult studies, 34, Jeremy George, assistant football coach, 33, Marc Marizzaldi, head baseball coach, 19, Todd Welsh, assistant baseball coach, 28, Geno Ray, director of major gifts and government relations, 39, Rick Hall, head women’s volleyball coach, Matt Zielinski, graduate assistant, 31, Garrett Richards, assistant men’s basketball coach, 1, Tim Jones, assistant manager of the SHU bookstore, 21, Joe Gearde, assistant men’s basketball coach, 3, Terry Brino-Dean, director of the theatre department, 7, Richard Hutchinson, academic coordinator of the physician’s assistant program, 11, and David Spudy, adjunct education faculty member, 54. “It was a lot of fun and a great experience. The Steelers were a lot of fun to compete against. I think the rec center is a great building and Seton Hill University’s (SHU) teams will have a great time there for years to come,” said Ray. The Steelers who participated were: Kendrick Clancy, 6’3’’ 290 pounds, number 96, from the University of Mississippi, Matt Cushing, 6’3’’, 260 pounds, number 48, from Illinois University, Clark Haggans, 6’3’’, 250 pounds, number 53, from Colorado State University, Chris Hoke, 6’3’’, 290 pounds, number 76, from Brigham Young University, Chris Hope, 6’0’’, 205 pounds, number 28, from Florida State University, Brett Keisel, 6’6’’, 290 pounds, number 99, from Brigham Young University, Lee Mays, 6’2’’, 210 pounds, number 89, from the University of Texas at El Paso, Chukky Okobi, 6’1’’, 310 pounds, number 56, from Purdue University, Joey Porter, 6’2’’, 260 pounds, number 55, from Colorado State University, Antwann Randle el, 5’10’’, 185 pounds, number 82, from Indiana University, Oliver Ross, 6’5’’, 299 pounds, number 60, from Iowa State University, Mike Schneck, 6’1’’, 245 pounds, number 54, from the University of Wisconsin, Russell Stuvaints, 6’0’’, 200 pounds, number 33, from West Virginia University, Ike Taylor, 6’1’’, 198 pounds, number 24, from Louisiana Lafayette University, Deshea Townsend, 5’11’’, 185 pounds, number 26, from the University of Alabama, Keydrick Vincent, 6’6’’, 330 pounds, number 68, from the University of Mississippi, Hines Ward, 6’0’’, 200 pounds, number 86, from the University of Georgia, and J.T. Wall, 5’11’’, 250 pounds, number 49, from the University of Georgia. The event was sponsored by the Student Representative Organization. All proceeds benefited the American Red Cross of the Westmoreland County Chapter and the Student Representative Organization. “I was very happy to be there. It’s always nice to do something for the community and I’m very happy about the Red Cross donation,” said Hope. The Steelers signed autographs and took pictures with fans at halftime. “It was fun and I really enjoyed it. It was awesome to see my favorite Steeler, Hines Ward, especially. I think I was the only one wearing face paint. They should’ve had more student interaction, more cheers and involvement from the crowd. I think that there definitely should have been more time to meet the Steelers. It was madness and a lot of confusion, so I think it should’ve been more organized. Overall, I’d say that it was a blast,” said Jeremy Burkett, sophomore. “[The game] was fun. [It was] a nice game, and a nice atmosphere with lots of happy people. It was lots of fun,” said Ross. At halftime the score was 18-47, Steelers. “I think it was really good with a really good turnout. Since the new rec center is on campus, it allowed a lot more people to come and hype up the teams a lot more,” said Masur. “It was a great experience – very different playing against those caliber athletes. It was a great time and I’m glad so many people showed up,” said Chester. To view all articles by this writer Click here.