Are we ready for some Football?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the Modern-Era Nominees semifinalist for the Class of 2025, and the Steelers are represented.

The semifinals include former Steelers linebacker James Harrison and receiver Hines Ward. Both are members of the Steelers Hall of Honor, with Harrison being inducted in 2023 and Ward in 2019.

Harrison, who is a semifinalist for the third straight year, was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year during the 2008 Super Bowl season, finishing the season with 16 sacks, a team record at the time that has since been surpassed by T.J. Watt. He was voted first-team Associated Press All-Pro twice, a Pro Bowl selection five consecutive years (2007-11) and twice voted Steelers MVP (2007-08).

His 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII was a legendary play he will forever be remembered for. Harrison, who originally signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and played 14 seasons with the team and has 80.5 career sacks.

Ward, a semifinalist for the ninth straight year, played 14 seasons for the Steelers, after being selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He had 1,000 career receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. His versatility was always on display with his blocking ability a shining example of that. Ward is a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor.

Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after leading the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In three Super Bowls, Ward registered 14 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers' 2008 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Ward was named to four Pro Bowls (2002-05) and was a member of the team's 75th Season All-Time Team. Ward was selected by his teammates as the Steelers MVP three times in his career, including 2002 along with Joey Porter, 2003, and 2005 with Casey Hampton.

Voting is also occurring in the Seniors, Coach and Contributor categories. The names of those Finalists will be announced in December. There will be a total of 20 Finalists presented at the Selection Committee's annual meeting next year in advance of Super Bowl LIX: 15 Modern-Era Players, three Seniors, one Coach and one Contributor. 

While there is no set number for any class of Enshrinees, the Hall of Fame's selection process bylaws stipulate that between four and eight new members will be selected. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 will be announced at "NFL Honors" in New Orleans, La., in February and enshrined in August in Canton.

Wednesday, November 6

Adding a playmaker: It didn't take long for newly acquired receiver Mike Williams to get into the groove with his new team, practicing on Wednesday for the first time after he learned he was traded from the New York Jets to the Steelers.

Williams said he learned of the trade after he had multiple missed phone calls on Tuesday.

"I was asleep," said Williams. "I was feeling like my phone vibrating, but I thought I was dreaming. It was five missed calls from my agent and then the GM from the Jets called me and told me about the trade.

"Excited for the opportunity. Happy to be here. Looking forward to it. Ready to get this thing rolling.

"It's exciting. It starts up front, the running game. And then everybody sees plays that the receivers make. GP (George Pickens) going out there, making big time plays every game. So, adding me just added another threat, a guy that can go out there and make plays.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I'm a playmaker. I want to make plays. I want to get the ops. I'm going to go out and work and show that I deserve to be on the field."

Williams got a chance to make some plays in his first practice with the team, even staying on the field after practice with the other receivers to get extra work in.

He is excited about the prospect of working with Russell Wilson, a quarterback he said everyone is familiar with what he brings.

"Russ, everybody sees it," said Williams. "He puts the work in. Time in, time out. A leader on and off the field.

"I'm just very thankful to have a guy like that, a quarterback on this team. A leader to put us in the right position to be successful."

Williams knows it will take some time to get into a rhythm with Wilson, but he is willing to work at it.

"I'm looking forward to getting more reps in off to the side with him," said Williams. "Getting that connection down. Seeing the spots he likes. Where I like the ball so we can be on the same page."

Williams said what role he will have on the team, especially at the outset, is something they haven't talked about yet and he is just taking things day-to-day.

"I had a pretty good day today," said Williams. "I've been in quite a bit. I was moving around everywhere. I'm trying to learn as much as possible. You never know what can happen, people move, things change. So, I'm just learning all the positions. I got some reps with Russ also.

"So, keep building the rest of the week and see where we are on Sunday."

Williams said he didn't know where he would end up in a trade, or if he would definitely be traded, but he did hear his name out there in the rumor mill, and even had some fans bring it up to him when the Jets played the Steelers in Week 7 at Acrisure Stadium.

"That was crazy," said Willimas. "When we played here, the people were in the stands telling me don't go back, stay, don't take the plane back. I thought it was funny."

Keeping the physicality: As the Steelers prepare for the Commanders this week, they are coming off three straight wins ahead of the bye, two in which they put up more than 30 points.

The goal this week is to stay that hot as they face a Commanders team that is 7-2 and has the top pass defense in the NFC, fifth overall in the NFL.

"They're a good defense," said tight end Pat Freiermuth. "They've got two really good linebackers, No. 4 (Frankie Luvu) and No. 54 (Bobby Wagner) four and 54 and they have a really good safety in No. 11 (Jeremy Chinn). So, it's going to be a challenge for us.

"But we've got to continue what we're doing to bring physicality, run the ball, open up the play action game and take shots down field."

The things that Freiermuth described are the things that helped them win the last three games. The ground game was pounding the ball, with Najee Harris rushing for 100 plus yards three straight weeks. And in the air, things were clicking as well.

"Just the physicality, the offense, putting the points, being able to execute at a high level," said Freiermuth. "We had a good time to reset, look at some things individually and collectively as a unit.

"We were able to adjust and move forward and hopefully continue to put up points and look good on that side of the ball."

The offense will have some help looking good this week after the team traded for Jets receiver Mike Williams on Tuesday. In eight seasons in the NFL, Williams has appeared in 97 games, starting 65, and has 321 receptions for 4,972 yards and 31 touchdowns.

"He's a threat," said Freiermuth. "He's a downfield guy. He can make plays throughout the field, so we're really excited to have him and hopefully he can bring some good things to our offense."

Williams gives the Steelers another downfield threat alongside George Pickens, something that benefit the offense in multiple ways.

"Having those two guys that can go down and make plays down the field, it's going to limit defenses in what they can do," said Freiermuth. "It's going to hopefully open up opportunities for me and Calvin (Austin III) in the middle of the field to where we can dictate what we want the defense to do."

The trade for Williams, and outside linebacker Presto Smith, has given the locker room yet another sign that the organization is all in on this team going far this year.

"We knew that from the beginning," said Freiermuth. "We know we have to win playoff games. That was our goal coming into this year.

"Any time the front office can add pieces like this that can help us win, it's obviously cool. But we knew from the start we were all in to go win this thing."

"Yeah, man, you gotta watch the film," Smith maintained after practice today. "I've been doing this for a long time. It didn't just start today. I have five career interceptions. None of them was returned for a touchdown. I'm not gonna blame my teammates for a lack of blocking but I do have five interceptions. I did great in coverage. I don't think I gave up any touchdowns, maybe one. Yeah, I gave up one touchdown.

"Other than that I can flip the hips and run with the best of them."

Smith was drafted by Washington on the second round out of Mississippi State in 2015. The native of Stone Mountain, Ga. began his tenure in Green Bay in 2019. The Packers played a 3-4 defense then, very similar to the one the Steelers currently play. Green Bay's shift to a 4-3 this season compelled Smith to seek greener pastures.

"A few weeks ago I requested a trade," he said. "I didn't feel like I was being useful in the system, it wasn't catering to my play style. Moving forward I wasn't surprised when I got the call (about being traded to the Steelers). I got what I asked for and I'm at a great place with some great teammates.

"I'm excited for a new start and I'm excited for the rest of this journey for this season."

Smith noticed a few familiar faces upon his arrival at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

"Crazy story, I don't want to date myself," Smith explained. "I played with (defensive lineman) Dean (Lowry) in Washington. I know a couple of these guys from offseason training. I know (defensive lineman) Larry Ogunjobi, I met him through a mutual friend.

"(Offensive tackle) Broderick (Jones), I know him because he played on a basketball team with my little cousin. I actually watched him play in his last game (as a senior in high school). That's kinda crazy to see him in the NFL, now we're on the same team.

"It dates me."

Smith, who turns 32 on Nov. 17, isn't worried about the Steelers asking more from him than he can provide.

"Just expect me to come in and be who they saw me as," he said, "a violent pass rusher, a violent edge rusher, a guy who can play the run well and pass rush and just contribute any way I can."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Source: Steelers.com

Former Pitt Panthers star wide receiver Tyler Boyd received a great honor, as Clairton High School renamed their football stadium after him.

Boyd does a number of work throughout the Clairton community, which is a city in the Monongahela River valley, about 14 miles south of Pitt's campus.

Some of the work Boyd does includes starting a basketball league for the kids in the Clairton community that sends the all-starts to Florida. His mother also helps a great deal, as they both run a youth little league and do whatever they can to give back and keep kids engaged in and outside of school.

Boyd had an incredible four seasons with the Clairton Bears from 2009-12, holding a 63-1 record and winning four straight WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A Titles.

He held the record for most touchdowns in WPIAL history with 117 and was fifth all-time with 5,755 rushing yards when he graduated. 

Boyd would win all 63 games for Clairton consecutively and the 66 game winning streak, which continued after he graduated, was the longest in the country. 

He played in the Big 33 Classic in 2013, where he scored five touchdowns, including two receiving and one each passing, kick return and rushing in the 58-27 blowout win over Maryland. He also played in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. 

One of his best high school performances came in the 2010 PIAA 1A Class Championship. Clairton faced a 24-0 deficit, but Boyd would lead the way, posting a 100+ yards receiving and two touchdowns in the 36-30 comeback victory 

Boyd would choose to play collegiate football at Pitt and excelled in his three seasons there from 2013-15. His 254 catches and 3,361 receiving yards in his career rank as the most for a Pitt player in program history. He also has 21 receiving touchdowns, tied for sixth most in a Pitt career.

His 1,261 receiving yards in 2014 and his 1,174 receiving yards in 2013 rank fifth and sixth most in a season for a Pitt player, repectively, while his 91 receptions in 2015, 85 receptions in 2014 and 78 receptions in 2013 rank fourth, fifth and sixth most in a single season for the program.

he Cincinnati Bengals took Boyd in the Second Round of the 2016 NFL Draft and he would make 513 catches for 6,000 yards and 31 receiving touchdowns in eight seasons for them, along with a Super Bowl appearance.

He signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, where he is currently heading into Week 3 with the team. 

Source: Pitt Panthers

The Steelers Hall of Honor is the ultimate recognition for those who have made immeasurable contributions to the organization, whether it be on the field, or off the field.

On Saturday, the newest additions to the group were welcomed into the fold when the Hall of Honor Class of 2024 was announced during a ceremony at Saint Vincent College as a part of the Steelers 'Back Together Weekend' celebration.

The Hall of Honor Class of 2024 includes four individuals who were part of Super Bowl teams for the Steelers, with three of them part of the same championship team. Linebacker Jason Gildon, nose tackle Casey Hampton, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and running back Willie Parker highlight a class that brought plenty of glory to the black and gold.

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The Steelers signed free agent quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract.

Wilson, who will be entering his 13th NFL season, spent the last two years with the Denver Broncos following a trade from the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson spent the first 10 years of his career with the Seahawks after they drafted him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

"Super grateful to be here, obviously to be a Pittsburgh Steeler," said Wilson during his introductory press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "It's a great tradition. To be able to compete and be able to go to work with these guys every single day is the gift of this game. Enjoying the process of it all. 

"The reason I wanted to come here is because I wanted to win championships with Coach (Mike) Tomlin and the guys in the locker room. We got some amazing players, guys like Cam Heyward, a guy who has been (Walter Payton) Man of the Year, a guy who has impacted so many. Got to talk to him for a little while during this process.  And then obviously Mr. T.J. Watt himself. Really should be defensive player, I don't know how many times, maybe third, fourth time could have won it. Just tremendous athlete, player, competitor.  

"Guys like Minkah (Fitzpatrick), George Pickens, and just so many other great players along the way. Got to see some guys like (Pat) Freiermuth and (Isaac) Seumalo in there. Great place to be.  

"Grateful for the opportunity to be able to get after it and do what we came here to do, and that's to win football games."

Wilson said he went through a full process before deciding to sign with the Steelers, which began with a zoom call and ended with him in black and gold. 

"When have the opportunity to be a free agent and go through that process, and when Denver allowed me to speak to teams and go through that process -- this is the first time I've ever gone through that process," said Wilson. "It kind of feels like you're at the Combine all over again in a way. Kind of going through the interview process with people and getting to meet people. 

"I think that there is a few things that just jumped off the board about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Number one, I got to play here. Played in Seattle in CenturyLink in 2015. Great game back and forth. It was just a battle all the way down to the wire. 

"I just remember the players that they had and just the competitors that we had at that time, and now it's just -- and then coming here in 2018 playing here, just the atmosphere, walking into the stadium, just the energy. 

"I remember the towels, Renegade, the whole thing. I remember the game coming down to the fourth quarter. Why I love this game because it's the greatest team sport there is. What winning looks like, it's all 22 pieces, and then you add the special teams as well, so really 33 plus more. All the people in the background you don't get to see. 

"When I got to talk to Cam Heyward, talked for an hour on FaceTime, and just it was a cool experience of a guy that has been at the top of his game for so long and also a man who has made a difference in community, a guy who has made a difference not just in Pittsburgh but around the country in all the things he's done. He solidified himself as one of the best players in the game. 

"I think also after that, the next day, next morning I got to talk it (General Manager) Omar (Khan), got to talk to Coach Tomlin on Zoom. It was supposed to be a 15-20 minute conversation, and next thing you know it's an hour and a half later. 

"I think that winning is a habit. Coach knows what those habits are like. That's what really fires me up. Omar, obviously he's done an amazing job of bringing this team together, and obviously our goal was to acquire some other great players.

"I was fortunate to have several teams call and all that, but this is the place I wanted to be, be a Pittsburgh Steeler and to wear the black and gold. It's a true honor, tradition, history. There's six trophies in there and we got to go get a seventh." 

In 12 seasons, Wilson has played in 188 games, starting all of them. He has led his teams to 116 regular season wins since 2012, ranking him first among active quarterbacks. He has completed 3,668 of 5,665 passes for 43,653 yards and 334 touchdowns. Wilson has started 16 postseason games, completing 275 of 451 passes for 3,786 yards with 25 touchdowns.

His 43,653 passing yards rank 19th on the all-time NFL list, one of only four active quarterbacks in the top 20. His 334 touchdowns rank 13th on the NFL's all-time touchdown list, and he reached 300 passing touchdowns in 168 games, seventh all-time. He also ranks second all-time, behind only Peyton Manning, for most touchdown passes in his first 12 seasons.

In addition, Wilson has 981 career rushes for 5,307 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also has five receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown. He is the only quarterback in the NFL to throw for 40,000 plus yards and rush for 5,000 plus yards for his career. His 5,307 rushing yards rank third among quarterbacks in NFL history.

Wilson has thrown for at least two touchdowns in a single game 103 times, placing him in third place all-time in that category behind Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady (who are tied at 108). He is tied for fourth all-time with Matthew Stafford for most games with three or more touchdowns, 46 games, since 2012.

The last two seasons with the Broncos Wilson started 30 games, completing 589 passes for 6,594 yards and 42 touchdowns. With two 3,000 plus yard seasons while in Denver, Wilson has thrown for at least 3,000 yards in all 12 of his NFL seasons.

During his time in Seattle, Wilson guided the Seahawks to eight playoff appearances, two Super Bowl berths, including a win in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection (2012-15, 2017-21), a second team Associated Press All-Pro selection (2019) and a former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recipient (2020). Wilson also received the Bart Starr Award in 2022, which honors a player for his outstanding character, integrity and leadership on and off the field.

Facts and Figures:

Posted career highs in completions (384), completion percentage (68.8), and touchdowns in 2020 and a career-high 4,219 passing yards in 2016.

Threw a career-low five interceptions in 2019.

When he led the Seahawks to a win in Super Bowl XLVIII, he became the third-youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the Super Bowl, leading Seattle to a 43-8 win over Denver.

In his first season, Wilson tied Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for most touchdown passes by a rookie with 26. Wilson also became the first rookie in NFL history to lead his team to an undefeated home record.

The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) is excited to introduce the WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which features 14 inductees across seven different categories. The 17th annual WPIAL Hall of Fame class was announced to the public on Wednesday morning in a press conference at the Senator John Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

Out of the 14 inductees, five are listed in the Athlete category, three in Coach, two in Team, and one each in Official, Contributor, Heritage, and Courage. The full class is listed below, as well as a brief overview on each inductee’s career.
 

WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Tyler Boyd (Athlete) – Helped lead Clairton to a 63-1 record and four WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A championships from 2009 to 2012 … Held the WPIAL record in touchdowns (117) and ranked fifth in WPIAL history in rushing yards (5,755) after graduation … Rushed for 2,584 yards and accounted for 51 total touchdowns as a senior … Selected to play in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Earned Big 33 Classic MVP honors after scoring five touchdowns (91-yard kick return, 68-yard pass, four-yard run, 16-yard catch, five-yard catch) … Lettered in basketball and baseball at Clairton, and played in the WPIAL Championship Game in basketball as a senior … Played football collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh, finishing as a three-time All-ACC selection with school records in receptions (254) and receiving yards (3,361) … Picked in the 2nd round (55th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and currently is in his eighth season with the team
 

Jim Chacko (Official) – Served as a WPIAL official for football, basketball, and baseball … Umpired pro baseball for a few seasons in the Gulf Coast League and MLB spring training … Officiated for ABC’s “Superstars” show, which featured top athletes competing in events that were not their own … Well-rounded athlete at Charleroi, lettering in baseball, basketball, football, and track & field … Won a WPIAL championship in basketball as a junior … Named to the All-State and All-America First Team as a senior in 1959 … Scored 1,188 career points at Charleroi … Played baseball collegiately at Long Beach State University … Inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Mon Valley Sports Writers Hall of Fame in 1997
 

Ron Faust (Coach) – Finished his 36-year career with a record of 653-241, spending two different stints at his alma mater Washington as the boys’ basketball head coach (1981-2010, 2014-2022) … Guided Washington to 22 section championships, four WPIAL titles (1984, 1985, 1986, 1990), and two PIAA Class 2A championships (1984, 1986) … Posted a perfect 6-0 record in WPIAL and PIAA Championship Games … Led the Little Prexies to 52 consecutive wins from 1984 to 1985 … Named Dapper Dan Basketball Coach of the Year twice and the Pennsylvania Class 2A Coach of the Year in 1984 … Graduated from the California University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and was a four-year letterwinner in baseball … Inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2002
 

Jordan Geist (Athlete) – Captured six WPIAL and six PIAA gold medals, completing three-peats in shot put and discus … Owns the WPIAL championship meet records in shot put (73-10.75) and discus (208-07.00), and boasts the PIAA championship meet standards in shot put (74-03.50) and discus (207-06.00) … Won a national title at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw with a toss of 238-00.00, which was the third best mark in U.S. high school history … Took home gold in shot put at the 2017 Pan American Under-20 Championships with a record toss of 72-03.00, and at the TSTCA Indoor Championships … Named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in track & field for 2017 … Competed collegiately at the University of Arizona, earning 11 All-America honors and two Academic All-America First Team nods … Swept the NCAA shot put titles in 2023 for outdoor and indoor track & field
 

Simmie Hill (Heritage) – Starred for the 1964-65 Midland boys’ basketball team, which won the WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A titles and was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2009 … Named to the Parade All-America First Team in 1965 after scoring 652 points, including a record 38 points in the WPIAL Championship Game against Aliquippa and 31 points in the PIAA Championship Game versus Steelton-Highspire … Scored 1,327 points over his career at Midland … Played collegiately at Wichita State University, Cameron Junior College, and West Texas A&M University … Garnered All-America honors at Cameron and West Texas A&M, joining LSU’s Pete Maravich and UCLA’s Lew Alcindor on the list as a senior … Picked in the 2nd round (16th overall) of the 1969 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls … Played four seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) … Inducted into numerous Hall of Fames, including Beaver County Sports (1986), West Texas A&M Athletics (1988), Midland Sports (2010), Cameron Athletics (2011), and the Pittsburgh Basketball Club (2018)
 

Heather Lewis (Courage) – Battled breast cancer for 10 months from 2021-22 … Serves as the athletic director at Seneca Valley since 2012, and is the school’s first female athletic director … Named 2022 PSADA Region IV Athletic Director of the Year … Elected to the WPIAL Board of Directors prior to the 2019-20 school year … Spent time as an associate athletic director and the head coach of the field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs at Bucknell University … Worked with U.S. Olympic Committee ahead of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics … Graduated from the University of Maryland, earning All-Region plaudits for the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams, and winning an NCAA title in the latter
 

George Rudolph (Coach) – Coached for 50 seasons at Oakland Catholic and Sacred Heart, starting the cross country and track & field teams in the fall of 1973 … Led his teams to 15 conference titles, three WPIAL individual cross country gold medals, 16 WPIAL individual track & field titles, and a pair of WPIAL cross country team championships (2016, 2017) … Earned the Tri-State Track & Field Coaches’ Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 … Served as the athletic director at Sacred Heart and Oakland Catholic, and the president of the Pittsburgh Softball Association for Umpires … Taught social studies for 47 years
 

Robert Schilken (Athlete) – Three-year starter for Mt. Lebanon football, helping lead the team to WPIAL Class 4A championships in 1980 and 1981 … Garnered Parade All-America, Associated Press All-State First Team, and United Press International All-State Second Team accolades in 1981 … Played football collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh from 1982 to 1985, winning three letters while competing in the 1983 Cotton Bowl and 1984 Fiesta Bowl … Received the Blue-Gold Award for Academic Achievement and an NCAA scholarship for post-graduate studies as a senior at Pitt … Currently is a team physician for the Pittsburgh Pirates and surgeon with Allegheny Orthopedic Associates

Nicole Sleith Schaffer (Athlete) – Posted a 62-10 record with 989 strikeouts, 0.57 earned run average, and a .463 batting average, and tossed 13 no-hitters over her career with Yough softball … Helped lead the Cougars to the 2011 WPIAL Class 3A title, the school’s first in any sport … Became the second student and first female student-athlete to have uniform jersey retired at Yough … Garnered three All-State honors and was the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Player of the Year in 2011 … Competed collegiately for the Robert Morris University softball team and was named to the RMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022 … Won three NEC Pitcher of the Year awards, three NFCA All-Region nods, and was the 2012 NEC Rookie of the Year … Currently works as the director of player development for Duke University’s softball team
 

Beth Swink (Athlete) – Three-sport letterwinner (basketball, softball, cross country) at Connellsville, garnering All-Section accolades in basketball and softball … Scored 1,500 career points for the Falcons basketball team and helped lead it to the PIAA playoffs … Compiled 27 victories, 324 strikeouts, and 11 shutouts in two seasons as a pitcher for the Connellsville softball team, also leading it to the PIAA postseason … Named a WPIAL James Collins Scholar-Athlete in 2001 and donated the money back to the  softball program … Played basketball collegiately at Saint Francis University, accumulating 2,127 points and 957 rebounds while making four straight NCAA Tournaments … Collected two Academic All-America honors and was named to the NEC 25th Anniversary Team in 2006 … Played professional basketball in Sweden for two seasons … Inducted into the NEC Hall of Fame in 2011, SFU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015, and Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018
 

Bob Trautwine (Contributor) – Long-time member of the cross country and track & field steering committee … Compiled 110-56 record as East Allegheny track & field coach, winning 28 consecutive dual meets from 1973 to 1976 and seven Keystone Conference championships … Coached five WPIAL Class 3A individual champions and 29 PIAA qualifiers … Served as East Allegheny athletic director from 1989 to 1999 … Held roles on the WPIAL Board of Directors, as president of the WPIAL Athletic Directors Association, and as a WPIAL playoff game manager in football, soccer, basketball, and track & field … Received the John & Michael Ferrante Memorial Award for promoting sports and student-athletes in 2004, and the Tri-State Track & Field Coaches’ Association Lifetime Achievement Award
 

Mike Zmijanac (Coach) – Only coach in Pennsylvania high school history to win state titles in football and basketball … Spent 48 seasons coaching football and 24 as a head coach, compiling a 240-59 record … Guided Aliquippa football to six WPIAL championships (2000, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015) and the 2003 PIAA Class 2A title … Became first coach in WPIAL history to take team to 10 consecutive WPIAL Championship Games … Helped lead Aliquippa to an additional four WPIAL golds as a defensive coordinator … Registered a 166-43 record in seven seasons as the Aliquippa boys’ basketball coach, winning three WPIAL titles (1998, 2000, 2003) and the 1997 PIAA Class 2A championship … Inducted into the Minor Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015, Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016, and Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 … Taught creative writing and American literature for 39 years at Aliquippa
 

1989 Peters Township Boys’ Soccer (Team) – Finished the season with a 23-2-2 record, successfully defending its 1988 Class 2A championships at the WPIAL and PIAA level … Allowed just 19 goals over the entire campaign, posting 15 shutouts … Blanked each of its postseason opponents, outscoring them 23-0 over the course of the WPIAL and PIAA tournaments … Defeated Quaker Valley, 1-0, in the WPIAL Championship Game … Topped Perry Traditional Academy (5-0), Fairview (2-0), and Quaker Valley (3-0) in PIAA playoffs before drawing with Great Valley (0-0) in final … Boasted an All-State selection in Kevin Shaeffer
 

2011-12 Canon-McMillan Boys’ Wrestling (Team) – Captured the WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A team championships with a 26-0 dual meet record … Garnered four WPIAL individual championships (Connor Schram at 120, Solomon Chishko at 138, Cody Wiercioch at 170, Cody Kiempay at 285), one PIAA gold medalist (Wiercioch), and eight PIAA place winners … Boasted 14 wrestlers with 20 or more wins, eight with 30 or more wins, and five with 40 or more wins … Topped North Allegheny, 53-12, for WPIAL team crown … Defeated McDowell, 35-20, to win the PIAA team championship … Saw numerous student-athletes go on to wrestle collegiately at the NCAA Division I level at programs such as Cal Poly, Clarion, Cornell, Lehigh, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Virginia Tech

The WPIAL Hall of Fame was organized as a means of recognizing, preserving, and promoting the heritage of interscholastic sports in Western Pennsylvania. Many individuals have made extraordinary contributions and have achieved superb accomplishments in high school sports. The WPIAL Hall of Fame honors the contributions and accomplishments of these individuals who are worthy of recognition as examples for others to emulate.

The annual WPIAL Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held on Friday, May 31 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Greentree (500 Mansfield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205).
 

 EXPLOSIVE, RELENTLESS and INSPIRING Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams Defensive tackle proudly represents Pittsburgh on and off the field, PUM Contributor Isaiah Beckham caught up with Donald as a participant at his annual football camp.  

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald comes home to Pittsburgh to host a free, youth football skills camp for athletes ages 6 to 18 at his alma mater, Penn Hills High School. Donald, AD99 Solutions, and 2 Tenths Speed & Agility Training presented the Living in the Pocket Youth Football Skills Camp for close to 150 athletes held on June 26th. Donald, who also played for the University of Pittsburgh is recognized as a unanimous All-American and was drafted by the Rams with the 13th pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. 

Eager Athletes from all over the country participated in the camp and best of all we had the opportunity to meet and learn some valuable football techniques on the field with the legendary NFL superstar. 

Donald is currently rated as the best player in the NFL and I would agree with RAMSWIRE.com he is a serious force to be reckoned with:  “Donald doesn’t play a premier position for the Rams, but he’s established himself as the best defensive tackle in the NFL and the most dominant player at any position. You earn that title by winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards, earning six All-Pro selections and setting the NFL record for the most sacks in a season by a defensive tackle (20.5). At the age of 30, he’s shown no signs of slowing down, either. He’s coming off a season in which he had 13.5 sacks and 28 QB hits, winning Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. And as a result, Pro Football Focus continues to view him as the best player in football.”

For a student athlete striving to make it to the NFL, this was truly a privilege to be in Donald’s presence and better yet, to take a photo and get his autograph well that is a keepsake memory to be cherished.  Meeting Donald, I was a little nervous but his personality is very laid-back and he is super chilled. I watched as he patiently greeted each camp participant with kindness and sincerity.   

THE CAMP EXPERIENCE:  WHAT THE WORKOUT CONSISTED FOR ME   

For over three hours in the extremely humid 88 degree weather we worked our butts off while having a blast. We started off with warmups and stretching to get our body’s ready for the intense work ahead of us. Then we all separated into various groups to go through some tough agility drills. I did pretty well on the agility drills because as a running back you have to have quick feet, something I have been working on all summer. Once the agility work was complete,  we focused on defensive back drills which was a great experience for me because guarding someone closely one on one is essential in football. We worked on pass drops and shifting our speed at the correct time to learn to get the interceptions. There was one rep where I jumped up and caught the ball with one hand and that seemed to get everyone around me hyped up. My Shady Side Academy football team mate, Deacon Durham and I were on fire, and many of the coaches continued to challenge us with harder drills. 

While participating in the camps, I usually like to start off on offense drills but decided to switch it up and get on defense and I did not hold back because this was a great time to show off your skills. Once the ball was snapped, I was as physical as I could be and barely let the player off the line and once we got to start his route I was right there with him and I grabbed the ball out of the air for an interception. That had to be my best DB play, I am finally getting a feel for how you properly guard someone, thanks to camps like this one and my  SSA football summer training. I then proceeded to run six more routes against the players and I dominated each one. I focused on two key people to run against because everyone else seemed to be no competition.  Near the end of the camp we went back out to run some more 1v1s and this is where it got interesting and competitive. Everyone crowded to one spot to watch five players including Deacon and myself go against each other in more 1v1s. Once it was my turn to run on the first route I was jammed at the line by a player and couldn’t even get off to run my route. I was caught off guard, but I didn't just give up there, I told everyone to run it back so I could redeem myself and that’s exactly what I did. I exploded off the line and dusted the DB then I turned around and the ball floated in the air, it wasn’t really a good pass but I didn’t give up, I hunted the ball down and got the completion. Don’t give up, the play is still in action, I learned to trust myself.  (Check out the play on my twitter account: https://twitter.com/ReignBeckham

At the end of the camp, well known Pittsburgh King of football training,  Dwayne Brown (aka D. Brown) owner of  2 Tenths Speed & Agility Training, who trains Donald, offered the best advice to camp participants. “You did an excellent job today, you got to keep moving and keep improving, that’s the most important, you need to have good grades, listen to your coaches and parents. You need to know how to take direction. A lot of you guys who have some talent but you need to learn how to take directions or you are not going anywhere.”  

I loved this football camp experience and it was one of the best I attended so far this summer.  I would definitely recommend this camp to future athletes who want to improve their football skills and techniques. At the end of the day, what made this experience extra special was the legend himself, Aaron Donald who truly demonstrates on and off the field that he has the Heart of a Champion. Not only does he provide this free camp, but he also holds an Annual Prep Forward Program for male African American high school student-athletes to be able to receive access to the organization’s tuition-free academic, athletic, and life skills programming. This tuition-free educational program is offered to African American student-athletes, ages 13-18, throughout Allegheny County.

For me, the most important lesson I learned from one of the greatest NFL players, our Pittsburgh hometown hero, Aaron Donald, “don’t talk about it, be about it.”

Isaiah Beckham 

Isaiah Reign Beckham

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReignBeckham

Over 400 athletes from around the country showed up to attend The University of Pittsburgh’s Rising Star Camp 1, held June 6th at the UPMC Sports Complex, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

From Compton, California to New York City, the athletes sporting their new gear, with their game day faces intact, stepped into the facility prepared to showcase their talent.  

As a rising sophomore at Shady Side Academy, who signed up in the running back category, this was going to be my first football camp experience, and I really had no idea what to expect, but I felt I was in shape and ready to enjoy the day. The venue was held where the Steelers train and to be able to practice in this magnificent facility was a dream come true. Just knowing the Pittsburgh Steelers new running back Najee Harris' was just practicing on the field, made the venue extra special especially for someone like me who would love to play for the Steelers. Having the Pitt Panthers host this sold out event, you can especially appreciate the fact they have nine championships and to be able to interact one on one with the Pitt coaches was worth the sixty bucks for the camp.  

The high school athletes understood this was a great opportunity to show off their skills to the college coaches who came to watch, teach and elevate our game. For some of the athletes this just might be the last chance to get noticed, so its serious business to impress the coaches. 

We first broke off to participate in a combine which consisted of the 40 yard dash, broad jump, and line runs. These are the basic skills you need to work on, because the coaches are keeping stats on these particular skills. This felt like the American Idol competition of football, you really just don’t know what exactly coaches are looking for in a high school athlete especially at these camps. I am told, they perhaps have already identified some of the athletes they are interested in, and of course always looking for new talent.   

In the running back category, there were about thirty athletes who joined me for our drills. Decked out in my shiny new all black helmet (which got really hot) one of our coaches proceeded to teach us how to get off of tackles when using a stiff arm more effectively and also how to have quicker feet when making cuts and spins. The Pitt coaches were willing to help us improve our game, they were very encouraging in their training details. I really enjoyed most the 1v1s (player vs player) because I was able to show off my skills and also get direct coaching that can help in an in-game situation. This was an opportunity where the coaches and players can watch you closer instead of a large group of players. 

I learned while attending this camp, it’s not all about the brawn, you have to get your brain focused while in High School. The resounding message from the coaches is the fact that academics does matter, you need to keep your GPA up as high as you can (prefer over 3.5) because that will help you get noticed by more college recruits. When it comes to your overall effort, that is where you need to have the heart of a champion, you need to give 100 percent effort in your preparation to play football. You need to get faster in your running game, build a stronger body through weights, keep your body healthy by always hydrating and eating healthy meals. You need to also improve your agility by setting up cones or an agility ladder and just going through simple footwork drills. It is the small stuff that counts and if you focus every day on one aspect of your body then you will see the biggest change when you step onto the field, your game will ultimately improve. 

Overall this camp experience was worth going to because it showed me new ways of improving my techniques as an athlete and as a student. If you dream of attending a D-1 college like Pitt, this camp provides athletes exposure to their coaches, other talented players and more importantly you have a better idea of what colleges are looking for in future players. 

This camp was the real deal, no one was sugar coating the process, if you even get looked at from college recruiters it’s going to take that extra effort work ethic on and off the field. Character matters, researching schools matter, having your social media highlight tape current and available for busy coaches to review is also important.   

At the end of the camp day, after experiencing six hours going through training drills in 88 degree weather, I was exhausted, hungry and even more encouraged to pursue football because of the Pitt camp experience. Just keeping it 100, the talent is fierce, but I will encourage you to participate in the Pitt camp in the future or any upcoming football camps because it truly opens your eyes up to the dedication and determination you need to get recruited by colleges. When you walk away from the camp experience hopefully you feel like I did that you love the game of football even more.  

Who could have prepared my football teammates and I at Shady Side Academy for the summer of 2020, for me, it is going down in history as one of the most unpredictable, frustrating, upside down you turn me seasons I have ever encountered. Of course, this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic scare which hit our team with such a great force like a lineman tackling a quarterback without much protection. 

Let me backup, it was Spring, March 2020 to be exact, and as an eighth grader, I was anxiously trying to get out of middle school, when COVID-19 reared its ugly head. Students were forced out of our daily school routines and rushed into an online learning experience to be located at home for about three months without much notice or preparation. The online experience was confusing and a little strange in the beginning, it did not feel normal to not be around my classmates, but once I got my ZOOM skills down, I persevered.  Needless to say, I missed connecting with my friends and my teachers in person, its hard to recreate the excitement and action that takes place in a classroom, for me it is an important part of the overall learning experience. During my online instruction in the spring, my mom was always looking over my shoulder while I sat at the kitchen table and my dogs were enjoying biting my toes during my endless ZOOMS, but still online learning could not take the place of being at Shady Side Academy for a regular school day with my classmates and teachers.     

Like many people surviving the pandemic here in the United States and around the world we believed by summer COVID-19 would be a thing of the past, this horrific historic disaster, would be brief and just like that life would soon be back to normal, at least by summer, right? Not.  Unfortunately, here we are in the middle of August and the virus still has deadly tentacles that continues to spread ferociously, touching everyone’s lives in unpredictable and sadly harmful ways even for us athletes who dream of playing football. I was excited about participating in summer football camp at SSA that kicked off in June. I envisioned my life as a football player taking off especially since this is the first time I would be practicing on a High School team. I was relieved when football practice for the summer was not cancelled, however while the powers that be sorted out our football destiny, we had a few moments of interruption and uncertainty. When we got the green light to continue practice through the summer most of my teammates and I were relieved and we understood we would have to practice differently under COVID-19, no doubt this would not be your regular football season.    

Your football game strategy and techniques needs to be on point especially with COVID-19 looming over the field,  social distancing with my passionate teammates who are eager to run a cool play and throw a football is a new challenge. You better keep your stride and forget about the fact that we had to wait four long weeks before we could even touch a football. On the long hot 90 degree days, you better make sure you have your own water jug, no sharing sips and stories around the big Gatorade cooler, remember to stand 6-feet apart (this is always on your mind.) Don’t forget your plays and get into formation, run the ball, COVID-19 rules, they exist, they are real and required.  

While COVID-19 has tried to take away everything good this summer, I’m thankful that our team, one of the few in the region is still able to practice and come together. While the politics continue over whether or not we will have a season, I still enjoy my football practice even with the extra safety precautions and the major changes required and necessary. As part of the precautions, every morning our temperature is taken and we are asked questions regarding our travel activities. My teammates diligently wear our masks for most of our practice and we place our items in a small hoop, making sure not to contaminate anything. Overall, everyone is working hard at following the social distancing rules because we understand the importance of why we have the guidelines in the first place is to help keep us safe and alive.   

My favorite part of every practice is when we go to lift weights, in smaller groups, with masks secured, my teammates and I turn up the music and focus on our goals of winning. Moments like this help me escape the harsh reality of COVID-19 and I am thankful that our football camp was not canceled. I appreciate the camaraderie of the players and how important it is for my mental and physical growth overall. I realize so many other players in other school districts have already canceled their football seasons and fall athletics, and I understand the difficult decisions that many people have to make because of COVID-19. These are tough decisions for families, school administrators, coaches, lawmakers, and the athletes but in the face of adversity we are all learning important lessons about life and how precious these moments are sometimes we have to run the most difficult plays to get to the end zone.         

My coach, Chuck DiNardo at Shady Side Academy emphasizes during practice to work hard at everything that you do, and when you show up for practice be ready to do your best. He also tells us to  thank our parents and others who are making sacrifices for us to be able to practice, and more importantly we should not take them for granted especially during this deadly pandemic.  

TO BE OR NOT TO BE, indeed, this is the question that sums up our football season-- whether or not we will have a season come fall is still up in the air and a heated political hot potato, I am not sure who really wins in the end. While the politics about the season continues to be sorted out, I can appreciate that everyone on my football team still comes to work hard every practice and we all have respect for each other, our coaches, and our equipment and stadium. More importantly, our team focuses on respect and trust the most. Coach DiNardo, aka “Coach D” says that he wants to be able to trust us to keep working hard even when we are tired. We are tired of this pandemic, but our spirits are not broken by the desire to continue to play a game that means so much to us young athletes.    

As our social distancing rules continues, for me football is still a great escape from this pandemic, sincere props go out to Coach DiNardo, Coach Charles Calabrese “Breezy,” Coach Dave Havern, Coach Josh Frechette, and Coach Alex Bellinotti for their dedication and leadership throughout the summer practice. Indeed, I am a better player because of their relentless commitment and support through this highly unusual, unpredictable but need I say, worthwhile summer of football. Whether we play football or not will continue to be debated, I hope those marking the decisions understand most of us athletes still care about what actions take place. What resonates with me during these turbulent times, is our SSA football chant after each practice where my teammates and I come together to shout loud and proud: “Family on 3.  1. 2. 3. Family.” Family is what matters the most and sometimes it comes in the form of a football team, and sometimes in a family we learn crucial life long lessons during difficult situations like this dreadful pandemic, these are the moments that you need to be strong, stay focused and keep grinding!    

Isaiah Beckham, PUM Contributor 

August 17, 2020