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Bill Baierl Alumni Game Set For Sunday
The Alumni Game will take place at 3:30 p.m., scheduled between the Pitt women's basketball exhibition game against the Ohio Legends (1 p.m.) and the men's basketball exhibition game vs. Indiana, Fans that desire to attend the Alumni Game must have a ticket for either the men's or women's game. As soon as the Pitt men's game begins, fans with women's basketball tickets will be directed to a reserved section.
A former basketball letterman and 1951 Pitt honors graduate, Baierl was a kind, caring, generous, highly accomplished and dedicated long-time supporter of the Pitt athletics program. As a student-athlete at Pitt, Baierl was a basketball player under legendary Pitt coach H.C. "Doc" Carlson. Following graduation, Baierl always remained close to his alma mater and became one of Pitt's most highly respected and widely beloved graduates. Baierl was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni Fellow and was formally welcomed into the Cathedral of Learning Society, a recognition group for lifetime donors of more than $1 million to the University. He provided the lead gift for the construction of the Petersen Events Center's 43,000-square foot Baierl Student Recreation Center and Baierl Basketball Center which houses Pitt's lockerrooms, team meeting rooms, training and practice facilities. He passed away in April, 2007. The day will begin with Pitt's women's basketball exhibition game at 1 p.m. The day will conclude with the Pitt men's basketball team's exhibition contest against Indiana ( SUNDAY'S EVENT SCHEDULE Sunday, November 4, 2007, 1 p.m.--Women's Basketball Exhibition Game (Pitt vs. Ohio Legends) Halftime of Women's Game--Alumni Autograph Session, Concourse Level 3:30 p.m.--Bill Baierl Alumni Game 5:15 p.m.--Men's Basketball Exhibition Game (Pitt vs. Indiana, BILL BAIERL ALUMNI GAME EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS Following is a list of former players, coaches or managers who are expected to attend the Alumni Game (as of November 2, 2007): Played in 29 career games at small forward for Pitt. Curtis Aiken (1983-87) First McDonald's High School All-American to sign with Pitt...His 1,200 career points ranks 21st on Pitt's all-time scoring list...Scored 30 or more points in two games...Ranks among school leaders in scoring and steals (155 career steals)...Senior leader and team captain on the 1987-88 co-Big East regular season champion Pitt team that finished 25-8 overall and 12-4 in the Big East...Seven steals in a game vs. Syracuse in 1985 tied the school record...Key recruit who helped pave the way for Pitt to enter the Big East...Local Pittsburgh businessman who currently serves as co-host of the Pitt men's basketball post-game radio show...Also serves as a college basketball analyst for FSN-Pittsburgh. Current assistant basketball coach at Pitt with Jamie Dixon...In his fifth season as a member of the Pitt basketball coaching staff...Career statistics: 930 points (8.0 ppg.), 409 rebounds (3.5 rpg.), 195 assists in 116 games...Recipient of the National Basketball Writers Association Most Courageous Athlete Award in 1994...Member of the Harlem Globetrotters from 1995-2002...Member of the Dominican Republic National Team in 1994-95 and 1997-98...Named to the Big East All-Rookie Team in 1991-92...Ranks among Pitt all-time scoring leaders with 930 points...Two-time team leader in 3-point field goal percentage in both 1992-93 (.359) and 1993-94 (.420)...Previously served as Pitt's director of men's basketball operations. Bernie Artman (1951-54) Played in 50 games, scored 242 points and grabbed 146 rebounds in his career...Averaged 8.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a senior...Played for head coach H.C. "Doc" Carlson and Bob Timmons...Graduated from Pitt in 1954. Dominic Berardinelli (1975-77) Played guard at Pitt...1977 Pitt graduate...Teacher at John Blanton (1982-86) Played in 20 career games...Freshman player on Pitt's first Big East Conference team. Tom Booth (Team Manager, 1973) Served as student manager in 1973 under head coach Charles "Buzz" Ridl. Marcus Bowman (2003-06) Currently serves as the Director of Business Operations in the Pitt athletic department...Played on three consecutive NCAA Tournament teams and three straight 20-win teams...Guard from Columbia, S.C....2006 Pitt graduate. Kirk Bruce (1972-75) Currently serves as Assistant Athletic Director for Olympic Sports at Pitt...Career stats: 902 points (10.9 ppg.), 334 rebounds (4.0 rpg.) and 200 assists in 83 career games...Well rounded player who led Pitt to an NCAA "Elite Eight" appearance and 25-4 record, including a school-record 22 consecutive wins in 1973-74...Led the 1974-75 Pitt team in scoring (497 points and field goal percentage, .499)...Drafted by the ABA's Utah Stars in the 1975 ABA Draft...Scored a career-high 32 points vs. St. Francis in 1974...1975 Pitt graduate...Served as Pitt's women's basketball coach from 1985-98. John Calipari (Assistant Coach, 1985-88) Current head coach at the Rich Carrigan (1984-87) Three-year letterman who played for both Roy Chipman and Paul Evans...Saw action in 16 career games. Pat Cavanaugh (1986-90) Played in 109 career games, scored 230 points, grabbed 77 rebounds and finished with 143 assists...Played on Pitt's 25-8 1986-87 team and 24-7 1987-88 squads...Played on three consecutive NCAA Tournament teams and two Big East title teams...1990 and 1993 Pitt graduate. Lou "Bimbo" Cecconi (1946-50) Famous for being the basketball player that was hoisted on the shoulders of Ted Geremsky during a game against Westminster in the late 1940s...Head Coach "Doc" Carlson came up with the idea to improve passing angles after watching the Harlem Globetrotters play...Was an outstanding all-around athlete for Pitt as he lettered in both football (1946-49) and basketball (1946-50)...Played in 75 career games with 390 career points (5.2 average)...Served as an assistant football coach at Pitt...1950 Pitt graduate. Sam Clancy (1977-81) Only player in school history to both score 1,000 career points and grab 1,000 career rebounds...Only player in school history to average 10-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in four consecutive seasons...Three-time All-Region honoree...Three-time All-Eastern Eight selection (1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81)...Freshman All-America selection in 1977-78...Ranks 13th all-time in NCAA Division I statistics for rebounds (1342)...Holds Pitt school records for most career double-doubles (66), most 10-plus rebound games (78) and most career rebounds (1,342)...Third round NBA draft pick by the Phoenix Suns (1981)...Ranks No. 8 on Pitt's all-time career scoring list...One of only seven players to start all four seasons at Pitt...Won a Gold Medal on the United States' 1979 Pan American Games Team...Played in the NFL as a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts...Served as an NFL assistant coach...Nickname is Sam "Bam" Clancy. Dean Conomikes (Team Manager, 1989) Served as team manager under head coach Paul Evans...1988 Pitt graduate. John DeGroat (2004-06) Small forward who saw action in 52 career games with 27 starts...Played overseas in 2006-07...Will play with the Pittsburgh Explosion this winter. Richard Deitrick (1951-54) Scored 471 points (8.0 ppg.), grabbed 437 rebounds (7.5 rpg.) and played in 59 career games...1954 Pitt graduate. Joe Fenwick (1953-56) Key player from 1953-56...Saw action in 74 games with 625 points (8.4 ppg.) and 220 rebounds...1956 Pitt graduate. Darrell Gissendanner (1978-82) Saw action in 94 career games and scored 480 points (5.1 ppg)...Eastern 8 Player of the Week (Jan. 25, 1982)...Currently employed at the Housing Authority in Antonio Graves (2003-07) Four-year letterwinner at guard...Saw action in 130 games (68 starts), scored 786 points, 227 rebounds, 221 assists...Guided Pitt to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, two NCAA Sweet Sixteens and four 20-win seasons...Scored a career-high 23 points with four 3-pointers in last year's Big East Championship game vs. Louisville...Signed contract to play for the Pittsburgh Explosion. Rob Greenleaf (Manager, 1990) Served as team manager under head coach Paul Evans...1990 Pitt graduate. Frank Gustine (1967-68) One-year letterwinner...1970 Pitt graduate. Don Hennon (1956-59) Elected to the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame in 1970...Two-time All-America selection (1957-58 and 1958-59)...One of only three Pitt players to have their jersey retired...Listed in the NCAA's "Men's Basketball Finest" publication...Owns nine of Pitt's top-20 single-game scoring records and scored 40-plus points three times, 30-plus points 23 times and 20-plus points 52 times in his career...Set school record with 12 consecutive games scoring over 20 points...Two-time NABC All-Region selection (1956-57 and 1957-58)...Holds season scoring records for season average (26.0 ppg), season points (651) and career average (24.2 ppg)...Ranks fourth all-time on Pitt's career scoring list (1,841) after playing in just three seasons (freshmen were not eligible for competition)...Needed only 38 career games to score 1,000 points in his career, a school record...Scored a school record 45 points at Duke as a freshman, then followed it up with a 31 point performance vs. Duquesne...Guided Pitt to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a 16-11 record in 1956-57 and 18-7 record in 1957-58...Drafted in the 1959 NBA Draft in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Royals...Went on to become a medical doctor. Doyle Hudson (2005-07) Saw action in 25 games for Pitt at center...Transferred to Pitt from Antoine Jones (1990-93) Career statistics: 361 points (6.1 ppg.), 186 rebounds (3.2 rpg.) in 59 career games...Forward who averaged 9.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for a 17-11 Pitt squad in 1992-93. Billy Knight (1971-74) Consensus All-America selection in 1973-74...Led Pitt to an NCAA "Elite Eight" appearance, 25-4 record, including a school-record 22 consecutive wins in 1973-74...One of only three Pitt players to have their jersey retired...Two-time All-Region honoree...Named to the 1974 All-NCAA Regional East Team...Only player in school history to average over 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in each of his three varsity seasons...Registered two 20-point/20-rebound performances in career...One of only four Pitt players in school history to record 1,000-points, 600-rebounds and 200-assists in a career...Played the longest professional tenure of any Pitt Panther (11 seasons) for several teams: Indiana Pacers, Buffalo Braves, Boston Celtics, Kansas City Kings and San Antonio Spurs...Pitt's first-ever first round draft pick when he was selected by the ABA's Indiana Pacers with the 6th overall pick...Brother Terry played at Pitt...Currently serves as General Manager of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Brandin Knight (1999-2003) Currently serves as Pitt's Director of Men's Basketball Operations with Jamie Dixon...Named to the 2002-03 Wooden All-America team, one of only 10 players nationwide selected to the squad...Named a 2002-03 Associated Press honorable mention All-America selection...AP Third Team All-America and Sporting News Second Team All-America selection in 2001-02...Two-time consensus All-Region selection (2001-02 and 2002-03)...Named Big East co-Player of the Year, Most Improved Player in 2001-02...Two-time Big East All-Tournament Team selection (2001-02, 2002-03)...Set school records for season assists, career assists, career assists average, career steals, season 3-point field goals made, season 3-point field goal attempts and career 3-point field goal attempts...Led Pitt to the 2001-02 Big East West regular season title, 2002-03 Big East West regular season title and the school's first-ever Big East Tournament title in 2003...One of only six players in school history to score 1,000 points and finish with 400 assists in a career. Carl Krauser (2002-06) One of only five players in school history to score 1,000 career points and dish out 400 career assists...Concluded career with 1,642 points (13.0 ppg.), 526 rebounds (4.2 rpg.) and 568 assists in 126 games played...Two-time All-Big East Second Team recipient...Two-time consensus All-Region selection...Named the 2003-04 Big East Most Improved Player...Big East All-Tournament Team selection in 2003-04...Guided Pitt to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, two NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances and three Big East titles...Concluded career with four-year 104-27 record. Thunderous slam dunk vs. Providence on Jan. 25, 1988 was labeled by ESPN commentator Bill Raftery as the "Night the House Came Down"...Consensus All-America selection in 1987-88 (AP, USBWA, UPI, NABC)...Led the nation in rebounding in 1986-87 with a 13.5 rebounds per game average and was a two-time Big East rebounding statistical champion...Two-time All-Region honoree...Two-time Big East All-Tournament team member...1986-87 All-Big East First Team selection and 1987-88 All-Big East Second Team honoree...Ranks among NCAA Division I all-time leaders for season rebounds (18th, 444)...One of only four Pitt players in school history to record 1,000-points, 600-rebounds and 200-assists in a career...Ranks No. 20 on Pitt's all-time career scoring list (1,217 points)...Elected to leave Pitt for the 1988 NBA Draft following his junior season and was selected in the first round by the Denver Nuggets with 23rd pick...Enjoyed a five-year career in the NBA for several teams including Denver, Milwaukee, Indiana and Cleveland. John Larkin (1961-64) Three-year letterwinner who saw action in 28 career games...Played for head coach Robert Timmons...1964 Pitt graduate. Joe Lombardi (Assistant Coach, 2003-06) Coached for Pitt as an assistant coach for three seasons with Jamie Dixon...Currently the head coach at Indiana ( Robert Lovett (1963-66) Played in 64 career games, scored 715 points (11.2 ppg.), grabbed 393 rebounds (6.1 rpg.) and shot 80 percent from the free throw line...Averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 rebounds as a senior...Averaged 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds as a junior...1966 Pitt graduate. Bobby Martin (1987-91) Ranks tied for 16th on Pitt's all-time career scoring list (1,282 points)...Selected to the Big East All-Rookie Team in 1987-88...Scored 27 points and grabbed 20 rebounds vs. Georgetown on Feb. 7, 1990...One of only 15 players in school history to score 1,000 points and grab 500 rebounds in a career...Enjoyed outstanding professional career overseas. Mickey Martin (1971-74) Played in 66 career games, shot 49.6 percent from the floor (304-613), scored 705 points (10.7 ppg.) and grabbed 288 rebounds (4.4 rpg.) in his career...Two-year starter...Ranked second on team in scoring in both 1972-73 and 1973-74...Key member of the 1973-74 team that finished 25-4 overall and advanced to the NCAA "Elite Eight"...Drafted in the fourth round of the 1974 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons (69th overall)...1974 Pitt graduate. Jason Matthews (1987-91) Ranks among NCAA Division I all-time leaders in 3-point field goal percentage (10th, .457) and career free throw percentage (20th, .878)...Led the Big East in free throw percentage in two seasons (1988-89 and 1989-90) and 3-point percentage (1998-99)...Ranks fifth on Pitt's all-time career scoring list (1,840 points)...Three-time All-Big East Third Team selection...Selected to the Big East All-Rookie Team in 1987-88...One of the school's top 3-point field goal and free throw shooters as he holds school records for career 3-point field goals made (259), career 3-point field goal percentage (.457) and ranks among school leaders in virtually every free throw and 3-point record...Finished his career with 94 double figure scoring games, good for second place on Pitt's all-time list. He also registered 26 20-plus point scoring games...1991 Pitt graduate. Chris McNeal (1990-93) Ranks 30th on Pitt's all-time career scoring list (1,067 points)...Member of Pitt's 20/20 club with a 27 point, 20 rebound performance vs. Boston College on March 3, 1992...One of only 15 players in school history to score 1,000 points and grab 500 rebounds in a career...Scored a career-high 30 points vs. Illinois in 1993. Sean Miller (1987-92) Currently serves as head basketball coach at Xavier University...Served as an assistant coach at Pitt from 1995-96 with Ralph Willard...Named the 1987-88 Big East Freshman of the Year...Named Big East Rookie of the Week four times in 1987-88...Ranks tied for 16th on Pitt's all-time career scoring list (1,282 points)...Selected to the Big East All-Rookie Team in 1987-88...Ranks 10th all-time among NCAA Division I career free throw percentage leaders (.885)...Led the Big East two times in season free throw percentage (1990-91 and 1991-92)...Earned a Gold Medal on the United States' 1991 World University Games team in 1991...1992 Pitt graduate. Eric Mobley (1991-94) Played three seasons at Pitt and opted for the NBA Draft following his junior year...Career statistics: 900 points (10.2 ppg.), .557 field goal percentage (371-666), 599 rebounds (6.8 rpg.), 184 blocks in 88 career games...Ranks among Pitt career leaders in field goal percentage and blocked shots...Named to All-Big East Third Team in 1993-94...Drafted in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks (18th overall selection)...Played three total seasons in the NBA for Milwaukee and Vancouver. Jermaine Morgan (1990-94) Played forward at Pitt...Career statistics: 131 points, 60 rebounds in 57 games...Played on two NCAA Tournament teams and one NIT team. Darren Morningstar (1989-92) Career statistics: 755 points (7.9 ppg.), 426 rebounds (4.4 rpg.) in 96 games...Started at center in 1991-92 and averaged 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game...Helped guide Pitt to a 21-12 record and NCAA appearance in 1990-91...Big East/Aeropostale Student-Athlete of the Year recipient in 1992...Earned NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in 1992...Drafted in the 1992 NBA Draft Second Round by the Boston Celtics...Played two seasons in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. Darelle Porter (1987-91) Led the Big East Conference in assists (7.6) in 1989-90, the only player in school history to achieve this feat...Ranks No. 34 on Pitt's all-time career scoring list (1,007 points)...Also dished out 617 career assists and grabbed 466 rebounds...One of only three players in Pitt history to record a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists vs. Providence on Jan. 23, 1991...One of only six players to average 10-plus points, 4-plus rebounds and 4-plus assists in a season (1990-91)...One of only six players in school history to score 1,000 points and dish out 400 assists in a career...Holds school records for 10-plus assist games: season (9 in 1989-90) and career (13)...Served as head coach at Duquesne University. Dave Progar (Assistant Coach, 1980-83) Served as an assistant coach for three seasons with Roy Chipman...Helped guide Pitt to two Eastern Eight Tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances (1980-81 and 1981-82)...Served on coaching staff for Pitt's first-ever Big East team. Mike Rice (Assistant Coach, 2006-07) Current head basketball coach at Barry Rohrssen (Associate Head Coach, 1999-2006) Current head basketball coach at Manhattan College in New York City...Came to Pitt in 1999 as Director of Men's Basketball Operations...Served as Assistant Coach from 2001-04 and Associate Head Coach from 2004-06 with both Ben Howland and Jamie Dixon...Helped guide the Panthers to a 195-70 record, five NCAA Tournament appearances, three NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances and four Big East titles during his tenure at Pitt. David Roman (1962-64) Two-year starting guard...Led Pitt in scoring in 1962-63 with 15.0 points per game while guiding Pitt to a 19-6 record and NCAA Tournament appearance...Averaged 10.8 points per game while leading Pitt to a 17-8 record and first-ever NIT appearance in 1963-64...Career statistics: 629 points (12.6 ppg.), 140 rebounds (2.8 rpg.), shot 48.8 percent from the floor in 50 games...Native of Johnstown, Pa. John Sikora (Manager, 1976) Student manager who served under coach Tim Grgurich. Lloyd Simpson (1957-60) Three-year letterwinner who played in 15 career games...Played for head coach Robert Timmons...1962 Pitt graduate. Charles Small (2003-06) Currently serves in the Pitt Athletic department as its student life and compliance assistant...Guard from Detroit, Mich....Played on three consecutive NCAA Tournament teams and contributed to three straight 20-win seasons...2006 Pitt graduate. Charles Smith (1984-88) Two-time All-America selection...1988 Big East Player of the Year and two-time All-Big East selection in 1986-87 and 1988-89...Named USBWA Region Player of the Year in 1987-88 and four-time All-Region selection...Listed No. 8 on the Big East's 50 Greatest Players list...Led Pitt to two Big East titles including its first outright regular season title in 1987-88...Member of the 1988 United States Olympic Team and won a Gold Medal with the 1986 World Championship Team in Madrid, Spain...One of only three Pitt players to have their jersey retired...Ranked No. 1 on Pitt's all-time career scoring list with 2,045 points...Freshman All-America selection...First Pitt player ever selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in 1988 (3rd pick)...Enjoyed 10-year NBA career with Los Angeles, New York and San Antonio. Bill Sulkowski (1971-73) Recently honored by the Varsity Letterman's Club...A dentist...Three-year letterwinner who served as the team's captain as a senior...Played in 44 career games, scored 239 points (5.4 average) and grabbed 123 rebounds...Nickname is "Zeke"...1973 Pitt graduate. Irv Topp (Manager, 1964) Served as team manager under head coach Bob Timmons...1965 Pitt graduate. Clyde Worked as an assistant basketball coach at both Connecticut and South Florida...Pitt's second all-time leading scorer with 2,033 points...Also grabbed 922 career rebounds (7.7 rpg.) and dished out 90 assists...Two-time NABC All-Region selection...Led the Big East in scoring (22.0) in 1982-83, one of only two Pitt players to lead a league in scoring...Named the Eastern Eight Tournament Most Valuable Player after Pitt won the tournament in 1982...Played on two Eastern Eight Tournament championship teams (1981 and 1982)...The only player in school history to score 400 points and grab over 250 rebounds in three consecutive seasons...Second Team Eastern Eight selection and Eastern Eight All-Tournament recipient in 1981-82...Played on the English National Team in 1989-90...Sixth round NBA Draft pick by the Indiana Pacers in 1984. Ken Wagoner (1971-74) Played in 75 career games, scored 98 points and grabbed 96 rebounds with 166 assists...Played for head coach Charles "Buzz" Ridl...Played on the 1973-74 team that finished 25-4 overall, won 22 consecutive games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament "Elite Eight." Dwayne Wallace (1978-82) Nickname is "Dawg"...Two-time Eastern Eight All-Tournament team member (1981 and 1982)...Helped lead Pitt to Eastern Eight Tournament titles in 1981 and 1982...Led Eastern Eight in assists (6.2 apg) and steals (2.4) in 1981-82...Career statistics: 101 games, 2,836 minutes, 944 points (9.3 ppg.), 436 assists, 197 rebounds...1982 Pitt graduate. Andre Williams (1981-85) Career stats: 738 points (6.5 ppg.), 473 rebounds (4.1 rpg.), .502 field goal percentage in 114 career games...Three-year starter at forward...Big East Player of the Week, Feb. 12, 1984. Mickey Zernich (1950-53) Led Pitt in scoring back-to-back seasons (1951-52 and 1952-53)...Career statistics: 845 points (11.9 ppg.), 328 rebounds (4.6 rpg.) in 71 games...Scored over 300-plus points in two seasons (1951-52 and 1952-53)...1953 Pitt graduate. --30--
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