University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Joe Moore's Legacy Recognized at Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum
5/31/2019 10:30:00 AM | Football
The football life and legacy of Joe Moore will be recognized at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center beginning this June.
Moore, a Pittsburgh native who passed away in 2003, is widely regarded as the finest offensive line coach in the history of college football. His accomplished career was highlighted by tenures at Pitt and Notre Dame. Moore's legendary offensive line pupils include the Panthers' Jimbo Covert, Bill Fralic, Russ Grimm, Mark May and Mark Stepnoski, as well as the Irish's Aaron Taylor and Andy Heck.
The Joe Moore Award, annually presented since 2015 to the most outstanding offensive line in college football, will be permanently housed at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. The display, which also documents Moore's remarkable life in football, will be unveiled during a private ceremony on May 31 and can be viewed by the general public beginning on Saturday, June 15.
"Joe Moore's story represents so many of the characteristics that define football in this region," said Anne Madarasz, director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center. "Born in Pittsburgh, he developed a powerhouse WPIAL program at Upper St. Clair High School before moving on to the University of Pittsburgh. Acknowledged as the premier line coach in college football, he had the ability to motivate and develop players at the highest level."
"When God decided to create a football coach he created Joe Moore, then broke the mold," said Covert, a Consensus All-American, College Football Hall of Famer and two-time NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year. "He had a unique way of pushing you beyond even your own expectations and then took great pride in seeing you succeed. I loved him and respected him and owe my entire career to him."
"I can't think of a more appropriate home for the Joe Moore Award than the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum," said Taylor, who won the prestigious Lombardi Award while at Notre Dame and was a first-round NFL Draft pick. "Coach Moore was Pittsburgh through and through. He personified the toughness and passion of the city, and it's only fitting that the official home of his award is in its rightful place in Pittsburgh."
"Coach Moore was a man of principle, and the principles he embodied helped us become the best versions of ourselves," Taylor continued. "His focus on toughness, teamwork and hard work helped us become better football players, and made us better men."
The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org/sports.
Moore, a Pittsburgh native who passed away in 2003, is widely regarded as the finest offensive line coach in the history of college football. His accomplished career was highlighted by tenures at Pitt and Notre Dame. Moore's legendary offensive line pupils include the Panthers' Jimbo Covert, Bill Fralic, Russ Grimm, Mark May and Mark Stepnoski, as well as the Irish's Aaron Taylor and Andy Heck.
The Joe Moore Award, annually presented since 2015 to the most outstanding offensive line in college football, will be permanently housed at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. The display, which also documents Moore's remarkable life in football, will be unveiled during a private ceremony on May 31 and can be viewed by the general public beginning on Saturday, June 15.
"Joe Moore's story represents so many of the characteristics that define football in this region," said Anne Madarasz, director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center. "Born in Pittsburgh, he developed a powerhouse WPIAL program at Upper St. Clair High School before moving on to the University of Pittsburgh. Acknowledged as the premier line coach in college football, he had the ability to motivate and develop players at the highest level."
"When God decided to create a football coach he created Joe Moore, then broke the mold," said Covert, a Consensus All-American, College Football Hall of Famer and two-time NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year. "He had a unique way of pushing you beyond even your own expectations and then took great pride in seeing you succeed. I loved him and respected him and owe my entire career to him."
"I can't think of a more appropriate home for the Joe Moore Award than the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum," said Taylor, who won the prestigious Lombardi Award while at Notre Dame and was a first-round NFL Draft pick. "Coach Moore was Pittsburgh through and through. He personified the toughness and passion of the city, and it's only fitting that the official home of his award is in its rightful place in Pittsburgh."
"Coach Moore was a man of principle, and the principles he embodied helped us become the best versions of ourselves," Taylor continued. "His focus on toughness, teamwork and hard work helped us become better football players, and made us better men."
The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org/sports.
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