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The Pitt News

T he ind epen d e n t s t u de n t ne w spap e r of t he Unive rsity of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | October 11, 2023 | Volume 114 | Issue 38

Nate Yonamine| Senior Staff Photographer

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Fifteen candidates are vying for the Spirit of Pitt award as part of this year’s Homecoming week festivities. Two students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and service to the Pitt community will win, each earn-

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Spirit of Pitt ing $1,500 in student resource funds from the Pitt Alumni Association. Online voting, open to all Pitt students, runs from Tuesday to Wednesday. The winners will be announced at the Homecoming football game against Louisville on Saturday. Tyler Barnhardt Barnhardt, a senior neuroscience and biology double major, is president of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and a member of the American Medical Student Association and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society. He is also the “day of show” executive at Pitt Tonight. Barnhardt said his diverse background in both filmmaking and STEM make him “a very good” candidate for the Spirit of Pitt award. “Finding those communities that you can be part of that not only help you grow as a person but also help the Pitt community grow, like service and philanthropy, are really important ways to show the Spirit of Pitt,” Barnhardt said.

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Nicole Chiu Chiu, a third year student in the dietician nutritionist program, is a member of Rho Psi Eta, Spanish Club, and a student assistant for the sports nutrition department. She’s also in the Student Dietetic Association and teaches group yoga classes through Campus Recreation. Even if she isn’t named the Spirit of Pitt, Chiu said the nomination is “a huge honor.” “Because I’m involved in a wide range of things, I really have seen it all and can relate to students on a personal level no matter what they may be interested in. And through my involvement, I hope to inspire others in finding what they are interested in as well,” Chiu said. Isabell Gessner Gessner, a senior communication science and disorders major, founded Take Your Pop Off her first year, is an RA and a member of the ASL Club and Kappa Delta. Originally from North Carolina, Gessner credits her involvement in on-campus or-

Collection of all the 2023-2024 Spirit of Pitt Homecoming candidates. Images via Pitt Alumni Association

ganizations for helping her find her place at Pitt. “I feel like I just bring spirit everywhere that I go and every organization that I’ve worked in, but for Spirit of Pitt, for me it means that I’m giving back everything that Pitt has given me, and what Pitt has given me is just an amazing community of people that I would have never had, had I not been here,” Gessner said. Selam Gillett Gillett, a senior psychology major, is a BRIDGES mentor and part of the Pre-Medical Organization for Minority Students and Pitt Pathfinders. She also works in the Office of Admissions and served as vice president of the Black Action Society during the 202223 school year. To Gillett, the Spirit of Pitt is someone who “amplifies the voices of marginalized students on campus.” “When I think about the Spirit of Pitt in the future as well, it’s somebody that continues to fulfill that mission. Not just getting the award and then stopping, but also actively living the mission of Pitt every day,” Gillett said. Jolie Haertter Haertter, a senior psychology and gender, sexuality and women’s studies double major, is a student ambassador for Blue and Gold Society and holds leadership positions in Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Panther pittnews.com

Leadership Academy and Chronic Connec- in Computing, a teacher with Girls Who tion. Code and an ambassador for Blue and Gold Haertter said their favorite memory at Pitt Society. came on Lantern Night their first year when To Johnson, the Spirit of Pitt is expressed students placed candles in their windows to through “how everyone individually…concelebrate while social distancing. tributes to the community.” “It was just very special because I felt in“Whether that’s classes, networking in cluded. I felt like, even though it was very and outside of campus, through my clubs, hard, and even the environment was trying through giving back to the community with to divide the community just because of CO- the volunteering and urban gardens and the VID…that couldn’t stop us from celebrating Community Engagement Center, in that way these traditions and who we are as a commu- I really just look for how Pitt is involved in nity,” Haertter said. my everyday activities,” Johnson said. Carson Hawk Ankita Kalasabail Hawk, a senior political science major, is Kalasabail, a senior psychology and comco-president of Omicron Delta Kappa Hon- munications double major, is in her third or Society and served as the allocation chair year as an RA, a member of the Hindu Stufor last year’s Student Government Board. dents Council and an ambassador for Blue Hawk, who grew up in Plum, said he feels and Gold Society and the Dietrich School of that Pitt’s campus is home to him and called Arts and Sciences. potentially winning the Spirit of Pitt award “a Kalasabail said planning and attending great culmination of four great years.” a garba her sophomore year that drew over “[Pitt’s campus and community is] some- 500 attendees was her favorite memory at thing that I’m interested in growing because Pitt. I think when you love an organization, you “I was someone who didn’t know whethwant to leave it better than you found it,” er I really liked Pitt or was thinking about Hawk said. “You want to add to it. You want transferring, but over the past four years, I’ve to make it something that can give to people been able to find my place, find my love for after you. You want to kind of add value from Pitt, and understand, like, why do I belong when you got there.” here and why it is such a great community to Jay Johnson be a part of,” Kalasabail said. Johnson, a senior computer science maSee Spirit of Pitt on page 8 jor, is president of the Minority Association Oc tober 11, 2023

‘Pitt for life’: Roundup of 2023 homecoming events

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Tyler Welsh and Jennifer Greevey said Pitt’s homecoming celebration goes far beyond showing school spirit as an undergraduate. They said homecoming is an important tradition because it represents the pride and passion of Pitt alumni and the power of the “Pitt network.” “The Pitt Alumni Association continually reminds current students and all alumni that the University of Pittsburgh is not just four, five or six years,” Welsh, associate director of campus constituent relations, and Greevey, director of communications for alumni engagement, said. “It’s Pitt for life, and that means our alumni are part of the Pitt community forever and are encouraged to stay connected with one another, the Pitt Alumni Association, and the University, and to continually expand their Pitt network.” Pitt’s 95th annual homecoming celebration will take place from Oct. 9-14 on Pitt’s main campus. To help the Pitt community prepare, The Pitt News has compiled a list of events tailored to alumni and students that celebrate homecoming and its history. Many of this year’s homecoming events are sponsored by the Pitt Alumni Association (PAA), which is responsible for recruiting approximately 350,000 alumni around the world throughout the year to connect with the university through events such as homecoming. PAA starts promoting homecoming to alumni in June, and encourages and invites alumni from Pitt regional campuses to attend, according to Welsh and Greevy. Welsh and Greevey said this year’s homecoming events are available to all members of the campus community, with everyone having access to events that interest them. “This year’s homecoming events celebrate and honor our entire Pitt community by providing a wide variety of programming that is inclusive and diverse,” Welsh and Greevey said. “Alumni, students, faculty, and staff are all invited to attend all of the PAA’s signature event programming. From a Meet the Chancellor Q&A Reception to networking events in the schools and colleges to alumni receptions, Oc tober 11, 2023

family friendly opportunities and spirited tailgates, there is something enlightening or fun for everyone.” The celebration of homecoming at Pitt has evolved over the years to include more student involvement. Olivia Lynch, associate director of youth alumni and student programs, said PAA made changes to homecoming week four years ago to “reimage” how the association interacted with students. “In the past, the only programs that students were invited to attend were the fireworks and the game itself,” Lynch said. “The PAA worked with their two student organizations, [the] Blue & Gold Society and Pitt Alumni Student Network, to create a week of engagement opportunities which include events to spotlight Pitt traditions and spirit, student organizations that are making an impact on the Pitt Community, and revamping the Spirit of Pitt Program to align with the PAA values.” Lynch said PAA also partners with the University Store, Student Affairs and Pitt Athletics to make homecoming week a reality. Hail to Paint: Oct. 12, 7-10 p.m. Blue & Gold Bash: Oct. 13, 2-4 p.m. Meet the Chancellor Q&A and Reception: Oct. 13, 3-4 p.m. The Snake: Pitt Band Tradition: Oct. 13, 2-3:45 p.m. My Hillman Memories: Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fireworks and Laser Show: Oct. 13, 9-9:30 p.m. Welcome Back Reception: Oct. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Young Alumni After Dark: Oct. 13, 9:30-11:30 p.m. Homecoming Tailgate at the Great Lawn near Acrisure Stadium: Oct. 14, 4:00 p.m.

Find the full story online at

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Oc tober 11, 2023

Preview

Pitt football looking for a spark against No. 14 Louisville

Ben Pisano Staff Writer

Following a much-needed bye-week after a brutal 1-4 start, Pitt football returns to Acrisure Stadium for a homecoming matchup against No. 14 Louisville. The Pitt and Louisville football programs are on two very different trajectories right now. The Panthers are 1-4 and staring down the barrel of their worst season in the Pat Narduzzi era. The Cardinals are flying high amidst their best season in well over a decade, rejuvenated under the leadership of their new head coach Jeff Brohm. Louisville is red-hot so far this season, sitting on a 6-0 record and coming fresh off a 33-20 win over No. 21 Notre Dame. The Cardinals currently sit at the top of the ACC, vying for predominance in the conference against No. 4 Florida State. The Panthers, on the other hand, are still trying to figure out their identity. After weeks of offensive struggles, head coach Pat Narduzzi decided to bench redshirt senior quarterback Phil Jurkovec in favor of redshirt sophomore Christian Veilleux.

Narduzzi reiterated his confidence in Jurkovec to the press on Monday but nonetheless believes starting Veilleux is in the best interest of the team. “Obviously, last week we made a change at the quarterback spot,” Narduzzi said. “I’ve got a ton of confidence in Phil Jurkovec. I still do, even if you don’t or won’t. But it felt like we needed a spark at that position to see what happens.” Despite reports last week that Jurkovec intended to switch to the tight end position, Narduzzi clarified that Jurkovec will remain QB2 for the moment. “Rumors get out there, I guess,” Narduzzi said. “[Jurkovec]’s been in the quarterback meetings. Could he be a tight end someday? Yeah, but I’m talking down the line. He’s a quarterback here at Pitt.” While Jurkovec didn’t impress in his five games starting, the limited snaps fans have seen from Veilleux didn’t exactly inspire confidence either. Veilleux started the second half of the North Carolina game, throwing seven completions on eighteen passes. He finished the day with 85 yards and two interceptions. If Louisville’s game against Notre Dame is any indication, Veilleux has

Junior running back Rodney Hammond Jr. (6) runs upfield during Saturday night’s game against UNC at Acrisure Stadium. Nate Yonamine | Senior Staff Photographer

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his work cut out for him on Saturday. Louisville’s secondary feasted on Notre Dame’s passing attack, nabbing three interceptions from senior quarterback Sam Hartman — who is typically excellent at avoiding turnovers. As the most important position on the team, finding the right starting quarterback is paramount to getting the offense on track. But Pitt’s offensive struggles extend beyond the quarterback position. Their turnstile of an offensive line, which effectively crumbles at the slightest breeze, is the most glaring issue on the offense right now. The offensive line gave up four sacks against Virginia Tech, negating an otherwise solid performance by Jurkovec. Of course, changes to the offense will mean very little if the defense doesn’t hold their own. Pitt’s defense gave up 228 passing yards and 199 rushing yards in the Virginia Tech game. So far this season, the Panthers’ defense allowed an average of 128 rushing yards a game. Excluding the Wofford game, where the Panthers allowed -1 rushing yards, Pitt’s defense is giving up over 200 rushing yards a game.

Louisville’s starting running back, sophomore Jawhar Jordan, ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame on Saturday. Unless the Panthers make the necessary adjustments to their run defense, Jordan will undoubtedly have another career day. Louisville looks like one of the most formidable opponents on the Panthers’ schedule this season, but the competition only gets fiercer going forward. In the following weeks, Pitt will go on the road for games against Wake Forest and No. 21 Notre Dame respectively. On Nov. 4, the Panthers will return to Acrisure Stadium for a matchup against another juggernaut in the ACC — No. 4 Florida State. If Pitt wants to salvage what’s left of this season, the team desperately needs playmakers to step up on both sides of the ball. The Panthers will play at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 14 for their homecoming game against Louisville. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m., and coverage will air on the CW.

Redshirt Sophomore Christian Veilleux(11) runs with the ball against Wofford at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 9. Ethan Shulman | Visual Editor

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‘Just wait and see’: Seniors, first-years of Pitt Cheer and Dance prepare for Homecoming 2023 Jermaine Sykes

Assistant Sports Editor

Homecoming is this Saturday and Pitt football will take the field against ACC rival Louisville. Despite their rough start to the season, the Panthers hope their hard work throughout the summer, training camp and every week in practice pays off in front of fans and alumni on Homecoming day. But football is not the only team that sacrifices hours, days and weeks perfecting their craft to put on a show for Panthers’ fans on game days. Pitt’s cheer and dance teams dedicate much of their time practicing stunts and routines used on game days to keep fans engaged. This is no easy task. Senior cheerleader Carly Dowiak was stricken with emotions as she spoke about what Pitt Cheer meant for her. For Dowiak, the work put in becomes a sense of identity. “I’ve spent my last four years dedicating weekends at football and weekdays at volleyball and basketball to cheer,” Dowiak said. “It's become a sort of identity for me, you can’t do this without being passionate about it.” Dowiak, a microbiology major, joined Pitt cheer as a first-year student during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic limited the number of fans that could attend Pitt football games, and that had an effect on the cheer team, who find pride in keeping the fans engaged no matter what is happening on the field behind them. “It’s a lot easier with fans there,” Dowiak said. “You feel kind of crazy when you’re out there cheering in front of no fans, the crowd helps energize you.” Dowiak along with other seniors on the Pitt Cheer and Dance team are heading into their last Homecoming games. Over their four years, they’ve seen an abundance of changes. Changes varying from football being an ACC champion in 2021, to the 2023 quarterback fiasco. Other changes such as the ending of the pandemic and the lifting of fan restrictions, to Acrisure Stadium hosting the most-attended sporting event in Western Pennsylvania history have added to what has been a rollercoaster ride to start the 2020 decade. pittnews.com

Regardless of the turbulence, the thought of last anythings is a sad feeling that everyone can relate to. But for senior dancer Kat Perkins, it is a more triumphant feeling. “I don’t think I'm as somber about it,” Perkins, a social work major, said. “I'm actually really excited. This is the first game my parents will attend. I feel like this game specifically will be what I wanted my collegiate dance experience to be.” Perkins gets to celebrate her first game in which her parents are in attendance, but it’s not the only first of the weekend. While the seniors get closer and closer to their last home games, firstyear cheerleader Bryn Junko Pitt cheer runs across the endzone after a field goal during the Backyard Brawl at Mountaineer Field is just beginning her cheer on Sept. 18. Ethan Shulman | Visual Editor career at Pitt. But she’s very familiar with Pitt and the city of Pitts- my teammates, especially the upperclass- said. “It's bittersweet knowing that it's my burgh. men are always there to check up on me last homecoming, but I'm excited to see Junko is cousins with redshirt senior and have my back.” all the cheer alumni on the field.” wide receiver Josh Junko and redshirt Junko shares a passion for Pitt with seFor cheer and dance team members of sophomore punter Caleb Junko. Pitt runs nior dancer Alexis DiNardo. DiNardo, a all ages, being a Panther means more than through the Junko family’s blood, as their computer science and digital narrative just rocking the royal blue and gold, and grandfather Bob Junko was a long-time and interactive design major, is a three- more than a dance routine on the field in Panthers’ coach and administrator. With year member of the dance team. As a the third quarter of football games. A lot these deep ties to Pitt, it makes sense that Pittsburgh native, it means a lot to her to goes into the product seen on the field on Bryn Junko isn’t anxious for what awaits perform in front of a city she grew up in. game days. her this Saturday. “It’s special for us that we get to be Carrying that weight on their shoul“I’m actually really excited,” Junko ambassadors for the university,” DiNardo ders is rewarding for some of the Pansaid. “My family and I have been long- said. “Especially since I grew up in Pitts- thers, and Perkins credits Pitt dance for time Pitt fans. We have always come out burgh and always wanted to come to Pitt.” helping her find happiness. for Pitt homecoming games, so I have a The camaraderie built between the two “It’s truthfully a great honor,” Perkins sense of what to expect, but I’m excited teams is plentiful, despite them both hav- said. “The dance team has brought me so to be out there on the sidelines for it this ing completely different skill sets. Cheer- much joy over the years.” time.” leading focuses a lot on stunts while One thing is for certain, Panthers fans Cheering at Pitt is a long-time dream Dance is much more choreographed with know they are in for a show on Saturday for Junko, who cherishes the opportunity. music. Regardless, athletes must fight no matter the result of the football con“It’s an honor,” Junko said. “Pitt has their nerves to create an exciting specta- test. Pitt cheer and dance alumni will atalways been my dream school, a younger cle for fans. These nerves are doubled for tend the game, and some will join for a me would be so proud and excited for seniors, who know that this is their last few routines. When asked what to expect Saturday.” homecoming game. this Saturday, Perkins and Junko echoed Apart from her family ties, Junko attriBut senior cheerleader and natural the same exact phrase. butes her lack of nervousness to her elder science major Ramsey Lewand sees it as “Oh man,” Junko said. “I’d probably say teammates, who make sure she’s prepared an opportunity to celebrate the team and you just have to wait and see.” heading into every game. their alumni. “I get a little nervous,” Junko said. “But “I think it's more exciting,” Lewand Oc tober 11, 2023

Spirit of Pitt, pg. 3 Ann Kozak Kozak, a fourth-year pharmacy student with plans to graduate in 2026, serves as codirector of Pitt Attacks Cancer Together and vice president of student impact for the Blue and Gold Society. She’s also president-elect of Lambda Kappa Sigma and an RxAmbassador, among other pharmacy-related roles on campus. To Kozak, winning Spirit of Pitt would represent the countless connections she’s made at the University and how these people have pushed her to give back to the community. “Since [my first year], I have made the best of friends and joined the best organizations possible,” Kozak said. “The people that I’ve met through Pitt are just so incredible.” Isabel Lam Lam is a senior political science and economics double major. She’s the president of the Pitt chapter of Period., a menstrual equity organization, as well as a member of the Asian Student Alliance, Chinese American Student Association, Pittsburgh Intercollegiate Snowboard Team and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Lam fell in love with her Pitt experience early on, whether that be living in Sutherland Hall, or the variety of cultural clubs on campus that helped her gain a sense of belonging — a contrast to her hometown of Scranton. “Growing up, I always felt like I was really out of place,” Lam said. “I want to help students feel safe and secure and like they belong in this community just like I did.” Gabby Lombardi Lombardi is a junior microbiology major who’s involved as a Pitt Pathfinder, coach for one of the club cheer teams and Sports Chair for Phi Sigma Rho. She’s also a member of the Blue and Gold Society, Pitt Dance Marathon and Student Survivors of Cancer. Given her work with prospective, current and former students, Lombardi said her candidacy for Spirit of Pitt represents connections to the Pitt community across time. “I feel like I have that unique past, present and future aspect all throughout my time here at Pitt,” Lombardi said. Rachel Lukacz Lukacz, a senior emergency medicine major, is a member of the Emergency Medicine Student Association, Pre-Physician Assistant Student Association, Global Medical Brigades and interns at the on-campus vaccine clinic. She’s also a RA. Lukacz said college was a “very foreign thing” to her as a first generation student, but she fit into Pitt perfectly. pittnews.com

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“Pitt is a place where people with absolutely no support system can grow and become exceptional students and people and do really great things,” Lukacz said. “Overall, the Spirit of Pitt award embodies opportunities for students who might not think that they have what it takes to be at such a prestigious university.” Camryn Rogers Rogers, a senior nursing major, is a Pitt Pathfinder, Nordenberg Leadership scholar, the Stewardship Chair for Pitt Dance Marathon and does research under Teresa Thomas in the School of Nursing. Rogers said her passion for Pitt stems from the sense of community and connection between students. While her candidacy for Spirit of Pitt makes her “feel like kind of a big deal,” she said her experience tracks closely with that of the average student. “I think that giving back to a community that has given me so much in terms of confidence, knowledge, lifelong friendships, it’s the way that I can know that the four years here that I had meant something, not just to me, but to the people around me,” Rogers said. Courtney Sheridan Sheridan, a senior computer science major, is the head drum major for the marching band as well as a member of Varsity Marching Band Council and Kappa Kappa Psi. She’s also a member of the Computer Science Club and the Blue and Gold Society. Sheridan said the pandemic significantly shaped her Pitt experience, driving her to get involved and learn traditions from upperclass students in ways she wouldn’t have otherwise. “Being in a position in COVID-19 to kind of just do academics, showed me that while that’s important…there’s so much more to being a Pitt student than just getting through your classes,” Sheridan said. Gal Yovel Yovel is a junior biological science major who’s president of Food Recovery Heroes and a member of the Blue and Gold Society. Yovel concedes that campaigning for Spirit of Pitt lies outside of his comfort zone, but said he’s learned the meaning of Pitt pride over the years and that, by running for Spirit of Pitt, he’s showing that anyone can find it. “I came in not thinking there was a such thing as Pitt pride, and I was really confused when I was on tours and heard it,” Yovel said. “It’s one of those things I thought I would never do.”

Opinion | Athletes are people, too Jameson Keebler

Senior Staff Columnist

We are living in a new age for athletes — they are now starring in Netflix documentaries and have millions of followers on Instagram. Sports have always been an integral part of American culture, but now athletes have become huge celebrities. Now every professional sports team has social media that follows the athletes and often collects behind-thescenes moments that show their personality in a way that isn’t always visible from just watching the game. I think this new style of sports media improves the experience of watching sports. I’ve worked at a golf course for the past few summers, but I have never played the game myself and didn’t have much interest in it until I watched “Full Swing.” This documentary features the best current golfers and does a great job capturing their personalities so new fans can connect with the sport. Seeing the real people behind the game makes

Fikayomi Olagbai | Staff Illustrator

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watching the tournament an entirely new experience. One benefit in this increased media exposure is that it helps break down the old image of an athlete. There is still a culture of toxic masculinity in sports where we expect that athletes exhibit the highest standards of manliness. We should welcome the new era where athletes are not bound by these unfair expectations. I think that these expectations surrounding outdated ideals of masculinity are clashing with the current media personality that makes the modern athlete. Athletes expressing themselves online and on the field is a step in the right direction. Athletes are some of the biggest figures in male fashion. They always attract attention when they arrive at games, as the team photographers take pictures while they walk into the arena. One quarterback that has gained notoriety for not only his skill on the field, but his impressive outfits, is Joe Burrow. My favorite outfit of his is his all white suit, chain

and sunglasses combo. Embracing fashion lets these athletes show another side of themselves. Seeing their personality through fashion can contrast with their persona on the field, and that’s fun for fans. Pregame fashion is not only classy, but lets the athlete control their image before they battle on the field. Athletes are also making podcasts, like the Kelce brothers’ show “New Heights,” in which the two share funny stories and talk about their experiences in a humanizing way. The Prime Video documentary “Kelce” also gives an up close and personal view into their lives as the brothers, Jason and Travis, compete against each other in the Super Bowl. This documentary beautifully shows the work that goes into both winning and losing. Jason Kelce embraces the vulnerability and shows a new side in the biggest event in American sports. There is something truly touching about watching him go from congratulating his brother in the middle of the chaotic post game celebration to sitting in the quiet hotel room, explaining to his toddlers that they should be happy for their uncle. While I enjoy this moment in sports culture for the funny interview clips and beautiful pregame suits, there are also serious reasons for breaking down masculinity in sports. When athletes are treated like machines, it is incredibly harmful for their mental health. Athletes are valuable in society, beyond their abilities in their sport Masculinity is rooted so deeply in contact sports like football and hockey that athletes often get hurt as a result of the increased violence in these games. Becoming a professional athlete takes almost an entire life of dedication, but there is never stability — one bad hit or wrong step can end an entire career. Athletes should have opportunities to explore other parts of their personalities because they are more than their sport, even if they aren’t treated like it. As frustrating as it is when your team isn’t performing the way you want, we should remember that athletes are people, too. Expectations of masculinity have racial implications as well. Black men are often held to higher standards of success and masculinity than others. Many Black men struggle to get help due to a fear of being perceived as weak but also due to the racial stigmas they face. DeMar Oc tober 11, 2023

DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls has spoken out about struggles with depression. He speaks about the immense pressures that athletes face to be perfect and never show any weakness, and he acknowledges that his identity as a Black man contributed to the pressures he faced. Another thing that must always be considered when it comes to sports culture is what this means for children. Oftentimes, boys learn about masculinity through watching sports or participating in them. I hope that this shift in athletes showing more vulnerability and self-expression will create a less harmful environment. Kids not only admire athletes but learn about the world through the sports they play growing up. Let’s enjoy the media that surrounds sports and let athletes use it for self-expression. It makes sports a more positive environment when athletes can be themselves. Jameson Keebler writes primarily about pop culture and current events. Write to her at jrk162@pitt.edu.

Pitt student chronicles Pittsburgh’s musical legacy in documentary ‘The Scene Will Never Die’

Ore Fawole Staff Writer

Jazz music swells as iconic images of Pittsburgh in the past and present flash across the screen before cutting to the title card — “The Scene Will Never Die” in bold gray typeface over a black background. The new documentary chronicles the history of music in Pittsburgh from 1930 to the modern day. Chloe Simpson, a Pitt junior majoring in film and media studies and urban studies,

produced and directed the film with support from the Frederick Honors College. Through a series of interviews with music scholars, historians and musicians, Simpson covers the rich history of the Pittsburgh music scene. “The Scene Will Never Die” premiered on Atwood Street in Oakland on Oct. 7 with a concurrent YouTube stream. The premiere showcased a cohesive documentary, but when Simpson initially received the Honors College fellowship that financed this film, it had a different scope than the final product. Simpson

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said observing the music scene during her time in Pittsburgh led her to change her concept. “I received the Creative Arts Fellowship through the University to make a documentary that was originally going to be about small businesses and urban change in Pittsburgh, but having observed a small portion of the music scene here in my first two years, I decided I would feel most passionate researching into the Pittsburgh music history,” Simpson said. “Going into it, I knew that there was some history — but I didn't know the extent to which Pittsburgh held a role in nationwide music.” She began work on this film at the beginning of summer and wrapped filming in October. Most of the film is interviews with a wide berth of Pittsburgh musical experts. The documentary begins with Johnathan White, a Pitt alumnus and music history professor at Penn State Greater Allegheny. In “Paradise,” the first part of the documentary, he details his journey in writing his dissertation on Black jazz musicians in Pittsburgh. He said it took time to build up the musicians’ trust, but it was worth it. “Just listening to them, there was such a strong sense of nostalgia. It was the greatest, you know, this golden era,” White said. “They're talking about Pittsburgh primarily from the 1940s to the late 1960s. There was a Black musicians’ union, Local 471, that was established in 1908. With this union, in 1941, this musicians' club became the hub of Black activity, where Black jazz in Pittsburgh exploded.” As civil unrest in the late 1960s took hold of Pittsburgh and jazz’s popularity waned, this golden era faded into obscurity. In the second part of the documentary, “Smoky City,” Johnny Angel, the owner and curator of the Pittsburgh music museum Johnny Angel's Ginchy Stuff, explained Pittsburgh’s musical reputation. As a city much smaller than heavyweights like New York City and Los Angeles, Angel said many musicians that are from Pittsburgh are not recognized enough. “Once they become bigger, you move to New York or you move to LA. A lot of cities looked at us like we were not something big, but we were,” Angel said. “You’ll see some of the names that came out of here, just totally amazing, like Chuck Jackson, Tommy Hunt, The Skyliners, The Vogues, The Marcels and it goes on and on. But people didn’t take us seriously as a steel town, it was a smoky city.” Despite this reputation, Pittsburgh created a vibrant rock and punk music scene throughout the 1970s, lasting all the way through the 1990s. The epicenter of this alternative scene

Oc tober 11, 2023

A crowd gathers around the stage at a Pittsburgh concert in the 1960s. Screenshot from “The Scene Will Never Die.”

was the Oakland club “The Decade.” In its third part, “Have a Good Time and Get Out Alive,” the documentary depicts the rise and fall of this prolific venue, located on the corner of Atwood and Sennott in the building that now houses the Garage Door Saloon. Byron Nash, a musician who moved to Pittsburgh from Baltimore, explained the history of music in Oakland. Nash says that many Pittsburghers today don’t understand how prominent Oakland was in the local music scene. “Oakland used to be the hot spot — they had all the great venues. We had The Graffiti, we had Laga, we had The Upstage. It was the cultural hub of the city,” Nash said. “I wish people now knew how great Oakland was. That’s where your favorite would be before you knew they were your favorite band.” In the fourth and final part, “The Sky’s The Limit,” the film concludes with the musicians that occupy Pittsburgh today. Nash said there is an interconnectedness in Pittsburgh that allows musicians to hone their craft. Dr. D, the guitarist for Pittsburgh band Stone Throwers, echoed this statement, saying he wants Pittsburgh’s music scene to continue to evolve. “There are cities that aren’t that big that do big things for their artist community,” Dr. D said. “There are so many good artists and performers here, that if we build an infrastructure to keep people here, the sky’s the limit.” These interviews and more make up the 40-minute film. “The Scene Will Never Die” is her first documentary, and Simpson found starting the project daunting. However, she quickly got into the flow of filmmaking. She said following the story wherever it goes is vital to documentary filmmaking. “From this experience, I've learned to go with the flow — to accept that sometimes an interview will lead you in a direction you didn't expect the film to take, but that is a beautiful thing,” Simpson said. “Real life and real people are never what you would expect, and I feel like it is my role as a documenter to allow the truth to hold its power.”

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