Greg Amodio, Duquesne’s athletic director, is trading in his post at Pittsburgh for the same spot in Hamden, Ct. at Quinnipiac University. Amodio has served Duquesne for nearly 10 years, during which he oversaw the A.J. Palumbo Center’s over $5 million in improvements and Rooney Field renovations. In 2010, he made the decision to cut Duquesne’s baseball, wrestling, men’s golf, and men’s swimming programs in a strategic restructuring that intended to reallocate over $1 million to other sports. ... Read More
Jim Ferry enters year four with pressure
When Duquesne head coach Jim Ferry took over Ron Everhart’s position in 2012, the question was whether the Elmont, NY native could rebuild the program. Now after three years, skepticism has shifted to Ferry’s ability to provide the Dukes with resilience. Since his start in 2012, Ferry has maintained a 33-58 (12-38) overall record with Duquesne. He improved from his 8-22 (1-15) first season to 12-19 (6-12) this past season, yet the three year coach has yet to have a winning season with the ... Read More
England recruit Josh Steel commits to Duquesne
Duquesne men’s basketball head coach Jim Ferry continues to build upon his program’s resilience and identity with the 2015-16 recruiting class. Harlow, England native Josh Steel, who signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday, is the newest addition to the Dukes’ roster. Steel, a guard from Barking Abbey Academy, was named the 32nd-best 1997-born prospect in Europe by www.eurohopes.com. He represented England at both the U18 & U16 Division B European Championships, averaging 13 points, ... Read More
Pitt’s Newkirk undergoes surgery
Pitt basketball announced in a release on Wednesday that sophomore guard Josh Newkirk has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee. The surgery will hold Newkirk out for 4-6 months of workouts, according to the release. “We expect Josh to make a full recovery and rejoin his teammates for the upcoming 2015-16 season,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “The surgery was a success, and we know that Josh will work hard during the rehabilitation ... Read More
Duquesne lands sophomore transfer Tarin Smith
Rising sophomore guard Tarin Smith committed to Duquesne yesterday for the 2015-2016 season. The Nebraska University transfer will have three years of eligibility remaining. The Dukes recruited Smith after his high school career at St. Anthony High School in New Jersey, where he was an Associated Press All-State honoree in his senior year. While at Nebraska, Smith averaged 4.5 points per game, playing in all 31 of his team’s contests. He averaged 17.6 minutes per game. As a freshman, Smith ... Read More
Brown F Rafeal Maia transfers to Pitt
Jamie Dixon landed his second graduate transfer in a week’s time on Sunday when it was reported that Brown power forward Rafael Maia would be transferring to Pitt. Maia, like Coppin State guard Sterling Smith, who transferred to Pitt last week, will be eligible to play right away. He stands 6-foot-9 and last season averaged 9.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, shooting 53.8 percent from the field. He should be able to help the Panthers on the glass, which was a weak spot of the team last ... Read More
Durand Johnson transfers to St. Johns
It didn’t take very long for former Pitt swingman Durand Johnson to find himself a new home. Johnson officially transferred to St. Johns on Wednesday, following former Pitt assistant coach Barry Rohrssen to the Red Storm, where he will suit up for new St. John’s head coach Chris Mullin. The Baltimore native announced his decision to leave the Panthers on April 14. Johnson was expected to be a big piece of the Panthers offense the past couple seasons, but it never came to fruition. He ... Read More
Pitt lands Coppin State G Sterling Smith
It not only was a tough season for the Pitt basketball program, but it has been a tough offseason to this point. Things got a little bit better for Jamie Dixon on Friday when he landed some help for next year's team. Pitt landed 6-foot-4 shooting guard Sterling Smith, a transfer from Coppin State. Because Smith has already graduated, he will be eligible to play for the Panthers next season. The signing of Smith should help lighten the blow of losing Durand Johnson, who elected to ... Read More
Pitt’s Brianna Kiesel ready for her journey in WNBA
Despite professional basketball (not the ABA) being absent from the city of Pittsburgh, the Pitt Panthers have been able to remain a staple in the pro game for years. From Billy Knight, Jerome Lane, Vonteego Cummings, DeJuan Blair and Steven Adams, the Pitt men have found a way to keep their name in the league. But the latest Pitt player to go pro won't be appearing on the NBA hardwood anytime soon, but she'll — yes, she — will be making a name for herself in Tulsa with the Shock of the ... Read More
Robert Morris extends Andy Toole, plans new event center
Today, Robert Morris officially announced the extension of head coach Andrew Toole, which will make him the coach through the 2019-20 season. In his time at Robert Morris, Toole has accumulated a record of 110-65(.629) and 65-23(.729) in the NEC. Golden Era of Colonial Basketball: This past season quite possibly was the most successful season Robert Morris men’s basketball has had since the 2009-2010 season when it came within a hairs length of upsetting the No. 2 seeded Villanova Wildcats in ... Read More