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BEST OF 2002-2003 Photogallery of flags and candles remembering September 11,2001 victims Jewish students walk for Israel IMPRESSIONSA patriotic war is just to protect people (1)Americans face their toughest challengeProud beyond words to be an AmericanWar is necessary for justiceNot all Middle Easterner's are suspectFailure ought to be the stepping stone to successA lot of good Lott's apology did! It is a matter of principle and ethicsEXPRESSIONSConstitution supports God and patriotism One Numb-er Vote for the perfect candidate 24-7! What if Jesus talked football?
Gospel revealed through semantics and word play HOTPRESSIONSHomosexuality examined in light of Scripture and ScienceNo choice is not an excuse to do wrong!Consequences do not imply hate!PHOTOGALLERY
Photogallery of students enjoying Thanksgiving feast
at the Marketplace
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Unmasking the Panther mascot!By Ramesh C. Reddy Editors note: In an exclusive interview, the Pitt Panthers mascot shares lifestyle with fans! It should be known that two people take turns being the Pitt Panther mascot. This will be the interview with Y. The interview with X is in the Best of 2002-2003. Ramesh: What made you want to be the Pitt Panther? Panther Mascot: I was a mascot in high school and loved it so I really wanted to do it in college! Ramesh: I see! What has been your most memorable experience as a Panther mascot so far? Panther Mascot: Being on the court at the Big East tournament last year when the nets were cut down and the championship trophy was given to Pitt. Ramesh: Wow! That must have been exciting! What mascot were you in high school and did you ever experience a championship there? Panther Mascot: My high school's nickname was the "Fords" (a Model T Ford Car was our official mascot) so they obviously didn't have an official mascot costume so I made up my own costume. I started with painting my chest for basketball games and running around on the court at halftime! Then, the next year, it was too cold to paint my chest for football games so I put on a gorilla costume and wore a football jersey and helmet. The Girls’ basketball team made it to states and I followed them there but other than that we didn't win any championships! Ramesh: Interesting! What has been a memory you would like to forget as a Pitt Panther? Panther Mascot: I truly don't want to forget anything about it, but my least favorite time as the Panther was at Virginia Tech for the football game. One of their fans pushed me down the steps in the stands. Ramesh: That's terrible, what happened next? Panther Mascot: I actually got the guy kicked out because I told a security guard and he had seen the whole thing, but I really didn't care because we ended up winning. Ramesh: Did your mask come out and did you get hurt? Panther Mascot: The head almost came off but I wasn't hurt. Ramesh: Oh no! I am glad you did not get hurt! Have you missed any games being the mascot and if so why? Panther Mascot: I missed most of the away football games last year except Virginia Tech because there was another [panther mascot] ahead of me. I only missed the away regular season basketball games because we (the cheerleaders and I) do not travel to them. Ramesh: I see! Are you the permanent Panther mascot now or still the backup? Panther Mascot: The other [Panther mascot] is still around but it is pretty much equal for football season. I do more of the basketball games. Ramesh: I see! Do you like play fighting with other mascots and are you allowed to do that? Panther Mascot: Yeah its fun! The Virginia Tech Hokie Bird was mad at me because he thought I should let him knock me down since it was at his place. Ramesh: That's funny! How long have you been the backup Pitt Panther mascot? Panther Mascot: This is my third year doing it but I'm not exactly a backup anymore. It is split equally. Ramesh: Ok! How did you get the job? Panther Mascot: I wanted to do it since I got here but I found out that they had someone. So I joined cheerleading to keep my name in the hat but I was a terrible cheerleader because I could not do any of the co-ed stunts. I kept bothering the cheerleading coach for a chance to be the Panther and she finally let me do a girls basketball game during my freshman year. I guess she liked what she saw because after that I was not a cheerleader anymore. Ramesh: Your persistence paid off! What are your responsibilities as a Pitt Panther? Panther Mascot: I have to go to all the football games, the bowl game, men's and women's home basketball games, the men's and women’s Big East tournaments, any NCAA tournament games, home wrestling matches, some home volleyball matches, and usually one soccer, baseball, and softball game, plus community and charity events around Pittsburgh. Ramesh: That is a lot you have to do! How many hours do you have to put in per week? Panther Mascot: It is not too bad during football season but in the winter with basketball and wrestling it is almost every night there is a game or match. Ramesh: Wow! What are the fringe benefits of being the Panther mascot? Panther Mascot: The University of Pittsburgh pays for my books and I get lots of free Pitt clothes. Ramesh: When was the last time you can remember your mask being pulled off? What did you do? Panther Mascot: I never had the mask pulled off but people have pulled the tail off before! Ramesh: What did you do? Panther Mascot: I had to get it back and have it sewn back on after the game! Ramesh: Would you still be roaming with your mask on? Panther Mascot: Yeah it is funny to see the suit without the tail! Ramesh: People would never try to hug a real Panther. How many hugs do you think you have received and given as a Pitt Panther? Panther Mascot: There are way too many to count - people love the Panther! Ramesh: Yes they do! Has the Panther found a She-Panther to date? Panther Mascot: Yes, he did and she is lots of fun! Ramesh: Is she a Pitt student? Panther Mascot: No, she goes to Lock Haven! Ramesh: Where is Lock Haven? Panther Mascot: About 20 minutes North of State College Ramesh: Oh! What is their mascot back there? Panther Mascot: Golden Eagles Ramesh: What would you tell someone who wants to be a Panther mascot? Panther Mascot: I would tell them to practice running around! Ramesh: I see! What is the Panther's favorite celebration and why? Panther Mascot: I guess my favorite is Halloween - I obviously like dressing up! Ramesh: Do you like to be the mystery Panther or prefer people to know the person behind the mask? Panther Mascot: I do not go around telling people about it but my friends know! Ramesh: What is the Panthers favorite sport and why? Panther Mascot: Men’s basketball! I have always been a huge basketball fan and the fact that the team has been so good lately is just icing on the cake! Ramesh: What kind of music does the Panther love to listen to? Panther Mascot: My favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers but I love everything from Duran Duran to Eazy-E to Beyonce! I really like everything but Country music! Ramesh: Interesting! What is your favorite female singer? Panther Mascot: Definitely Cher! Ramesh: What is your favorite food and beverage? Panther Mascot: Spaghetti and Keystone Light! Ramesh: What is the hardest thing of being a Panther? Panther Mascot: The heat inside the suit! Ramesh: What is the easiest thing about being a Panther? Panther Mascot: Having fun! Ramesh: How much sleep does the Panther need on the average? Panther Mascot: I need at least eight hours of beauty sleep every night! Ramesh: In closing, what words of wisdom does the Panther give to the student body for their years at Pitt? Panther Mascot: Root hard for the Panthers and make sure you have as much fun as you can possibly have! Ramesh: Thank you Pitt Panther for your time! Panther Mascot: No problem!
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September 2003 Weather Poll
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