THE BLACK AND GOLD POST

Once again, as in years past, the PSFCOB has taken advantage of their bonds with the local community to help out those who are less fortunate that ourselves.

Out in Frederick, Scott Demers and the PSFCOBers who congregate at Krug's held a yearlong campaign to raise money for Feed the Children and ended up donating a total of $238.00. Their theme was "The Steelers Goal is to Win; The PSFCOB Goal is to FEED THE CHILDREN". They also held a "Charity Brew Game Day" during the November 5 game against Tennessee where Fan Clubber and local brewer Dan Maerzluft donated beer to be sold at Krugs during the game. A portion of these sales were then presented to Feed the Children.

Pat Varricchio and the folks who frequent the Calgary Cattle Company were likewise busy helping out the folks in need. They collected approximately 160 lbs. of food which was given to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Local Chapter #451 in Dundalk. They also held toy and clothing drives during the Christmas season and the post season (even though the Steelers were not in the playoffs) and donated close to $350 worth of goods to the Family Crisis Center in Dundalk.

Carole Binaut was the driving force behind the Toy Drive at The Purple Goose Saloon and the good folks who spend their Sundays there donated over 75 toys which Carole gladly presented to Southwest Emergency Services of Baltimore.

It is certainly a good feeling to be associated with such a fine group of people who realize that there is more to life than Steeler Football and who make the effort to do what they can to help out those who don't have what we do. I am certainly proud to be a part of this group as it simply reaffirms what we all already knew: Steeler Fans are #1 !!!

February 11, 2001. In the name of progress and economics, the city of Pittsburgh as well as Steeler and Pirate fans young and old, said so long to Three Rivers Stadium. A landmark that stood for over 30 years and played host to 2 All-Star Games, 2 World Series, 11 Playoff games and 7 Conference Championship games came down in 17 seconds in a series of controlled blasts and a cloud of dust.

I personally was sad to see it go. That circle of steel and concrete was at the heart of many memories as I was growing up. I remember going to a game with my Dad when I was barely tall enough to see over the concrete wall that made up the inner concourse. We were standing there because it was pouring down rain. I remember going to a game with my Mom and we actually got into the wrong car out in the parking lot after the game. The door key worked but not the ignition.

I remember going to a game with my good friend Mark (the author of "Chew tobacco, chew tobacco...) and not being able to drive back to college at Clarion that night due to our "excitement". I remember sitting up near the top of the 600 level directly behind home plate for the 1974 All-Star Game like it was yesterday (National league won 5-3 and the Pirates Ken Brett got the win). It was probably the only time I was allowed to stay home from school the next day for not being sick.

We all have memories. If you would like to share some with the PSFCOB, log on to the web site at http://get.to/psfcob and tell us all about it using the guestbook or email options. We'll run as many entries as possible in the next edition of The Black and Gold Post. I guess the one good thing about memories is that they're easy to start and happening all the time. I expect to have many more in the new stadium.

The pre-season predictions for the 200-2001 Pittsburgh Penguins sounded hauntingly familiar: Loaded on offense, defense and goaltending are suspect. Likely a playoff team but will be lucky to get past the first round.

Two months into the season and the Pens were mired somewhere in the middle of the NHL pack. Rumors were aplenty about everything from internal squabbling between players and first year coach Ivan Hlinka to Jaromir Jagr supposedly asking to be traded. There was also a mention of owner Mario Lemieux returning to the ice after a three year hiatus.

On December 27, that rumor became a reality as Mario donned the familiar "66" that had hung from the rafters of Mellon Arena. Super Mario led the Penguins to victory that night and has led them all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Mario amassed an amazing 35 goals and 41 assists in only 43 regular season games and has certainly been a calming influence on the whole team. The back problems that plagued Lemieux throughout his career have only been a slight problem and, after the three year layoff, it looked as if Mario had not lost a step. His playmaking ability remains second to none and it is without question that this is a different Pittsburgh team with him in the lineup.

Another shot at Lord Stanley's Cup came up short but Lemieux's hockey return was undoubtedly the sports story of the year. LETS GO PENS !!!!

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