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PITTSBURG —
Saturday was 2011 Pittsburg State University Championship Football Team Day in Pittsburg.
That’s what it said on the official proclamation by Marty Beezley, Pittsburg mayor, and the day’s events showed the love and support the community has for the PSU Gorillas.
The afternoon started off at 1 p.m. with the Parade of Champions, which recognized the Gorillas as the NCAA Division II title holders. Despite chilly weather, hundreds lined Broadway for the parade, which started at 10th Street and ended with a community pep rally at the Pritchett Pavilion, Second and Broadway.
Among the spectators were the Lillich family, consisting of parents Fred and Julie Lillich and children Olivia, 6, Aiden, 4, and Addelynn, 7 months, who drove about an hour to get there.
Aiden was excited to hear the sirens.
“Does everybody know why there are sirens?” he asked. “Every parade has sirens.”
“We’re pretty big Pittsburg fans,” said his grandmother, Rhonda Riley, Frontenac.
The cold weather did not chill her enthusiasm for the Gorillas, and she said the family had attended PSU games in worse weather.
“We all went and sat out there in the rain and cheered them on, even the baby,” Riley said.
The parade included Pittsburg Police and Fire Departments, with PSU president Steve Scott riding in the basket of the new Pittsburg Fire Department aerial platform truck.
American Legion Riders were also present to salute the Gorillas, along with Jack Overman, No. 1 PSU fan, who was clad in his full crimson and gold regalia and riding his customized scooter down the street. Gus and the PSU cheer squad marched in the parade, and at the end were the national champions on a flatbed truck.
“What was your favorite part of the parade?” Fred Lillich asked his son.
“When the football players came,” Aiden said.
Community members were encouraged to file in behind the Gorillas and make their way to the rally, which included hot coffee and cocoa, split-face temporary tattoos, fireworks and autographs from the coaches and athletes.
“Somebody said that it’s cold out, but I said we do our best work when the weather’s not good,” said Chris Kelly, emcee and PSU associate vice president of university marketing and communication. “This is Gorilla weather.”
Mayor Beezley issued her proclamation and presented a framed copy to head football coach Tim Beck.
“I just want to say how proud we are to be the home of the PSU Gorillas,” she said.
Saturday was 2011 Pittsburg State University Championship Football Team Day in Pittsburg.
That’s what it said on the official proclamation by Marty Beezley, Pittsburg mayor, and the day’s events showed the love and support the community has for the PSU Gorillas.
The afternoon started off at 1 p.m. with the Parade of Champions, which recognized the Gorillas as the NCAA Division II title holders. Despite chilly weather, hundreds lined Broadway for the parade, which started at 10th Street and ended with a community pep rally at the Pritchett Pavilion, Second and Broadway.
Among the spectators were the Lillich family, consisting of parents Fred and Julie Lillich and children Olivia, 6, Aiden, 4, and Addelynn, 7 months, who drove about an hour to get there.
Aiden was excited to hear the sirens.
“Does everybody know why there are sirens?” he asked. “Every parade has sirens.”
“We’re pretty big Pittsburg fans,” said his grandmother, Rhonda Riley, Frontenac.
The cold weather did not chill her enthusiasm for the Gorillas, and she said the family had attended PSU games in worse weather.
“We all went and sat out there in the rain and cheered them on, even the baby,” Riley said.
The parade included Pittsburg Police and Fire Departments, with PSU president Steve Scott riding in the basket of the new Pittsburg Fire Department aerial platform truck.
American Legion Riders were also present to salute the Gorillas, along with Jack Overman, No. 1 PSU fan, who was clad in his full crimson and gold regalia and riding his customized scooter down the street. Gus and the PSU cheer squad marched in the parade, and at the end were the national champions on a flatbed truck.
“What was your favorite part of the parade?” Fred Lillich asked his son.
“When the football players came,” Aiden said.
Community members were encouraged to file in behind the Gorillas and make their way to the rally, which included hot coffee and cocoa, split-face temporary tattoos, fireworks and autographs from the coaches and athletes.
“Somebody said that it’s cold out, but I said we do our best work when the weather’s not good,” said Chris Kelly, emcee and PSU associate vice president of university marketing and communication. “This is Gorilla weather.”
Mayor Beezley issued her proclamation and presented a framed copy to head football coach Tim Beck.
“I just want to say how proud we are to be the home of the PSU Gorillas,” she said.
“There’s no question we have the best fans in all the United States,” Beck said. “We know Pittsburg is a very special place.”
President Scott noted the many signs of support in the community, including Gorilla split-faces proudly displayed in many places of business.
“It’s the relationship we have with the city that makes this work,” he said.
Not every university is so fortunate, according to Shawn Naccarato, PSU director of government and community relations. He attended the event with his wife and children.
“When I talk with my counterparts at other universities, they tell me that the relationship we have with this community is unique,” Naccarato said. “When you look at the number of PSU license plates we have around you see that the fans and alumni are committed and take stock in this institution.”
Glen McLaren, retired from the PSU accounting department, noted that football is a tradition in Pittsburg.
“We’ve been here 31 years, and it grows on you,” he said.
“And they’re such nice young men, and they graduate,” added his wife, Darlene McLaren.
The players obligingly signed autographs after the speeches were over, and signed posters and a few other items as well.
Heather Arnett, 8, asked the players to sign the back of her red PSU shirt while she was still wearing it.
“I thought it would be cool for everybody to see my sweatshirt,” she said.
“Now we can’t wash it,” said her father, Bart Arnett.
“That’s OK,” said mother Micah Arnett. “We’ll hang it up.”
The Gorillas also signed a PSU Christmas tree ornament for Isaac Smith.
“My cousin got him that and he wanted it signed,” said his mother, Charlotte Smith. “We took pictures at the parade, too. He’s really enjoyed this.”
Jack Overman was also having a ball.
“We’ve had a good day today,” he said. “Whether it’s cold or rainy, sleet or snow, we’ve got to back the Gorillas.”
His affection for the Gorillas is returned by team members, according to Dinazzio Teague, Gorillas red shirt freshman.
“We think a lot of Jack,” he said. “He comes out when we practice like he’s practicing too. That love makes us go; it gives us more momentum and drive.”
Teague noted that there were several Gorillas recruits present for the parade and rally, and he was glad for them to see the community’s support for the team.
“You can’t just come into the jungle,” he said. “You’ve got to be welcomed into it, and we have.”
