I’m with you – it’s hard to believe he has been in the booth for 7 years. I have to admit, when Fralic first started, I couldn’t stand listening to him, but over time, he grew on me. I think a large part of that is that he got much better at delivering his analysis. I probably also got used to his thick Pittsburgh accent.

I’m looking forward to hearing from Bostick on the radio.

I will miss hearing Bill on the radio. I think he was one of the alumni upset and rather outspoken (if I remember correctly) on the way wannstedt was let go. Perhaps some bad feelings wouldnt allow him to continue. I hope he stays close to the program as he says he will.

I have little doubt that Bostick will become a very capable analyst in a short time. He is bright, very knowledgeable about Pitt football and seems to have a willingness to want to improve.

Although our QB depth may be an issue, I never saw Bostick as being successful in Graham’s offense … but in fact, the total antithesis of what Graham would seek as QB being that Pat is slow-footed and a slow release.

I don’t hear the Pitt broadcasts here in Jersey, but I am always in favor of Pitt rewarding its own first. (Hey, Bill Hillgrove is a Pittsburgh man – Duquesne doesn’t count. Dick Groat is a Pitt man at heart and a Pittsburgh treasure.) As I previously posted, I am extremely impressed with Pat Bostick’s journalistic talents and his insights and knowledge of the game. Apparently, he consistently completed his English homework assignments from grade school on. Hopefully he has broadcasting talents as well.

The articles that Pat wrote for the athletic department that brokedown each unit on the team were top notch. If he brings that kind of analysis to the radio, he’s going to do just fine.

I think Fralic was really PO’d with the whole Wanny situation. I am surprised this was not annouced sooner. Too bad, I liked him.
Thanks again Steve.

Good for Pat. Very happy to hear he is the man to take this job.

I concur with the elation expressed over the hiring of Pat Bostick. He seems like a fine human being. He has demonstrated his talents ib the classroom and has proven to be a BIG WINNER on the gridiron. The sky’s the limit for Pat —and for Pitt. Rev. George from Columbus

Bostick’s salary easily 1/5 of Fralic’s. What a coup for the U

Just get used to the growing pains, but I’m confident he’ll eventually do an outstanding job and make the university proud. And, make sure not to cross Stevie P.

i think Fralic left the booth as willingly as Wanny left the sidelines.

I liked Fralic: he was a homer but still called it like he saw it, if that makes sense. Not a hugely analytic guy, but not bad.

I WANT WALT HARRIS BACK!!!

An updated story in today’s (Thursday) P-G seems to indicate that Fralic made the decision to leave althoughthere is stiull no doubt tension between him and the AD.

Although I do not believe Fralic should have gone public with his feelings, I fully agree with Fralic that Pedersen should have been shown the door .. and still do.

There is no exceuse for making the same mistake he did at Nebraska which got him fired there. He fired a fairly successful coach yet was completely unprepared for hiring his replacement, which resulted in him hiring his 4th or 5th choice … Callahan at Nebraska and Heywood here.

Since Pedersen did some really great things in his 1st stint here, he was rewarded by being rehired … but that shouldn’t get him a free pass until he retires!

Listening to Fralic was painful. Welcome Pat!

well, unless we are willing to call Bill fralic a liar – Wannstedt isn’t why he quit the job…

“I know I was outspoken,” Fralic said. “That’s water under the bridge. If things stayed business as usual, we very well would be having this conversation. I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t thinking about getting out last year. Pitt was very patient with me making up my mind.”

Fralic added, “I spoke my mind because that’s who I am. I said what I said, and I wasn’t the only one saying it. But because I spoke my mind is not why I’m no longer doing radio. That’s a testament to Pitt for being willing to put up with it.

“To be objective (broadcasting) was a hobby to me,” said Fralic. “It was because it was where I went to school. It wasn’t about making money. It was an opportunity to work with Bill Hillgrove and watch Pitt football. I’m still gonna watch Pitt football.”

That’s in today Trib-Review. Basically Fralic got tired of his ‘hobby’ and wanted out – no more no less. PITT fans over blow what happens inside the athletic department all the time. Everyone was just sure Petersen forced Fralic out and that didn’t happen. As a matter of fact Fralic was crystal clear that PITT didn’t used his public statements against him.

I too like this move and am happy Pat Bostick gets a shot so early in his post-football career. And Chas is correct that I’m ecstatic Bostick will keep writing because I steal stuff from his articles on a wholesale level.

Interesting note: I called Pat Sr last evening to discuss this and he was, of course, bursting with pride. I asked him how long he knew about it and he said “I found out today”.

Just like any son… Pat Jr kept his parents in the dark.

Are you sure that Stevie had nothing to do with this? If anything, Fralic saw the writing on the wall. Something Wanny was oblivious to.

Hilgrove graduated from WVU I believe.

whether AD had anything to do with it or not, Fralic and the Pitt Admin handled it diplomatically.

I rarely listened to the broadcast .. either I watched the game in person or on TV .. but didn’t think Fralic was as good as his predecessors (which included Mark May, incidentally.) As previously stated, I think Pat B will be a pretty good analyst in the long term.

Hillgrove has been at it a longtime (maybe too long) but remains a very positive and well-liked area play-by-play guy. Not sure if he will be retiring soon but I would hope that Rob King, who has occasionally filled in for Hillgrove for both FB and BB, will get serious consideration as his replacement .. if he wants the job.

Kurt: Hillgrove graduated from Duquesne U. in 1962 with a degree in journalism…. I think you may be confusing him with Jack Flemming who was a WVU guy and Steeler broadcaster

Reed – thank you for injecting some sanity into this discussion. Announcing was very much a part-time gig (or hobby, as he put it) for Fralic. I never got the impression that he was using the experience to move up the ladder of sports announcers. Quite frankly, his vocal style probably wouldn’t play anywhere outside of Pittsburgh. I always appreciated his honesty and thought his analysis and deliver improved over the years.

wbb – I agree on Rob King, who seemingly has been awaiting an opportunity to lead a broadcast for one of the major teams for quite some time. The nice thing about King is that he can fill both play by play and color roles, and has the skills and knowledge to do multiple sports. Somebody is going to give him a regular gig at some point soon, and I hope it is Pitt.

The best news to come out of this story is that John Siebel may not be back as the sideline reporter. What dribble he regurgitates during the broadcasts- a total waste of time.
I too believe Rob King does a superb job and deserves a top play-by-play postion.

Hilgrove graduated from Central Catholic. Garfield boy makes good.

PittFx – also agreed on Seibel. If Pitt really wants to make my day, they could announce that Filiponi will no longer do post game. I am all for the hosts/announcers being objective and even critical, but these guys would try to invent controversy where none existed, and had a nasty habit of confusing their own opinion with fact (particularly Filiponi).

Filiponi is horrible, Colon Dunlap is the only one thats worse. Cause controversy where none exists to get calls to their show.

As for Fralic, I, personally am glad he’s gone. Great Pitt guy, but, he sounded like Jimmy Krenn doing a “yinzer” skit the whole time.

Here’s some sacrilege for you!!!!!!!! I also believe Mr. Hillgrove has run his course, at Pitt, and also with the Steelers. Between the mistakes, constant late calls, and the homerism, time to move on. I know he’s Mr. Pitt, and is a Pitt icon, but, all good things must come to an end. Sorry.

Bill Hillgrove is an institution. He, and his wife, rosette, are considered pillars of the community and Bill is part of the Pittsburgh sports brand. He has assumed the role of senior statesman for Pittsburgh sports broadcasting since the untimely demise of Myron. Rather than try to run him out of town on a rail with tar and feathers, we should be raising money to build a section for him in the Great Hall. His flaws, whatever they may be, pale in comparison to the goodwill he generates both locally and nationally for our great city. I, for one, can’t wait for the opoportunity to turn off the national gas bags on Sunday and turn on Bill and Tunch for some much appreciated “home cookin'”. I also use an earpiece to listen to Bill at Heinz doing the Pitt games. Simply put, Bill Hillgrove is Pittsburgh. Anyone who can’t see that and does not appreciate it, needs to get another hobby.

and even more important, Billy can put them away with the best of them.

I couldn’t agree more that Seibel, Fiiliponi and Dunlap cause controversey when none exists. Otherwise, I find Dunlop knowledegeable … can’t say that for the other two

Off topic….but I thought I would bring this up……
I have been thinking about and hearing some rumors regarding the Notre Dame game on Sept. 24. The Pirates are at home with the Reds at 7:05pm. Sounds like a noon kick-off to me. Personally, I think it sucks!
Discuss amongst yourselves!

“Hail to Pitt”

Sorry guys! Someone already mentioned the ND start time in the comments of “Court Dates & Start Times.”

Doesn’t change the “suckiness!”

Jason, I’m not sure if you are mad at a noon start because you can’t sleep in or that the game is not prime time.- ,, but look at the bright side.

1) you would be surprised to see how many 11 am (local) starts that B12 teams as well as B10 teams in the central time zone have.

2) since we are playing ND, it wil be televised nationally and most probably be the best game to watch at that time. (like the noon start for the Pitt-Cincy game in early December of 09)

wbb,
Points well taken….
Maybe just my point of view, but the 3:30pm (2:30pm for CST)or later kick-offs just seem to be more relevant.

I would add that the nice thing about noon starts is you can get home earlier and catch the remaining ball games that are later in the day.

However, later starts just feel nicer and more exciting to me, especially when playing teams with a larger brand, such as Notre Dame.

Along with the above, some of the finer details of game day would also be tailgates are better with more prep time for food and general coordination. You don’t feel like a total lush having your first beverage at 7:00am. Finally, you can catch the remainder of College Gameday and watch the noon ballgames on the dish while tailgating in the lot.
All priorities,…..I know!

The other issue with noon starts is that it is much harder to get a casual audience from the west coast since it is a 9am start out there. That being said, now that I will be bringing an almost 1-year old to the games this fall, the noon start actually works better for me than the primetime games (which she can’t really attend yet), so I’m not unpleased at this development. And of course, it’s all about me!

I would argue taht a 9 am start would attract a bigger audience from the west coast since it is well before any Pac 12 games begin .. or even before many of those attending those games would leave from home.

A noon start for the ND game is horrible. The traffic for noon starts is usually bad becaue the crowd arrives in a smaller window of time. For a big game like ND, magnify that times 2 or 3.

That’s your opinion Wally, and you’re entitled to it, as am I!!!

P.S. you’re putting words in other peoples mouths. Who is running them out of town on a rail?? Who didn’t say he was Mr. Pitt or a Pitt icon?????????????

As an announcer, his ability has severely diminished over the past years, the homerism is embarrassing, and the calling of a touchdown 10 seconds after it allready happened is annoying.

Thats just me.

HbgFrank, FWIW, I’ve always found it much easier to park downtown … definitely worth the extra walk because you more than make up with it an easy in and easy out. Plus, it cheaper than Northside parking