Positively Pittsburgh Live News
9-16-13
 |
| Sid Pandit |
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TECHNOGRANNY? Latitude 40 Watching the Game on 28 foot TV, Elbow Room in Shadyside
POSITIVELYPITTSBURGH SPONSORED EVENTS: Entrepreneurial Thursdays, October 10 "PR, Media, Branding & Marketing"
CULTURAL CLUES: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Carmina Burana, Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra at Cabaret Theater Square, HOLDUP in the HOOD, Celtic Thunder 2013, THE CAKE BOSS, Our Town at Pittsburgh Public Theater
KIDZ KORNER: 9 Year Old Creates "Treehouse Wars" Apple App, SLAAM BASKETBALL, Children's Theater 2013-2014 Season
BUSINESS BUZZ: Entrepreneurial Thursdays, Fallin' for Pittsburgh
HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS: Local Global Festival, One Young World Ambassadors
PITTSBURGH HISTORICAL STUFF: Oakland Historic Twentieth Century Club, From Slavery to Freedom Film Series "Adanggaman, "A Civil War Catastrophe Pittsburgh's Allegheny Arsenal Explosion, 43rd Annual Covered Bridge Festival, Civil War Authors, RADical Days-Free Admission
NON-PROFIT EVENTS SPONSORED BY BLACK TIE-PITTSBURGH: African American Heritage Day Parade, Small Seeds Development 4th Annual Signature Event
POSITIVE PITTSBURGHERS SEGMENT: Body Beautiful's Worst Tattoo Contest
ROVING PITTSBURGHER REPORT: The Lion King, A Skull in Connemara, The Elbow Room
PITTSBURGH LOCAL SPORTS: Pittsburgh Sportsline, Rock's Gerald Brooks signs contract to play professionally in Argentina
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TECHNO GRANNY
Latitude 40 Watching the Game on 28 foot TV, Elbow Room in Shadyside
POSITIVELY PITTSBURGH LIVE SPONSORED EVENTS
Entrepreneurial Thursdays, October 10th: PR, Media, Branding & Marketing
CULTURAL CLUES
+(2).jpg) |
| Featured soloist, Lisette
Oropesa Photo Credit: Jason Homa |
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra BNY Mellon Grand Classics: Carmina Burana Oct. 4 & 5 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 6 at 2:30 p.m. / Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
The 2013-2014 BNY Mellon Grand Classics season opens with one of the most recognizable works of all time—Carmina Burana. Based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection Carmina Burana, this 20th-century choral masterpiece has been heard countless times in film, television and even at professional sports events. Also on this dynamic program: Acclaimed composer David Stock, one of the PSO's Pittsburgh Composers of the Year, premieres a work written specifically for his hometown orchestra. TICKET COST: $30.75 - $124.75 / 412-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org
The 2013-2014 BNY Mellon Grand Classics season opens with one of the most recognizable works of all time—Carmina Burana. Based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection Carmina Burana, this 20th-century choral masterpiece has been heard countless times in film, television and even at professional sports events. Also on this dynamic program: Acclaimed composer David Stock, one of the PSO's Pittsburgh Composers of the Year, premieres a work written specifically for his hometown orchestra. TICKET COST: $30.75 - $124.75 / 412-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org
Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, September 24, 20138:00pm • Cabaret at Theater Square
Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra kicks off the season at the Cabaret Theater for a lush, lively jazz celebration. Artistic Director Sean Jones and Associate Director Mike Tomaro will lead the 10 piece ensemble.
MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION EXPLORES SELF IDENTIFICATION THROUGH RACE, CLASS, AND GENDER
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces the opening of artist Francis Crisafio’s multimedia exhibition HOLDUP in the HOOD at 707 Penn Gallery on Friday, September 13, 2013. The
exhibition incorporates drawings, recycled photographs, and print media as well as body gesture to explore issues of race, class, and gender. The exhibition is open to the public Friday, September 13, through Sunday, November 3, 2013.
 |
| HOLDUP in the HOOD |
“HOLDUP in the HOOD is both a personal and communal exploration of self,” Crisafio says. “It concerns the identity of self that comes with the realization of making one’s mark.” Read the entire release here.
 |
| Celtic Thunder |
Celtic Thunder is an award-winning performance group featuring Celtic male vocalists: Keith Harkin (Derry, Northern Ireland), Ryan Kelly (Moy in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland), George Donaldson (Glasgow, Scotland), Emmet Cahill (Mullingar in County Westmeath, Ireland), Neil Byrne (Dublin, Ireland), and Colm Keegan (Dublin, Ireland). The group’s performance is a celebration of Celtic heritage and men—their loves, attitudes, individuality, power and strength, throughout life’s journey. Read the entire release here.
Buddy Valastro, The Cake Boss: The Family Celebrations Tour
Nov. 14, 2013 • The Palace Theatre • Greensburg, PA • 7:30 PM
Join America’s favorite baker, Buddy Valastro, for his live interactive event! See TLC's Cake Boss in action as he demonstrates LOTS of amazing cake and cupcake designs and teaches his tips and techniques in this high-energy experience.
Nov. 14, 2013 • The Palace Theatre • Greensburg, PA • 7:30 PM
Join America’s favorite baker, Buddy Valastro, for his live interactive event! See TLC's Cake Boss in action as he demonstrates LOTS of amazing cake and cupcake designs and teaches his tips and techniques in this high-energy experience.
Buddy will call up several lucky audience members to join him on stage to participate in the fun throughout the show! He will also share stories from his highly popular TV shows (Cake Boss, Next Great Baker), his family at Carlo’s Bakery, answer audience questions, plus will have lots of surprises in store for an unforgettable experience for the whole family! Visit buddyontour.com
Pittsburgh Public Theater’s MASTERPIECE SEASON begins with Our Town, the beloved American classic by Thornton Wilder, featuring an all-Pittsburgh cast. Directed by Ted Pappas, Our Town runs Sept. 26 – Oct. 27 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in
 |
| Our Town Cast |
Replacing traditional props and scenery with gesture and movement, early 20th century Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire bursts to life in Our Town. The audience’s guide to this community is the Stage Manager, played by Tom Atkins, who comments on the townspeople as they go about their daily lives. He moves us forward and backwards through time to observe their fates.
KIDZ KORNER
 |
| At nine years old, Jefferson Johnson of Vienna created, designed and helped develop the game app “Treehouse Wars.” Now 10, he has raised enough money to build an upgrade. (Tom Jackman/The Washington Post) |
From our Friends at Sprout Fund via Washington Post blog
At nine years old, Jefferson Johnson of Vienna created, designed and helped develop the game app “Treehouse Wars.” Now 10, he has raised enough money to build an upgrade. (Tom Jackman/The Washington Post)
WRITTEN BY Tom Jackman
You want to play a fun new app on your iPhone or iPad? There’s a kid for that. The kid is Jefferson Johnson, who begins fifth grade today at Flint Hill Elementary School in the Vienna area of Fairfax County. At the ripe old age of nine, he devised the concept and then developed (with some help from Australia) the game “Treehouse Wars.” It’s a sort of humanized version of “Plants vs. Zombies” in which a swarm of aliens attacks a boy in a treehouse, and the boy must fend them off with water balloons, frisbees, bowling balls, boomerangs and other stuff you can acquire as you rise through the 30 (!!) increasingly difficult levels of the game. Read the entire article here.
The Citizens Bank 2013-2014 Family Series
Packed with five imaginative, live performances that are full of creativity and fun. Consider becoming a Partner of the Pittsburgh International Children's Theater for reserved seating at the shows, special artist meet-and-greet receptions, and full access to the Partner benefits of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Most performances debut at the Byham Theater, and then travel to a location near you in the suburbs! Shows travel to community venues North, South, East and West of the city, and into Butler County.
Most performances debut at the Byham Theater, and then travel to a location near you in the suburbs! Shows travel to community venues North, South, East and West of the city, and into Butler County.
For group tickets call 412-471-6930
For more information about tickets, visit TrustArts.org/kids
BUSINESS BUZZ
 |
| Jessica Lee |
"Jessica Lee's Entrepreneurial Thursdays"
Musical Networking Happy Hour, EVERY THURSDAY!!! Cover Charge: Only $5.00
Vocalist Jessica Lee & Friends, Little E's Jazz & Blues Club,949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 2nd Floor above Mahoney's Restaurant, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Pre-show networking session at 5:30 pm. Informal matchmaking for job seekers, employers & new entrepreneurs! Live music starts at 6:00 pm.
September 19, 2013 : "Fallin' for Pittsburgh"
Featuring interviews with: Co-Host Mark Freemnan; Veronica Corpuz, Director of Festival Management and Special Projects, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust http://www.pifof.org/about/ and www.pgharts.org; Rob Zellers, Director of Education & Outreach, Pittsburgh Public Theater www.ppt.org; Melissa LuVisi, Co-Founder, Treading Art http://treadingart.com/
HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS
One Young World Ambassadors take over Market Square September 25, 11:00 to 5:00
Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh.
 |
| Minerva Market |
PITTSBURGH HISTORICAL STUFF
NEWS from THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB MINERVA MARKET OPENS DOORS FOR SHOPPING EXPERIENCE Art Deco Landmark opens its doors as a unique boutique featuring regional designers, artists and more on Wednesday, September 25. Editors: Artist and event photos and interviews provided on request prior to, during and following the event.
One of Pittsburgh’s landmarks is transformed into a delightful boutique when the Twentieth Century Club opens its doors to everyone for the 16th MINERVA MARKET on Wednesday, September 25. Artists and vendors from throughout the region are on hand with jewelry, clothing, accessories, art, books and gifts for anyone seeking a unique and personalize shopping experience.
Minerva Market hours are 10:30 am to 2:30 pm in the beautiful Art Deco Ballroom. Admission is $10 at the door for shopping only. Reservations are requested for $25 for shopping and lunch package including lunch noon to 1:30 in the Art Noveau Dining Room. Reservations and information are available at 412-621-2353. Read the entire release here.
From Slavery to Freedom Film Series: 'Adanggaman'
Wed., Sept. 18 | 6 p.m. | Homewood Library
Join the History Center and the Carnegie Library of Homewood for a screening of "Adanggaman," the fourth and final film in the From Slavery to Freedom Film Series. Admission is free.
Wed., Sept. 18 | 6 p.m. | Homewood Library
Join the History Center and the Carnegie Library of Homewood for a screening of "Adanggaman," the fourth and final film in the From Slavery to Freedom Film Series. Admission is free.
RADical Days - Free Admission
Sat., Oct. 5, Fort Pitt Museum | Sun., Oct. 6, History Center
Enjoy free admission to the Fort Pitt Museum (Sat., Oct. 5) and History Center (Sun., Oct. 6) as part of the 12th annual RADical Days, sponsored by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD).
10th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament Presented by BNY Mellon
Mon., Sept. 23 | 10 a.m. | Allegheny Country Club
Your foursome will be paired with a sports celebrity for a scramble-style tournament that benefits the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
From Our Friends at The Soul Pitt
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY PARADE
~ Rain or Shine ~Saturday, October 5, 2013 / Downtown Pittsburgh
Grand Marshal: THADDEUS G. MOSLEY / Nationally Acclaimed Sculptor
Enjoy free admission to the Fort Pitt Museum (Sat., Oct. 5) and History Center (Sun., Oct. 6) as part of the 12th annual RADical Days, sponsored by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD).
NON-PROFIT EVENTS SPONSORED BY
BLACK TIE-PITTSBURGH
10th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament Presented by BNY Mellon
Mon., Sept. 23 | 10 a.m. | Allegheny Country Club
Your foursome will be paired with a sports celebrity for a scramble-style tournament that benefits the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
NEIGHBORHOOD HI-LIGHTS
From Our Friends at The Soul Pitt
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY PARADE
~ Rain or Shine ~Saturday, October 5, 2013 / Downtown Pittsburgh
Grand Marshal: THADDEUS G. MOSLEY / Nationally Acclaimed Sculptor
Call 412.392.0322 For More Parade Information
SAVE THE DATE
The 3rd Annual SWPA Media & Mental Health Awards
October 24, 2013
 |
| Media & Mental Health Awards |
6:00-8:30 PM
The Heinz History Center
If you have any questions please contact Susan Brozek Scott at sbscott@eiconline.org or 412-486-2151. Visit www.eiconline.org/swpa
The SWPA Media & Mental Health Awards honor accurate media coverage of mental health issues within television, radio, print and online media in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
From our friends at TheSoulPitt.com
Small Seeds Development, Inc.'s 4th Annual Signature Event14 Years Empowering Families, Impacting Communities
The Heinz History Center
If you have any questions please contact Susan Brozek Scott at sbscott@eiconline.org or 412-486-2151. Visit www.eiconline.org/swpa
The SWPA Media & Mental Health Awards honor accurate media coverage of mental health issues within television, radio, print and online media in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
From our friends at TheSoulPitt.com
Small Seeds Development, Inc.'s 4th Annual Signature Event14 Years Empowering Families, Impacting Communities
LeMont Restaurant, 1114 Grandview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
Thursday Sept 26, 2013 | 5 - 9 PM
Join us for an evening of celebration as we honor community leaders and the families we serve.
Business Attire, Dinner | Cash Bar | Silent Auction / Valet Parking $6
Music by the Kevin Howard Duo / Donation $75.00
Should you have any questions about the event or how to register, please contact:
Roxanne Epperson, 412.665.2810 or repperson@ssdipgh.org
RSVP by September 19, 2013
Thursday Sept 26, 2013 | 5 - 9 PM
Join us for an evening of celebration as we honor community leaders and the families we serve.
Business Attire, Dinner | Cash Bar | Silent Auction / Valet Parking $6
Music by the Kevin Howard Duo / Donation $75.00
Should you have any questions about the event or how to register, please contact:
Roxanne Epperson, 412.665.2810 or repperson@ssdipgh.org
RSVP by September 19, 2013
POSITIVE PITTSBURGHERS SEGMENT
Body Beautiful Tattoo Contest
You STILL have his name tattooed on you? You broke up years ago!!
Find yourself hearing that over and over? Our solution! Visit www.Facebook.com/BodyBeautiful and enter to win "Pittsburgh's worst tattoo contest" & take back that moment with their advanced R20 tattoo removal. Don't have a bad tattoo? Visit body beautiful laser medi spa to Become a V.I.P. & receive 50% OFF any laser treatment plus entry into our $5,000 giveaway!
Purchase tickets online via PayPal at www.ssdipgh.org
Purchase tickets online via PayPal at www.ssdipgh.org
ROVING PITTSBURGHER REPORT
The Lion King
 |
| Rafiki |
Hakuna matata: Means no worries and you truly will leave the theater with no worries after this presentation. There is almost too much going on with performers coming through the aisles and drummers in the balcony boxes. What an event of sound and sight and experience.
What a mix of visual and audio entertainment Director Julie Taymor has put together. My five year old was mesmerized even though it was a long show and she wanted to go to sleep she just could not. I asked her the best part and she told me it was the young Simba and Nala played by Jordan Hall and Nya Cymone Carter, what wonderful delightful young performers. She loved Simba in “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” Read the entire review here.
A Skull in Connemara
The play, A Skull in Connemara, written by the prolific and brilliant Martin McDonagh focuses on the gruesome practice of grave exhumation in a small town. A practice, that for many of us, seems unreal and something made up from a CSI crime show. In the play, due to overcrowding,
the local cemetery located in a small Irish town of Leenane, exhumes bodies of those who have been buried there for over seven years and disposes in a local lake. Yes it is gruesome…but this a marvelous dark comedy filled with twists and turns.. It has wonderful examples of sarcastic word play, small town intrigue, and insight to the character of the townspeople to keep one fascinated as the tale unfolds.
If you are from a small town or rural area whether it is in Ireland, or any other small parcel of a town in the world, you will instantly recognize and appreciate the dark acts and antics going on. Read the entire review here.
Pittsburgh Sportsline
Interviewed over 100 people live at Cips on West Liberty Ave in Dormont, unfortunately it’s the same night as
PositivelyPittsburghLive so the TechnoGranny is not on the list,a new record for Al Levine, the Talking Machine 2 weeks ago he interviewed 13 people on the show!
Since February 4th when we moved to Cip's Sports Bar in Dormont, we have interviewed over 100+ people.
Our Live in studio Pittsburgh Sportsline show is seen as far away as Nemacolin on Verizon #32. We broadcast from 7-8 PM every Tuesday... We are approaching our 100th show at the end of September...
The show has been on air since October 18, 2011. BPTV has let us broadcast over fifty shows from Level 20 Sports Lounge and Cip's!
The Facebook page I created https://www.facebook.com/PittsburghSportsline is reaching 500 to a 1,000+ people a day. We hit our highest weekly total of 7,595. I have done this all organically. No paid ads.
-Al Levine
Rock's Gerald Brooks signs contract to play professionally in Argentina
Former Slippery Rock University men’s basketball standout Gerald Brooks has signed a professional contract to play for Club Atlético Barrio Parque in the Argentinian Professional League, Rock head coach Kevin Reynolds announced Wednesday.
Brooks will report to the club’s home facility in Cordoba, Argentina, Monday to prepare for the upcoming season, according to Reynolds.
“We are very excited for Gerald and happy to see his unselfishness and hard work rewarded,” Reynolds said. “He certainly made a huge impact in our program.”
“We are equally proud he earned his degree from SRU last summer," Reynolds said.
Last winter, in his only season with The Rock, Brooks averaged 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds
in 25 minutes of playing time per game last winter.
The first player off Reynolds’ bench, Brooks helped lead SRU to a 23-9 overall record, a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference runner-up finish and its second NCAA Division II postseason berth in the last three seasons.
Prior to joining The Rock, Brooks was a three-time All-PSAC-Western Division performer at Indiana (Pa.). Brooks was the division’s Rookie of the Year and earned second-team all-conference honors as a freshman and was named to first-team honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons.
Brooks finished his four-year collegiate career with 1,416 points and 766 rebounds.
A native of Pittsburgh and graduate of Schenley High School, Brooks was the fourth member of The Rock’s 2012-13 team to sign a professional contract. Devin Taylor and Darious Clark both inked deals with leagues in Luxembourg, while Luiz Santos signed a pact with a Brazilian team.
Brooks is the 10th Rock player to sign a professional contract in Reynolds’ five seasons as the Green and White’s head coach.
That list also includes Jabril Bailey (Premier Basketball League, now in APBL with Bay Area Shuckers), Kyle Camper (Germany), Michael Evans, Jr. (National Basketball League of Canada), Erroll Robinson (American Basketball Association Dallas Impact), Denell Stephens (Luxembourg's Total League) and Joe Vines (Taiwan Pro League).
Camper, Evans and Stephens were mainstays on The Rock's PSAC semifinal team in 2008-09, Reynolds' rookie season as The Rock's head coach. Bailey, Vines and Taylor helped lead SRU to a conference runner-up finish and NCAA tournament berth in the 2010-11 season before Brooks, Clark, Santos and Taylor led the 2012-13 team to arguably the best season in school history. The 2012-13 Rock equaled the school record for single-season wins and recorded the program’s first-ever opening-round NCAA tournament win with an upset of 16th-ranked Winston-Salem State.
This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2013 All rights reserved.
Listen to the show online here.
Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.
A Skull in Connemara
The play, A Skull in Connemara, written by the prolific and brilliant Martin McDonagh focuses on the gruesome practice of grave exhumation in a small town. A practice, that for many of us, seems unreal and something made up from a CSI crime show. In the play, due to overcrowding,
If you are from a small town or rural area whether it is in Ireland, or any other small parcel of a town in the world, you will instantly recognize and appreciate the dark acts and antics going on. Read the entire review here.
The Elbow Room
5533 Walnut St Pittsburgh, PA 15232, www.elbowroompittsburgh.com
First of all must tell you I have not been to the Elbow Room since it was a trendy bar with food on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside. Now on Walnut Street, you walk through large double doors that have large initials ER on the door and you can take an elevator or stairs to the elegant second floor. What a change both to Shadyside and the Elbow Room.
First of all must tell you I have not been to the Elbow Room since it was a trendy bar with food on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside. Now on Walnut Street, you walk through large double doors that have large initials ER on the door and you can take an elevator or stairs to the elegant second floor. What a change both to Shadyside and the Elbow Room.
Went there for a NAWBO Board meeting and we sat in their private back room. Everyone was delighted with their food. What a variety. I had the Avocado Salad Field greens w avocado, asparagus & roasted red peppers and added blackened salmon, delightful. Others had the Marilyn sandwich, Grilled chicken breast served open faced on grilled focaccia, topped with melted provolone, tomato, prosciutto & pesto and also Big Fish Beer battered Haddock, served with tartar & lemon. Both food and service were delightful. The walk back to the neat little parking lots behind Walnut Street was delightful as we walked by trendy shops on the first and second story and even in alleyways. If you have not been to Shadyside in a while, it is worth the trip.
Latitude 40
Latitude 40
200 Quinn Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15275 http://latitude40pitt.com
On the second floor is a ballroom open to the public with a 28 foot screen that makes you feel like you are right at the game. There is also Internet access so we worked and watched the game and ordered an amazing Quesadilla and Fireroasted Margherita Pizza and mojitos. A great Sunday afternoon even though the day that we were there, the Steelers lost. Would be much better and more lively I am sure on a day that they win.
On the second floor is a ballroom open to the public with a 28 foot screen that makes you feel like you are right at the game. There is also Internet access so we worked and watched the game and ordered an amazing Quesadilla and Fireroasted Margherita Pizza and mojitos. A great Sunday afternoon even though the day that we were there, the Steelers lost. Would be much better and more lively I am sure on a day that they win.
PITTSBURGH LOCAL SPORTS
.jpg) |
| Allen Levine The Talking Machine, Smokin' Jim Frazier and Chip Haynor |
Pittsburgh Sportsline
Interviewed over 100 people live at Cips on West Liberty Ave in Dormont, unfortunately it’s the same night as
PositivelyPittsburghLive so the TechnoGranny is not on the list,a new record for Al Levine, the Talking Machine 2 weeks ago he interviewed 13 people on the show!
Since February 4th when we moved to Cip's Sports Bar in Dormont, we have interviewed over 100+ people.
The show has been on air since October 18, 2011. BPTV has let us broadcast over fifty shows from Level 20 Sports Lounge and Cip's!
The Facebook page I created https://www.facebook.com/PittsburghSportsline is reaching 500 to a 1,000+ people a day. We hit our highest weekly total of 7,595. I have done this all organically. No paid ads.
Rock's Gerald Brooks signs contract to play professionally in Argentina
Former Slippery Rock University men’s basketball standout Gerald Brooks has signed a professional contract to play for Club Atlético Barrio Parque in the Argentinian Professional League, Rock head coach Kevin Reynolds announced Wednesday.
Brooks will report to the club’s home facility in Cordoba, Argentina, Monday to prepare for the upcoming season, according to Reynolds.
“We are very excited for Gerald and happy to see his unselfishness and hard work rewarded,” Reynolds said. “He certainly made a huge impact in our program.”
“We are equally proud he earned his degree from SRU last summer," Reynolds said.
Last winter, in his only season with The Rock, Brooks averaged 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds
 |
| Gerald Brooks |
The first player off Reynolds’ bench, Brooks helped lead SRU to a 23-9 overall record, a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference runner-up finish and its second NCAA Division II postseason berth in the last three seasons.
Prior to joining The Rock, Brooks was a three-time All-PSAC-Western Division performer at Indiana (Pa.). Brooks was the division’s Rookie of the Year and earned second-team all-conference honors as a freshman and was named to first-team honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons.
Brooks finished his four-year collegiate career with 1,416 points and 766 rebounds.
A native of Pittsburgh and graduate of Schenley High School, Brooks was the fourth member of The Rock’s 2012-13 team to sign a professional contract. Devin Taylor and Darious Clark both inked deals with leagues in Luxembourg, while Luiz Santos signed a pact with a Brazilian team.
Brooks is the 10th Rock player to sign a professional contract in Reynolds’ five seasons as the Green and White’s head coach.
That list also includes Jabril Bailey (Premier Basketball League, now in APBL with Bay Area Shuckers), Kyle Camper (Germany), Michael Evans, Jr. (National Basketball League of Canada), Erroll Robinson (American Basketball Association Dallas Impact), Denell Stephens (Luxembourg's Total League) and Joe Vines (Taiwan Pro League).
Camper, Evans and Stephens were mainstays on The Rock's PSAC semifinal team in 2008-09, Reynolds' rookie season as The Rock's head coach. Bailey, Vines and Taylor helped lead SRU to a conference runner-up finish and NCAA tournament berth in the 2010-11 season before Brooks, Clark, Santos and Taylor led the 2012-13 team to arguably the best season in school history. The 2012-13 Rock equaled the school record for single-season wins and recorded the program’s first-ever opening-round NCAA tournament win with an upset of 16th-ranked Winston-Salem State.
This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2013 All rights reserved.
Listen to the show online here.
Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.
