My memories of "Jamie the man"

[Atch]

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

 

[freddietee511]

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

That is some awesome stuff. I made a post about him last night, and while I didn't personally know him, he affected me on many levels. I always wondered though: seems former players either love him or hate him as a coach. Person is different story. always wanted to know why.

 

[Pav9870]

Atch, thanks for the post. Good stuff.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

Great stuff, Dave. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Piranha]

That is some awesome stuff. I made a post about him last night, and while I didn't personally know him, he affected me on many levels. I always wondered though: seems former players either love him or hate him as a coach. Person is different story. always wanted to know why.

What players seemed to love him or hate him? It seems more indifferent, and they were closer to the assistants.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

I have a friend that went to an annual event for 3 or 4 years that Dixon attended. My friend said that it was relatively large and he only spoke to Dixon for very short periods of time. But every year my friend (who is an average every day working man like myself) said Dixon remembered his name, where he worked, etc and was blown away by it.

 

[hilltoppanther]

I had my high school basketball team at Pitt's Team Camp. During one of our varsity games at the Pete, some of our JV players noticed coach Dixon's light on in his office so they walked up hoping to get an autograph. When they looked through the windows Jamie was on the phone. When he noticed the kids outside the office, he waved them in. He got off the phone and talked to the kids for several minutes. The only thing the kids had for autographs were scraps of paper. Jamie got on the phone and had his secretary bring in media guides for the kids and signed them. Complete class act.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

One of our sons dated a girl on his street and she baby sat the youngest Dixon. Great family! Taking the ncaa track record out of the equation Jamie was all Pitt.

Yes the last 4 yrs have been tough on both Jamie and Pitt. The change is good for both. H2P

 

[noelr]

Jeez not now. (Misty eyes) can we get some jerk stories?

 

[pittizit]

I remember the time he sat at Wegmans in Erie for a Coaches vs Cancer gig...no one was talking to him...sat and bsed with him for over a half hour...he signed a bunch of autographs for kids and others...good guy...the timing is right though for both parties...we just need to find the "next" guy..

 

[noelr]

Was at the first md classic after we got sodomized by miami when wanny wouldnt go for it/fgs. I had heard rumors jd was unengaging. I had my daughter who was six mos. I was shocked he was there, accessible, and outgoing. He asked what his name was. I said it was a she. He apologized. I said dont, her mother is a syracuse grad. We all laughed.

 

[mdpitt]

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

I really enjoyed your post. Thanks.

 

[JRPITT]

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

I took 3 of my players to last fall's blue/gold scrimmage. They met Coach Dixon and had their picture taken with him. They chatted a little about the upcoming season. Fast forward to the end of the season. Their team qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 24 years. Jamie sent a hand written message congratulating them. Total class act.

 

[freddietee511]

What players seemed to love him or hate him? It seems more indifferent, and they were closer to the assistants.

Indifference is just as bad. Although tray Woodall and Ashton and Lamar and Wanamaker had some tweets today showing lot of son like love. Just interesting dynamics between such a great guy

 

[Atch]

All of the replies above tell the true story about Jamie. Just a class guy while he was here.

 

[Pittbaseball11]

Indifference is just as bad. Although tray Woodall and Ashton and Lamar and Wanamaker had some tweets today showing lot of son like love. Just interesting dynamics between such a great guy

Woodall seems pretty upset. Given his family life I'm sure it was definitely a fatherly type relationship with them.

 

[BayoxJohn]

My son was playing in a summer high school basketball tournament at Peterson and I was sitting at half court watching the game. Jamie came over and sat down beside me and ask who was playing. I told him the high schools that were on the floor and he introduced himself as Jamie Dixon. I introduced myself and told him I knew who he was and that he had given me a lot of headaches over the years......I then told him I was a WVU season ticket holder and he looked at me and said, "you gave me a lot of headaches too!". We had a good laugh and then sat for another 10 minutes and talked basketball and his thoughts for the upcoming season. I doubt there are many coaches of DI programs in the US that would have taken the time to chat with a regular guy; I'm going to miss him and I hope he does great at TCU.

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

 

[Pittx9]

Awesome post. I hope in the near future we can get TCU on the non-conference slate. Jamie deserves to come back to the Pete and get a huge standing ovation. From Pitt's standpoint, he was everything an employer would want out of an employee.

 

[DT_PITT]

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

Thanks Atch. Give my best to Elaine.

 

[MajorMajors]

I've been a season ticket holder from Buzz Riddle through Jamie Dixon and I will continue as long as the Lord lets me. I won't talk much about the pre Dixon years. I only want to talk about "Jamie the man" and not the coach. I'm a better judge of character than I am basketball talent and coaching.

For 35 years before Jamie, there really wasn't a lot of excitement about Pitt hoops. Some during the Knight through Clancy eras, very little in the Chipman years, and a lot of disgust during Evans era.

I was giving safety talks at several California surface and deep mines in late November early December of 1999 when I first met Jamie at the L.A airport. He had been visiting his family and was all dressed up in Pitt garb and was flying back for a game that night. I said to him, "what's someone doing in California all dressed up in Pitt cloths. He told me very proudly that he was an assistant basketball coach at Pitt. I told him I had been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I had given my tickets away for that game because I was supposed to be in Cal another week. He told me not to worry about it as he would leave me two at the will call window. I was thinking to myself, this guy has no ego whatsoever.

In December of 2003, four years after our flight, and during his first year as the head coach, we were at the radio show at Lot 17 in Bloomfield. Jamie kept looking at me and during one of the breaks he asked me if I had gotten those tickets that night. He remembered everything about that flight and our conversation. I was absolutely stunned that he remembered me. Again, no ego with this guy.

During the 2005 football season before a game he came up to my wife, myself and two of our friends. He said to our friends, "hi, I'm Jamie Dixon, the basketball coach here at Pitt". Again, no ego. He didn't expect you to know him.

Before another football game, he introduced us to Gary McGee who was in for his official visit. He said to Gary, "Dave and his wife are two of our biggest fans, you will see them at every game". Jamie went to talk to other fans and I told Gary to have good luck where ever you go. Gary told me that he was coming to Pitt because he wanted to play for him.

One year I was inspecting a Ky. coal mine and the safetyman's son was a big Pitt fan. UK was his favorite, Pitt second. I called Jamie's office and left a message that the young boy would love to have his autograph. When I got back in my office the next week, there was a message on my phone saying, "Dave, get me the address so I can send this picture".

Four or five years ago he personally invited us to the pre-season luncheon and he handed us our tickets.

Jamie is gone now and he gave me the 13 most enjoyable years of Pitt basketball that I've had of my 48 years of being a ticket holder.

I will always thank Jamie for abiding by the NCAA rules; no girls entertaining recruits, no grade fixing and no other forms of cheating. He represented the University of Pittsburgh well during his time here and made me proud to be a Pitt basketball fan.

Appreciate your post. Shook hands with Jamie at a few luncheons, but never had the chance to really talk to him. Happy for Jamie that he's looking somewhat energized and happy at TCU.

PS: What about Huggins' claim that Jamie has been ducking playing WVU... Kind of loses something now.

Go Pitt.