RIP Mauro
+10
dholcombe
onetouchfutbol
ekrauss
mattywizz
wrv
PilotNut
Geezaldinho
Rob's Jacket
DaTruRochin
Stonehouse
14 posters
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RIP Mauro
Very sad news... Pilot superfan and UP fixture Mauro Potestio passed away this weekend.
He attended 898 consecutive home UP basketball games, from 1949-2010. He has two degrees from UP, undergrad in 1950 and a master's in 1954. His career was in education - eventually he became a school principal. He had been very ill in recent weeks, and unfortunately missed his first Pilot game since the Truman administration on Thursday against Gonzaga.
At the Bluff, he was the editor of the Log as a student, and later worked for the athletic department as both men's golf coach (he guided the Pilots to their only WCC championship in golf in 1993) and sports information director. And, of course, the most incredibly dedicated fan any program could ever ask for.
He was a veteran of WWII and an avid fan of Frank Sinatra - he had over 60 framed photos of him in his house. He was a leader in Portland's Italian community and served on the board for the Portland-Bologna sister city association, for which he traveled to Bologna every summer. (Rough gig, that.)
Mauro loved the Pilots as much as humanly possible. I will miss him, and his loss will be felt around the program for years. RIP to a truly great man.
He attended 898 consecutive home UP basketball games, from 1949-2010. He has two degrees from UP, undergrad in 1950 and a master's in 1954. His career was in education - eventually he became a school principal. He had been very ill in recent weeks, and unfortunately missed his first Pilot game since the Truman administration on Thursday against Gonzaga.
At the Bluff, he was the editor of the Log as a student, and later worked for the athletic department as both men's golf coach (he guided the Pilots to their only WCC championship in golf in 1993) and sports information director. And, of course, the most incredibly dedicated fan any program could ever ask for.
He was a veteran of WWII and an avid fan of Frank Sinatra - he had over 60 framed photos of him in his house. He was a leader in Portland's Italian community and served on the board for the Portland-Bologna sister city association, for which he traveled to Bologna every summer. (Rough gig, that.)
Mauro loved the Pilots as much as humanly possible. I will miss him, and his loss will be felt around the program for years. RIP to a truly great man.
Stonehouse- Draft Pick
- Number of posts : 3242
Age : 42
Location : Portland, OR
Registration date : 2007-06-07
Re: RIP Mauro
Such a huge loss to the community and program, and I extend my condolences to his family.
Anyone have any idea if there is any plan to permanently honor him in the works? I think having his seats be a different color than the rest of chiles or something with the signature bow tie would be a very cool gesture.
Anyone have any idea if there is any plan to permanently honor him in the works? I think having his seats be a different color than the rest of chiles or something with the signature bow tie would be a very cool gesture.
DaTruRochin- Administrator
- Number of posts : 3576
Location : Boston, MA
Registration date : 2007-05-01
Re: RIP Mauro
DaTruRochin wrote:Such a huge loss to the community and program, and I extend my condolences to his family.
Anyone have any idea if there is any plan to permanently honor him in the works? I think having his seats be a different color than the rest of chiles or something with the signature bow tie would be a very cool gesture.
+1. Mauro's family will be in my prayers.
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Rob's Jacket- Administrator
- Number of posts : 885
Location : In the Court
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: RIP Mauro
A big loss to the Pilot family. Seeing him in his seat always brought a smile. He was always the most positive of fans.
Prayers to his family.
Prayers to his family.
Geezaldinho- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11851
Location : Hopefully, having a Malbec on the square in Cafayate, AR
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: RIP Mauro
I think permanently "retiring" his seat, i.e. never selling it again, would be appropriate. Perhaps a brass plaque on it, commemorating the 898 consecutive games.DaTruRochin wrote:Such a huge loss to the community and program, and I extend my condolences to his family.
Anyone have any idea if there is any plan to permanently honor him in the works? I think having his seats be a different color than the rest of chiles or something with the signature bow tie would be a very cool gesture.
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PilotNut- Administrator
- Number of posts : 4259
Age : 51
Location : The 503
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: RIP Mauro
Mauro will have a place in Pilot lore, perhaps to the end of all our days.
I do love the suggestion of placing a bow tie figure on his usual seat, so that those who don't know, might inquire.
Regards.
I do love the suggestion of placing a bow tie figure on his usual seat, so that those who don't know, might inquire.
Regards.
wrv- Playmaker
- Number of posts : 1469
Registration date : 2007-05-01
Re: RIP Mauro
What sad news to hear.
I love the idea of retiring his seat and would love to have a bowtie or plaque of some sort installed as well. What about a wall plaque or mural near the the entrance to Chiles commemorating his achievement. Maybe with boxscores from his first and last games or something.
It seems only fitting to me that in the year of his passing the basketball team qualifies for the NCAA tourney!
I love the idea of retiring his seat and would love to have a bowtie or plaque of some sort installed as well. What about a wall plaque or mural near the the entrance to Chiles commemorating his achievement. Maybe with boxscores from his first and last games or something.
It seems only fitting to me that in the year of his passing the basketball team qualifies for the NCAA tourney!
mattywizz- Playmaker
- Number of posts : 1230
Age : 42
Location : La Crosse, WI
Registration date : 2007-07-27
Re: RIP Mauro
It is very sad news indeed. Prayers to his family.
I was lucky enough to have worked in the SID office for Mauro when I was a student-athlete on the Bluff in the early 80s. He always had a kind word of encouragement. And I don't think anyone loved the Portland Pilots more than Mauro. He will be missed by everyone associated with UP.
I was lucky enough to have worked in the SID office for Mauro when I was a student-athlete on the Bluff in the early 80s. He always had a kind word of encouragement. And I don't think anyone loved the Portland Pilots more than Mauro. He will be missed by everyone associated with UP.
ekrauss- Bench Warmer
- Number of posts : 104
Registration date : 2009-03-24
Re: RIP Mauro
Rob's Jacket wrote:DaTruRochin wrote:Such a huge loss to the community and program, and I extend my condolences to his family.
Anyone have any idea if there is any plan to permanently honor him in the works? I think having his seats be a different color than the rest of chiles or something with the signature bow tie would be a very cool gesture.
+1. Mauro's family will be in my prayers.
Or maybe naming something after him on the campus...
onetouchfutbol- All-American
- Number of posts : 2203
Age : 53
Location : Seattle, WA
Registration date : 2008-10-05
Re: RIP Mauro
Very nice story from Jim Beseda at the Oregonian.
http://www.oregonlive.com/pilots/index.ssf/2011/02/pilots_basketball_remembering.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/pilots/index.ssf/2011/02/pilots_basketball_remembering.html
Stonehouse- Draft Pick
- Number of posts : 3242
Age : 42
Location : Portland, OR
Registration date : 2007-06-07
Re: RIP Mauro
I like the idea of doing something special with Mauro's seats such as making them a different color and painting a bow tie on them. I'm not so sure he'd want us to retire them though as I'm sure he would like someone else to enjoy the games from them.
dholcombe- First man off the Bench
- Number of posts : 685
Location : Aloha
Registration date : 2009-11-27
Re: RIP Mauro
Thanks for the article, Stoney. I like how Sinatra had to share space with UP athletes on his walls. Yeah, changing the seat colors would be nice...or naming something after him like a street near the CSC apartment area near Chiles. It's almost a guarantee that the Oregonian article will be put in the glass casing area near the front of the Chiles Center...
Or having an annual Mauro night game with some festivities...
Or having an annual Mauro night game with some festivities...
onetouchfutbol- All-American
- Number of posts : 2203
Age : 53
Location : Seattle, WA
Registration date : 2008-10-05
Re: RIP Mauro
What about naming where the student section is after him, I mean isn't he what all pilot fans aspire toward. The epitome of Pilot Til' I Die!
DTLegend- Pilot Nation Regular
- Number of posts : 385
Age : 36
Location : Sacramento
Registration date : 2008-04-16
Re: RIP Mauro
Isn't that a soccer chant?
DaTruRochin- Administrator
- Number of posts : 3576
Location : Boston, MA
Registration date : 2007-05-01
Re: RIP Mauro
I think we pick a day to wear bow ties.
Geezaldinho- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11851
Location : Hopefully, having a Malbec on the square in Cafayate, AR
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: RIP Mauro
I like it! (I just hope Mauro isn't offended if I wear the kind with the loop and hook, all my attempts at really tying one of those things has ended in vain...)
DaTruRochin- Administrator
- Number of posts : 3576
Location : Boston, MA
Registration date : 2007-05-01
Re: RIP Mauro
I assume he will be in the Hall of Fame at some point, but what about hanging a banner from the rafters, similar to retiring a jersey number, but with 898 instead?
Or maybe version 2.0 of the PN t-shirts should be jersey-esque with 898 on the back.... hmmmm.
Or maybe version 2.0 of the PN t-shirts should be jersey-esque with 898 on the back.... hmmmm.
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PilotNut- Administrator
- Number of posts : 4259
Age : 51
Location : The 503
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: RIP Mauro
or a tuxedo t-shirt style shirt but with a bow tie.
DTLegend- Pilot Nation Regular
- Number of posts : 385
Age : 36
Location : Sacramento
Registration date : 2008-04-16
Re: RIP Mauro
I really like the banner idea, maybe a little unveiling ceremony with the band playing some Sinatra? Heck, maybe schedule a pre-season match up with PLU just for a little symmetry? I'll drive to wherever Elgin Baylor is and have him sit in Mauro's seats if thats what it takes...
I say pull out the stops, for a tiny program like ours, fans such as Mauro are the very basis of what we should all stand for.
I say pull out the stops, for a tiny program like ours, fans such as Mauro are the very basis of what we should all stand for.
DaTruRochin- Administrator
- Number of posts : 3576
Location : Boston, MA
Registration date : 2007-05-01
Re: RIP Mauro
All great ideas, everyone. Rest assured, something will be done for next Thursday's game. The bowtie idea has already been bandied about... I think something along those lines will definitely happen. And as for "retiring" his number as 898 - I love it!
Meanwhile, we've got this:
And the announcement from UP. Details of the funeral are still pending:
http://www.up.edu/shownews.aspx?id=4184
Meanwhile, we've got this:
And the announcement from UP. Details of the funeral are still pending:
http://www.up.edu/shownews.aspx?id=4184
Stonehouse- Draft Pick
- Number of posts : 3242
Age : 42
Location : Portland, OR
Registration date : 2007-06-07
Re: RIP Mauro
PilotNut wrote:I assume he will be in the Hall of Fame at some point, but what about hanging a banner from the rafters, similar to retiring a jersey number, but with 898 instead?
Or maybe version 2.0 of the PN t-shirts should be jersey-esque with 898 on the back.... hmmmm.
I believe Pilotnut is onto something for a PN shirt..
.I wish REV & williams would let the kids on the team wear something that would be a true tribute to a "a UP alum, worker, and "super fan" ...Jasonn had to submit a request to the Ncaa to wear a headband, there was a long delay then they allowed it.(I can he hear geez's rulebook opening now.....)............I wonder how every other kid that plays for TENNESSEE wears one, lol... I IMAGINE REVS relationship with the COMMISH wouldn't hurt in requesting some kind of tribute....but I would think it would be dir.of athletics williams who could be put in a position to lobby the Ncaa for a tribute by some of the ($$$) influential alum via the president or board of trustees...
MesaPilot1- Playmaker
- Number of posts : 1152
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: RIP Mauro
PilotNut wrote:I assume he will be in the Hall of Fame at some point, but what about hanging a banner from the rafters, similar to retiring a jersey number, but with 898 instead?
Or maybe version 2.0 of the PN t-shirts should be jersey-esque with 898 on the back.... hmmmm.
Mauro was meritoriously inducted into the Hall in 1997
http://www.portlandpilots.com/documents/2008/8/11/Athletic%20Hall%20of%20Fame.pdf?id=2541
I love retiring 898
Geezaldinho- Pilot Nation Legend
- Number of posts : 11851
Location : Hopefully, having a Malbec on the square in Cafayate, AR
Registration date : 2007-04-28
Re: RIP Mauro
I looked it up. Rule 3-7-1 allows headbands, with some guidelines.MesaPilot1 wrote:Jasonn had to submit a request to the Ncaa to wear a headband, there was a long delay then they allowed it.(I can he hear geez's rulebook opening now.....)
I love retiring the number, and the Pilot Nation shirt 2.0 idea.
PurplePrideTrumpet- All-American
- Number of posts : 2880
Age : 43
Location : Section 18A, Row 5
Registration date : 2007-11-24
Re: RIP Mauro
Remember those tuxedo t-shirts from back in the day? How about a purple bow tie t-shirt?
Definitely wearing a bow tie to the last two home games.
Definitely wearing a bow tie to the last two home games.
Woodless!- Bench Warmer
- Number of posts : 152
Age : 45
Registration date : 2010-01-29
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