by Larry Snyder
Pittsburgh, PA – When the horn sounded to end the fourth quarter, the Indianapolis AlleyCats (8-3-0) secured second place in the American Ultimate Disc League Central Division and a playoff slot with their 18-16 home victory over the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds (5-6-0). The defeat Saturday, July 15, at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School was the third time the Black and Gold lost by two points or less this season.
The T-birds close out the regular season Saturday, July 22, at Highmark Stadium in a rematch with the Alleycats. The opening pull on the South Side is 6:00 p.m. EDT. This meeting is also the final contest for an original Thunderbird.
Steve Mogielski is moving west for work, and this is his last match for the Black and Gold. Mogielski, fresh from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, joined the Thunderbirds in their inaugural 2015 season. He is closing out his ultimate career in the Burgh as the team’s leading blocker in 2023.
Matt Weiss refers to Mogielski as the “corn-fed mule” on his AUDL.tv broadcasts. Former Thunderbird Tad Wissel (2015-2017) gave some background on the nickname. He said, “I’ve been playing with Steve since 2012 and given him several nicknames since. Battleship Mogielski. Saint Stephen. The Dope From Zelienope. But the Corn-Fed Mule is probably the most appropriate.”
Wissel continued, “Steve has some moves but there’s not a whole lot of finesse to his game. He can run himself open on most dudes because he works his ass off to stay in incredible shape. He’s sturdy. He makes the smart play with the disc. He takes practice seriously. That’s what makes him a great leader and why his teammates love him. Steve walks the walk. He’s a beast of burden. He is the Corn-Fed Mule. To have captained Steve when he was a young buck and to be able to see the player and leader he’s become… is a powerful feeling. I’m lucky. I’ll leave it at that. He is truly one of Edinboro’s finest.”
Pittsburgh general manager Andrew Gardner commented, “Steve is that walking cliche – he’s just as good off the field as he is on the field. He always tries to involve everyone on the team to make them feel welcome and a part of the team culture. He’s always been the hardest worker and is an amazing initiating cutter and igniter for our team, and it should come as no surprise that he’s the one who delivers our pre-game hype speeches. You can’t replace a guy like Steve Mo. He’s truly a one-of-a-kind type of player.”
From The AUDL YouTube Channel And Thunderbirds Facebook Page – Steve ‘The Corn Fed Mule’ Mogielski…
I talked with Thunderbirds’ head coach Max Barowski about the player who wears the number 32 jersey. He responded, “Steve is someone that has developed into such a great leader on and off the field over the years that I’ve had the pleasure to know him. His work ethic is unrivaled in the Pittsburgh ultimate scene, and his passion is undeniable, but his character is what really makes him stand out to me. Steve truly embodies what it means to be a great teammate and we have been so fortunate to have him for so many years. He was one of the first people to make me feel like I had a home here in Pittsburgh and I will forever be grateful to him for that. We are truly going to miss him and look forward to sending him off the right way.”
T-birds assistant coach Nick Bozich joined the chorus. He shared, “Steve has been a joy to have on the team this season. He is a tenacious defender, puts full effort into every moment he is on the field, and excels as a leader on the sideline for our d-lines guys especially. He’s constantly trying to find ways to motivate and compete with his teammates both at practices and during the games. He’s made so many 90’s wrestling references that the D-guys have a heavyweight championship belt that they are competing with each other to figuratively earn at our games, which is a testament to both his influence and his capabilities as a motivator.”
Bozich wrapped up his thoughts, “All of these attributes and qualities flow to your statistical point about him being our lead block-getter. It has been a pleasure and privilege coaching him this year. The entire team will surely taste the bittersweetness on Saturday night when the dust settles, the reality sets in, and be filled with gratitude for all he has contributed to the team. We are happy for him to start the next chapter in his life and wish him the best.”
Looking back at the 2023 campaign, Pittsburgh is 4-1 at Highmark Stadium. The prolific duo of Carl Johnson (40 goals, 12 assists, 10 blocks) and Max Sheppard (39 goals, 49 assists, 18 hockey assists) are ready to add one more home victory. Helping with the assault of the scoreboard is the reliable trio of Jimmy Towle (18 goals, 14 assists, 20 hockey assists), Jonathan Mast (25 assists, 38 hockey assists), and eight-year veteran Anson Reppermund (16 goals).
Empowering the defense with Mogielski is Charlie Vukovic (11 blocks), fleet first-year player Mikey O’Brien (nine blocks), and third-year Pete Zaccardi (eight blocks). The team is tied with the Philadelphia Phoenix for eighth in the league in team blocks (110).
From The AUDL YouTube Channel – Pittsburgh Thunderbirds At Indianapolis AlleyCats – Full Game Highlights For July 15, 2023…
Indianapolis claimed four victories this season by two points or less. The Boys from the Hoosier State are first in huck completion percentage (69.77) and remain ninth in the AUDL in red zone completion percentage (79.59). Two longtime veterans keep adding points to the box score. In his 11th season as a cutter for the AlleyCats, Cameron Brock leads the offense with 28 goals. In his ninth campaign, Levi Jacobs is second in goals with 23 and third in assists with 22.
Adam Ruffner points out in his weekly Power Rankings, “Indy leads the league in defensive conversion efficiency (d-line scores/d-line possessions), and would become the first team ever to rank first in that category in back-to-back seasons.”
GAMEDAY INFO
Tickets: Find your favorite seat for Thunderbird games online. Kyle Archer brings the good times to everyone as your in-game host.
Good Stuff: The band Stationary Pebbles plays 45 minutes before, at half-time, and after the match on Saturday. The tasty Highmark Hot Dogs are only one dollar all game. Rebecca Kanar is back, creating balloon animals for the kids.
Broadcast: The T-birds show their impressive skills on the subscription streaming service AUDL.tv. Bill Holman brings you the call this week from the Highmark press box.
Updates: Thunderbirds Twitter @PGHThunderbirds – Facebook at pghthunderbirds – Instagram at pghthunderbirds
Final Clipboard: The 12th AUDL Championship Weekend is Friday, August 25, and Saturday, August 26, hosted for the first time by the Minnesota Wind Chill. It is at the Viking Lakes facility, the NFL Minnesota Vikings practice venue.
