Every now and then Tim Pittman will break out his two CIAA championship rings he won while playing for Winston-Salem State in the early 1990’s.
His son, Austin, has seen them too many times. Austin is the starting center for the Rams and is following his father’s successful playing career.
“Oh, I’ve seen them a lot,” Austin said with a smile. “I would like to get one of those for sure.”
Austin is in his first season at WSSU after transferring from Norfolk State. He’s back home playing for his father’s alma mater and loving every minute of it.
He’s hoping to get a ring this season thanks to the Rams being contenders in the CIAA. They are coming off a hard-fought 28-21 win at Bowie State and will play their biggest game of the season at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. against two-time defending champion Virginia Union.
“It started with my coaches leaving at Norfolk State,” Pittman said about his decision to transfer to WSSU. “Once that happened, I called my dad about him maybe talking with Coach (Robert) Massey about me coming there. And it was before the portal deadline and then I talked to Coach Massey, and it worked out.”
Massey said he knew all about Pittman and welcomed him to transfer through the portal.
“When we found out he was going into the portal we jumped at the chance to get him,” Massey said. “He’s done a good job of setting up our blocking table and he’s like having another quarterback out there.”
Proud dad moment
Tim Pittman Sr., who is the counseling director at WSSU, said seeing his son on the same field where he played is almost surreal. Tim graduated from WSSU in 1994 and later got his graduate degree from North Carolina A&T.
Tim arrived in the late 1980’s as one of Coach Pete Richardson’s first recruits. The Rams won CIAA titles in 1990 and 1991 and were runners-up in 1992, which was Tim’s senior season.
“I was so excited when he told me he wanted to come back home and play and just knowing he’d be near me more has been great,” said Tim, who was All-CIAA as a linebacker in 1992. “Just to rekindle the Pittman family and seeing him out playing at a high level is something that’s incredible.”
Austin’s older brother, Tim, Jr., also played for the Rams and is a graduate working in Charlotte in the cybersecurity field.
Austin is majoring in computer science and has loved how the transition has gone with attending WSSU.
“I’ve always wanted to put on the uniform of WSSU, and it took me awhile to get here but I’m grateful,” Austin said. “I’ve been coming over here to watch games since I was a little kid.”
Growing up at Bowman Gray Stadium
Austin said he’s been coming to Bowman Gray Stadium for as long as he can remember. There are family photos of him in the stands watching the Rams play.
“I’ve got a lot of pictures from those days and it’s funny because Austin was sort of a small kid that grew a lot once he got to high school at Mount Tabor,” Tim said of his son, who’s now 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds. “He practically grew up there at Bowman Gray because we have gone to games forever.”
Tim has been at WSSU in his current position for 20 years, so it means a little more.
“I get pretty emotional, and I’m fired up on game days,” Tim said.
A football legacy
Football has been a big deal in the Pittman house, and back when Austin was playing for Mount Tabor, father and son would study film together. Austin played for the 2021 Mount Tabor state championship team, and they had a routine that season.
“We’d get home from the game and put the game on TV and go over it and just talk football,” Tim said. “So, we would go pretty in-depth on things, and I think that’s one of the reasons he understands the game.”
Austin said the football bond within his family is strong.
“I’m trying to catch my dad and his legacy here and that’s my goal,” said Pittman, who is a junior. “The vibe is great, and the entire family gets to come and watch me play. So, it’s been a blessing to come here and play football in the city I grew up in.”
Lots of local players in big roles
Austin isn’t the only local player making big contributions for the Rams this season.
Among the others are Noah Marshall and and Zayvion Davis (Mount Tabor); JaQuan Kelly (Parkland); Kristian Lyons (Davie County); David Eldridge (West Forsyth); and Chris McCorkle (Walkertown).
Austin said it’s different than when they were playing against other in high school.
“We all have that same mentality,” Pittman said. “The chemistry is already there, and I’ve already played with guys like Noah Marshall and Zayvion (Davis) for three years at Mount Tabor.”
There’s a general bond on the Rams with the local players, according to Pittman.
“Having all of these guys who we played against in high school and were rivals but now we are teammates is cool,” Pittman said. “It means a lot to all of us because we all sort of grew up here.”
It’s not always easy to attend college in your hometown, but Pittman has made it work. He still heads home for laundry and the home-cooked meal. Pittman is also well aware of his surroundings.
“To play here and play in the city and look over there and see the city skyline is something that is a big deal to me,” Pittman said. “I’m having a blast.”
jdell@wsjournal.com
336-727-4081
@johndellWSJ
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