Introducing Karl Ludwig, PSN’s Pitt Football Beat Writer

Since 2016, I have been honored and blessed to be the lead reporter for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering just about everything that this city has to offer as well as editing and publishing other the work of other writers for our growing network.

It’s been a blast and I wouldn’t trade any of those days, but as our site has grown, it has become too much for one person to handle. So, after six wonderful seasons, I am stepping down as the primary Pitt beat writer for PSN.

You will probably still see my byline here at least occasionally — it would take an armed mob far larger than the one traveling up I-79 to keep me from the Backyard Brawl this fall — and I will remain involved in an editorial capacity.

One of my greatest joys of the last six years has been working with and developing the talents of young writers, and I am extremely very proud of and happy for the trio that will be succeeding me at PSN.

Going forward, George Michalowski, Karl Ludwig and Dominic Campbell will be taking over coverage of the Pitt programs. George will focus on the Pitt men’s basketball team, Karl the football team and Dom a little bit of everything. I’m really excited to see what they can bring to their beats and excited for the future at PSN and throughout the network.

As for me, I’ll be focusing most of my time covering the Pittsburgh Steelers for Steelers Now. I hope you’ll continue to follow my work and this quarterback named Kenny you guys might remember over there.

Here’s more from Karl, who will be leading the charge at Pitt football camp next week. — Alan Saunders

I don’t know where college football is going these days, I don’t know if anyone does, but I know I want to be around to cover it all. There’s nothing quite like college football, and I could not be any happier than I am covering Pitt football for PSN.

Hi, my name is Karl. I’m the new beat writer for Pitt football on Pittsburgh Sports Now. And I look forward to serving as a conduit between Pitt football and Pitt fans. After all, that’s the single most important task for local beat writers.

I’ve filled a variety of roles for the Sports Now Network over the last year, but when Alan Saunders told me that he felt like I was ready to step in and fill the Pitt football beat, I was speechless. He’s the hardest working person in Pittsburgh, and he’s also one of the most talented reporters I’ve ever met. I will work as hard as I can to fill the very, very large shoes he’s left behind, but I know he will always be there for any questions that I have. He’s not going anywhere.

Since December, I’ve been covering Pitt football and recruiting heavily. It’s been eye-opening getting to cover the arrivals of Kedon Slovis, Frank Cignetti Jr. and Tiquan Underwood, the spring practice window of a program in transition — capped by the spring game in April — and the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.

I’ve written quite a few stories that I’m immensely proud of, but I’ve linked a few examples of my work below, in case you’re just now getting acquainted.

‘Everybody Loved Tony’: Burt Grossman Reflects on Larger-than-Life Impact of Tony Siragusa

Joy Always Comes in the Morning: Tina Neal’s Joy in Raising 2023 Pitt Commit Isaiah Neal

Che Nwabuko Is Bringing Olympic-Level Speed to Pitt’s WR Corps

Practice What You Preach: Pitt’s DL Room Wants Perfection in 2022

Tiquan Underwood’s Goal to Grow at Pitt? The Best WR Corps in the Country

Success of Kenny Pickett, Pitt’s OL Go Hand in Hand

Jordan Addison Not Just Contender But Leader for Biletnikoff Award

It’s been a trip. Seriously. I’ve learned so much, and now I cannot wait to use that to provide the very best Pitt coverage I can. This is a proud team, Pat Narduzzi is a proud man, and Pitt football has a proud tradition. It requires serious dedication, and it deserves it. I know that.

I cannot say that I am a native of Pittsburgh, having been born in Maryland and growing up in Virginia, but I’ve lived in the Pittsburgh area for nearly a decade now. I attended North Allegheny Senior High School before attending Slippery Rock University. I discovered a love of writing while at SRU, rising to serve as the sports editor of SRU’s student-run newspaper The Rocket. I covered a bit of everything. And Rock football was the best. It allowed me to provide that local coverage to a team that so many hold near and dear to their hearts.

There’s a distinct opportunity and responsibility in working for the local media. I don’t want to pretend that sports are anything more than just that, but in the right setting, they can be the glue that holds a community together. You win together, you lose together and more importantly, you grow together. Pitt’s standing among the national media is anything but encouraging, look no further than Tuesday’s ACC media rankings for that, but the love for Pitt is fierce. It’s a proud program with even prouder fans. It’s the dream for a reporter looking to grow with a program.

I live in Pittsburgh, well, in the suburbs for those who may say otherwise, and my family lives in Pittsburgh. This is my home, this is the place I want to be more than anywhere else. And I could not be prouder to cover such a proud program than the University of Pittsburgh.

My dream is to be a storyteller. I want to share the stories of those way, way more interesting than myself. The proud fierceness that comes with the love of football can sometimes elude the humanity that comes with it. There are stories to be told and things much, much bigger than football to be explained. I plan to be the one to tell those stories.

Of course, I also plan to be the one to go to for all things Pitt football too. Breaking news, in-depth analysis, game stories, all of it. I want to do it all. And I want to do it for a community that lives and breathes football. The Steelers have a hold on Pittsburgh, I’m a die-hard Steelers (along with Pirates and Penguins) fan myself, but Pitt is often treated like the red-headed stepchild. Regardless of whether Pitt is winning ACC championships, that needs to be changed.

I am someone who will spend a Friday night watching a YouTube compilation of the top sports moments of the 2010s. I want it all. I want the March Madness buzzer beaters, my brother and I have been to the last two opening rounds at PPG Paints Arena, and I will watch the radio call of the Kick-Six (RIP Rod Bramblett) on repeat for days. I love sports, I love college football and I will do my best to give not only share those stories that must be told but the in-and-outs of Pitt football.

Pitt football is an interesting beat. Every fanbase claims to hold the very best fans. I don’t know if I’ve seen many more fanbases with as passionate fanbases as Pitt. There’s history, there’s a legacy and now there’s a presence of legitimate stability. Kenny Pickett laid the foundation for success, and I truly believe that Pitt football has the staying power to once again compete nationally.

I’m beyond excited to provide coverage for a team that features such a deep, passionate fanbase. After all, that’s exactly what college football is all about. I may not know where college football is going, but I know the way forward is with incredibly passionate fans supporting the teams they love.