Pittsburgh Sports Now

Alan Saunders

Alan is Pittsburgh Sports Now’s Pitt beat writer for football and basketball. Born in Monroeville and raised in Penn Township, Westmoreland County, Alan attended Penn-Trafford High School before heading off to IUP, where he was a contributor to Hockey’s Future. After college, Alan started a sports equipment company, which he ran for 5 years. Since then, he’s been writing full-time. His credentials include covering the Penguins, as an editor for Pittsburgh Sporting News, covering Pitt and Robert Morris, and as college coverage coordinator for DK Pittsburgh Sports. Currently he works as a freelancer for the Associated Press, Pirates Prospects and the Beaver County Times.

Stories By Alan Saunders

Pitt Basketball

Watch: Pitt’s Jeff Capel, Justin Champagnie on ACC Play, Mental Health, More

By Alan SaundersDecember 15, 2020

Pitt head coach Jeff Capel and reigning ACC Player of the Week Justin Champagnie broke down...

Pitt Basketball

Postgame Reaction from Pitt’s Win over Gardner-Webb, Champagnie’s 2nd Straight 20/20 Game

By Alan SaundersDecember 12, 2020

PITTSBURGH — Justin Champagnie has always been a good scorer. But this season, he’s taken an...
Duquesne Basketball

Duquesne’s A-10 Opener vs. Richmond Postponed

By Alan SaundersDecember 12, 2020

Duquesne’s Atlantic-10 opener against Richmond has postponed as part of a continued interruption of the Dukes’...
Pitt Basketball

Opening Run, Justin Champagnie’s Huge Game Lift Pitt over Gardner-Webb, 67-50

By Alan SaundersDecember 12, 2020

PITTSBURGH — Pitt scored the first 14 points of the game unanswered in one of the...
Pitt Basketball

Justin Champagnie Records First Back-to-Back 20/20 Games in Pitt History

By Alan SaundersDecember 12, 2020

PITTSBURGH — Coming into the 2020-21 season, a Pitt basketball player had record 20 points and...
Pitt Football

Pitt Seniors Damar Hamlin, Patrick Jones II Leave Team to Begin NFL Draft Prep

By Alan SaundersDecember 11, 2020

Pitt senior safety Damar Hamlin and defensive end Patrick Jones II have left the team to...
Pitt Football

Postgame Reaction from ‘Lit’ Pitt Locker Room after Win over Georgia Tech

By Alan SaundersDecember 11, 2020

ATLANTA — Pitt running back Vincent Davis told the television broadcast after Pitt’s 34-20 win over Georgia...
Pitt Football

Watch: Pat Narduzzi Postgame after Pitt’s Physical Win over Georgia Tech

By Alan SaundersDecember 11, 2020

ATLANTA — Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi speaks with the media, including Alan Cole and Alan...

Pitt Football

Seniors Keyshon Camp, Damar Hamlin Not with Pitt for Georgia Tech Game

By Alan SaundersDecember 10, 2020

Pitt senior safety Damar Hamlin and senior defensive tackle Keyshon Camp are not with the team...
Pitt Basketball

Pitt Will Continue to Host Basketball Games at Petersen Events Center; No Fans for 3 Weeks

By Alan SaundersDecember 10, 2020

Pitt will continue to host men’s and women’s basketball game at Petersen Events Center through the...
High School Basketball

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf Pauses High School, Youth Sports for 3 Weeks as Part of Increased COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts

By Alan SaundersDecember 10, 2020

Pennsylvania high school and youth sports will be shut down for three weeks, Governor Tom Wolf...
Pitt Basketball

Justin Champagnie Steps into Pitt History with 20-20 Performance

By Alan SaundersDecember 10, 2020

Justin Champagnie entered rare company on Wednesday night in Evanston, Illinois. The sophomore Pitt wing’s two-handed...
Pitt Basketball

Pitt’s Game vs. Gardner-Webb Saturday Moved to 4 p.m., Will Be Televised

By Alan SaundersDecember 10, 2020

Pitt’s non-conference finale against Gardner-Webb on Saturday at Petersen Events Center has had its time changed...
Pitt Basketball

Postgame Reaction from Pitt’s Comeback Win over Northwestern

By Alan SaundersDecember 10, 2020

EVANSTON, Ill. — Pitt led for just six seconds of the Panthers’ game against Northwestern in the...
Pitt Football

Former Pitt WR Michael Smith Enters Transfer Portal

By Alan SaundersDecember 9, 2020

Former Pitt wide receiver Michael Smith confirms to Pittsburgh Sports Now that he has entered the NCAA...
Duquesne Basketball

Duquesne to Face Southern Illinois, Loyola-Chicago in Netural Site Games

By Alan SaundersDecember 9, 2020

Duquesne will get back on the court after its COVID-19-related shutdown for at least two more...
Media

Listen: Alan Saunders Talks Pitt Football, Basketball on The Paul Zeise Show

By Alan SaundersDecember 9, 2020

Pitt defensive end Rashad Weaver left the team before Pitt’s season finale with Georgia Tech on...
Robert Morris Basketball

RMU’s Game at West Virginia on Wednesday Canceled

By Alan SaundersDecember 8, 2020

Wednesday’s Robert Morris at West Virginia men’s basketball game has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols...
Pitt Football

Pat Narduzzi: Pitt Will Play in Bowl Game if Invited

By Alan SaundersDecember 8, 2020

A bowl game is certainly not guaranteed, as the Panthers enter the final week of their...
Pitt Basketball

Watch: Jeff Capel Discusses Challenges of Playing College Basketball During a Pandemic

By Alan SaundersDecember 8, 2020

Pitt head coach Jeff Capel speaks with the media, including George Michalowski of Pittsburgh Sports Now,...