RIP Rich Panczyszyn

[Moontan]

Wow we had Joe Morris and this poor guy sat behind him but wore #44?

As mentioned elsewhere, Joe didn't want #44. He should've worn it. He was, and presumably still is, a good guy.

I met him outside Heroy before my first-ever SU class. I had no idea who he was and hung out with him and a gal that morning for 30 minutes. He always greeted me during the rest of our days on the Hill.

 

[Cheriehoop]

As mentioned elsewhere, Joe didn't want #44. He should've worn it. He was, and presumably still is, a good guy.

I met him outside Heroy before my first-ever SU class. I had no idea who he was and hung out with him and a gal that morning for 30 minutes. He always greeted me during the rest of our days on the Hill.

Never knew that. Too bad Joe didn't wear it .

The Morris family was always great to us. Larry was very nice to my oldest son who was a wee one back then. He asked me if my son could sit with him at SU womens' games. My son loved it and got to meet and be friendly with the football team.

 

[newmexicuse]

I was on the Hill when Rich was there. I never thought that Rich should have worn the # 44. It wasn't that I had anything against Rich or his potential, but it broke the tradition of having a great running back receive the number. And, of course, back then it was much more of a running back's game than it was a QB's game.

There is no question that Rich had some talent, but injuries, pressure, and perhaps some other factors such as the start of what was to become a decline of the program all held him back. Rich might have starred with the right talent surrounding him (if he had stayed healthy), but he clearly was not a transcendent talent as were the # 44s that just preceded him.

Rich was not only bearing the burden of the # 44 legacy, but his immediate predecessor at QB, was the very underrated Rick Cassata, and unfortunately, Rich was unable to surpass the accomplishments of his less heralded predessessor, which I think had a lot to do with is relative unpopularity.

It is always sad to hear of the loss of somebody whose name brings back memories at a relatively young age.

 

[OrangePA]

I was on the Hill when Rich was there. I never thought that Rich should have worn the # 44. It wasn't that I had anything against Rich or his potential, but it broke the tradition of having a great running back receive the number. And, of course, back then it was much more of a running back's game than it was a QB's game.

There is no question that Rich had some talent, but injuries, pressure, and perhaps some other factors such as the start of what was to become a decline of the program all held him back. Rich might have starred with the right talent surrounding him (if he had stayed healthy), but he clearly was not a transcendent talent as were the # 44s that just preceded him.

Rich was not only bearing the burden of the # 44 legacy, but his immediate predecessor at QB, was the very underrated Rick Cassata, and unfortunately, Rich was unable to surpass the accomplishments of his less heralded predessessor, which I think had a lot to do with is relative unpopularity.

It is always sad to hear of the loss of somebody whose name brings back memories at a relatively young age.

Actually he beat out Cassata as a sophomore but was injured in the first game that season.