PITTSBURGH (May 31, 2019) — The football life and legacy of Joe Moore will be recognized at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center beginning this June.
Moore, a Pittsburgh native who passed away in 2003, is widely regarded as the finest offensive line coach in the history of college football. His accomplished career was highlighted by tenures at Pitt and Notre Dame. Moore’s legendary offensive line pupils include the Panthers’ Jimbo Covert, Bill Fralic, Russ Grimm, Mark May and Mark Stepnoski, as well as the Irish’s Aaron Taylor and Andy Heck.
The Joe Moore Award, annually presented since 2015 to the most outstanding offensive line in college football, will be permanently housed at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. The display, which also documents Moore’s remarkable life in football, will be unveiled during a private ceremony on May 31 and can be viewed by the general public beginning on Saturday, June 15.
“Joe Moore’s story represents so many of the characteristics that define football in this region,” said Anne Madarasz, director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center. “Born in Pittsburgh, he developed a powerhouse WPIAL program at Upper St. Clair High School before moving on to the University of Pittsburgh. Acknowledged as the premier line coach in college football, he had the ability to motivate and develop players at the highest level.”
“When God decided to create a football coach he created Joe Moore, then broke the mold,” said Covert, a Consensus All-American, College Football Hall of Famer and two-time NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year. “He had a unique way of pushing you beyond even your own expectations and then took great pride in seeing you succeed. I loved him and respected him and owe my entire career to him.”
“I can’t think of a more appropriate home for the Joe Moore Award than the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum,” said Taylor, who won the prestigious Lombardi Award while at Notre Dame and was a first-round NFL Draft pick. “Coach Moore was Pittsburgh through and through. He personified the toughness and passion of the city, and it’s only fitting that the official home of his award is in its rightful place in Pittsburgh.”
“Coach Moore was a man of principle, and the principles he embodied helped us become the best versions of ourselves,” Taylor continued. “His focus on toughness, teamwork and hard work helped us become better football players, and made us better men.”
The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org/sports.
About the Joe Moore Award
The Joe Moore Award is the only accolade in college football to honor a position group. It is named after Joe Moore, widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history, most notably for his work at Notre Dame and the University of Pittsburgh. Coach Moore sent 52 players on to the NFL, including Bill Fralic, Mark May, Russ Grimm, Jimbo Covert and others.
Joe Moore Award Credo
Teamwork. It’s what defines football as a sport and it is displayed in its greatest glory – in its most profound necessity – in the play of the offensive line. For it is there that individual achievement only matters if the entire unit is performing. When we execute together, great things happen. But if one player missteps, the rest of the team pays the price. That idea – along with hard work and the willingness to strive to be your best – embodies what Coach Joe Moore instilled in his players.
About The Foundation for Teamwork
The Foundation for Teamwork is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering teamwork in all societal endeavors and bring that spirit of collective achievement to athletics, education, and organizations. Find out more at joemooreaward.com and follow the Joe Moore Award on Twitter (@joemooreaward), Instagram (@joemooreaward), and Facebook (facebook.com/ JoeMooreAward).
###