Editor's Note:  This is the fifth piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
We are all living in an unprecedented and extraordinary time in our lives… for some it is filled with personal tragedy and loss, an astounding 17M have filed for unemployment and are filled with feelings of uncertainty. Seniors in high school and college now have unfinished dreams, while the majority view this likely at an arm's length away unaffected, yet expressing memes of stir-crazy kids, e-learning escapades, all derivatives of quarantine coping challenges.
 
I have started asking the question to myself what societal dynamic will stay and how fast do we move back to what we once defined as 'normal'.  From my lens, there is a real opportunity that is in front of us… a reset, a re-prioritization, or a real awakening of the importance of family, team or an element of unity however you might define this during these times. 
 
I run a healthcare technology and services company helping health systems nationally support millions of patients through the years in post discharge and population health efforts. We currently have teams that are on the front lines with nurses, physicians and community resources helping a growing surge of Covid-19 patients. We see the successes and the family tragedies firsthand. The level of collaboration and execution internally with my company and with our partner health system staff, technology teams, community resources, pharmacies, food pantries, churches, etc., is at an all-time high. The amount of selfless deeds and brave souls that put others first ahead of themselves executing at a high level is inspiring to see.
 
What makes people this way? Well it is a combination of things I have seen before…
 
A Common Goal
My first day at Pitt State, we are sitting in a classroom at the Weede Building going through introductions and Coach Broyles says we are going to meet our head trainer - some guy named Al Ortolani. In walks this short little Italian guy with a boom box from the 60's blaring the William Tell Overture at full volume… (you need to listen to this to appreciate the moment) we are all looking around at each other like "who is this guy?". He starts sharing stories about the camaraderie of the '57 and '61 Championships teams, the level of commitment from athletes from his four Olympic and Pan American games. He lays in on us about tradition, family, and what he expected of us as a team entering the 1991 season and that we had the opportunity to win it all! I still couldn't get over this was the trainer talking to us. Before I knew it, he turned his boom box back on at full volume and walked right out the door. I knew right away I was in a special place with special people.
 
Sharing Hardships With Each Other
My freshman year I had 18 hours pre-med, no expectation to play, third string QB on the depth chart coming in (my plan was to red shirt), then all of sudden a few injuries happen and boom - I'm starting. I didn't know the plays and now I'm thrust into a whole new world of language, reads, scheme… the hardship was we struggled in my first few games - we go from being ranked #2 to out of the top 25. If you can try to understand the self-induced stress, meeting expectations, team dynamic - we were in unchartered waters… Paul Hutsey came in and gave a speech to the team on "act as if…" act as if this is your last play, act is if your life depended on this one play… we all put little AAI stickers on our helmets. Guys like (graduate assistant) Jay Padden, Todd Hafner and Brian Hutchins, both injured, were doing everything they could to help me… then all of a sudden the senior lineman (e.g. Kendall Gammon, Brian Hoover, Brian Pinamonti) started to take me under their wing… calling me up, inviting me to MNF, hot dog night, etc. … I let it ride for a few weeks and I finally asked Kendall why they were doing this? And he said,  "the Good Doctor  - Doc (John) Peterson sat them all down and told them they needed to put me under their wing - and help me along and instill the confidence that we will get through this together." I was like "who is Doc Peterson?" I later realized he was the guy on the HOF wall looming in the background, at practice, up in the football office. I learned how powerful small gestures play in someone's life. Awesome Man!
 
Physical Connection
This isn't memory lane on how many times we hit each other in practice… rather the other physical contacts we made. I've been to church a considerable number of Sundays since graduating and it still gives me great pause to think about the amazing feeling that runs through you when a hundred young men put their hands on each other and say the Lord's Prayer together before a game. I'll forever remember Pastor George, Ronald Moore, or Rodney Carter jumping out leading some type of prayer hand in hand as a whole team… It's a different feeling than sitting in a pew at church… one knee and one unified voice from all corners of the U.S. praising God together. I did however usually try to avoid Shane Tafoya who wanted to head butt me after as some pre-fight ritual making sure I'm ready for the game :-)
 
Lastly, on this topic is the bond with my team in the huddle… bunch of big tough guys holding hands, patting each other on the butt, and interestingly when I go back and watch my old team highlight tapes… Brandon Claypool, Bob Goltra, Phil Schepens, LaShawn Taylor, and/or Jerry Ross always seemed to be there to pick me up off the ground or give a hug in unified celebration.
 
Unity / Inclusiveness
What makes Pitt State special is the ongoing sense of family… both past and present… and agnostic of the sport.  Walking down the Weede coach's hallway was an example of this… I would routinely start on the left with Coach High (women's basketball) drop in say hello and discuss a little philosophy and work my way down to track (Russ Jewett), sports information (Shawn Ahearn / Dan Wilkes), then through the football office / AD secretaries Diana Polston who I would buy flowers for on Mother's Day because she was so unbelievably caring for us and made awesome cookies… and at least twice a week stop off at Russ Hall to see Ange Peterson (who was a time capsule of stories and laughs). Lastly, I would like to give a call out to Dr. Giefer and Dr. McClaskey, both superior leaders who have impacted my professional path. Also to Amy Hite, one of the smartest in our class, and no surprise is an Associate Professor in the Nursing Department today - in all one big family!
 
I had the recent honor in the fall to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and coming back was like coming home. The facilities are bigger and more impressive, but the people haven't changed… everywhere my family went (Mall Deli/Bob's Grill/Gorilla Village, etc.) was another version of a small family reunion.
 
Summary
I have always been fascinated with what makes a team perform better than another… everyone has good athletes, good schemes, good coaches… I played with over 200 different guys through 5 years… 4 Conference Championships and 3 National Title appearances later… there's enough time and enough players to not fixate any success point on any one person. It is a culture; the community; consistent leadership; players who care for each other. It's a long list of intangibles that can be applied to any team, church, business, or family. The blessing here is you never know what might ignite this movement (e.g. pandemic) and what role you play in the equation.
 
On The Go Forward...
I am so thankful to the leadership of Pitt State (Dr. Bryant, Dr. Scott, the community, Bleacher Creatures, the alumni, the fans (notably Teresa Noyes who substituted as a second mother to me and makes the world's best chicken enchiladas) and my coaches - especially Coach Beck!!!! I hope his family and his staff find a successful transition to their next adventure.
 
For Coach Wright, who I do not know, I wish you God speed in our future… and to Jim Johnson - you've got a big job and my prayers are with you… the student-athletes that are developing and ultimately graduate from Pitt State are our leaders of tomorrow. Their experience is what is passed down to the next and next generation/s.
 
I pray that all the families of Gorilla Nation are safe and to always remember God and what made / makes our family so special. Hold on to your kids and the moments you might have discovered together during this time.
 
Thank you, Dan for the chance to share a few of my experiences that have certainly helped establish the lens with which I view the world.
 
Through the eyes of a Gorilla…
 
Jeff Moreland
OAGAAG
 
Jeff Moreland compiled an amazing 30-2-2 record in 34 starts at quarterback for the Gorillas during a Hall of Fame career that spanned from 1991-95. He helped lead Pitt State to the 1991 NCAA Division II National Championship and twice earned All-MIAA honors. Moreland was named an All-American while leading Pitt State to the national runner-up finish as a senior in 1995. He currently resides in Birmingham, Ala., with his wife, Mandy, and his three children, Charlton (14), Kennedy (12) and Lily (10). Moreland founded Patient Engagement Advisors (PEA) in March 2008.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!

Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)