Editor's Note:  This is the most recent 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.
 
I've made lots of mistakes in my lifetime, but one thing I got right was Pitt State.
 
I really didn't have very many choices when it came to what college I would attend, Langston university was just about the only place that was willing to provide a scholarship, only problem was, that's where most of my family went to school. I would be just another Moore.
 
So, taking my father's advice we came and checked out Pittsburg State University when Coach Fran was the head coach, and Dad said, "I like him, and if I gotta help you pay for school that's where you are going". 
 
July of 1989 my parents drop me off at Dellinger Hall, room 318 to be exact. I was scared and nervous and excited all at the same time, wondering if I was good enough to at least get a chance to one day step on the field.
 
I thought I would play linebacker because that is where I had the most success in high school, but Coach Fran said, NOPE! So now I am really scared because I had only carried the ball about 85 or 90 times as a high school fullback.
 
It's not looking good, and I am the only freshman running back not on scholarship. And the fact that I had to face John Roderique and James Gray, both who sent chills up my spine when I watch them hit people, was a paralyzing thought. But I made it through three a days and even earned some respect from my peers. 
 
At the end of my freshman year Coach Fran left and I was uncertain about my future as a Gorilla. Chuck Broyles became the new head coach and I was worried because we had never really had any interaction. He had been the defensive coordinator and I never really spoke to any coach on the defensive side of the ball. And to make matters worse my mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer, so I wanted to go home.
 
Coach Broyles assured me that everything would be fine. He told me that I had that I had earned a full scholarship so Mom and Dad didn't have to worry about how I would pay for school. I cry every time I think about how relieved and happy I was to know that my parents would not have to shoulder that burden any longer. 
 
Everything from playing on a championship team and breaking records was fun and exciting, especially for a walk on, but it's the people who I met in southeast Kansas that I treasure the most.
 
Coach Broyles gave me a chance to do what I loved and he introduced me to Pat and Becky Walden, and they became my family. Chris and Teresa Belew and their boys took me in like family. I meet Kris Mengarelli, life long friends, my college roommates Mike Rose and Philip Waddles, best friends for life. And so many more people who helped make my time as a Gorilla some of the best times of my life! 
 
Thank you Pittburg, Kansas for making me a better man. 
 
Ronald Moore
 
Ronald Moore captured the 1992 Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II national player of the year during his senior season. The Spencer, Okla., native finished his collegiate career as the school's all-time rushing leader with 4,299 yards and 52 touchdowns. A seven-year NFL veteran, Moore was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 4^th Round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He was named to the All-Madden Team as a rookie with the Cardinals after rushing for 1,018 yards and nine touchdowns. Ronald and his wife Tammy reside in Choctaw, Okla.
 
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)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)