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.
 
My relationship with Pitt State started before I was even born with my dad and coach Tim Beck. My dad, a football coach, sent many players to Coach Beck's most famous teams.
 
But the thing I remember the most was watching the Gorillas win the 2011 national championship game. We were at the "Farrow Family Christmas" as we call it, and instead of chatting with the family, my Dad sat and I sat close to the TV to watch the Gorillas win our fourth title. 
 
I picked Pitt State over West Point for a handful of reasons:  1. I wanted to have the college experience that you can only get at Pitt; 2. I wanted to be only a short drive from home; 3. I wanted to do both football and track. Pitt was the only school that gave me that opportunity, and what an opportunity it was! 
 
We made the most of it by winning a conference championship in football with a playoff berth and a bowl game win. In track, we won countless MIAA Championships and, the epitome of greatness, the 2018 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships at home in our house! But that's not why I love Pitt state. 
 
Yes, Pitt has a winning tradition. Yes, Pitt wins championships on the regular, and certainly yes, Pitt has the best game day atmosphere for football AND track. But what makes Pitt different is the people. Non-Gorillas always ask me, "What is it about Pitt state? Why do you like it so much?" And I always reply, "You have to experience it." There really are no words to describe the intense passion Gorilla Nation has. You just have to experience it. 
 
I met the best people including my future wife, Skylar; Jim and Jan Tarter; and Todd, Janet, and Emma Mayhew. I am fortunate, along with several others, to know these special people. They helped me more than they know and I am forever indebted to them! I love each and every person I interacted with at Pitt State. From the coaches to the teachers and President Scott. And how can you write something about Pitt State and not say anything about our biggest fan!?! Phil (Philly Cheese) Scott -- the backbone of the university and the guy with the most Gorilla Pride and Passion out there. 
 
I chose Gorilla Nation because I believed in the family that is Pitt State. In times of crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic, it's important that we lean on our family. At Pitt, we're all family. OAGAAG. Lean on each other and we will come out on top just like the great Gorilla teams before us! Have Gorilla Pride and Passion in everything you do and Go Pitt!!
 
Bo Farrow
 
Bo Farrow was a two-time All-America offensive lineman for the Pitt State football team and a multiple-time All-American in the discus and shot put for the Gorillas track & field program during a career that spanned from 2013-18. He captured the 2018 NCAA-II indoor national championship in the shot put. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in May 2018 and a master's degree in educational leadership in 2020. He is a teacher and coach at Glenpool (Okla.) High School. Bo is engaged to Skylar Ossian.
 
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)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)
Vol. XV - Wendi (Rickson) Horak, PSU Alum/Softball Athlete (May 8)
Vol. XVI - Josh Lattimer, PSU Alum/Football Coach (May 11)
Vol. XVII - Brad Buckley, PSU Alum/Baseball Coach (May 13)
Vol. XVIII - Piper Misse, Cross Country/Track & Field Athlete (May 15)
Vol. XVIV - Alexa (Bordewick) Dreiling, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (May 18)
Vol. XX - Jen Gomez, Volleyball Coach (May 20)
Vol. XXI - Harlan Hess, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 22)
Vol. XXII - Kaity Kukowski, Softball Athlete (May 25)
Vol. XXIII - Eddie Lomshek, PSU Alum/Play-By-Play Broadcaster (May 27)
Vol. XXIV - Jenni (Miller) Croy, PSU Alum/Women's Basketball Athlete (May 29)
Vol. XXV - Jesse Wall, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (June 1)
Vol. XXVI - Marcus Canipe, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (June 3)
Vol. XXVII - Kim Anderson, PSU Men's Basketball Coach (June 5)
Vol. XXVIII - Tucker Horak, Football Athlete (June 8)
Vol. XXVIV - Brandon Claypool, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (June 10)
Vol. XXX - Jacob Lenard, PSU Alum/Television Sports Director (June 12)