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.
 
March 12, a beautiful night for baseball, I was standing on our new clubhouse balcony watching a junior college game, when the first blast of reality hit through a tweet that baseball in the Ivy League schools had been canceled for the season.
 
My mind was reeling with thoughts if this could happen here. I was convinced it couldn't, we had control. What I found out quickly and not fondly was this was out of my control.
 
Gathering a somber young group of men together without the finality of a last game to be sent off without the fans, parents, and celebrations, just an end, didn't seem fair. Go home, stay home, stay away from your brothers that you've spent all year bonding with and forming your allegiance to was such a foreign concept. The disheartening feeling was deep and full of uncertainty for all. 
 
After a few days, or let's be honest, weeks of pouting and a couple swift kicks in the rear from my wife, I started to realize the season was over, but the guys were still in school and needed to stay focused and finish strong. They showed their resilience and collectively earned a 3.33 GPA.  Sixteen out of 44 players with a 4.0 GPA for the semester, that's a .363. I'd take that team batting average any spring! 
 
Spring without baseball was like spaghetti without meatballs. I haven't experienced life without it since I was a child. I have never had a spring break, a weekend really off, or been at home for Mother's Day, or Easter weekend.
 
With the cancellation of life as I knew it, my life flipped upside down. The weeks became a weekend every day; my wife had a honey-do project list every darn day.  I've become "Bob the Builder" with the help of YouTube; a very poor mechanic; a Catan board game champion; and a Joe Bass angler and toured the circuit.
 
I feel the need to clarify for all of you, my brother is an avid fisherman and he is ready to go back to having a more qualified partner. On occasion we don't even weigh in, currently in 31st place. Watch out for the Fornelli brothers!
 
Although this time has been filled with so much uncertainty for everyone, I would say the quality time that I have been able to spend time with my family is something that I have cherished and know that I consider it the silver lining in this gray cloud. 
 
Family is the value that brings a team together. Our successes as a Gorilla baseball team is because we work for one another building trust and loyalty. I expect the guys to work hard, but it's a must that they understand they have to have fun and realize it doesn't last forever so they have to leave it all out there and don't let each other down.
 
I miss the guys hanging in the locker room, playing ping pong, Fortnite, early hitting, and just hanging out with one another. I'm ready to have them back and the energy they bring. I consider myself a lucky man to have a job in which I get to be surrounded by kids that are figuring out who they are and help develop them into guys that are going to be great workers, husbands, and dads someday. 
 
Looking forward to August when campus is flourishing once again. Ready for fall sports, classes to start, the red and gold lining the streets of Pittsburg, and the overall spirit of Gorilla Nation to be alive and well.
 
Go Gorillas!
 
Bob Fornelli
 
Bob Fornelli recently completed his second season as head baseball coach at Pitt State. Fornelli ranks in the top 15 among active NCAA Division II coaches in victories (11^th, 950) and winning percentage (6^th, .700) with a 950-408 record in 24 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Bob and his wife, Jill, have three daughters:  Emma, Rylie and Addison.
 
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)
Vol. XXXI - Bo Farrow, PSU Alum/FB T&F Athlete (June 15)