“It’s Genuinely a Great Atmosphere” - Mercyhurst Target Kamari Pittman on Gameday in Erie

Let’s get the obvious part out of the way first- it didn’t go Mercyhurst’s way on Saturday against Duquesne.

But the game was a big moment for the Lakers, and West Bloomfield, MI DL Kamari “Tank” Pittman was one of the Lakers targets who was able to see the in-state clash under the lights up close. West Bloomfield, by the way, are also known as the Lakers, so at least there’s the familiarity there.

We checked in with Pittman early in the week leading up to the visit, but by the time we hit Thursday, everything was just a little bit bigger, when Pittman received an official offer from Mercyhurst to play football in Erie at the Division I level. With the offer in hand, Pittman had the chance to see Saxon Stadium as a place where he might play some day. He felt welcomed there immediately.

“Leading up to the game the coaching staff introduced themselves and after they provided us a campus tour,” Pittman told NEC Blitz. “While getting closer to kickoff Coach Burke and the rest of the staff made me feel welcomed by speaking and introducing themselves personally.”

During the pregame period, he had a chance to see the way the Lakers warmed up through drills- as well as the coaching he’d be getting. “You can see the intensity as well as the love for the game with not just the players but the coaches as well with them motivating the guys and helping correct them,” he said. “The student section is here early and seems to have a ton of energy with them hyping up the players while doing the drills!”

The Lakers students had packed the stadium early, and there was more than just a country music concert from an alum at stake here. Lakers fans were there to talk football. “The fans were great when it came to communicating with them speaking and treating me like I was apart of their actual family, so honestly I feel as it was a great community and place to be,” Pittman said.

While the game didn’t go the way Lakers fans, players, and coaches wanted, that didn’t stop the coaches from keeping it going all game, something that impressed Pittman. “It was a great atmosphere, though, with the coaching staff showing their commitment to the team as well as winning due to the fact that they kept the same high energy from start to finish no matter the score!”

At this point early in the process, Pittman is still evaluating his offers. We’ll keep our eyes open to see if he’ll be joining the NEC next season.