Remembering our ‘Voice of the Penguins’
NHL, Pittsburgh, Sports, ...
SPORTS STEW
By By WAYNE STEWART For MVI Sports 
July 29, 2025
In our region, Pittsburgh Pirates fans once had the legendary Bob Prince as their “Voice of the Pirates” and we had John Barbero — the unmistakable “Voice of the Penguins.” Eric James, a member of Rin...
Overseas teams may be part of NFL’s future
Pittsburgh, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
July 28, 2025
With the start of Steelers camp officially kicking off the return to real pro sports in the tri-state area, here’s a little food for thought: • I read a story that quoted Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur ...
Multiple topics to speak on while we get prepped for fall season
Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
July 24, 2025
As we tediously prepare for the upcoming fall sports season, typing schedules, sending emails, contacting coaches, planning media day, etc., here’s a mixed bag of things I just wanna speak my piece on...
The Pirates are just unacceptable
MLB, Pittsburgh, Sports, ...
I’M JUST SAYIN’
July 22, 2025
Iwrote in a column earlier this year about the curse that is being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. For some, I’d even say most, of us we are just dying for a winner. Personally, I’ll take one game over .500...
Ringgold’s Koskoski shares March Madness memories
Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTS STEW
By By WAYNE STEWART MVI Sports 
July 19, 2025
He was a member of the 1982-83 Robert Morris team that won the first tournament game in school history. Part one of this story ended with a partial look at Skip Koskoski’s season when his Robert Morri...
Ringgold basketball star Skip Koskoski was also a dominant pitcher
Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTS STEW
By By WAYNE STEWART MVI Sports 
July 17, 2025
He had a tryout with the Dodgers and drew interest from other MLB teams. Boston had its Larry Legend in Larry Bird, and now Pittsburgh has added a name to a long list of local legends. Ringgold’s Skip...
Skenes decision is latest Pirates embarrassment
Sports, Sports Columns
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
July 14, 2025
There are so many reasons out there that prove that the Pirates, as a franchise, are badly in need of an enema. Here’s a couple more that have come to light recently to throw on the pile: • There was ...
Pirates should hold on to productive players
MLB, Pittsburgh, Sports, ...
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
July 7, 2025
The last couple weeks have really had me scratching my head when it comes to what Pirates fans are thinking these days. To me, the biggest issues with this franchise continue to and always will be the...
BVA native Rudolph makes immediate impact with Irish
Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTS STEW
By By WAYNE STEWART For MVI Sports 
July 3, 2025
Several months ago, Notre Dame fell to Ohio State in their first trip to the National Championship since 2012. Despite the loss, the season was widely regarded as a success. Much of the credit for the...
Steelers get a B+
Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
July 2, 2025
Iput together a social media post following the Steelers’ big trade yesterday, but I’m just going to expand on it again here in print. I have absolutely no issues with the deal. The fifth-round pick f...
BVA to fire another quality coach?
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
June 23, 2025
It is often said the more things change, the more they stay the same. I was reminded of this school of thought last week when the news broke that the Belle Vernon Area school board was planning to ope...
Dennis Stitch went from Lock View to living a dream
Sports, Sports Columns
MID-MON VALLEY ALL SPORTS HALL OF FAME
June 19, 2025
For the Mon Valley Independent Before the bright lights of Seattle’s Kingdome or the crack of the bat in the Pioneer League, Dennis Stitch’s athletic journey began on the streets of Lock View. Raised ...
Sleith Schaffer dominated in the pitcher’s circle
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
June 18, 2025
The following story originally appeared in Monday’s electronic edition. We’re reprinting it here for those without access to the E-edition. For the MVI For Nicole Sleith Schaffer, greatness began on a...
Soccer was first love for multi-sport star Tom DeRosa
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
June 17, 2025
He spent time as a professional in football and golf as well as soccer. By the Mon Valley Independent Few athletes can say they competed professionally in not one, but three different sports. Tom DeRo...
Cherington wasting elite pitching
MLB, Pittsburgh, Sports, ...
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
June 16, 2025
Let’s forget about the fact, if we can, that the Pirates are in Year 6 of a five-year rebuilding plan that GM Ben Cherington has led from the start. Let’s also forget that it looks like Year 6 could v...
Welcome to Mr. Rodgers’ neighborhood
Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
June 12, 2025
Finally, the savior has arrived in Pittsburgh! Aaron Rodgers has made his long-awaited decision and has signed a 1-year deal with the Steelers. No competition necessary, he’s the guy that will start a...
Monessen filling up halls of fame this year
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
June 9, 2025
Monessen has had a long tradition of producing excellent athletes over the years. But 2025 may go down as one of the most special years in terms of having that excellence honored. Three Monessen nativ...
Until weather warms up, here are some ‘hot takes’
Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
June 2, 2025
With the start of June upon us and summer just around the corner, here are some food for thought “hot takes” to help turn the heat up a notch in our conversation, if not outside: • The Steelers may ha...
Johnson a Monongahela High all-time great
Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTS STEW
By ByWAYNE STEWART For MVI Sports 
May 31, 2025
Former Valley Independent sports editor Brian Herman once called Bob Johnson “one of the best football and basketball players to come out of Monongahela High.” After all, not too many athletes become ...
One of the WPIAL’s ‘GOATS’ gets his one for the thumb
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
May 29, 2025
I’m going to show my age here a little bit, but bear with me. I remember growing up in the 80s, wearing a shirt with “Mean” Joe Greene on it. The legendary Steelers player’s characture was throwing a ...