Fan Feature: Julius Pittman

Thirty years after a historic season, former Troy wide receiver Julius Pittman and his teammates from the 1987 Division II National Championship team will return the Veterans Memorial Stadium for the 2017 home opener to be recognized for their accomplishments on the field three decades ago.

While many former players will travel far to return home, Pittman has made Troy his home, it always has been. He is more familiar with the football field than just about anyone else. As a kid, Pittman recalls learning to play football on the Troy field on pee-wee teams and making big plays at the Vet on Friday nights for Charles Henderson High School.

"This University and this community is my home and it is very dear to me," Pittman said. "A warm, home feeling, that's Troy to me. When I became a student here, we were just coming off the 1984 championship and soon after won the 1987 championship, so Troy was becoming one of the premier schools in the state."

Playing football for Troy State under head coach Rick Rhoades was a dream come true and a very easy decision to make. Running routes alongside Pittman was Kenny Edenfield, current offensive coordinator for the Trojans, who had a big impact on the success of the team.

"The caliber of athleticism we had on that team was unbelievable," Pittman said. "To me, Kenny was the smartest person out there. Coaching is a good fit for him because he knew what everybody did on that offense, and even the defense. He played wide receiver, but he could tell you every blocking technique that the defense was using."

A lot has changed since Pittman's time as a student-athlete, including the athletics facilities. Pittman remembers when Veterans Memorial Stadium was more of a "giant hole" with the track outlining the grass field. But the one thing that hasn't changed is Troy's strong tradition of winning.

"I have a lot of memories of that old field. From playing pee-wee football and scoring a few touchdowns in the corner of the end zone, to playing here at the collegiate level. It is great to see how much it has grown and where it is heading."

A tradition of success, both on the field and in the classroom, has put Troy on the map all over the country.

"I take great pride in this university, and it makes me so proud to travel around Alabama and see people from all different cities representing Troy, because that hasn't always been the case. To see Troy spread and hear people talk about how much they love it here, really makes me proud."

He encourages Troy students to "be committed". While the four years on the field or in the classroom may pass quick, the friendships and relationships you build along the way will last a lifetime.

Pittman knew that he wanted to stay involved with the University that brought him so much fulfillment. As the division manager at the Republic National Distributing Company, Pittman travels all over Alabama, but strongly believes that Troy is the best university in the state. He wanted to form an organization to help others who love and support Troy to have a place to tailgate and socialize at Troy Athletic events.

One of Pittman's friendships he cherished the most was that with Eric Mizell, who tragically passed away last year. Mizell and Pittman turned their ideas into reality with the founding of the Letterman's "T" Club. The "T" Club provides former Troy athletes with a way to reconnect and cherish the camaraderie that Troy University created for them.

"Eric was one of the most committed and bought-in guys I knew. He wanted to start the Letterwinners Club with me and make it what it has grown in to today. When we started the club, about 10 years ago, it was an avenue to bring back former players to have a spot to tailgate and reminisce. We have opened it up to all sports to get former athletes back involved to continue to see what Troy has to offer."

When he isn't attending Troy athletic events or reconnecting with old friends, Pittman is usually spending time with his family, hanging out at Lake Martin or playing golf.

He will return the field that gave him so much on Sept. 9, as Troy hosts Alabama State and recognizes the 1987 National Championship team, thirty years later.

"Alabama State was our big rivalry when I was playing here," Pittman said. "We are hoping for the first sellout of Veterans Memorial Stadium. It should be a pretty amazing game in the Troy record books, and I am really looking forward to seeing my former teammates back in Troy again."

Troy University Athletics

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