Wilhelm enjoyed 'traditional' finish at Pitt

PITTSBURGH — Everything felt right. In a college football landscape with 43 postseason bowl games in a three-week span, it has become difficult to keep track of which teams are playing in which game. Just as difficult can be following the ever-changing names of most bowl games. But that wasn't the case this past season for 2011 South Central graduate Taylor Wilhelm. In his fourth season as the Director of Creative Media for the University of Pittsburgh football team, Wilhelm found himself in the center of a classic matchup and bowl game. The Pitt Panthers faced the UCLA Bruins on Dec. 30 in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. "We don't get to see west coast teams too much, so it was just a really fun, classic matchup, and of course a very entertaining game," Wilhelm said. From an aesthetic appearance, the Panthers' royal blue and gold color scheme, and the Bruins' powder blue and gold colors, need no introduction. Same for the script "Pitt" and "UCLA" in cursive on each team's helmet. Then add in the combined 74 bowl appearances with six national titles, 51 final rankings in the Associated Press Top 25 and two Heisman Trophy winners, and it truly was a classic matchup with a thrilling finish. Pitt claimed a 37-35 win in front of 41,104 fans in attendance. The Bruins took the lead with just 34 seconds left, only to see the Panthers get two long passes to set up the game-winning field goal in the closing seconds. It was also the 87th edition of the Sun Bowl, dating back to 1936. The game is tied with the Orange and Sugar behind the Rose Bowl as the second-oldest bowl game. "El Paso in general was a great experience," Wilhelm said. "The whole city really embraces and looks forward to that game every year. There are some bowl games in bigger cities where there are a lot of other things going on, but in El Paso, we were the main attraction that week." Located in the far western corner of Texas on the Rio Grande river border of Mexico, Wilhelm said the team was able to take in a lot of the Mexican-based culture as well as restaurants. The team also went to Fort Bliss — home to the largest training area in the country — the U.S. Army military base. "Our guys got to meet some of the military men and women who walked us through the tanks and machinery they had there," Wilhelm said. "Our guys really got a sense of appreciation, and it was an eye-opening thing for some of our players and staff members to see what that lifestyle is like." Evolving job In his position, which included two seasons at Iowa State in 2017-18, Wilhelm mainly creates graphics and videos for social media and recruiting. He also helps produce graphics for branding and promotions, or when a player is recognized with an award of some kind. That included a busy 2021 season when the Panthers won the ACC championship and went to the Peach Bowl behind Heisman finalist and first-round draft pick, quarterback Kenny Pickett, and receiver Jordan Addison, a Biletnikoff Award finalist. But as college football continues to adapt to the Name, Image and Likeness era where players can be compensated while in school, so too has some of Wilhelm's efforts. "The job is mainly the same, but it has evolved in the sense that the players with NIL — we're looking at it through a different lens," he said. "It's not just only for the fans of the team through social media, but it's also about getting content for these student-athletes to put their own brand out there on social media. "In the past, that was viewed more of that guy must be all about himself, where now it is more accepted within the NIL … everyone is their own brand to some extent." In 2020, Wilhelm also played small role in part of the branding of an alternate uniform and helmet the Panthers wore to pay homage to Pittsburgh's steel working industry. Wilhelm's heavy focus, however, is on the recruiting side of the sport. He also is the secondary photographer on the sidelines for Pitt. His graphics include personalized mail items for the coaches to write something on and send to a high school recruit — as well as digital versions. Paul Brown logo Last spring, Wilhelm used his skills to help launch an initiative to recognize the father of modern football. The Paul Brown Birthplace Committee in Norwalk contacted Wilhelm in April 2022 to see if he was interested in creating a logo for the project, which centered around getting a statue for the iconic Pro Football Hall of Fame coach. Wilhelm's logo — a silhouette of Brown in his signature fedora hat over a maple leaf — has since been used on coffee mugs and polo shirts, along with being prominently used on social media. "It was absolutely an honor to be able to help create a logo and work on the project," Wilhelm said. "It's such a big deal for our area. And to be honest, I was one of those people who didn't even know Paul Brown was from Huron County or ever lived in Norwalk." Since Wilhelm's logo was rolled out in June, the committee has raised the funds to commission a statue for Brown, expected to be erected sometime later this year. "It's been great following along and seeing all the bits of information on Paul Brown coming out," Wilhelm said. "You don't really know the origin of some of those things, and it's neat to see being a local guy and growing up a Browns fan my whole life. "It was a huge honor to help in any way I could." Ties to Damar Hamlin Like millions, Wilhelm tuned into Monday Night Football on Jan. 2 for what was expected to be the biggest regular season game in the NFL when the Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) hosted the Buffalo Bills (12-3). Both teams were bound for the playoffs, but home field throughout the postseason was potentially at stake. On top of just casual fan interest, Wilhelm knew several former Pitt players on both sides. That included Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin, who shockingly collapsed from cardiac arrest late in the first quarter. Hamlin's heartbeat had to be restored on the field. The game was eventually suspended and never finished, as the sports world was gripped by Hamlin's health status that night and the following weeks. "I got to Pitt in 2019 and was here with Damar for two seasons and got to know him," Wilhelm said. "He came back for 2020 when he could have left early for the NFL, but being from this area, Pitt was important to him. "Damar is just a great, upbeat guy, someone who always has a smile and a positive attitude," he added. "He was a late-round guy in the draft, but was starting to make a splash in the NFL." At the end of the 2019 season, Pitt took on Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. After an interception, Wilhelm took an up close photo of Hamlin celebrating with his teammates. He later turned that into a painting that hangs in his office. Hamlin is from McKees Rocks, which sits along the Ohio River just four miles from Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium. The Bills took him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after starring for the Panthers from 2017-2020. Now seeing Hamlin at home and recovering, Wilhelm noted everyone within the Pitt program was thrilled to see the positive attention that came out of the ordeal. "Damar just really is all about giving back to his hometown here," Wilhelm said. "Everything that has been said or written about him is accurate. "Family and community ... he really does give back. None of that was ever for show." Busy, but rewarding Though the days are long, Wilhelm has found himself in a revival of a Pitt program that has produced eight Pro Football Hall of Famers — with at least two more (Larry Fitzgerald and Aaron Donald) on the way. The Panthers went 11-3 and finished No. 13 in the final AP poll as ACC champions in 2021. This past season, a 9-4 mark saw Pitt finish at No. 22 in the last poll after the Sun Bowl win. The 2021 finish was the first time since 2010 that Pitt appeared in the final rankings. The 20 wins over the past two seasons are the most since 1981-82. That is also the last time Pitt finished ranked in consecutive seasons, when the Panthers were led by eventual Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino. However, to reach the status of consistent elite programs also requires long hours. "We pretty much work seven days a week for six months from the end of July to the end of our bowl game," Wilhelm said. "There are maybe a handful of days off in there, but it's pretty much full go. Creative media works in the same building as the coaches, and they want you in here at 6:30 a.m. to beat the traffic every morning. "It's nice being here (with the coaches), because you have direct communication with exactly what they are looking for when they talk to recruits," he added. "We can give them a graphic or video, or anything they need for the promotion of Pitt and trying to peak a kids' interest. The days can be long, but it's also very rewarding to be in this position."