When Abby Dowd enrolled at Pitt last January, she came in thinking the majority of her time would be spent in the classroom.
Little did the Tipp City, Ohio native know that in a matter of weeks she would be practicing with the women’s basketball team and the newest member of the Panthers.
Dowd played collegiately at the University at Buffalo where she starred as a freshman, finishing fourth in scoring and starting 25 of 30 games during the 2009-10 season. Even though she enjoyed success at the Mid-American Conference program, the feisty guard wanted something more – so she left upstate New York and headed closer to home not knowing if basketball was a even a part of her future.
Once on the Oakland campus, Dowd emailed the Panthers coaching staff hoping to become a practice player for the team. Per NCAA rules, females are not permitted to be a practice player on a women’s team, but they can be added to a roster as an official member on the roster.
“I was thinking about going to Pitt regardless of if I played basketball or not,” Dowd said. “When I transferred here it was so nice because it was a school I had always wanted to attend.”
Dowd showed up at her first practice and Pitt head coach Agnus Berenato admits she did not pay a lot of attention to the ‘new girl’. It didn’t take long, however, before Berenato and her staff knew they had a hidden treasure.
“After day two we were like, ‘wow,’ she needs to be on the team. Abby could stroke the three, she could set a screen if we went to the top, she went down, she went back door, and if we went under she shot the three. She was just very smart,” said Berenato of her initial impression of Dowd. “The very first practice the kids finished stretching and we always circle up (in a group) at the end and here is Abby going, “Alright girls, let’s go girls.”
The 2010 MAC All-Freshman team selection is what Berenato calls “the ultimate student athlete.”
“Abby is a high honors student, she’s been on the honor roll every year so we are really excited that Abby decided to play and be a part of the team because really that’s not why she transferred to Pitt.”
Last spring at the Petersen Events Center, Dowd was often the player who crossed the line first in practice – not to mention the loudest cheerleader on the bench during the rigorous conference schedule. The dedication and athleticism did not go unnoticed as Dowd was awarded a scholarship shortly before the school year ended.
While only a 21-year old redshirt sophomore and with only a year of experience under her belt, Dowd has the moniker of being the oldest player on a team billed as the nation’s youngest.
“In some ways I’m the same as a freshman, but in other ways I think I can offer some insight from being older,” Dowd said.
Dowd has taken a leadership position on the young team, something Berenato saw was present that very first January day of practice.
“I’m definitely one of the vocal leaders on the team,” Dowd said.
Averaging 6.5 points per game to go along with an impressive 47.8 percent shooting percentage from three-point range at Buffalo, Dowd’s shooting prowess will make her a valuable asset as the women’s three-point line gets pushed further out this season.
“I’m a shooter and that’s what I’m going to try to bring to this team,” she said.
Dowd’s scholastic athletic ability was not limited to basketball. A second-team all-state selection in volleyball her senior year in high school, Dowd thinks her background in that sport will aid her on the hardcourt.
“There’s so much jumping and lateral movements in both sports so I think that definitely helps my game,” Dowd said.
While Dowd probably won’t be trying out for Pitt volleyball team anytime soon, she is looking forward to helping her young teammates – six true freshmen – in their first season in a Panthers uniform.
“Even though I wasn’t here for my freshman and sophomore years, I still have experience,” Dowd said. “Even though I don’t know what it’s like to travel to Connecticut or Notre Dame to play, I’ve still done it before.”
Playing basketball at Pitt is just an unexpected and incredible bonus for Dowd. It’s a windfall that she will be sure to take full advantage of – after all, it started with an email to the coaching staff just asking for an opportunity.
“I feel like I’m so lucky to go to school here and get to play basketball as well,” Dowd said. “I am living the dream here.”
