Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics
Dear Pittsburgh: A Letter From Josh Higgins
5/19/2022 4:19:00 PM | Track & Field
Dear Pittsburgh,
Writing this message to you is not easy. It turns out that it is much harder to write a letter to a place than a person. When I started to brainstorm what I wanted to say, I tried to think of my best memories in all my favorite places. After some thought, I realized that my best memories in this city have very little to do with the place and have very much to do with the people there.
Pittsburgh, I truly believe that you are a special city, but the buildings, bridges, and hills are not what make you special. The restaurants, sports teams, and entertainment are fantastic, but they are not what make you special either. What sets you apart from any other place I've been to is the people I've met here. What I've realized in trying to write this letter to you, is that I'm not writing to a place at all, I'm really writing to your people.
Your people welcomed me, unsure and unproven, five years ago. Your people believed in me every step of my journey, even when I didn't believe in myself. I owe so much of the confidence and clarity I have now to the people that have helped build me up along the way.
To all my teammates and friends that I have made in the last five years, I cannot express how grateful I am for you. You all have left an unforgettable impression on me, and I hope that I've been able to return the same loyalty and sincerity you have shown me.
To all my coaches, I thank you so much for believing in me, guiding me, and supporting me through all the ups and downs. You have helped me grow so much not only as an athlete, but as a leader and as a man.
To the Pitt Athletics Community, my mentors, professors, and anyone else who has been a part of my journey here, I truly appreciate everything you have done for me. I cannot think of one person I have met at Pitt who has not supported me chasing my goals. The community this city fosters is unlike anything I have ever been a part of. I know that wherever life takes me, I will always have a home and a family here in Pittsburgh.
Five years ago, I was told by Pitt Athletics that they hoped my experience with Pitt Track and Field and Cross Country would be the best thing that has happened to me so far. Without a doubt, I can say that has not only been the best experience of my life so far, but the most impactful.
Thank you, Pittsburgh, for help shaping me into a person I'm proud to be.
Yours,
Josh Higgins
Writing this message to you is not easy. It turns out that it is much harder to write a letter to a place than a person. When I started to brainstorm what I wanted to say, I tried to think of my best memories in all my favorite places. After some thought, I realized that my best memories in this city have very little to do with the place and have very much to do with the people there.
Pittsburgh, I truly believe that you are a special city, but the buildings, bridges, and hills are not what make you special. The restaurants, sports teams, and entertainment are fantastic, but they are not what make you special either. What sets you apart from any other place I've been to is the people I've met here. What I've realized in trying to write this letter to you, is that I'm not writing to a place at all, I'm really writing to your people.
Your people welcomed me, unsure and unproven, five years ago. Your people believed in me every step of my journey, even when I didn't believe in myself. I owe so much of the confidence and clarity I have now to the people that have helped build me up along the way.
To all my teammates and friends that I have made in the last five years, I cannot express how grateful I am for you. You all have left an unforgettable impression on me, and I hope that I've been able to return the same loyalty and sincerity you have shown me.
To all my coaches, I thank you so much for believing in me, guiding me, and supporting me through all the ups and downs. You have helped me grow so much not only as an athlete, but as a leader and as a man.
To the Pitt Athletics Community, my mentors, professors, and anyone else who has been a part of my journey here, I truly appreciate everything you have done for me. I cannot think of one person I have met at Pitt who has not supported me chasing my goals. The community this city fosters is unlike anything I have ever been a part of. I know that wherever life takes me, I will always have a home and a family here in Pittsburgh.
Five years ago, I was told by Pitt Athletics that they hoped my experience with Pitt Track and Field and Cross Country would be the best thing that has happened to me so far. Without a doubt, I can say that has not only been the best experience of my life so far, but the most impactful.
Thank you, Pittsburgh, for help shaping me into a person I'm proud to be.
Yours,
Josh Higgins
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