Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Thursday, February 16, 2006
By Jim McMahon

Alley Q is a pretty odd name for a street in Crafton, which actually has several thoroughfares named with a single letter of the alphabet.

But the alley, which is behind Hawthorne Avenue, could soon get a more distinguished moniker as borough officials consider renaming it Cowher Way.

It is where a young Bill Cowher, head coach of the world-champion Pittsburgh Steelers, learned the fundamentals and intricacies of street football, something, we're told, that would come in handy a few decades later.

Although hometown pride in the Steelers was evident Feb. 7 as more than 250,000 fans jammed the city's streets, Crafton officials have a special hometown pride in Mr. Cowher, who was born and raised in the borough.

To show that pride, Mayor Susan O'Connell read a proclamation Feb. 8 which was sent to Mr. Cowher, congratulating him on the Super Bowl victory and thanking him for the "joy and pride that you have brought to your hometown over all these years."

"From a youngster playing football in Alley Q in Crafton to the fields of Carlynton High School and beyond, Bill Cowher by his example, dignity, integrity, ability and professionalism established the paradigm in our fair borough for hard and honest work," said Ms. O'Connell.

The proclamation states, "Bill Cowher combined his services as a professional with his love of family, town and team by following the Borough of Crafton's tradition of service and dedication."

The proclamation, furthermore, notes the borough's pride and gratitude in its native son "whose firm hand not only guided his team to victory but also carried our hearts by his example."

"Our borough stands proud of its esteemed son," Ms. O'Connell said.

Council Vice President Tom Byers, who suggested renaming the alley, said it was an idea that needed Mr. Cowher's approval. Councilman Ed Stewart intends to write a letter to Mr. Cowher about this and other possible tributes.

Mr. Cowher's parents, Laird and Dorothy Cowher, moved from their longtime Hawthorne Avenue home in July and now live in Mt. Lebanon.

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Okay, does anybody else think that this is the most ghetto commemoration ever? I tried to find "Alley Q" in Crafton, PA on Google maps. It is not even listed. They want to honor Bill Cowher with a street name that nobody can even ever find??? I looked up Hawthorne Avenue, because the article said "Alley Q" was behind this street, just to get some kind of idea of where they were talking about. Turns out Hawthorne Ave. is about 4 blocks long, and as you can see in the picture, not really sure where "Alley Q" is STILL if it's supposed to be "behind" this street. 

I know that Indianapolis has a street in the middle of their downtown named "Peyton Place". Although I am not quite sure he is so deserving of this honor, it is in a prominent part of the city where everyone can see it.

 So does Crafton not get it? I understand "Alley Q" may be where Bill Cowher played football when he was growing up and all...but shouldn't they name some huge street in Crafton after him at least?

Also, the city of Pittsburgh needs to get involved. Let's bestow some real honor here to a man most deserving. Who needs something called Fort Pitt Bridge? Let's liven it up a little. New name: Bridge Cowher.