MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / February 5, 2000

RESERVE – Thomas Pittman will be seeing more of the Sunshine State than was anticipated this year.

Pittman, a 1997 graduate of East St. John, is due to report to the MontrealExpos’ spring training camp in Jupiter, Fla., next month. When he finishesplaying baseball this summer, instead of heading back home to Garyville, Pittman will be heading to the University of Florida in Gainesville to play college football for the Gators.

Pittman signed a letter of intent with Florida on National Signing Day Wednesday. Having played minor league baseball the last three seasons,Pittman will be counted as a walk on.

Pittman was an USA Today All-USA selection as a defensive lineman his senior season. He was also named the River Parishes defensive MVP and wasan all-State selection after recording 14 sacks and 91 tackles. The 6-4,270-pound lineman signed with Auburn after that season, selecting the Tigers over LSU, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

Pittman was selected by Montreal with the 45th pick in the first round of the Major League Baseball Free Agent Draft that June and signed with the Expos in July. Last season, he batted .283 with 22 home runs and 97 runs batted inwith the Expos’ Class A team in Cape Fear, N.C.”I’ve been thinking about it a lot for awhile,” Pittman said of going back to play college football. “I prayed to God about it. He said I’ll put it in your heartand it’s up to you.

“Florida has always been with me. They’ve been in my heart since threeyears ago. There have been a lot of changes at Auburn and LSU but Floridawas still there. I like the coaches there. I’m looking forward to playing forthem.”Florida has experience with players playing both baseball and football. Lastyear’s starting quarterback, Doug Johnson, played in the minor leagues last summer.

“They made it clear that when I’m done with baseball, they will be ready for me with football,” Pittman said.

Few knew that Pittman was deciding to play college football. Formerteammate Roydell Williams, who signed with Tulane Wednesday, was surprised when Pittman made the decision.

“He was talking about going back to college football but I thought he was just playing,” Williams said.

Pittman said he didn’t want to go through all the activity of three years ago when he was hounded by recruiters.

“I kept it low key,” Pittman said. “I didn’t want the recruiting to go all overagain. I kept it real confidential.”Pittman will head to Expos’ camp March 12 and said he has been told he might be promoted to either the team’s high Single A team or to Double A in the Florida State League.

“I’ve been moving up every year,” Pittman said. “I’m looking forward toplaying wherever I’m at.”East St. John head coach Ronnie Stephens, said he believes Pittman will beable to succeed in both sports.

“He’s a great football player as well as a great baseball player,” Stephens said. “In this day and age, a lot of athletes are playing multiple sports and heis going to be one of those.”

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