Explore Baltimore
Explore Baltimore: Top 5 Live Music Venues
Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
1. Ottobar: This Remington favorite is an iconic venue for indie and alternative music. It’s super intimate, so you can get right up close to your favorite bands. Plus, it’s a fun hangout spot even when there’s no show.
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Baltimore Sports History: Johnny Unitas
Thursday, November 28th, 2024 by Andrew Ciofalo
by Andrew Ciofalo, host of After The Whistle
There are a few names of legend here in Baltimore when it comes to its sports teams. Famous Oriole’s like Brooks and Frank Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr., Jim Palmar come to mind. In the football world, you have great Ravens like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Jonathan Ogden. All of which are in their respective Hall of Fames. But among those names is an icon of Baltimore sports; Johnny Unitas. Also known as “the Golden Arm” and “Johnny U,” Unitas played for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1972. An undersized boy in high school and college turned out to be the greatest choice the Colts could have made.
Johnny Unitas was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1933 and was one of four kids. His family was very hard working as his father owned a coal delivery business. Sadly his father passed away when Unitas was 5 and his mother took over the business as well as working as an office cleaner. Johnny Unitas’ upbringing is probably what lead to his very humble and down to earth character.
The interest and football playing career started in high school as he played Quarterback for St. Justin’s High School in Pittsburgh. His talent attracted lots of fans to their games, partly because of his ability to throw a 60-yard jump pass that would wow the crowd. In his senior year, Unitas was named the quarterback of Pittsburgh’s All-Catholic High School, further propelling his résumé as he looked to play college football.
However, big schools had a glaring problem with Unitas as he worked to try out in front of scouts, his figure. Johnny U graduated high school standing at 6’0” and around 140 pounds, not ideal for a football player. He dreamed of playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as a kid but when he tried out for quarterback, Notre Dame passed on him because head coach Frank Leahy thought he’d get hurt on the field at his weight. University of Pittsburgh also withdrew a scholarship offer for the same reason. In the end, Unitas went to University of Louisville on a scholarship. Unitas went through a lot of injury riddled seasons at Louisville, but again, his play spoke for himself. His play demanded respect when he was out there.
Unitas graduated from Louisville in 1955 and was drafted shortly after in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He entered a quarterback room that already had a veteran starter in Jim Finks and a second-year player in Ted Marchibroda. Unitas was familiar with Marchibroda, his first start in college was against Marchibroda’s St. Bonaventure University, Ted’s team came out on top 22-21. Because of the already packed quarterback room, and the fact that Steelers head coach Walt Kiesling said Unitas was “too dumb” to play quarterback. He was cut before the season started and wasn’t given a chance to see the field.
After being cut, Unitas played for a local semi-professional team in Bloomfield, New Jersey as he continued to try and stay ready and prove his worth. Finally in 1956 he was given that shot after he tried out for the Baltimore Colts and was awarded a contract to be the back-up quarterback. In his first season of backing-up George Shaw, he came into replace Shaw after he broke his leg in the Colts’ week 4 game against the Chicago Bears. Unitas ended the season throwing 9 touchdowns and a record of 3-4. Although he didn’t have the best stats or record, he earned the starting job for the 1957 season and beyond.
In his first season starting, Unitas lead the league in passing yards with 2550 and had 24 passing touchdowns. He was also awarded the Jim Thorpe Trophy at the end of the year for MVP of the National Football League. Unitas’ stellar play led the Colts to their first winning season, finishing at 7-5. The following 1958 season was the big breakout season for the Colts. Unitas finished the year with a 8-1 record, with the team finishing 9-3. Unitas was awarded to the leagues All-Pro team and finished second in MVP voting. The Colts were set to play the winner of the Eastern Conference championship. The game was played between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, both of which finished the regular season tied at 9-3 and needed the one game tiebreaker.
The 1958 NFL Championship Game went down in history and is known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The Western Conference winning Baltimore Colts took on the Eastern Conference champions, the New York Giants. The game is so famous for the Colts’ drive late in the 4th quarter to tie the game up at 17. Unitas led the Colts offense down the field with 2 minutes remaining, becoming known as the first ever 2-minute drill. The Colts forced overtime with a field goal at the end of the drive and went onto win the game in overtime via an Alan Ameche 1 yard touchdown to cement the Colts’ first NFL Championship victory. The game was broadcasted nationally by NBC and gave professional football a major popularity boost going into the 1960s.
Johnny Unitas would go onto win 2 more NFL Championships in 1959 and in 1968. He’d also help the Colts win Superbowl V in 1970 against the Dallas Cowboys. Individually, he won the AP MVP award 3 times, awarded pro-bowl honors 10 times, and was named All-Pro 5 times. Unitas played 18 years in the NFL, 17 of those with the Colts. His final season he played on the San Diego Chargers and only appeared in 5 games.
Johnny Unitas’ legacy was cemented into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. When he retired, Unitas lead the NFL in career passing yards, passing attempts, passing completions, and passing touchdowns. Along with his illustrious playing career in Baltimore, Unitas ‘disowned’ the Colts when Robert Irsay moved the team to Indianapolis. When the Cleveland Browns came to Baltimore, he helped welcome the team and fans took to Unitas’ adoption of the new Baltimore Ravens. His statue stands tall outside of M&T Bank Stadium and he is in the Ravens’ Ring of Honor.
One of the greats, Johnny U will live in the hearts of Baltimore for years to come.
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Baltimore Sports History: The Colts
Thursday, November 21st, 2024 by The Professor
by Andrew Ciofalo, host of After The Whistle
The Indianapolis Colts we’re once Baltimore’s beloved football team. For 40 years the Colts pranced Old Memorial Stadium where legends like Johnny Unitas and Gino Marchetti. From being a championship contender regularly in the first 18 years to barely sniffing playoffs in the ladder half of the Colts’ stay in Baltimore, where did it all go wrong? That can be chalked up to one name: Robert Irsay. Let’s explore the good times before the extremely distasteful ending.
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Baltimore Sports History: The Dayton Triangles
Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 by The Professor
by Andrew Ciofalo, host of After The Whistle
This year marks the 104th season of NFL play and it’s lining up to be as exciting as ever. Here in Baltimore, the Ravens only have existed for the last 28 years of the NFL, when the franchise came from Cleveland in 1995 and played in its first season a year later. Many people in Baltimore still remember the Baltimore Colts and their beloved Johnny Unitas. Afterall, that’s where Baltimore’s football fandom began. But before they were the Colts, the franchise can trace its origins back to one of the charter teams of the NFL.
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WLOY & Spectrum Present: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Mark your calendars for WLOY’s annual showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, co-hosted by the @loyola.spectrum! Join us on Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 7-9 PM outside on the Loyola Quad (rain location: McGuire Hall). As always, we’ll be hosting a spooky costume contest with prizes for the top three best-dressed contestants, including a turntable and a limited-edition Rocky Horror soundtrack vinyl. See Rocky on the giant blow up screen! Bring a blanket, we’ll supply the popcorn!
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Baltimore Sports History: Celebrating The Life of Brooks Robinson
Thursday, September 26th, 2024 by The Professor
by Andrew Ciofalo, host of After The Whistle
Every major sports team has a shortlist of its best players of all time. And out of all of them, there’s usually less than a handful that stand out among the rest. The Baltimore Orioles have been around since 1954 and had its own handful, the Iron Man Cal Ripken, Frank Robinson and Jim Palmer. But there was only one Mr. Oriole: Brooks Robinson.
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Explore Baltimore! African + Caribbean Music & Arts Festival
Friday, August 23rd, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
What: African + Caribbean Music & Arts Festival
When: Sunday, August 25 · 12 – 9pm
Where: 1 Veterans Place Silver Spring, MD 20910
Join Carnival Nation for the African + Caribbean Music & Arts Festival! Enjoy live performances from Drum Core, Steel Orchestra, and a Jazz Ensemble, plus a range of bands, artists, and performers. It’s free for all ages! Dance to the beats of Reggae, Afrobeats, Soca, and Kompa spun by international DJs, and catch the vibes with host Vibes Master G-Nice. Don’t miss out—admission is free!
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Explore Baltimore! Java Funk Cofee
Thursday, August 8th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
What: Bird in Hand x Therapy Sounds Presents… Java Funk
When: Saturday, August 17 · 5 – 8pm
Where: Bird in Hand Coffee & Books · 11 East 33rd Street Baltimore, MD 21218
Join Java Funk for a laid-back afternoon of deep house beats, tasty drinks, and great vibes at their cafe event, featuring a collab between Bird in Hand and Therapy Sounds. They’ll be jamming for three hours with smooth lounge and funky house tracks from local Therapy Sounds’ DJs @_andybig, @h0ppa, and @frankthedannk. It’s the perfect way to chill out, enjoy good music, and hang with friends—don’t miss it!
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Explore Baltimore! Sunset Salsa: Latin Dance Lessons & Music
Friday, August 2nd, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
What: Sunset Salsa Latin Dance Lessons & Music
When: Wednesday, August 7 · 7 – 11pm
Where: 321 East Cromwell Street Baltimore, MD
Join Salsa Now this upcoming Wednesday for an evening of free Latin Dancing lessons and music at the waterfront on the Tidewater Pier in Port Covington Marina. Start with a free, 45-minute dance lesson from the SalsaNow team, ideal for beginners and experienced dancers alike. After the lesson, enjoy a night of Salsa & Bachata dancing, great Latin music, and local food & drinks. The event will feature live Latin music, as well as an open dance floor for attendees!
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Explore Baltimore! Bmore Hip Hop Karaoke ArtScape
Friday, July 26th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
What: Bmore Hip Hop Karaoke ArtScape Pop Up
When: Friday, August 2 · 9 – 11pm
Where: Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center · 847 North Howard Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Don’t miss out on a special Pop-Up Session with local favorites Ellen Gee, Eze Jackson, and DJ Harvey Dent on Friday, August 2nd, 2024, at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center.
The event offers a fresh take on karaoke with the BHHK Crew at Bmore Hip Hop Karaoke! It’s going to be a night full of your favorite hip hop tracks, great vibes, and a super friendly crowd. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, this is your chance to dive into Hip Hop culture and have a blast. Every session is different, so you’re guaranteed a fun and unique experience!
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