At Pittsburgh Sports Castle, we are dedicated to bringing local coverage on local teams. This website was created by the fans, for the fans. We are a non-profit, completely free to the public. We pride ourselves in feedback from our readers and are always open to new writers.
We have a talented, proud staff!
To inquire about joining our team, email [email protected]!
Meet the Pittsburgh Sports Castle Team
EDITORS
Rachael McKriger
Rachael McKriger was born in Moscow, Russia, but her roots are right in the City of Champions. Raised in Aliquippa, where she currently resides, McKriger has been a part of Pittsburgh Sports Castle since the moment it went up and running. She covers the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Steel City FC, local college women’s basketball and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A California University of Pennsylvania (’18) graduate, McKriger obtained her Bachelor’s degree in English: Journalism and an Associate’s degree in Sociology. She is currently enrolled at Point Park University, studying for her Master’s degree in Media Communication. She also writes for Last Word on Soccer, FanSided, Pittsburgh Soccer Now and owns her own photography company, McKriger Photography.
In addition to managing the team at Pittsburgh Sports Castle, McKriger is a Creative Content Copywriter for DICK’S Sporting Goods, working full-time at the corporate office.
When she’s not juggling 10,000 different things, McKriger can be found watching the latest soccer game, spending time with her best friends just driving around or at concerts or eating at Taco Bell with her boyfriend, Jay. Her biggest “fans” — despite not yet knowing how to read — are her nieces: Mila and Nora.
Follow her on Twitter, @RachaelMcKriger.
Cody Flavell
Ever get the chance to do something you love and do it with great people? That’s why Cody Flavell says he joined Pittsburgh Sports Castle. He’s an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and wanted a place to express his thoughts and opinions on Pittsburgh sports. Cody also own a blog called Let’s Talk Pens and go to sporting events all the time. Tweet him and talk Pittsburgh sports!
Follow him on Twitter, @Cody_625.
Joe Cinello
In May 2015, Joe Cinello created Pittsburgh Sports Castle. HIs first objective was to gather a team, and started by adding Rachael McKriger, Joshua Powers and Jason McDermott. All four members are still with the website, as Cinello now features in the role of owner and Pittsburgh Pirates writer. Cinello will be attending the University of Pittsburgh next fall.
A graduate of Bethel Park High School, Cinello is a proud Pittsburgher!
Follow him on Twitter, @JCinello.
STAFF WRITERS
Lorne Alexander
Lorne Alexander is a student at Slippery Rock University majoring in Physical Activity and Fitness Management with concentrations in coaching and fitness management. Upon graduating in the year of 2021, Lorne hopes to coach at the collegiate or professional level in either football or basketball. Although he is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he remains unbiased; he does not hold back when he feels his favorite team is under-performing, has been out-coached or when he feels they will lose in the upcoming match-up.
Follow him on Twitter, @TheKidd001.
Brad Britvich
Brad Britvich joined Pittsburgh Sports Castle in 2017, helping out Jason McDermott with the Pittsburgh Penguins beat. A 2018 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, Brad currently lives in Lawrenceville with his girlfriend, Amanda, and attends graduate school at Duquesne University.
In addition to hockey, Brad’s likes include sipping a good margarita, tweeting and watching the latest Marvel movies.
Follow him on Twitter, @BritvichB.
Rich Donahue
Rich Donahue is a 2015 graduate of Duquesne University where he studied journalism. Rich is from Pittsburgh and has worked for a variety of media outlets including KDKA-TV and TribeLive Radio. Previously, Rich has been the editor for the Pittsburgh-based FanSided website City of Champions, as well as writing for Pittsburgh Sports Now and Point of Pittsburgh. Rich is an avid sports fan and bettor.
Follow him on Twitter, @RichDonahue.
Kyle Grimm
Kyle Grimm has joined the Pittsburgh Sports Castle team as a columnist and writer, covering the Pittsburgh Pirates. A graduate of Baldwin High School, Grimm is currently in college, studying business and accounting. He is an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins and Steelers, but also the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. At only 19-years-old, Grimm is dipping his feet into journalism, looking to expand his interests.
Follow him on Twitter, @GrimmKyle9.
Shalene Hixon
Shalene Hixon was born in Punxsutawney, Pa., but has always loved Pittsburgh and its sports teams. She has been a part of Pittsburgh Sports Castle since September 2017, and while she mainly covers the Pittsburgh Penguins and WWE, she occasionally covers the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates as well.
A 2018 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, Hixon obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Communication Studies. Before coming to PSC, she was a staff writer for Cal U’s student-run newspaper, the Cal Times.
Follow her on Twitter, @ShaleneHixon21.
Jordan Kiebler
Jordan Kiebler bleeds blue and gold, writing about the University of Pittsburgh football team for Pittsburgh Sports Castle. A life-long Panthers fan since his youth, Kiebler is a proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. If he’s not watching college football, you can catch Jordan golfing, hunting or hanging out with his girlfriend, friends and family.
Follow him on Twitter, @JKiebs_5.
Hail to Pitt!
Jason McDermott
Jason McDermott is an original member of Pittsburgh Sports Castle, joining the team in June 2015. McDermott is the lead writer on the Pittsburgh Penguins beat and certainly puts a lot of character into it, occasionally referencing older players, movies and, of course, memes.
Outside of writing for Pittsburgh Sports Castle, Jason is a father to three boys and a devoted husband to his wife, Krissy. Jason, of course, is an avid fan of hockey, but also keeps a sharp eye on what’s happening in the WWE universe.
Follow him on Twitter, @DaddyDerms.
Jeremiah Rubash
Jeremiah Rubash is a Pittsburgh guy, born and raised. He graduated from Robert Morris University in 2013 and now serves as a government worker who is trying to get his break writing about sports. For Pittsburgh Sports Castle, Jeremiah covers Robert Morris University football and basketball, from pregame to post-game.
Follow him on Twitter, @Rubash_Jeremiah.
Nate Snodgrass
Nate Snodgrass is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown where he played basketball. Nate received a Master’s degree in accounting from the University of Pittsburgh and is a die-hard sports fan. No matter the sport, there is a good chance Nate has a daily or season-long fantasy team. Check out Nate’s articles in the Fantasy Football section.
Follow him on Twitter, @NSnods.
Anthony Valvo
Anthony Valvo is currently a WWE and Robert Morris University women’s basketball columnist for Pittsburgh Sports Castle. When he’s not writing he is the physical education teacher at Our Lady of Fatima School in Hopewell Township, Pa., and spending time with is wife of 12 years and two daughters. His favorite sports moment was when he saw the NHL Stanley Cup at Century III Mall when the Penguins won in 1991.
Follow him on Twitter, @TheMisterV.
Antonio Wolfe
“The first sport Antonio Wolfe learned to love was, and remains, baseball. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, his biggest passion is cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether it be nights at the ballpark, road trips with his Dad or seasonal and daily fantasy baseball, Antonio is constantly consuming baseball. As a Pirates season ticket holder, he’s learned to live and die with the team’s success and failure. He hopes to share some of his experiences and insight on the team while using the Pirates and their situation to reflect on the current game as a whole.”