Several Pitt football players and UTEP basketball coach Joe Golding and his family found themselves in a real-life version of the holiday classic "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" on Christmas Day after flight disruptions left them stranded in Dallas.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi told reporters on Monday at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, that four players were stranded when they bumped into one another.
"Joe Golding, head basketball coach at Texas- El Paso here in town, and his wife and child took our three guys and drove them because the flight was delayed to get them here for practice." Last night, they arrived here. I would like to give a shout out to those guys.
Golding told KTSM in El Paso that he called the parents of the players to make sure they were okay with the situation, and that Narduzzi had approved it.
He understood the pressure of travel issues that come along with sporting events and just wanted to help as much as possible.
These guys have bags on. I was like, "Hey, if we can find a big enough car, I'll take you guys home." and they were like, "Who are you?" Golding chuckled. The employees of the CarRentals showed up with a minivan. We weren't able to all fit in it. They had a big vehicle. "Who is using that one?" I asked. He said that it was too much money to afford that one. I told them to just give it to us.
Golding said his wife and sons got in the back, while his wife's friends got in the front.
Golding said that they went to the gas station and loaded up on food. I made it all the way back after stopping at the Pilot for some coffee and some Red Bulls.
He just wanted to leave a good impression on El Paso and the Sun Bowl and he didn't think twice about going.
He said that they do that in West Texas. If they were stranded on Christmas night, I would like to see someone do that to them.
The players told Golding they would be there in time for their meetings and workout. They arrived in El Paso at 5:58 this morning and were able to make all their events.
He said they got a two hour nap.
He didn't know Golding before Monday.
He said that they appreciated the great job done by Joe.
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