Bass/Boom Section Leader

Hometown: Enon Valley, PA

Drumming History: As well as being a music educator for 26 years, Ken has performed with groups as varied as the Youngstown State University Marching Pride, the rock band Whetstone, the Lawrence County Brass, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, and in pit orchestras all over Eastern Ohio and Western PA.

Years in Steeline: 7

Occupation: Elementary Band Director

Interests: Reading, hiking, biking, geocaching, building Lego and spending time with my family

Favorite Steeline Memory: When all my family and friends came to see me play at my first game.

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Aidan Carroll

Hometown: Leetsdale, PA

Drumming History: I've been drumming for 18 years and I am a Drum Instructor for West Alleghney High School

Years in Steeline: 4

Occupation: Operator for the local 66

Interests: Playing video games and spending time with my girlfriend

Favorite Steeline Memory: The first victory set of my first regular season. Also catching a ball from Russ last year.

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Austin Herman

Hometown: Center Township, PA

Drumming History: I’ve been a member of the Steeline for 4 years as part of the Boom Squad. Before joining the group, I was in the Geneva College Marching Band where I played snare. I also play in a few musicals every year.

Years in Steeline: 4

Occupation: Environmental Engineer

Interests: When I’m not at Steeline, I enjoy trying to find opportunities to travel to and explore new places with family and friends (While still finding time to practice).

Favorite Steeline Memory: My favorite memory with the Steeline is when we were able to be a part of the Today Show after a game.

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Joe Pickel

Hometown: New Castle, PA

Drumming History: I have been playing drums since elementary school. I played bass and snare drum in marching band in high-school, and was in a band while in college.

Years in Steeline: 1

Occupation: Family Nurse Practitioner

Interests: Spend time with my family, Play video games, Magic the Gathering

Favorite Steeline memory: Performing at the Draft

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Max Fortna

Boom Alt

Hometown: Pittsburgh (Edgewood/Regent Square)

Drumming History: I've been playing drums since middle school but didn't really even know what drumline was until highschool. I played bass 1 at Allderdice and then played bass 5 with Boston University (though I actually was enrolled at another school).

Years in Steeline: 2

Occupation: Video game programmer

Interests: Could probably guess from my job title but I play video games! I also travel quite a bit with my partner, especially to visit zoos!

Favorite Steeline Memory: High fiving Patrick Queen right after he forced and recovered a fumble last year.

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Chris Ristau

Bass/Boom Alt

Hometown: Beaver Falls, PA

Drumming History: I’ve been playing drums my whole life. But I started seriously playing in 5th grade. Then I played in middle school and high school, being a part of every ensemble I could (marching band, concert band, jazz band, etc). Now I’m in college continuing my education while still filling my schedule with band related activities.

Years in Steeline: ROOKIE

Occupation: Student at RMU

Interests: Outside of the Steeline, I also play with my band Bot Lobby as we start looking for gigs around the greater Pittsburgh region. I also like to play video games and basketball with my friends.

What are you looking forward to most about Steeline?: Playing drums for the greatest football out there and hyping up Steeler Nation.

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