Men's Basketball: Peter Dill provides spark on bench

Seton Hall men's basketball fans have been treated to a tour de force this season, and it has noth­ing to do with the team's win-loss record.

Senior guard and walk-on Pe­ter Dill has a knack for serving up big-time celebrations during the biggest moments.

Dill gained notoriety last March during the first round of the 2011 Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. As the last few seconds of regulation ticked down versus rival Rutgers, Jeremy Hazell connected on a game-tying 3-pointer to send the game into overtime.

But the play that got the most face time on the night's highlights was Dill's reaction to the shot, as he stepped onto the court and imi­tated the championship belt thrust made famous by Green Bay Pack­ers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

That reaction may have been borrowed material, but Dill said his moves are often unscripted.

"I took a little artistic license with the championship belt move, but usually the celebrations just come to me in the moment," Dill said.

His antics were again on dis­play this season, when the Pirates upset then-ranked No. 8 Con­necticut at the Prudential Center. Instead of focusing on the win, ESPN decided to spotlight Dill, who did not play versus the Hus­kies.

The highlight showed the Pi­rates scoring basket after basket, with Dill jumping in the back­ground with numerous fist pumps and hand gestures.

The ESPN editors added an animated Thor's Hammer and some camera shakes to simu­late Dill's imitation of a hammer thrust onto the court. His im­promptu hammer slam has given rise to a mock Twitter page @HammerofDill, whose creator is unknown even to Dill.

The Long Hill, N.J., native grew up just 45 minutes from Se­ton Hall University and has been a fan of the Pirates his entire life. But he did not play high school basketball before joining the Pi­rates.

"I didn't get to play high school sports because I went to a small school that didn't have any sports teams," he said.

He played Catholic Youth Organization basketball at St. Vincent's, and was named MVP of the 2006 and 2008 CYO State Tournaments and League MVP in 2008.

Dill said his Catholic back­ground is very important to his life.

"I was raised Catholic and it was important for me to come to a Catholic university such as Se­ton Hall," he said. "I find strength through my faith to do everyday things."

He engages in discussion with his teammates about their faith and the opportunity for introspec­tion.

Dill may not get a lot of play­ing time, but he loves being part of the team.

"There's a lot to be said for having enthusiasm beyond your­self and putting the team first," he said.

His hard work during practice may only be seen by his team­mates and the coaching staff, but it is not forgotten by the Pi­rate faithful. Dill appreciates the cheers and support he receives from the fans at the Rock and on the road.

Dill is a philosophy major who has made the Dean's list ev­ery semester he has attended Se­ton Hall. He enjoys reading and listening to a variety of music, but his favorite group is Dave Mat­thews Band.

He has acquired several nick­names, including being called Pistol or Petey by some coaches and teammates or "The Dillmeis­ter" by senior Herb Pope.

Dill is unsure of what he wants to do after graduation, but he is certain that one's actions af­fect who they become.

For the time being though, Dill still has at least a 11 games remaining in a Pirate uniform.

Chris Shedlock can be reached at shedloch@shu.edu