Players on the Pittsburgh Steelers no doubt are familiar with doing things the Cowher Way, but it's new in Crafton.

Coach Bill Cowher was present Saturday when Alley Q was renamed Cowher Way in his honor. The alley runs behind the Hawthorne Avenue home where the coach grew up.

Mayor Susan O'Connell had declared Saturday as Bill Cowher Day and about 150 people, including the coach's parents, attended the hour-long ceremony.

	Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Crafton officials dedicate Alley Q as Cowher Way on Saturday in honor of Bill Cowher, head coach of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Cowher is a former resident and 1975 Carlynton High School graduate. The alley is behind Hawthorne Avenue. Click photo for larger image.

Although some at first criticized the selection of an alley as a lasting tribute to the borough's distinguished son, Mr. Cowher found it to be "very appropriate" and gave his approval to the idea proposed in February by council President Ed Stewart and Vice President Tom Byers.

Local sports media personality and Steelers commentator Ellis Cannon took the borough to task for its seemingly paltry honor, but he recanted and served as an entertaining master of ceremonies of the event.

Mr. Byers promised Mr. Cowher, "If you keep at it, we'll keep naming everything in Crafton after you."

Accompanying Mr. Cowher to the event were his parents, Laird and Dorothy, and older brothers, Doug and Dale, who sat next to him on a small, portable stage.

Former classmates and coaches provided tributes and humorous anecdotes about the 1975 Carlynton High School graduate who displayed an aggressive style as middle linebacker on a close-knit team that finished with a 7-2 record.

Former high school coach Dan Saunders emphasized, "Streets and alleys are important training grounds in sports."

"I'm very proud to be from Crafton," said Mr. Cowher, who expressed his appreciation for all the support and guidance he had received from his family, friends, coaches and neighbors.

He explained that the selection of the alley to bear his name had special significance since it represented such an important part of his life's journey.

"It's not where you are in life, it's where you came from," said the Steelers coach, who noted, "This will always be my roots."

He offered some words of wisdom to the many children attending the event, saying, "If you have a dream, chase it, and you'll meet a lot of nice people on the way."