The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
Universities, conferences and the NCAA have reaped major financial benefits from the efforts of college athletes. Their “amateur” status prevented them from being paid for more than 100 years — but times are changing.

Uncertainty defines first month of new NIL rules

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • August 17, 2021
Since its inception, the NCAA has held that college athletes cannot and will not be paid for their name, image or likeness. Athletes were ineligible to accept endorsements or receive payment for their performance — all to maintain the amateurism surrounding college athletics. But new rules and regulations regarding name, image and likeness benefits for college athletes will change this long-standing rule.
Fifth-year Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is rolling into the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side with a new set of wheels this season.

Pickett gets new ride in NIL deal with Bowser Automotive

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • August 11, 2021
Pickett added Bowser Automotive — a car dealership in Pleasant Hills, about 30 minutes south of Oakland — to his list of endorsements late last week.
Heather Lyke, Pitt's athletic director, speaks at a January 2020 press conference.

New NIL rules met with uncertainty, excitement for Pitt Athletics

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • July 1, 2021
But with different states enacting different rules — the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a bill last week that allows athletes to capitalize on NIL — it appears as though uncertainty and confusion is common among Pitt Athletics staff and the nation as a whole about the future of collegiate athletics.
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff racked up four verbal commitments just this weekend after players took their official visits to the Steel City.

Pitt football off to lively start in 2022 class recruiting period

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • June 29, 2021
The 2022 recruiting class has gotten off to a quick start for the Panthers. Narduzzi has been able to secure 11 verbal commitments.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett could have left for the NFL Draft, but after falling in love with Pittsburgh, he opted to spend another year in the Steel City.

Kenny Pickett, preparing for final campaign, isn’t ready to leave Pittsburgh just yet

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • June 24, 2021
After four years, 21 victories as a starter, 8,552 yards in total offense and a couple of unforgettable upset victories against some of the nation’s best programs, Pickett isn’t ready to call another city home just yet.
The Supreme Court voted on Monday against the NCAA’s rule preventing universities from providing educational benefits past $5,000 to each player. This ruling takes another step towards college athletes being eligible to be paid for their athletic performance.

Supreme Court unanimously rules against NCAA’s cap on student-athlete educational compensation

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • June 22, 2021
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Monday against the NCAA and its regulations that put a $5,000 limit on education-related benefits.
Fans have clamored for the College Football Playoff to expand past four teams for years and it seems they may get their wish.

New College Football Playoff format proposed ahead of 2021-22 season

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • June 15, 2021
A subgroup of the CFP management committee brought forward a proposal for an expansion to the tournament last Thursday, from four to 12 teams.
Matt Wilson, pictured, is one of four Panthers that will compete in the 4x400m relay event at the National Outdoor Track and Field meet in Oregon on Wednesday.

Pitt sends four athletes to national meet to compete in 4x400m relay

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • June 8, 2021
Pitt track and field will compete in just one event at the National Outdoor Track and Field meet this week in Eugene, Oregon, but four Panthers are making the trip. The foursome — composed of senior Cobe Wiggins, senior Lonzell Feagin, junior Matt Wilson and senior Ade Jones-Roundtree — will compete in the 4x400m relay event on Wednesday night after qualifying for the event at the Eastern Regional about a week ago, becoming the first relay team since 2014 to earn a spot in the national meet.
Despite an impressive resumé, Pitt was left out of the National College Baseball Tournament. The Panthers will be forced to watch the tournament from home as several teams they have beaten themselves compete for a national title.

Panthers fail to earn bid to national baseball tournament

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • June 1, 2021
After the College World Series Selection show on Monday, the Panthers received the news that their season was over after the selection committee did not extend them a tournament bid.
Pitt came into their ACC Baseball Tournament slate on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina against the North Carolina Tarheels as losers in eight of their last 10 to finish their regular season. As the No. 10 seed, the lowest seed in their pool, a loss would send the Panthers back to Pittsburgh empty handed.

Panthers keep ACC Title hopes alive with 5-3 win over UNC

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • May 26, 2021
Tuesday would not mark the end of the Panthers’ run at their first ACC Title as Pitt defeated the Tar Heels 5-3.
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