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
Heather Lyke, Former Athletic Director

Pitt’s Athletic Director Heather Lyke suddenly fired

By Ari Meyer, Staff Writer • September 10, 2024

Heather Lyke was relieved of her duties as the athletic director for the University of Pittsburgh. After being hired in 2017, Lyke’s eight-year tenure at the university has come to an abrupt end.  When...

Lance White, head coach of Pitt women’s basketball, at their game against Clemson on Sunday.

Column | Women’s basketball deserves their winning season

By Sara Meyer, Staff Writer • January 17, 2023
After five years at the helm of the Pitt athletic department, Heather Lyke’s one blemish on an otherwise stellar tenure is the women’s basketball program. With a rich history in Pittsburgh, staff writer Sara Meyer argues that the team deserves better.
Students point with Roc the Panther during “Sweet Caroline.”

Pitt athletics tied with Penn State for sixth in 2022-23 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings

By Richie Smiechowski, Sports Editor • January 12, 2023
Pitt athletics’ strong fall performances moved them into sixth place in the 2022-23 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup Division I standings. Pitt earned 309.00 points across all of its fall sports, putting the Panthers level with Penn State athletics.
Heather Like, Athletic Director

Introducing Pitt athletics’ biggest faces

By Richie Smiechowski, For The Pitt News • August 24, 2021
For the first day of classes, what better way to acclimate new fans with their athletes than a quick introduction of Pitt Athletics’ biggest names and faces prior to the first day of classes?
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.
Pitt football hosted fans at Heinz Field for the first time in almost a year during its Oct. 24, 2020 game against Notre Dame.

Pitt to host fall sports on campus without attendance restrictions

By Stephen Thompson, Senior Staff Writer • August 12, 2021
Pitt athletics is hoping to take a big step back towards pre-pandemic operations this fall. According to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday afternoon, Pitt plans on open on-campus venues to full capacity for fall sports this year, with some regulations for spectators still in place.
The East Atlantic Gymnastics League announced Thursday that Pitt will host the 2021 EAGL Championship, taking place at the Petersen Events Center on Saturday, March 20.

Petersen Events Center to host 2021 EAGL Championship

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • March 5, 2021
It will be the first time Pitt’s hosted the event since 2016, and the first time at the Pete since 2004.
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke. (TPN File photo)

Pitt to announce plans for Victory Heights

By Janine Faust, Editor-in-chief • January 13, 2020
Heather Lyke and Chancellor Patrick Gallagher will discuss the new project at a news conference in the Petersen Event Center, scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Pitt is ranked 137th out of the NCAA Division I’s 295 sports teams in Learfield IMG College Director’s Cup’s recent ranking.

Lyke responds to low Pitt sports rankings

By Brian Gentry, Senior Staff Writer • July 9, 2019
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke acknowledged the low rankings and said the Panthers hoped to improve in the future.
Pitt retired Billy Knight's number 34 jersey in 1989.

Meet Pitt’s 2019 Hall of Fame inductees

By Emily Wolfe, Sports Editor • June 18, 2019
Former NBA all-star and Panther Billy Knight will be the Hall of Fame’s first chairperson.
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