Staff Picks: Much to be thankful for within Pitt Athletics
By Staff
November 20, 2018
Filed under Sports
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, The Pitt News Sports Staff took some time to reflect on what they are thankful for when it comes to Pitt Athletics.
Pitt Announces Addition of Women’s Lacrosse Team in 2021
By Tessa Sayers, Assistant Sports Editor
November 1, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke announced the addition of the women’s lacrosse team on Thursday, its first season will be in spring 2022. Pitt’s last varsity sports addition was over 20 years ago when women’s softball was added in 1998.
Mike Bell named new Pitt baseball head coach
By Hannah Schneider, Sports Editor
July 14, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Former associate head coach at Florida State Mike Bell will take over as head coach of Pitt Baseball.
Joe Jordano resigns as baseball coach
By Hannah Schneider and Joanna Li
June 21, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Joe Jordano resigned as head coach of Pitt’s baseball team Thursday night, according to a report from the Post-Gazette. An official announcement released by the University Friday afternoon confirmed his resignation. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead this program with integrity, pas...
A new path for champions: Lyke discusses renovations, new hires, athletic culture
By Joanna Li | Senior Staff Writer
May 30, 2018
Filed under Sports
As Pitt’s highly anticipated McCarl Hall of Champions is under construction, Panther fans can expect the changes to continue — Pitt’s athletic innovation will extend up “cardiac hill” to all athletic facilities. In a question and answer roundtable discussion between Pitt athletic direct...
Column: Lyke is what Pitt Athletics needs for steady success
By Colin Martin | Staff Writer
May 30, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports Columns
The best way to build a strong athletic program involves consistency and a direction. It’s very difficult for schools to form their own identity with constantly changing leadership as Pitt has experienced over the past decade with seven different head football coaches. But Pitt now officially has...
Future ACC Studio offers opportunities for Pitt students
By Stephen Cuddy | Staff Writer
May 30, 2018
Filed under Sports
After claiming two conference championships, hiring new basketball coaches and entering the 2018-19 season with a promising young quarterback, Pitt Athletics seem to be entering a period of success. Further proof of that success is is the promise of a new media studio and the projected August 2019 ...
Lyke announces first class in Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame
By Hannah Schneider, Sports Editor
May 3, 2018
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
After sorting through more than 300 nominations, it should come as no surprise that the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee chose Panther Football stars Tony Dorsett, Dan Marino and Mike Ditka as inaugural members of Pitt’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Some of the inductees — like class of 191...
Pitt extends contract with Athletic Director Heather Lyke
By Joanna Li | Senior Staff Writer
May 1, 2018
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced last week a six-year extension to Athletic Director Heather Lyke’s contract. Lyke was hired in March 2017 to replace Scott Barnes — and she had a busy first year. “I am grateful to Chancellor Gallagher and our Board of Trustees for their belief in me, our team a...
Randy Waldrum brings change, experience to Pitt women’s soccer
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
April 3, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Sports Features
For a team that won just three games last year, hiring one of the most successful women’s soccer coaches in the country might seem unlikely. But that’s just what athletic director Heather Lyke announced in December with the hiring of Randy Waldrum to lead the struggling program. Waldrum has been coaching soccer for the last 30 years. He comes to Pitt as one of the winningest head coaches ...
Capel is more than capable
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
March 29, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Just when it looked like Pitt would be left out in the late March cold without a head coach, Athletic Director Heather Lyke, unlike her predecessor, made a bold decision. Lyke hired Duke assistant coach Jeff Capel Tuesday — 17 days after firing Kevin Stallings. Capel’s hiring comes as a pleasant...
Pitt introduces Jeff Capel as new head basketball coach
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
March 28, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke introduced Jeff Capel as the next men’s basketball coach during a ceremony at the Petersen Events Center Wednesday. The gym floor was packed with University students and staff, including Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, women’s head basketball coach Suzie McConnell-Ser...
‘Stallings 2.0:’ Fans react to Pitt’s reported interest in Mark Schmidt
By John Hamilton / Managing Editor
March 23, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
St. Bonaventure men's basketball coach Mark Schmidt interviewed for the vacant Pitt job Thursday, according to multiple reports. Days after learning Pitt offered Dan Hurley $3 million for the job, fans were underwhelmed -- to say the least -- that Pitt is considering Schmidt. https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/977230454217723904 https://twitter.co...
Fans, players react to Stallings’ firing
By Grant Burgman and Jordan Mondell | TPN Staff
March 12, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The firing of Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings didn’t come as a surprise to many fans and pundits. After a record-breaking losing season for the Panthers — going 8-25 overall and 0-19 in the ACC — a change of leadership was more than expected. But between reports of contentious contract ...
Lyke announces creation of Pitt Hall of Fame
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
January 22, 2018
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
Heather Lyke announced the creation of a Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame on Monday morning, according to a release from Pitt athletics. The Hall of Fame — the first of its kind at the University — will honor collegiate athletes and coaches who have built a legacy while at Pitt. “[Pitt athletics has] a his...
Narduzzi signs 7-year contract extension
By John Hamilton and Jordan Mondell / The Pitt News Staff
December 6, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
Pat Narduzzi signed a seven-year contract extension, Athletic Director Heather Lyke announced Wednesday, keeping Pitt’s football head coach around until at least 2024. Pitt is coming off a relatively disappointing season in which the Panthers finished with a 5-7 record and were ineligible for a bowl...
Column: Tarps a temporary cover for Pitt’s attendance problem
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
November 15, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Sports Columns
As the game clock at Heinz Field ticked down on the Panthers Thursday night, the already prevalent splotches of bright yellow seats grew as the paltry crowd dispersed. The team’s chances to beat a 1-6 North Carolina team were beginning to dwindle, and so was their present fan base. The idea to work on...
Pitt fires women’s soccer head coach Greg Miller
By Jordan Mondell / Assistant Sports Editor
November 3, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Pitt head women’s soccer coach Greg Miller will not return next season after six years with the program, according to a press release from Pitt Athletics Friday. In the press release, Athletic Director Heather Lyke thanked Miller for his time with the program and said she sees a brighter future for ...
Leave it to Lyke: Six months of progress
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Assistant Sports Editor
August 31, 2017
Filed under Sports Columns
When Scott Barnes resigned as athletic director last December, the Pitt athletic department was left without a leader for the second time in two years. Over the next five months, three head coaches had either retired or been fired, and the basketball program was in shambles. Things were looking down...
Column: ‘Sweet Caroline’ change not enough
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
August 27, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Sports Columns, Top Stories
The Pitt football program’s decision to alter the “Sweet Caroline” tradition was a step in the right direction for the team’s Heinz Field experience, but it could’ve — and should’ve — gone further. The unoriginal tradition of singing Neil Diamond’s 1969 tune has been a trademark o...
Stallings needs time to execute plan
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
August 21, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns
“No wonder the Bucs lost last night ... what a jackass.” “Tonight was probably the only setting in which [he] was not the most hated individual in the place.” “Maybe he will throw his back out and be done for the season.” This was the reaction on Twitter when Pitt men’s basketball ...
Lyke hires Cincinnati admin Brendan Fouracre
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
July 25, 2017
Filed under Sports
Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke hired a new administrator Monday as Brendan Fouracre has been named the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Capital Planning and Projects. In the position, Fouracre will be responsible for facility and event management and oversee all of the department’...
EMU admin Kelly Brennan joins Panthers
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
June 16, 2017
Filed under Sports
Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke has hired another administrator from Eastern Michigan, announcing Kelly Brennan as Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement Friday. Brennan is the third upper administrator to leave EMU for Pitt since Lyke’s arrival in March, joining Christi...
Hazelton hired as diving head coach
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
June 16, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke filled another head coaching position Thursday, hiring Katie Hazelton as diving head coach. Hazelton has spent the past four-and-a-half years with the Duke Diving Club and will take over for 38-year head coach Julian Krug, who retired in April. "We are thri...
Lyke hires EMU admin Chris Hoppe
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
June 13, 2017
Filed under Sports
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke hired another administrator from Eastern Michigan University Tuesday, naming Chris Hoppe to a new position — executive associate athletic director for sport administration and student-athlete support services. Hoppe is the second upper administrator Lyke has brought over fr...
Samantha Snider named gymnastics head coach
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
June 13, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Pitt gymnastics hired University of Arkansas Associate Head Coach Samantha Snider to be the third head coach in the history of the program Monday. Snider takes over for longtime coach Debbie Yohman, who retired in early May after 31 years with the Panthers. “We are thrilled to welcome Samantha Snider as the next head women’s gymnastics coach of the University of Pitts...
Lyke a pro: Pitt’s newest AD brings experience and enthusiasm
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Assistant Sports Editor
May 30, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Sports Features
Athletics are in Heather Lyke’s DNA. She never turned down the chance to play any sport while she was growing up. But it took two degrees — one in education, the other in law — for her to decide it was the athletic world she should remain in. Lyke is Pitt’s newest athletic director — the...
Pitt hires Christian Spears as deputy director of athletics
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
May 12, 2017
Filed under Sports
Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke named Christian Spears as the deputy director of athletics for external affairs Wednesday. Spears previously worked under Lyke for three years at Eastern Michigan University as deputy director. He has served as the interim athletic director at the school since Lyk...
Pitt gymnastics coach Debbie Yohman retires after 31 years
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
May 3, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Pitt gymnastics coach Debbie Yohman retired Tuesday morning after leading the team for more than three decades. Yohman was only the second coach in the history of Pitt gymnastics — which started in 1975. The program was very successful in her tenure, qualifying for 20 NCAA Regionals since she t...
Year in review: Five moments to remember in Pitt sports
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 24, 2017
Filed under Sports
The 2016-17 academic year will go down as one of the most memorable years in Pitt sports for a number of reasons. Several varsity programs underwent transitions, as high-profile coaches and administrators came and went. The basketball programs stumbled, but the football and volleyball teams excelled, ...
Women’s basketball renews Backyard Brawl
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
April 20, 2017
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
The Backyard Brawl is returning to yet another sport — women’s basketball. Pitt announced in a press release Thursday afternoon that its rivalry with the West Virginia University women’s basketball program will resume Dec. 7, in Morgantown, West Virginia. The rivalry — which has been dormant for fiv...
Pitt to host 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships at PPG Paints Arena
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 18, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
For the first time in more than 60 years, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are coming back to Pittsburgh. The NCAA awarded the city of Pittsburgh with the 2019 NCAA Championships on Tuesday afternoon, bringing the sport’s three-day championship event to PPG Paints Arena from March 21-23. ...
Pitt unveils brand-new $13.2 million club sports facility
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
April 18, 2017
Filed under Club Sports, Sports
Pitt students and club sports athletes received a much-needed facilities upgrade Monday morning, as the University officially opened the Pitt Sports Dome to the student body. The sunny sky and warm weather were in stark contrast to the dome’s primary purpose as a functional winter facility, somet...
Keith Gavin returning to Pitt as new head wrestling coach
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 14, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Heather Lyke made the first big hire of her tenure as Pitt’s athletic director Friday morning, naming former national champion Keith Gavin as the Panthers’ new head wrestling coach. “We are thrilled to announce Keith Gavin as the new head coach of the University of Pittsburgh wrestling progra...
Heather Lyke introduced as Pitt’s new athletic director
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 20, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Sports
Basketball season is over, but history was made Monday on the hardwood floor of the Petersen Events Center. Less than three months after Scott Barnes’ departure, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher hired Heather Lyke as Pitt’s new athletic director, making Lyke the first woman to serve as full-time a...