Football schedules due soon
The science of scheduling in college football is extremely intricate, done years and sometimes nearly a decade in advance. For Pitt, what exist now as open dates over the next several years might soon be filled.
In a meeting with reporters Thursday, athletic director Heather Lyke intimated that the athletic department is close to finalizing games on Pitt’s upcoming football schedules, a source of constant consternation and speculation for the Panthers’ fan base.
“I think we have one more contract to get in and then we’ll be able to reveal I don’t know how many years’ worth, but several years’ worth of non-conference scheduling,” Lyke said.
Pitt’s non-conference schedule is filled for the next two seasons, but beyond that, it has just one non-conference game scheduled for the 2021 season, two for the 2022, three for 2023, two for 2024 and 2025, as well as one for each season from 2026-28.
Wednesday, Delaware revealed its 2019 schedule, which has the Blue Hens playing Pitt Sept. 28, rather than the originally announced Aug. 31. With that switch, it’s unknown who the Panthers will open next season against, but with the ACC Network launching next fall, it stands to reason Pitt’s first opponent may well be from within its conference.
Facility improvements
In April, Lyke announced her vision for a project dubbed “Victory Heights,” a collection of athletic facilities on the upper campus that would house volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics and track and field.
That’s not the only facility enhancement underway. Lyke said Thursday that a plan to add a third floor to the Petersen Sports Complex — which includes the home stadiums for men’s and women’s soccer, baseball and softball — has gotten the green light. The additions would provide team meeting and film rooms, as well as offices for coaches.
Honoring shooting victims
In the wake of the shooting Saturday, in which a 46year-old man is accused of killing 11 people at Squirrel Hill’s Tree of Life synagogue, Pitt’s teams will wear warm-up shirts reading “Stronger Than Hate,” with the Pitt script and a Star of David above it.
It was revealed Wednesday that the Panthers’ football team will wear helmets Friday against Virginia with a decal at the bottom reading “Pittsburgh Strong,” with a Star of David between the two words.