University of Pittsburgh Athletics
From The Desk of Allen Greene (Sept. 3, 2026)
9/3/2026 9:45:00 AM | General
Dear Pitt Athletics Family,
There's a buzz in the air at this time every year as a new school year begins. Whether you're driving through the Fort Pitt Tunnel to the sight of our amazing city for the first time, or you're a lifelong Yinzer, everyone beams with pride when talking about our University, city and athletics program.
With football season set to kick off on Saturday, there is real forward momentum building across our entire department. That momentum did not happen by accident and it hasn't always been visible.
Our staff has spent the past year and a half doing quiet, determined work behind the scenes, rebuilding infrastructure, forming new partnerships and laying groundwork with the same grit that this city has always been known for.
That same tenacity and determination are what built The Gold Standard, our new three-year strategic plan that will guide every decision we make going forward. We shared this plan on Tuesday and it is organized around five pillars: Student-Athlete Experience; Competitive Excellence; Revenue Generation and Resource Acquisition; Engagement and Brand Advancement; and Operational Excellence. Each reflects a deliberate choice about where we must invest, grow and lead, and together they guide every new partnership, investment and decision across our 19 sport programs and support units.
At the center of all of it is our commitment to the holistic student-athlete experience, supporting our student-athletes not just as competitors but as students and as people, from the moment they step onto our campus for the first time to the moment they walk across the graduation stage. Everything else in this plan exists to serve that commitment.
You have already seen The Gold Standard at work. This summer, we've launched H2PNIL, our comprehensive platform to elevate student-athlete NIL support made possible by the generosity of Pittsburgh's business community. We've also rolled out a revamped multimedia content, anchored by our Beyond The Script weekly podcast. Our goal is to bring you, our fans, closer to the action and help you feel connected with the student-athletes, coaches and programs you support every day. We've also announced our restructured Varsity Letter Club, with new programming and initiatives meant to make sure our Forever Panthers feel welcomed back every time they return to campus. All of it is intentional, purposeful and tangible proof of what this plan looks like in practice.
The National Landscape
College athletics continues to evolve at the federal level. The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 recently advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee with strong bipartisan support and the full Senate is expected to take it up this fall. The bill addresses a range of issues, including name, image and likeness rights, agent oversight, scholarship and health protections, and safeguards for women's and Olympic sports. We are watching this legislation closely, as it will shape the environment our student-athletes compete in for years to come. Whether it passes or not, we will meet the moment. We have been planning for this shift and are prepared to adapt as the landscape continues to take shape.
I was also recently appointed to the NCAA Division I Cabinet, a role that gives Pitt a seat at the table as these national conversations take shape. I take that responsibility seriously, and I look forward to representing the Atlantic Coast Conference and our student-athletes' interests as the landscape continues to change.
Building the Business of Pitt Athletics
This has also been a landmark stretch for our department off the field. Last week, we announced an expanded partnership with UPMC, one of the most significant in our history. The agreement includes three core components: a new UPMC patch on Pitt Football jerseys, presenting sponsor status of Panther Women's Sports and premium signage opportunities at the new Victory Heights Sports Performance Center and Arena. It reflects UPMC's belief in the direction of Pitt Athletics.
This week, we announced our new, co-branded debit card with Clearview Federal Credit Union, another example of the kind of everyday, fan-connected partnerships we are prioritizing under The Gold Standard.
As you'll see Saturday, more partners have stepped up to support Pitt Athletics this summer, and there will be tangible proof of those partnerships not only on tarps in Acrisure Stadium, but also in many other ways in the days ahead.
None of our success is possible without the generosity of our Panther Club donors. This past year was a record-setting one for philanthropy at Pitt Athletics. New gifts and commitments grew 53.6% to the second-highest total in program history, and cash in hand grew 11.5% to an all-time record. That kind of investment fuels everything from scholarships to facilities to the championship experiences our student-athletes deserve, and it is a direct reflection of the pride this community has in what we are building.
Investing in the Fan Experience
Every decision we make about the stadium environment, from our updated ticketing strategy to gameday atmosphere, is being made to give our fans a better experience and our student-athletes a better environment to compete in. As part of that work, we are moving forward with a reseat and repark process at Acrisure Stadium ahead of the 2027 season.
This is a volatile period in college athletics and to remain competitive we must generate more revenue to support our student-athletes. I recognize that not every decision we make is going to be popular and I understand the frustration that comes with disrupting our most loyal fans. However, at the end of the day, we want everyone to enjoy game day. Our focus will always be on creating the best environment for our student-athletes to compete, and the most fun, most electric one for you to be a part of.
To that end, our team has spent the last nine months working to create a better fan experience. From the time you park until the time you're back in your car after a Panther win, it's going to be a party on the North Shore that you won't want to miss. And we have some new elements for night games this year, so stay tuned for a big announcement before our Sept. 17 game against Syracuse. Show up, cheer loud, bring your friends and your family, and let's give our team a home field advantage they can feel every time they take the field.
Our Student-Athletes
Football remains the engine that drives so much of what we are able to do across our department, and Coach Narduzzi's program embodies the same grit that defines this city. At the same time, our fall sports are off to strong starts across the board: volleyball is ranked No. 2 and 4-0 with three wins over ranked teams, our two soccer programs are rolling, and cross country begins tomorrow at Schenley Park. Every one of our 19 sport programs matters to this department, and we remain committed to making thoughtful, strategic investments that help each one compete.
Off the field, our student-athletes turned in another outstanding academic year. That success is a direct reflection of the holistic student-athlete experience we are committed to at every stage, from the freshman just finding their footing to the senior closing out their Pitt career. Sustaining that level of academic performance, year after year, is one of our clearest measures of whether this program is doing right by the young people in it.
What's Ahead
Personally, it's exciting to see months of hard work coming to fruition. There is much more ahead, but every day we strive to set The Gold Standard.
Since joining the ACC, Pitt Football is one of just four programs to win a conference title and has the third-most ACC wins over that span. But winning championships, and sustaining that level of success, requires continued investment.
Doing so requires continued investment in our coaches, our student-athletes and our program. It requires philanthropic support through the Panther Club. It requires adding new season ticket holders and annual fund support to sustain all 19 of our sport programs. It requires creating a great home-field advantage at Acrisure Stadium. It requires more businesses and companies to partner with H2PNIL to support our student-athletes. Fans, donors, season ticket holders and corporate partners are the lifeblood of this athletic department, and we will never waver from our mission to represent the University of Pittsburgh and this city with the standards and pride you deserve.
You are a huge part of the momentum that is building, something this whole city can be proud of. Thank you, as always, for your support of Pitt Athletics.
Hail to Pitt!
C. Allen Greene
Director of Athletics
