PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Penguins organization announced a $500,000 investment to the Ammon Recreation Center in the Hill District on Monday. It fulfills a commitment to the community around PPG Paints Arena. You might hear about that gift and wonder what exactly do they do at Ammon?
You may have heard about the Ammon Rec Center because of its Summer League basketball program. It’s the most popular activity where young people come from all over to play in games where teams play each other in various age groups. They also have a park with an outdoor swimming pool and more.
Former Pitt star and Duquesne head coach Darelle Porter is the Executive Director of the Ozanam Program held at Ammon. He said 500-600 people go through the facility over the course of a year. They don’t take attendance, nor ask for names. He said the programs are free to all, with the exception of a fee for the cost of refs for the Summer League games.
However, the center is more than just a free gym. Porter said their most important program is the ‘Homework Out’ initiative. College students (many athletes) from Pitt, Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne volunteer their time to work as tutors assisting with after school work and test-prep. There are opportunities for STEM and coding programs, mental health groups, health and wellness time in the gym. They also provide a snack and dinner. All of this, just like it was when Porter attended the facility, is free of charge.
Pitt athletes, from all teams, are common visitors. They’ll not only spend time with the kids, but create relationships. Some came from similar backgrounds and, knowingly or not, will become role models or at least examples for the youth to see.
“They can actually touch them now,” Porter told 93.7 The Fan. “They can relate to them and we’ve had several participants in our program end up attending Pitt.”
No one as impactful as Sam Clancy. A part of the Panthers athletic department and recently had his basketball number retired at Pitt, Clancy was Porter’s counselor a few years ago. Porter said they see Clancy all the time. The All-American helps arrange tickets to a number of Panthers events and Clancy will be there when they do.
Porter, who was recognized in 2024 with the ACC UNITE Award for making an impact in areas of racial and social justice, said over the years he’s had so many people come back who were a part of their programs. Most didn’t make it as athletes, but as he put it ‘made it in life’.
For information about the programs at the Ammon Recreation Center go to ozanaminc.org