For Pitt to have success ‘it’s going to take everybody’

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For Pitt to get back to where its fans want, athletic director Allen Greene said they need those same fans to be a part of their success.

“The athletics department and the university have pushed all of our chips in on football and men’s basketball,” Greene said Thursday. “What is needed now is for the community to push their chips in. The more we can do that, the better we are going to be and the better chance we are going to have better success.”

“Competing for conference championships consistently and also making some noise on the national level, it’s going to take everybody.”

Last week, the Panthers wrestling program got a $10 million anonymous gift. Greene called that the perfect example of someone putting their money where their mouth is.

But it’s just not those donations Greene said help the Panthers cause.

“Gifts of all sizes matter and have an impact,” Greene said. “For those that are waiting or wanting the billionaire to fund everything, that is not the only game plan we have in our arsenal. Everyone has an opportunity to make a difference. Now is the time for them to do something.”

Sometimes that support is just what you say about Pitt. How you defend the university and take pride in all it does

“Just support and be positive about your team,” Greene said. “If someone wants to talk about your team that you as a fan, you are not going to let someone disrespect your family. If Pittsburgh is the City of Champions, this is our opportunity to demonstrate it.”

Greene said it’s incumbent on all to act like they are in the City of Champions.

“And what that means is that we are opponent agnostic,” Greene said. “That we show up to games regardless of who we are playing, regardless of day of the week, regardless of time. We show up and we support our team.”

“It’s incumbent that local businesses understand and recognize that a stronger Pitt athletics is a stronger Pitt. A stronger Pitt means that we get better talent as students. Those students then become employees of these companies which then produces a better Pittsburgh and/or it drives revenue for their local businesses.”

Pitt AD on belief in Jeff Capel & Panthers basketball

Spending level

Now in his second year, the Panthers AD said in terms of the money they have to spend on athletics, they are competitive in the ACC. He said if you put the ACC in four quadrants, they are in the second tier, likely upper second tier, behind Miami, Florida State, Clemson and now Virginia Tech in terms of football spending. He put Duke and Louisville into the mix of upper echelon teams when it comes to men’s basketball spending.

On campus stadium

It comes up nearly every time we talk to a Pitt athletic director. What about building an on-campus football stadium? Especially after tarping off the upper deck for home games at Acrisure Stadium.

“We’ve reduced capacity so we can have a better fan experience, it’s probably too premature to talk about an on-campus stadium,” Greene said. “Right now, we have a relationship with the Steelers down at Acrisure and we are going to work our tails off to bring Pitt to the North Shore.”

Greene said there have been conversations about the future of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the Southside that is now 25 years old. They are early conversations, but space is becoming an issue with growing staff sizes for both teams.

Pitt football

Coming off an 8-5 season, Greene is confident about where the football program is going. Greene said Pat Narduzzi has done a good job of developing talent. He believes that’s cost him some good players, including Rasheem Biles and Kenny Johnson, who transferred this year.

“He’s made a lot of money by being a better player at Pitt and for Pitt, so I think our fans ought to be happy and proud that we are producing really talented athletes,” Greene said of Biles and others who might move on.

“Great days are ahead for Pitt football. We are excited for the opportunity to represent the City of Pittsburgh.”