THE UNIVERSITY
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR STEVE PEDERSON
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baseball, softball and men’s and watch continues to thrive and grow. 50,000-watt flagship home in women’s soccer teams. Built on His ability to galvanize people and Sportsradio 93.7 “The Fan.” 12 acres at the peak of upper programs prompted Pitt chancellor Women’s basketball also has a campus, the facility not only gives Mark Nordenberg to say, “In my new radio home in 1320 WJASPitt student-athletes nationally judgment, and this assessment is AM, which provides live play-bycompetitive facilities, but it also shared by countless others, Steve play action of each regularhas rejuvenated a previously Pederson is one of this country’s season and postseason game, untapped area of land that most talented and accomplished marking the first time the neighbors the university. athletic directors.” women’s program has enjoyed By any measure – be it victories A record $7.6 million raised in such coverage. on the field of play, student-athlete donations to the Panther Club An athletics apparel partnership graduation rates or rising annual fund, which subsidizes with NIKE, making the Panthers attendance figures – the Panthers scholarships for Pitt studentone of the finest outfitted are enjoying a highly accomplished athletes. The record total was programs in the country. Each of era. achieved despite the recently the Panthers’ 19 intercollegiate The past academic year provided challenging economic times that sports teams wear NIKE footwear, much excitement and achievement all supporters of collegiate uniforms, practice gear and for Pitt Athletics. Men’s basketball athletics face. equipment. The long-term added to its trophy case by winning The hiring of new football coach agreement outfits more than 450 The role of the 21st century the Big East Conference Todd Graham. One of the rising student-athletes at Pitt. athletic director is increasingly championship and earning a No. 4 stars in the collegiate coaching Rapidly rising attendance figures. being viewed in business terms. ranking in the final Associated Press ranks while building a perennial Men’s basketball once again Once seen as educational poll. The Panthers advanced to their contender at the University of enjoyed a strong homecourt extensions of the larger institution, Tulsa, Graham has the Panther advantage with the 12,508-seat athletic departments these days are 10th consecutive NCAA Basketball Nation excited about his “highPetersen Events Center soldout considered by some to be separate Tournament, the longest active streak in the rugged Big East. The octane” style of football. “When for a ninth consecutive year, corporate entities. wrestling team also raised you consider a new job, you have while attendance for Pitt football While Steve Pederson certainly championship banners, winning the to make sure the situation is the at Heinz Field has jumped nearly understands his CEO Eastern Wrestling League dual and right fit,” Graham said. “Upon 60% over the past three years. responsibilities in this age of tournament titles. Moreover, the meeting Steve Pederson, it was collegiate athletics, he works football team earned its eighth bowl obvious that the University of This success – on the field, in the diligently to ensure the Pitt athletic berth since 2000, the softball team Pittsburgh would absolutely be classroom and various other areas – department remains a direct won a record 34 games while the right fit. I’m incredibly excited comes as no surprise to those reflection of the University of about the future of not only Pitt familiar with Pederson’s track Pittsburgh and its guiding values of baseball won 30-plus games for the third consecutive year. football but our athletic record. His return to Pitt in education, commitment and Individually, Pitt student-athletes department as a whole.” November 2007 gave the Pitt mentoring. earned All-America and Academic A new media partnership with Athletic Department an instant shot “We will work hard to win,” All-America honors, while CBS Radio Pittsburgh, providing of adrenaline that continues to be Pederson likes to say. “But we will continuing to graduate and achieve Pitt football and basketball with a felt, and built upon, four years later. work harder to win the right way. in the classroom at unprecedented We want Pitt Athletics to reflect the levels. An impressive 290 studentvery best attributes of this great athletes earned grade-point university and its educational averages of 3.0 or above this past mission.” year, including 25 who achieved In speaking to Pitt’s graduating perfect 4.0 GPAs. senior student-athletes this past Each of Pitt’s 19 intercollegiate spring, Pederson said, “When you athletic programs met or surpassed come to a great university like Pitt the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate and earn your degree, the world is (APR) standards. Two Pitt teams, open to whatever you want to men’s basketball and gymnastics, achieve next. received special recognition for “In athletics, you learn quickly that nothing is handed to you – you ranking among the top 10% in their sport among Division I programs. earn everything you get. That will And Pitt student-athletes again serve you well in life. That will made their presence felt in the separate you from the rest – the community, contributing more than drive that it takes to achieve at the 2,600 hours of charitable work for highest level.” various organizations around The key to accomplishment, Western Pennsylvania in 2010-11. Pederson believes, is aspiration – While Pitt student-athletes were the Panthers will work hard and aim achieving on the field and in the high in every endeavor. That philosophy resonates with each Pitt classroom, Pederson continued to orchestrate important initiatives student-athlete and staffer, and is from an administrative standpoint, the driving spirit behind his including: department mantra of “Only Big Dreams.” The opening of the sparkling new Using those values as a Petersen Sports Complex, a foundation, the Pitt Athletic Jamie Dixon and Steve Pederson after Pitt announced Dixon’s contract extension on Sept. 25, 2008. state-of-the-art home for Pitt’s Department under Pederson’s