Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke was once fired Monday, the varsity introduced, mentioning a want to assistance the varsity navigate “a new era in college athletics.”
“Upon her arrival at Pitt in 2017, Heather guided our program through a unique period in college athletics and we thank her for her leadership during that time,” chancellor Joan Gabel mentioned in a remark. “However, as we enter a new era in college athletics, one that seems to change by the day, we need a new vision and a new leader of our athletics department.”
Lyke and Gabel, officially inaugurated as Pitt’s chancellor in April, didn’t see sight to sight on quite a few problems, together with NIL, resources informed ESPN.
Government assistant athletic director Jennifer Tuscano will provide as intervening time athletic director till an enduring AD is rented.
In a remark posted to social media Monday evening, Lyke thanked the varsity’s coaches, personnel, student-athletes and supporters and mentioned she took “immense pride in the culture we have built within our athletic department, across our campus, and our community.”
“At the end of the day, you win with people and our winning-culture is directly attributed to our staff, coaches, donors and fans who have meaningfully impacted Pitt Athletics and our student-athletes for years to come,” she mentioned within the remark.
Thanks for a memorable seven years with @Pitt_ATHLETICS @PittTweet #H2P At your comfort, please learn my hooked up remark. pic.twitter.com/fOk0YW9fgb
— Heather Lyke (@HeatherRLyke) September 9, 2024
Right through her Pitt tenure, Lyke helped elevate the profile of all of the athletics segment: The soccer crew gained the ACC championship in 2021; the ladies’s volleyball crew complex to its first 3 ultimate fours; and males’s football complex to the School Cup two times within the date 4 seasons. Simply ultimate occasion, the Nationwide Affiliation of Collegiate Administrators of Athletics venerated her as a 2023 Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Date Award recipient.
In an interview with ESPN previous this occasion, Lyke was once requested how she felt about her long-term past at Pitt. “I feel great about it,” she mentioned. “I love it. I love the people. I love my new chancellor. We’ve got an awesome board. I’ve got an awesome group of coaches and the right number of sports. I’m a Midwest kid. It fits me. I’m really happy.”
Lyke, alternatively, was once just lately a finalist for the Northwestern AD task, and he or she have been brazenly in quest of alternative jobs lately — together with at Ohio Environment previous this occasion. Her promise was once poised to run out in June 2025, and even though she and the varsity have been having conversations on an extension, they might no longer come to an oath.
