Pitt chancellor Joan Gabel offered a brief snapshot Thursday of what she and her advisory committee are seeking in their quest to name a new athletic director to replace Heather Lyke, who was fired Monday.
“We are seeking a transformational leader to partner with university leadership in efforts to further elevate Pitt’s world-class student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans and donors,” Gabel said in a release.
She also appointed seven members to the advisory committee, including men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel and Pitt All-American and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the year Aaron Donald.
“We are honored that some outstanding members of our Pitt community have agreed to support the search as members of the advisory committee,” Gabel said.
The other committee members include:
• Former Pitt quarterback Pat Bostick, senior associate athletic director, major gifts.
• Dwayne Pinkney, executive senior vice chancellor for administration and finance and chief financial officer.
• Donna Sanft, former Pitt executive associate athletic director, gymnastics coach and associate dean of students.
• Former Pitt football letterman Peter Varischetti, a member of the Pitt Board of Trustees, president of Varischetti Holdings, LP, which owns a minority interest in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Sheila Velez Martinez, Pitt faculty athletics representative, University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Gabel said the university hired sports executive search firm TurnkeyZRG to aid in the hiring process.
“In the last 36 months, TurnkeyZRG has successfully placed the president of the NCAA; the commissioners of the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC; as well as dozens of athletic directors and head coaches across the landscape of college sports,” Gabel said.
