New Pitt AD Heather Lyke was officially introduced yesterday, and she is "taking over an athletic department that is not in quite that dire of straits, but is in need of improvement to compete with the best in the ACC," according to Lance Lysowski of DKPITTSBURGHSPORTS.com. Former Pitt AD Scott Barnes "focused on fundraising to help increase coaching salaries and recruiting budgets during his tenure." But Pitt Vice Chancellor of Research & Compliance Randy Juhl, who had been serving as acting AD since Barnes' departure for Oregon State, said there is work to be done for Pitt to be a “full-fledged member” of the ACC. Lysowski wrote this is a "pivotal time for Pitt’s athletic department with the ACC’s television network set to launch" in '19. Facility-wise, the football program’s half of the Rooney Sports Complex "received a makeover" in '15 and "more work will be completed this spring." Lyke said that she has "yet to assess what the department’s specific needs are moving forward, but said her experience at Eastern Michigan demonstrated she has the vision to execute those type of ambitious plans." Lyke’s vision and background "differ from that of Barnes', but the pair share one strength" that Pitt President Patrick Gallagher "said is important for every university in the country: fundraising." Lyke's time as Eastern Michigan AD included a "record for cash gifts and total donors" in '16 (DKPITTSBURGHSPORTS.com, 3/20). In Pittsburgh, Brian Batko notes Lyke at EMU was "mostly known for attempting to reinvigorate a failing football team." Gallagher called her "a turnaround specialist" for those endeavors" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 3/21).
IN NEED OF A LEADER: In Pittsburgh, Kevin Gorman noted Lyke since '13 "oversaw a turnaround" in the EMU football program, a 100% "increase in football ticket sales [and] record-breaking success in academics and fundraising." Lyke's predecessors at Pitt are best known for the "damage they did to the athletic department." Former AD Steve Pederson "changed everything, from the school's name and logo to its colors and uniforms," while Jeff Long "tried to change everything back, but in a half-hearted attempt by going with the block Pitt." The Pitt football program "appears headed in the right direction," but it "needs someone to steer it toward success, not interfere" (TRIBLIVE.com, 3/20). Also in Pittsburgh, Ron Cook writes, "Lyke’s work in the months and maybe even years ahead will determine if Pitt made the right decision by hiring her as its third athletic director in the past 27 months." Her "toughest and most important challenge is to work with [football coach] Pat Narduzzi to make the football program relevant." Cook: "Nothing else at Pitt should really matter until the football program gets it right. ... Lyke has plenty of work to do." While she "revitalized" the EMU football program, the Pitt job is a "big step up." Pitt also "faces the challenges of being in a pro town and not having an on-campus stadium" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 3/21).
