Oakland Zoo Kicks Off 2022-23 Pitt Basketball Season

On Tuesday night at the Petersen Events Center, the Oakland Zoo hosted its first meeting of the year, kicking off the 2022-23 Pitt basketball season.

The Zoo, Pitt’s student section for both men’s and women’s basketball, is proud to be entering its 22nd year as an organization. This year’s Oakland Zoo will be led by club president Austin Hogeboom and a team of students who riled up fans of the program on Tuesday night.

Photo via @Pitt_MBB on Twitter.

“Just how nuts we go for 40 minutes,” Hogeboom said when asked why he loves the Oakland Zoo. “This is our 22nd season, and every year, it’s a spectacle. It really is one of the best parts about college basketball, and we’re really excited to once again put on our shirts and go cheer on our team and make this one of the best environments in all of college basketball.”

The Zoo also unveiled its 2022-23 season shirts on Tuesday night.

Bridging then to now🔥
Our ‘22-‘23 Zoo Shirt is here‼️#H2P #ZooEra pic.twitter.com/DWbdj8dzJA

— Oakland Zoo (@OaklandZoo) October 19, 2022

On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Panthers men’s team will take on Clarion in an exhibition game, followed by another exhibition against Edinboro on Nov. 2. Then, the Panthers will finally begin their regular season on Nov. 7 against UT Martin at the Petersen Events Center.

“I’m really excited for this new roster that we have here at Pitt this year,” Hogeboom told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “We had a great influx of new transfers. Coach Capel stood by his word, and as a student, as a fan, to see your head coach go out there, and to see that staff go out there and follow through on their word and get some great new transfers, we’ve got Hinson, we’ve got Federiko, and of course Nelly Cummings, the hometown kid. We’ve got some great guys that are going to contribute. [We’re] really excited for the season, and I know the Zoo is going to be crazy.”

Pitt’s women’s team will kick off its season on Nov. 7 at Coppin State. The Panthers will play their home opener on Nov. 12 at the Petersen Events Center against George Mason.