On Monday, Pitt chancellor Joan Gabel informed Director of Athletics Heather Lyke that she was being relieved of her duties.
Lyke, who was hired as the Panthers’ Director of Athletics in 2017 and extended in 2019, was fired Monday morning, the University announced. Her contract was up later this year, but Gabel wanted to athletic department to move in a new direction immediately.
To recap the events of the wild day, I have compiled all of our stories on Pittsburgh Sports Now from Monday’s events below. Check out all of the latest on Lyke at the links below.
BREAKING NEWS STORY
Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke Fired by University
COLUMN BY MIKE VUKOVCAN
Vukovcan: Plenty of Reasons Pitt Decided Heather Lyke Had to Go
PAT NARDUZZI DISCUSSES LYKE IN PRESS CONFERENCE
WATCH: Pat Narduzzi Discusses Heather Lyke, Backyard Brawl
PAT NARDUZZI ISSUES STATEMENT ON LYKE:
Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi Issues Statement on Heather Lyke Firing
LYKE SAYS GOODBYE TO PITT
Former Director of Athletics Heather Lyke Says Goodbye to Pitt
PITT FANS REACT TO NEWS OF LYKE’S FIRING
Pitt Fans React to Heather Lyke News
Lyke reflected upon the decision, and her time in Pittsburgh, via a social media post on Monday night.
“Today, I reflected on the wise words from a mentor: ‘If you leave a place better than you found it, you can be proud of your work.’ Those words ring true for me,” Lyke said in a statement on social media. “I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of the student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors and community members that I have had the privilege to serve alongside at the University of Pittsburgh. This great university’s reputation and standing in intercollegiate athletics has never been stronger — a testament to the work of so many during my tenure.”
The NACDA awarded her the 2023 Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year, and she was a finalist for the Sports Business Journal Athletic Director of the Year award. In 2022-23 alone, Pitt hit its highest points total in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup and football, men’s basketball, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer and wrestling all experienced high levels of success.
Heather Lyke thanked the Pitt community for the love she felt during her seven years in Pittsburgh.
“Thank you to the greater Pittsburgh community for all we have done together and for warmly embracing my family and me … I wish you all the best and look forward to what the future holds.”
