The Panther Pitt and The Panther Pitt Rally Towels

Did you Know . . .

The University of Pittsburgh seal is a variation on the coat of arms of William Pitt, first Earl of Chatham, who served as British Prime Minister in the 18th century.  When Pittsburgh became a city in 1816, it adopted Pitt’s coat of arms.

The Pitt Panther mascot was adopted at a meeting of students and alumni in the fall of 1909.

Given out for at least one football game every year, The Panther Pitt Rally Towels have become a trademark of the Pitt student section. The original rally towels were blue with a gold Panther Pitt logo, but the color scheme was reversed for the 2005 football season. Please see the photo gallery for images of the rally towels.

Inflatable Helmet Setup/Football Fridays

During home football game weeks, members of The Panther Pitt set up a giant inflatable football helmet on the Union Lawn. During the Friday of that week, we sponsor "Football Fridays". Football Fridays allow us to serve as a "gameday information station," meeting students and answering any questions they have about the upcoming game. We also distribute cheer sheets, Inspiring Pitt Pride stickers, spirit bracelets and more! Generally, the purpose of Football Fridays is to get students excited for upcoming games.

The Hail to Pitt Flag

This great new tradition gives every student an opportunity to be on the football field during the pregame ceremony, in front of thousands of cheering Pitt fans. The flag is 50 yards long and The Panther Pitt selects 100 students to carry it for each home football game. The flag tradition began in 2005 as part of our "Inspiring Pitt Pride" campaign.

"Behind the Scenes" Involvement

Throughout the football and basketball seasons, members of The Panther Pitt are invited to get more closely involved with the Athletic Department's game day operations. In 2005, members of The Panther Pitt had opportunities to serve as athletic greeters, field assistants for instant replays, spotlight operators, camera utility assistants, and handled "quick stats" in the production room.

Meet the Coaches

These events started with "Meet Coach Wannstedt," in April of 2005. The goal of the event was to allow students to meet our new coach and promote awareness of the upcoming Blue/Gold scrimmage. The event drew over 1000 students to the Petersen Events Center Lobby to enjoy free Burger King food, great raffle prizes, and interactions with the football team. The event was so successful that we held a similar basketball tipoff event in the fall, (which again drew over 1000 students!). We hope to continue these events for both football and basketball throughout many years to come.

The Bonfire

Sponsored by the Pitt Program Council. Stop by the bonfire on the Cathedral Lawn and get a free t-shirt, interact with all of Pitt's student athletes, catch performances by the Pitt pep band, cheerleaders, and dance team. Also featuring Coach Wannstedt and the team, video footage, music, and more.

The Homecoming Fireworks and Laser Extravaganza

Sponsored by the Pitt Program Council, this event takes place the night before the Homecoming game. Listen to music and watch the fireworks and laser display as a panther climbs the Cathedral of Learning.Laser Show Images

The Oakland Zoo

Much like The Panther Pitt, the Oakland Zoo serves as the official student section during Panthers basketball games.

Pitt Stadium

Gone, but not forgotten- Pitt Stadium was torn down following the 1999 football season to make room for the Petersen Events Center, and new dormitories such as Pennsylvania Hall. Pitt's on-campus football stadium hosted its last game on Nov. 13, 1999, as the Panthers defeated the Fighting Irish in a stunning 37-27 victory. Luckily, the spirit of Pitt Stadium was captured in a box during that game and has since been released in Heinz Field.

Fitzgerald Field House

Home of the basketball teams until the Petersen Events Center opened in 2002. However, the Field House still acts as a home for several other Pitt sports teams.

Pitt Logos

The script Pitt was perhaps the most familiar Pitt logo until former athletic director Steve Pederson was hired in 1997. Pederson replaced the script Pitt logo with the more modern "torch-cut" Pitt logo.  Nostalgic Pitt fans can still be found sporting the former logo, and occasionally some "throwback" items featuring it are produced as well. In 2005, fans were treated to a "throwback day," where the football team wore uniforms from the Pitt Script era. On April 14, 2005, athletic director Jeff Long officially brought back the "Pitt" moniker as he unveiled a new and improved block Pitt logo.

Panther Logos

The current Panther logo was created in 1997, replacing the "script Pitt" that had been featured as Pitt's predominant logo since 1970. Prior to 1970, however, combinations of a full-bodied Panther and a block Pitt were the most commonly used University marks. Recent uniforms also featured the eyetooth emblem, which was most prominently displayed on the neckline of the football uniforms and on the helmets as a sticker awarded for outstanding plays.

The Panther Prowl, Pregame Concert, and March to Victory

Two hours prior to kickoff, the team buses pull up to Heinz Field. Dressed in suits, the players put on their game faces and stoically walk by their awaiting fans as the band plays the fight songs. The band then gives the crowd a sneak preview of their featured halftime show songs. Following the pregame concert, the band travels to the other side of PNC Park only to march back to Heinz Field, alerting all the tailgating fans in the parking lots that game time has arrived!

The Pregame Show

Drums thunder in the darkness, whistles sound, and the crowd pauses as smoke begins rolling onto the field through the open gates of the 'hole'. First one ghostly form appears in the cloud, then a multitude, and the crowd roars as the announcer proclaims "Presenting your University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band!".

The pregame show begins with a fanfare by the herald trumpet players. As the heralds run off the field, the drumline emerges from a cloud of smoke for a quick performance as they form a 'P' on the field and the familiar sound of the "run cadence" begins. The rest of the band "runs" onto the field and joins the drumline in the "pregame block," as they begin to high step in time to the Victory March. The Golden Girls and the drum major emerge from the crowd, and the drum major does a backbend allowing the tip of his plume to touch the center of the 50 yardline (resulting in a loud cheer from the student section). The tempo picks up and the Victory March becomes the Pitt Victory Song while the band moves the block formation up the field. Once the block reaches the center of the field, the Star Spangled Banner and the Pitt Alma Mater are generally played while the band members remain motionless. Then the band breaks into "Hail to Pitt," playing both the verse and the chorus until they spell out "PITT" on the field. Then, the band moves the "PITT" down the field to a "P-I-T-T" cheer, and they break into the "pregame tunnel". Some infamous and familiar video clips are shown, and a special guest announces that "YOU are the Panthers!" The jumbotron enters the team locker room and the players appear poised, focused, and full of confidence as they make their way onto the field. The band breaks into the fight songs and the team runs through the "tunnel" they have created, greeted by thunderous cheers and applause from 65,000 screaming fans. Finally, the band marches off the field as the team captains enter for the coin toss.

The Panther Growl

Fires the 12th man up- when you hear the growl, wave the towel!

The Heinz Ketchup Red Zone

Every time the Panthers offense drives into the "red zone" (beyond the opponent's 20 yardline), the crowd goes wild as two giant Heinz ketchup bottles open, tilt, and pour "ketchup" out from above the scoreboard..."give me a K-E-T-CHUP!"

Student Groups

Black Action Society

Each year the BAS sponsor Indaba. Indaba is a Zulu word which means “gathering” or “get together.” It is a program designed to show Black Pitt freshman what the Black Action Society has to offer.  The Indaba program is important in the lives of first year students because it introduces them to the people and organizations that designed to help then succeed at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Take Back the Night

Campus Women’s organization hosts this event.  It is help every semester to raise awareness of sexual assault.  The group usually acknowledges the night by starting out with a march around campus, accompanied by the chanting and rallying.  The evening also includes a self-defense workshop, a poetry reading and a “speak-out” where sexual assault victims share their stories.

Greek Week

Greek week is a 20 year old tradition.  It is a week of fun that the fraternities and sororities put together for students and faculty to enjoy, while raising funds for a local charity. 

Engineering Week

Engineering Week, a 50 year tradition, consists of many activities—Float building, Slots, the Parade, Pittopoly, Talent Show, Enginuity and the Blood Drive.