Pitt ‘Reveals’ It’s New Look
(Pittsburgh, PA)
“For the University of Pittsburgh, these colors speak to the amazing tradition of our athletic department. Legends in each sport at Pitt have worn these colors with pride and created a history of excellence. So, switching to the blue and gold colors that are historically synonymous with Pitt Athletics reconnects our current athletic department with our fans, former student athletes and all Pitt alumni. It’s going to be extremely exciting to watch future Pitt swimmers and divers compete in these colors.”- Pat Narduzzi, Pitt Football Head Coach
After much anticipation, the University of Pittsburgh Athletics department finally gave their students and sports fans what they’ve wanted for since the return of the original Pitt script in 2015: a return to the school’s original colors.
In a special ceremony simply titled ‘The Reveal: 4.7.19’ Pitt Athletics showcased all 19 of their sports’ new look with the slogan ‘Respect the Past, Present the Future.’ Pitt also officially announced a two-year collaboration with the Nike Global Identity Group and the official introduction of its new color scheme, primary and secondary logos, wordmarks, typeface and number font and officially discontinued the previous color scheme that included the navy blue metallic gold which had been their primary color scheme since 1997 when then AD Steve Pederson introduced the colors to the football and basketball teams, with the other sports eventually following suit.
In its place are the classic royal blue and bright gold Pitt colors that had been made famous and popular during the Dan Marino years of football and the Charles Smith/Jerome Lane/Sean Miller years in basketball.
Pitt Athletics Director Heather Lyke said she had decided on a color switch after her first ACC athletic directors’ meeting about two years ago. She sat between the ADs at Georgia Tech & Notre Dame and realized their nametags were interchangeable “I really thought ‘How are we going to be unique?”
A crowd of over 3,000 people was on hand at Bigelow Bash to witness the fashion show style introduction of Pitt’s uniforms for the 2019-20 season. “We are gonna wear these colors for a very long time!”-Lyke said as she addressed the crowd, which caused an eruption of cheers.
Following the fashion show, Pitt officially opened of the Nike Store at The Pitt Shop on Forbes Avenue with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Nike Store was renovated and re-opened as a Pitt branded Nike concept shop within The Pitt Shop on Forbes Ave. It features all new Nike product utilizing the new athletics marks and visual identity.
“The new marks and color scheme give Pitt Athletics a fresh visual identity that stands out in the collegiate landscape. The Pitt blue and gold resonates with our student athletes, recruits and fans and brings a new level of excitement to our brand. This collaboration between Pitt and Nike has resulted in a comprehensive look that binds Pitt’s past, present and future together.”-Jeff Capel, Pitt Men’s Basketball Head Coach
“Pitt is a special place with a great story to tell and the new marks and colors do a great job of telling our story. Each of the marks will help to tie our history here at Pitt with the present and future. The colors add a fresh and fun look to the court as we continue to build a winning brand of basketball here at Pitt.” – Lance White, Pitt Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Bigelow Bash presented by the Pitt Program Council and starring T-Pain is an annual music and food truck festival on Pitt’s campus.
When asked if Pitt will ever wear the navy blue and the metallic gold colors ever again, Lyke gave a look with a smirk and replied “No. No. No. They’re done. Yep.”
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