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Get the most interesting and important stories from the ϳԹ of ϳԹ.This article from the archives was updated Aug. 19, 2024.
Pitt’s 19 varsity teams have a rich history that has resulted in 11 national championships, five Olympic medalists and countless accomplished student-athletes. Whether you’re a new student, a proud Pitt parent or a lifelong Pitt fan, this guide will teach you a few things about being a Panther fan.
Hail to Pitt and #H2P
Chances are you’ve probably heard your fair share of Hail to Pitts and H2Ps already. The phrase originates from the ϳԹ fight song, “Hail to Pitt.” Its lyrics were written by George M. Kirk with music by Lester Milton Taylor, who graduated in 1913 and 1912, respectively.
The tune has become Pitt’s favored fight song as well as a slogan and rallying cry for athletics teams and the ϳԹ as a whole.
and other school songs from Pitt Band.
Victory Lights
If you’re ever unsure if Pitt football won or lost on game day, the Cathedral of Learning will tell you. The Cathedral is bathed in gold lights following Pitt football and other athletics wins, major ϳԹ successes and other special events. In 2018, alumnus and longtime Pitt football supporter (A&S ’97) — a new blue beam of light on top of the gold.
The first non-football Victory Lights display was in March 2003, when the men’s basketball team won its first Big East championship.
Oakland Zoo and the Panther Pitt
Pitt traditions expand beyond football: The Oakland Zoo is the name of Pitt’s student section at both men’s and women’s basketball games in the Petersen Events Center. The Zoo cheers from the bottom ring of the stands and is located around the teams’ benches and along the baseline of the court. The Zoo hosts about 1,500 students, who typically wear gold T-shirts marked with the Zoo logo. Consistently sold out and full of rambunctious Panther fans, the Oakland Zoo is widely considered one of the most dedicated student sections in the NCAA.
Before the game, the Zoo distributes four-page newspapers with details about Pitt players and their opponents. When Pitt scores its first point of the game, the Zoo throws the discarded and ripped-up papers into the air to create a shower of confetti. Ticket information for the upcoming season is coming soon.
Meanwhile, the Panther Pitt is the name for Pitt’s student section in Acrisure Stadium during football games. Students often also wear matching Panther Pitt T-shirts, much like its basketball counterpart, in sections 116 through 127, which stretch the entirety of the lower north end zone. .
‘Sweet Caroline’
Speaking of the Panther Pitt, a football game isn't complete without a rendition of “Sweet Caroline.”At the end of the 3rd quarter, Pitt fans throughout the stadium stand and link their arms together, joining in song. The Pitt faithful all sing to Neil Diamond’s 1969 hit and belt “Let’s Go Pitt!” over the instrumental, as well as replacing the lyrics “So good” with “Go Pitt!”
The tradition began in 2008, inspired by Justin Acierno, who was director of marketing and ticket operations in Pitt Athletics at the time. He also served as assistant athletic director until 2017.
“When [‘Sweet Caroline’] plays, say, on a jukebox, students will sing, older demographics know the song well and it still resonates with all generations,”.
The Backyard Brawl
From 1895 to 2011, the ϳԹ Panthers and West Virginia Mountaineers traveled the 75 miles between the institutions to meet on the gridiron in a game known simply as the Backyard Brawl. It is one of college football’s most historic rivalries, but following the dissolution of the Big East, many feared the two teams would never face-off again.
In 2022, however, the Panthers and Mountaineers began a four-year series to revive the once-dormant rivalry. The returning 2022 edition of the game became the most-attended sporting event in ϳԹ history, attracting 70,622 fans into the stands of Acrisure Stadium — an attendance record for the stadium only topped by Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks.
This year’s matchup is at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Acrisure Stadium.
Homecoming
Homecoming is from Sept. 16-22, and you won’t want to miss the countless traditions and events that bring together students, alumni, Pitt families and ϳԹ residents.
Students will paint the Oakland neighborhood blue and gold in advance of the annual celebration. Throughout the weekend, you’ll hear favorite school songs as the Pitt Band snakes through campus, see the Cathedral and Bigelow Boulevard lit up with synchronized lasers and connect with friends new and old at the Homecoming Tailgate on ϳԹ’s North Shore.
Cheer on the Panthers as they take on Youngstown State, and find out which student will win the coveted Spirit of Pitt award during halftime.
Space is limited for some events, so .
— Nick France, top photograph by Johnathan Wright