To get full Pitt Athletics experience, fans must invest in non-revenue sports

column TO GET FULL EXPERIENCE, FANS MUST INVEST IN NON-REVENUE SPORTS

Staff Writer

Non-revenue college sports rest in an interesting niche, carved out by the whims of American sports fans and their interests. Football and basketball take precedence in the college landscape, just as they do in the American pro leagues. As such, other sports like soccer, volleyball and softball can’t rely on funding from their own box offices to stay afloat — thus earning the moniker “non-revenue.”

But just because these sports don’t rake in the big dollars doesn’t mean they aren’t worth watching. Non-revenue sports are an untapped gold mine for viewing pleasure, especially as they leave Pitt’s flagship sports in the dust from a competitive standpoint. Athletic Director Heather Lyke doesn’t just focus on the sports that pull in revenue, and neither should students.

“We created an environment where it’s a big deal when you win a championship,” Lyke said in a May media availability. “We’re going to celebrate [a championship], we’re going to display it … We wanted to create an environment … and create this culture that every team mattered.”

Multiple sports that lie in this category succeeded at the highest levels this past academic year:

Pitt’s non-revenue sports are firmly entering the limelight of college athletics after decades spent as afterthoughts.

Football and basketball, on the other hand, languish behind, flirting with the

See Non-revenue Kaycee Orwig senior staff photographer