The University of Pittsburgh has a rich athletic tradition,
especially in football and men's basketball. Football, in particular, has a long
standing history of excelling on the field. In over 100 years of football at the
University, the Panthers claim 9 national championships. Additionally, there are
8 other seasons in which the Panthers were declared national champions by at
least one recognized selector.
Additionally, the University has been a breeding ground for
future NFL talent. Hall of Famers to have played for the University are Dan
Marino, Tony Dorsett, Mike Ditka and Joe Schmidt. In addition 25 Panthers have
been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame:
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Bill Fralic (1981-84)
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Dan Marino (1979-82)
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Jimbo Covert (1979-82)
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Mark May (1977-80)
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Hugh Green (1977-80)
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Tony Dorsett (1973-76)
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Johnny Majors (1973-76,93-96)
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Mike Ditka (1958-60)
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Eddie Thulln(1958-60)
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Joe Schmidt (1950-52)
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Len Casanova (1950)
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Wes Fesler (1946)
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Marshall Goldberg (1936-38)
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Averell Daniell (1934-36)
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Joe Skladany (1931-33)
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Joseph Donchess (1927-29)
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Pop Warner (1915-23)
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Herb Stein (1918-21)
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Tom Davies (1918-21)
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Jock Sutherland (1914-17,24-38)
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Herb McCracken (1918-20)
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George McLaren (1915-18)
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Robert Peck (1913-16)
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Hube Wagner (1910-13)
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Joe Thompson (1904-06,08-12)
Pittsburgh played its first football game in 1889, and by
1914 already had two undefeated season; the first came in 1904 as an Art Mosse
coached team went 10-0. Joe Thompson's 1910 club finished 9-0. 1910 was also the
first season in which Pitt was declared national champion by an organization,
although the University does not claim this season.
Nevertheless, it was Pop Warner who would turn Pittsburgh
into a football powerhouse. His very first season as coach - 1915 - saw the
Panthers go 8-0. Pitt went undefeated for his first four seasons, and would
again go undefeated in his sixth. In nine years coaching Pittsburgh, Pop Warner
went 60-12-4 with three national championships between 1915 and 1923.
Following his departure, Warner was replaced by former Pitt
star Jock Sutherland. He would coach the school for 15 seasons beginning in
1924. During his time, the Panthers were 111-20-12. The University claims 5
national championships during his tenure, although other organizations attribute
four more.
After Sutherland left, the Panthers languished for the next
few decades, notwithstanding promising seasons here and there. It wouldn't be
until the 1970s that Pitt would become a major football force once again. Led by
coach Johnny Majors, the Panthers went 12-0 in 1976 and were crowned consensus
national champions. Although he remained at Pitt for only four seasons, he went
33-12-1 and led the school to three bowl games.
Jackie Sherrill took over for Majors in 1977 and remained at
the school for five seasons. In that time, Pitt went 50-9-1 and were declared
national champions on two occasions by various organizations. His greatest
success at Pittsburgh came between 1979 and 1981, when Dan Marino led the
Panthers to three straight 11-1 seasons.
The University's National Championships (the ones in bold are
claimed by the University):
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1910
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1915
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1916
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1917
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1918
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1925
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1927
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1929
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1931
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1933
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1934
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1936
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1937
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1938
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1976
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1980
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1981
The basketball team has been a significant part of
Pittsburgh's athletics program for over 100 years. The Panthers' first season
was in 1905, and the team's early history was characterized by success and by
association with important basketball innovators. The Helms foundation has
awarded the Panthers national champion status for the 1927-28 and 1929-30
seasons. Two of those associated with the program during this time have been
elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame; these are 3 time All-American
and 1929-30 National Player of the Year Charlie Hyatt and coach Henry Clifford
"Doc" Carlson.
The design of the Pittsburgh Panthers Fabric: Squares
consists of the the University's panther and other logos over a gold and navy
squared background.
The Pittsburgh Panthers Fabric: Squares is not intended for
us in children's sleepwear. This novelty fabric pattern has been licensed by the
University of Pittsburgh and is for individual consumption only. Any other use
of the Pittsburgh Panthers Fabric: Squares is prohibited and illegal.