March 16, 2009

PITTSBURGH-University of Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson announced today the appointment of former Pitt basketball star and NFL standout Sam Clancy to the position of Varsity Letter Club Coordinator and Athletics Gifts Officer.

Clancy is one of the greatest athletes to come out of both Pitt and Pittsburgh. A product of Fifth Avenue High School, he went on to an outstanding basketball career with the Panthers from 1977-81. Clancy then embarked on an 11-year professional football career, playing for the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts.

Widely regarded as one of the university's all-time best athletes, Clancy's Pitt ties will be a major asset in his new capacity. Among his responsibilities will be fostering relationships with former Pitt varsity letterwinners and members of the Panther Club.

"Sam is not only one of Pitt's greatest athletes but also one of its greatest people," Pederson said. "He literally knows generations of former Pitt student-athletes and coaches. Those ties are incredibly valuable as we work to connect our past with both our present and future. He is going to be a major asset and everyone is excited to have him back in the athletic department on a full-time basis."

"Pitt means the world to me," Clancy said. "It is an honor to serve this university and work on behalf of our student-athletes. I am really looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Pitt is a great place because of the people. That has always been our biggest strength."

Clancy led Pitt to four winning seasons and two postseason berths, including the 1980 NIT and 1981 NCAA Tournament. His senior year the Panthers won the Eastern 8 Tournament championship. Clancy became the first Pitt player to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. He remains the school's all-time leading rebounder with 1,342 career boards.

Clancy moved on to professional football as a defensive end. He played 10 NFL seasons, including stints with Seattle (1982-83), Cleveland (1985-88) and Indianapolis (1989-93). He spent the 1983 season with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League and was named the team's MVP. In 1984 he played for the USFL's Memphis Showboats.

From 2006-08, Clancy was a weight room assistant with the Pitt football team. During that time he completed his bachelor's degree in social sciences in Pitt's College of General Studies.

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