June 26, 2007

PITTSBURGH - Pitt Athletic Director Jeff Long announced Tuesday that Paul Klaczak has been named the Associate Athletic Director for Business Development, Facilities and Special Projects.

Klaczak, a Pittsburgh native, comes to Pitt from Cincinnati where he served as an Associate Director of Athletics for nine years, overseeing operations, facilities and numerous other areas within the athletic department.

"Paul's extensive background and success in athletics, particularly in the areas of facility construction and renovation, will be a great asset to us in the near future," Long said. "A focus of the Pitt Athletic Department is to provide the best facilities, equipment, training and health care to ensure our student-athletes have the opportunity to excel. The addition of Paul to our staff continues to move us in that direction."

The Marietta College undergraduate earned his Master's degree in Sports Management from Robert Morris in 1988. Since that time, he has been with the Bearcats in various roles including serving as a member of the Senior Staff.

Klaczak was the project leader for Cincinnati's $112 million Varsity Village, including its construction projects and all facility renovations. He assisted in raising more than $40 million from the private sector and played a key role in the strategic planning, presentations and solicitations.

At Cincinnati, Klaczak's responsibilities included assisting with the daily operation of the department, oversight of all athletic facility construction and renovation, assisting with athletic facility fundraising and financing, sports oversight and supervision of athletic facilities and event operations. His duties also included oversight of strength and conditioning, equipment operations and information technology.

In his capacity at Pitt, Klaczak will take on a similar role as he will be responsible for the operations and management of all athletics facilities in coordination with university facilities management. He will also serve as liaison for the construction of new athletics facilities and oversee all game/event management.

Plans for Pitt's new facilities have already begun with new soccer, track, baseball and softball stadiums in the near future, while other updates and facility growth are in the early stages.