Nov. 30, 2007

Watch the Press Conference - Free

PEDERSON RETURNS AS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH--Together they orchestrated a major revitalization of Pitt athletics that resulted in nationally ranked programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Today, that team was reformed as University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg announced the return of Steve Pederson as Pitt's athletic director.

Nordenberg originally tapped Pederson to head Pitt's athletic department in October 1996. During the next six years, the Panthers' athletic fortunes elevated dramatically on and off the field, prompting a Pittsburgh newspaper to dub Pitt "Comeback U."

Pederson departed Pitt in December 2002 to become athletic director at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska. He returns to Pittsburgh nearly 11 years to the day of his initial Pitt appointment by Nordenberg.

"For six exciting years, Steve Pederson led the University of Pittsburgh through a period of unprecedented progress in intercollegiate athletics," Chancellor Nordenberg said. "For many, the most visible development was the stunning transformation of our athletic facilities. But this also was a period in which our teams competed at dramatically higher levels, national attention was re-ignited, fan interest and attendance soared, programs for the overall development of our student-athletes were strengthened, and uncompromising standards of institutional integrity were maintained. In my judgment, and this assessment is shared by countless others, Steve Pederson is one of this country's most talented and accomplished athletic directors, and I am very pleased that he is returning to Pitt."

"I am grateful to Chancellor Nordenberg for the opportunity to again be part of this great university, city and region," Pederson said. "Leaving here five years ago was the hardest professional decision of my life. Coming back was the easiest. As great as the past has been at Pitt, the future is even brighter. I am thrilled to be able to work with Pitt's great coaches and staff, and I'm anxious to get to know our student-athletes. My wife Tami and I are also excited to renew acquaintances with our great Pitt fans and welcome many new fans to the Panther family."

"I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Steve back to Pitt," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Donna Sanft, who served as Pitt's interim athletic director the past three months. "Our department experienced tremendous growth and achievement during his first tenure at the University of Pittsburgh and I know we can look forward to even greater success in the future. Steve's energy, vision and commitment are second to none. He is going to be a major asset as we continue to strive to be the very best in the Big East and nationally."

"Steve was the person who originally convinced me to come to the University of Pittsburgh back in 1999," Pitt men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon said. "He has continued to be a tremendous friend and a person I have regularly sought out for advice and direction over the years. I am incredibly excited that Steve and his wife Tami are returning to our university. Everyone in our department is going to benefit from his leadership."

During his initial Pitt tenure, Pederson hired six Big East Conference Coach-of-the-Year honorees (football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, track and field and volleyball), an unprecedented achievement by a Big East athletic director.

In 1999 he charged an unknown coach from Northern Arizona University with the task of resurrecting the Panthers' struggling men's basketball program. That coach, Ben Howland, would build Pitt into a Big East power and was named the consensus National Coach of the Year in 2002.

Pitt, which had not been to the NCAA Tournament in nine years, advanced to the "Sweet 16" in 2002 after posting a school-record 29 victories. The following season, Pitt would reach No. 2 in the polls, capture its first Big East Tournament championship and again advance to the NCAA regional semifinals. Since that time, Pitt basketball has become one of the nation's most consistent winners, advancing to six consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 2002-2007.

Pitt football was revitalized under Pederson's watch. Upon his arrival, the Panthers were coming off seven consecutive seasons without a bowl. By the end of his tenure, Pitt earned four bowl berths in six years, including back-to-back postseason wins in 2001 and 2002. The '02 team finished 9-4, the program's best mark in 20 years, and ranked No. 18 in the final polls.

While Pederson was instrumental in helping to revive Pitt football's present, he was very attentive to honoring the program's historic past. One of his first major steps as athletic director was to retire the jerseys of all-time Pitt greats Mike Ditka, Marshall Goldberg and Joe Schmidt. Pederson later initiated the Pitt jersey retirement of Mark May, the Panthers' lone Outland Trophy winner.

Pitt enjoyed tremendous achievements in attendance under Pederson. In NCAA Division I men's basketball, Pitt ranked among the nation's top five schools in attendance increase for two consecutive years (2001-02 and 2002-03). The 2002-03 basketball season - the inaugural campaign in the 12,508-seat Petersen Events Center - was sold out. Capitalizing on the exciting and unanticipated success of the 2001-02 basketball team, Pitt held a highly successful "select your seat" campaign for prospective season-ticket holders that simultaneously achieved customer satisfaction as well as enhanced fundraising.

In football, Pederson formed a marketing and ticket pricing plan that resulted in record attendance for the 2003 season. Season tickets were soldout for the '03 campaign as the Panthers averaged an all-time record 59,197 fans for their home season, surpassing the previous mark of 54,818 set in 1982.

Pederson's tenure witnessed a major strengthening of Pitt's athletic infrastructure. With Chancellor Nordenberg, he helped shape the vision of the Petersen Events Center, the state-of-the-art convocation center that dramatically revolutionized Pitt's campus upon its opening in 2002. The Events Center is widely considered one of the finest college basketball venues in the country and has also been a major asset for student life, providing outstanding recreational facilities and a fitting place for graduation ceremonies.

Pederson was at the forefront of the football program's move into the UPMC Sports Performance Complex, which included the forging of a unique relationship between UPMC, a professional sports franchise and college athletic program. He personally oversaw the design and layout of the Panthers' Duratz Athletic Complex, which houses Pitt's football offices and training areas, and has been described as the finest facility for a college football program in the country.

Pitt football gained a sparkling new home in Heinz Field under Pederson's watch in 2001.The Panthers gained a prominent presence at the new stadium with their logos on the seating, gates and signage. Pederson additionally initiated the renaming of Martindale Street to "Tony Dorsett Drive" to further enhance Pitt's identity on the North Shore.

Fitzgerald Field House underwent a major renovation in 1998-99, providing Pitt's Olympic sports programs with new locker and training facilities. Trees Field also underwent major upgrades to accommodate both baseball and Pitt's new softball program.

During his five years at Nebraska, Pederson was also at the forefront of significant facilities construction, including a $51 million expansion to Memorial Stadium. The project resulted in new football facilities as well as new strength, sports medicine and indoor facilities for each of the Cornhuskers' 23 varsity sports. Additionally, the women's volleyball, gymnastics and rifle teams received a new office complex. Athletics fundraising doubled over his final four years, going from $9 million annually in 2003 to $16 million this past year.

Nebraska achieved at exceptional levels athletically and academically during his tenure. In 2006-07, the Cornhuskers won the national championship in women's volleyball, while the football team won the 2006 Big 12 North title and advanced to its first New Year's Day bowl game since 2001. Overall, 15 Nebraska teams earned NCAA invitations. Academically, Nebraska earned a school-record 94% graduation rate, the highest in the Big 12 last year, while Cornhusker student-athletes achieved a combined 3.0 grade-point average during the 2007 spring semester.

Pederson and his wife Tami have three children: Mark, Kari and Kristin.

What others are saying about Steve Pederson's return to Pitt:

Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver and Former Pitt Star Larry Fitzgerald:

"When I decided to go to Pitt, it was for many reasons - a great school, a great football tradition and great people. Steve Pederson was one of those great people who made me feel like Pitt was the place for me. I couldn't be happier that Steve is back and I know Pitt will benefit greatly from his leadership."

Beano Cook on the hiring of Steve Pederson:

"Christmas came early for the Panther faithful today. Steve Pederson saved Pitt athletics the first time he was here. Now, like Grover Cleveland, he returns to the office where he belongs. All Pitt fans should thank Santa Claus - and Mark Nordenberg - for this early gift." 

Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney on the Hiring of Steve Pederson:

"Steve Pederson made many important contributions during his first tenure as Pitt's athletic director from which the university is still seeing the benefits today.  He played an integral role in the development of Heinz Field and the UPMC Sports Performance Complex where both Pitt and the Steelers run their football operations. His return to Pittsburgh should be cause for a lot of optimism for the future of Pitt's athletic program."