Chris LaSala Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa. Position: Assistant Athletic Director, Football Operations Alma Mater: West Virginia, 1988

Chris LaSala is in his 16th season overseeing football operations for the University of Pittsburgh. He has served Pitt as an assistant athletic director the past 13 years.

A native of Aliquippa, Pa., LaSala ranks among the country's most respected professionals in his capacity. He truly has proven to be the Panthers' master of multi-tasking, handling such diverse responsibilities as team travel accommodations, youth summer camps, coaching clinics, preseason training camp arrangements as well as the daily administration for Pitt's football team. LaSala also serves as the football program's liaison to numerous campus offices and within the athletic department.

In 2004 he was named a recipient of the prestigious Chancellor's Award for Staff Excellence in service to the University of Pittsburgh. In 2006 LaSala was recognized as an "Outstanding Graduate" of Temple University's sport/recreation administration program.

LaSala was a chief coordinator and planner for Pitt's move to its state-of-the-art practice facility, the UPMC Sports Performance Complex. He has been instrumental in the planning of Pitt's trips to the 2012 and 2011 BBVA Compass Bowls, 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl, 2008 Sun Bowl, 2005 Fiesta Bowl, 2003 Continental Tire Bowl, 2002 Insight Bowl, 2001 Tangerine Bowl, 2000 Insight Bowl and 1997 Liberty Bowl.

LaSala's career in athletics began at Temple, where he served as a graduate assistant. He then came to the University of Pittsburgh as an athletic department intern in 1989.

Prior to his 1997 Pitt appointment he served three years as the director of football operations at Boston College (1994-96), where he handled all the administrative duties for the football program, including overseeing the travel arrangements and organizing BC's youth camps.

During his BC tenure, the Eagles captured the 1994 Aloha Bowl and participated in the 1995 Kickoff Classic. Before Boston College, LaSala spent four years at Temple (1990-93) as recruiting coordinator and ultimately was elevated to assistant athletic director. He initially joined Temple as a graduate assistant in 1988 and then returned to the Owls' football staff in 1990 as the administrative assistant.

LaSala graduated from West Virginia in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He earned his master's degree in sports administration from Temple in 1991.

Personal Information

Born: 1/7/66
Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa.
Alma Mater: West Virginia, '88
Family: LaSala and his wife Dana have a eight-year-old son, Anthony.

Administrative Experience

Temple, 1988, graduate assistant.
Pittsburgh, 1989, athletic department intern.
Temple, 1990, football administrative assistant; 1991-93, department recruiting coordinator; 1993, assistant athletic director.
Boston College, 1994-96, director of football operations.
Pittsburgh, 1997-present, director of football operations; 2000-present, assistant athletic director.