Pitt athletics adjusting to life during COVID-19 crisis

PITTSBURGH — Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke took questions from a select group on Thursday, referring to it as “hailing from home,” to update everyone on how the Pitt Athletic family is adjusting to life during the COVID-19 crisis.

Several questions were directed to looking ahead to the fall and whether Lyke could see the football season being impacted by the crisis.

Lyke maintained several times that it’s too hard to predict where things will end up, but she did express a belief that if games are played, they should only be played when there are fans able to be in the stands.

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“Fans are a part of the experience, so I can't tell you how much, when I think of coaches and student athletes playing a game with no one there, there would be something missing. We value that atmosphere and the memories we're able to create and the experiences for everyone who comes to the game, so I … obviously, that's a big piece of it and we'd like to have it all back where it should be,” said Lyke.

Lyke agreed that spring practices would likely not be made up, and she also said she’s working with the ACC in terms of the NCAA allowing student-athletes from the spring to be eligible for another year. Lyke said there are other factors that go into that decision.

“We have about 21 seniors in that group. We're talking with them and their plans,” said Lyke. “We've got highly motivated kids. Many of them have other pursuits they're looking at and were planning to graduate or go to graduate school. We're working with them individually to do what's best for the student-athletes.”

Coaches from the various sports have been using technology to keep each other and student-athletes informed during the ever-changing landscape during the crisis.

“I think one of the silver linings is, that group of head coaches here at Pitt are much more connected in a serious and a fun way. They have a group text and all sorts of motivational quotes and videos and competitive little games. But as a group, they know they're all missing their student-athletes a whole lot, and they're missing structure in their lives,” said Lyke.

The personal interaction is something Lyke and the coaches miss the most with the athletes.

“Our biggest challenge is that our coaches are never not connected to their kids in person. I can go down to the practice gym and see Xavier or Justin shooting, or whoever shooting baskets, in the practice gym anytime,” said Lyke. “And to not have that natural relationship and interaction is amiss, and I think that's what the coaches are all craving. They feed off of their kids.”

Lyke continues to find the silver lining in the midst of the crisis.

“I was thinking about this yesterday. Imagine if we didn’t have the technology that we have, and you’re in the midst of this crisis. So, I think we have to be thankful for the ways in which we’re able to communicate, and I know the coaches are trying to make the most of it,” said Lyke.

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