Football
- Title:
- Associate Athletic Director, Football Administration
- Season at Pitt:
- 28th
- Phone:
- (412) 398-7156
- Email:
- clasala@athletics.pitt.edu
Chris LaSala enters his 29th season as a member of the University of Pittsburgh's football staff. LaSala is in his 10th year as an associate athletic director for football administration.
During the course of his nearly three-decade tenure, LaSala has proven instrumental for some of the most accomplished teams and players in program history.
In total, he has been part of 20 bowl teams and three conference championship squads, including the 2021 ACC champions. LaSala has personally worked with 18 first team All-Americans, 10 players who won prestigious national awards and seven NFL Draft first-round picks at Pitt.
Owning a well-earned reputation as one of the nation's finest football administrators, LaSala was appointed to the 2022 College Football Playoff Advisory Group, which provides insight and direction on the management and logistics of the CFP National Championship.
His influence at Pitt resonates throughout the entire athletic department. LaSala is an important member of Pitt's sport administration team, providing valuable insight and direction that impacts each of the Panthers' athletic programs.
LaSala additionally was a key author of The Strategic Plan for Pitt Athletics.
One of Pitt’s longest tenured administrators, LaSala joined the Panthers in 1997 as director of football operations. He was named an assistant athletic director in 2000, serving in that capacity until his promotion to associate athletic director in 2016.
LaSala has handled a wide variety of responsibilities with the Pitt football program over the years, including team travel accommodations, youth summer camps, coaching clinics and preseason training camp arrangements as well as daily administration. He also serves as the football program's liaison to numerous campus offices and within the athletic department.
One of LaSala's most impactful contributions at Pitt is his daily work with student-athletes in preparing them for life after college. His efforts have made the football program one of Pitt's most active and enthusiastic teams when it comes to community service. During the 2021-22 academic year, Pitt led all college football programs in community service hours per Helper Helper.
LaSala has been a driving force behind the dramatic upgrades within Pitt's practice facility over the past several years. Those enhancements include a new team meeting room, locker room, athletic training room, player lounge and staff conference room. He has also been a creative influence in the various graphic displays that showcase the Panthers' rich football history.
LaSala has been a primary planner for Pitt's trips to 19 bowl games, including the Sun Bowl (2008, 2018 and 2022), Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (2021), Quick Lane Bowl (2019), Pinstripe Bowl (2016), Military Bowl (2015), Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (2014), Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (2013), BBVA Compass Bowl (2010-12), Meineke Car Care Bowl (2009), Fiesta Bowl (2004), Continental Tire Bowl (2003), Insight Bowl (2000 and 2002), Tangerine Bowl (2001) and Liberty Bowl (1997).
LaSala was a member of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame 2014 induction class. He is a past recipient of the prestigious Chancellor's Award for Staff Excellence in service to the University of Pittsburgh. LaSala has also been recognized as an Outstanding Graduate of Temple University's sport and recreation management program.
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 tenure, the Eagles captured the 1994 Aloha Bowl and participated in the 1995 Kickoff Classic.
Before Boston College, LaSala spent four years at Temple in administration (1990-93) 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.
In addition to his responsibilities for Pitt football, LaSala is a leadership and development committee member for the Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
LaSala and his wife, Dana, have a son, Anthony, who attends the University of Pittsburgh and plays baseball for the Panthers.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa.
Alma Mater: West Virginia, 1988
Family: LaSala and his wife, Dana, have a son, Anthony.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Pitt, 1997-2015, director of football operations; 2000-15, assistant athletic director; 2016-present, associate athletic director/football administration.
Boston College, 1994-96, director of football operations.
Temple, 1990, football administrative assistant; 1991-93, department recruiting coordinator; 1993, assistant athletic director.
Pitt, 1989, athletic department intern.
Temple, 1988, graduate assistant.
