University of Pittsburgh Athletics
LaSala Promoted to Associate A.D. for Football Administration
10/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Chris LaSala, who is in his 20th season as a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s football staff, has been promoted to associate athletic director for football administration.
LaSala has a well-earned reputation as one of the nation’s finest football operations professionals. His responsibilities have expanded in recent years, both within the football program and overall athletic department.
In addition to his invaluable contributions to football, LaSala is an important member of Pitt’s sport administration team and he played a key role in the development of The Strategic Plan for Pitt Athletics unveiled this past June.
LaSala is one of the athletic department’s longest tenured staff members, joining the Panthers in 1997 as director of football operations. He was named an assistant athletic director in 2000, serving in that capacity until his current promotion.
“Chris LaSala is a tremendous resource for our entire program in so many important ways,” Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi said. “He is an outstanding person and professional who has the trust and respect of our student-athletes, staff and administration. I know how heavily I rely upon him on a daily basis. Chris is a true Pitt Man and this promotion is highly deserved.”
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. In fact, the football team was recently lauded for logging the most community service hours in the Pitt Athletic Department.
LaSala has been an instrumental figure in the dramatic upgrades within Pitt’s practice facility during the past year. Those enhancements include a new team meeting room, locker room, players lounge and staff conference room. He has also been a creative influence in the newly installed graphic displays that showcase the Panthers’ rich football history.
A native of Aliquippa, Pa., 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 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. LaSala and his wife, Dana, have one son, Anthony.
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