University of Pittsburgh Athletics
New Oakland Zoo Logo Released
9/5/2017 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh team store in conjunction with the Oakland Zoo has released the student section's new logo and t-shirts for the 2017-18 season. Fans can now purchase the 2017-18 Oakland Zoo t-shirt online or at the Panthers Team Store at the Petersen Events Center as well other area locations.
"We designed this year's logo with the history of the Oakland Zoo in mind," said Zoo president Madeleine Shelley. "We gave it a throwback feel, bringing back the orange basketball that has been prominent in many previous logos as well as freshening up the back of the shirt but keeping its traditional feel. We are excited to finally share the logo and shirt with everyone and are looking forward to the start of the basketball season."
The Oakland Zoo, entering its 18th season, is consistently ranked among the top student sections in college basketball. Their presence has been significant at the Petersen Events Center, where the Panthers have compiled a 233-41 (.850) record, including a 135-5 (.964) ledger in non-conference play. Pitt's 233 wins at "The Pete" are the third-most (behind only Kansas and Memphis) at a home venue since the 2002-03 season. Over the years, the Oakland Zoo and Petersen Events Center have received notoriety from several national outlets, including No. 2 Game Atmosphere from USA Today, No. 6 Loudest College Basketball Arena from ESPN The Magazine and No. 8 Best College Basketball Arena from ESPN.com.
A group Pitt students independently formed the Oakland Zoo in the winter of 2001 with the group making its first official appearance at a Jan. 13, 2001 win over 15th-ranked Seton Hall. Students adopted gold t-shirts and eventually grew to consume the majority of the student section at the team's home court then the Fitzgerald Field House. When the University of Pittsburgh opened the Petersen Events Center in 2002, the Oakland Zoo received 1,500 courtside seats, with additional student seating in the upper level available when needed, to keep the students close to the action. The Pitt Athletic Department now also works hand in hand with the Oakland Zoo, using the student leaders of the Oakland Zoo, as liaisons to the student body to make game experiences better.
Following the 2002-03 season, the Oakland Zoo began introducing a new logo for each season of competition with this season's rendition the 16th official Oakland Zoo logo.
Stallings enters his second year in charge of the program with a young but talented roster. Seniors Ryan Luther and Jonathan Milligan, the lone returning letterwinners with significant game experience, are joined by a deep incoming class of graduate transfer Monty Boykins, JUCO standout Jared Wilson-Frame, Rivals Top 100 point guard Marcus Carr, versatile big man Terrell Brown and talented spring signees Parker Stewart, Shamiel Stevenson, Khameron Davis, Peace Ilegomah, Samson George and Kene Chukwuka. The Panthers also added Malik Ellison, a skilled wing who began his college career at St. John's. Ellison will sit next season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The Panthers 13-game non-conference schedule features nine games at the Petersen Events Center, including the matchup with West Virginia (Dec. 9), as well as the annual City Game at PPG Paints Arena. Pitt's home conference slate features games with ESPN Top-25 foes Duke, Louisville, Miami and Virginia as well as matchups with Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, NC State and Boston College.
Dates, times and TV designations for the Panthers' ACC schedule are expected to be announced later this week.
Season tickets and mini packages for the 2017-18 season are also on sale now. Great lower level locations are available and can be reserved by calling the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-7488 or by clicking HERE.
Stores Carrying the Oakland Zoo T-Shirt
Panthers Team Store
Pitt Shop
University Store on Fifth
Dick's Sporting Goods
Rally House
#H2P l Twitter l Instagram
"We designed this year's logo with the history of the Oakland Zoo in mind," said Zoo president Madeleine Shelley. "We gave it a throwback feel, bringing back the orange basketball that has been prominent in many previous logos as well as freshening up the back of the shirt but keeping its traditional feel. We are excited to finally share the logo and shirt with everyone and are looking forward to the start of the basketball season."
The Oakland Zoo, entering its 18th season, is consistently ranked among the top student sections in college basketball. Their presence has been significant at the Petersen Events Center, where the Panthers have compiled a 233-41 (.850) record, including a 135-5 (.964) ledger in non-conference play. Pitt's 233 wins at "The Pete" are the third-most (behind only Kansas and Memphis) at a home venue since the 2002-03 season. Over the years, the Oakland Zoo and Petersen Events Center have received notoriety from several national outlets, including No. 2 Game Atmosphere from USA Today, No. 6 Loudest College Basketball Arena from ESPN The Magazine and No. 8 Best College Basketball Arena from ESPN.com.
A group Pitt students independently formed the Oakland Zoo in the winter of 2001 with the group making its first official appearance at a Jan. 13, 2001 win over 15th-ranked Seton Hall. Students adopted gold t-shirts and eventually grew to consume the majority of the student section at the team's home court then the Fitzgerald Field House. When the University of Pittsburgh opened the Petersen Events Center in 2002, the Oakland Zoo received 1,500 courtside seats, with additional student seating in the upper level available when needed, to keep the students close to the action. The Pitt Athletic Department now also works hand in hand with the Oakland Zoo, using the student leaders of the Oakland Zoo, as liaisons to the student body to make game experiences better.
Following the 2002-03 season, the Oakland Zoo began introducing a new logo for each season of competition with this season's rendition the 16th official Oakland Zoo logo.
Stallings enters his second year in charge of the program with a young but talented roster. Seniors Ryan Luther and Jonathan Milligan, the lone returning letterwinners with significant game experience, are joined by a deep incoming class of graduate transfer Monty Boykins, JUCO standout Jared Wilson-Frame, Rivals Top 100 point guard Marcus Carr, versatile big man Terrell Brown and talented spring signees Parker Stewart, Shamiel Stevenson, Khameron Davis, Peace Ilegomah, Samson George and Kene Chukwuka. The Panthers also added Malik Ellison, a skilled wing who began his college career at St. John's. Ellison will sit next season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The Panthers 13-game non-conference schedule features nine games at the Petersen Events Center, including the matchup with West Virginia (Dec. 9), as well as the annual City Game at PPG Paints Arena. Pitt's home conference slate features games with ESPN Top-25 foes Duke, Louisville, Miami and Virginia as well as matchups with Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, NC State and Boston College.
Dates, times and TV designations for the Panthers' ACC schedule are expected to be announced later this week.
Season tickets and mini packages for the 2017-18 season are also on sale now. Great lower level locations are available and can be reserved by calling the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-7488 or by clicking HERE.
Stores Carrying the Oakland Zoo T-Shirt
Panthers Team Store
Pitt Shop
University Store on Fifth
Dick's Sporting Goods
Rally House
#H2P l Twitter l Instagram
Players Mentioned
F/C
/ Men's BasketballPostgame vs. NC State | Jeff Capel, Nojus Indrusaitis, Omari Witherspoon
Wednesday, March 11
Highlights | Pitt vs. Stanford | ACC Tournament
Wednesday, March 11
ACC Tournament | ACC Network | Damarco Minor
Tuesday, March 10
Postgame vs. Stanford | ACC Tournament | Jeff Capel, Omari Witherspoon, Cam Corhen, Barry Dunning Jr.
Tuesday, March 10