Pitt Athletics' The Script Society Reaches Membership Milestone
4/11/2024 2:00:00 PM | General, Panther Club
Pitt Athletics and the Panther Club are pleased to announce a significant milestone for The Script Society, which has now surpassed 150 members. This achievement underscores the unwavering commitment of this community to provide transformative resources for Pitt student-athletes to excel in competition, in the classroom and in life after graduation.
Since its founding in 2020, The Script Society members have contributed more than $54 million in gifts and pledges, with 12 donations of $1 million or more. Of the 150 members, more than half are first-time major gift donors to Pitt Athletics. To be a member of The Script Society a commitment of at least $50,000 must be made over a five-year period.
"We had high aspirations for the Script Society when it was first conceived. However, the response has surpassed even our own lofty expectations," said Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "The initial support and continued commitment from our more than 150 Script Society members has been inspiring and energizing. Now more than ever, this type of financial support is necessary to maintain the upward trajectory of Pitt Athletics. We are incredibly appreciative of their commitment to a championship future for our Panthers."
Named after the Pitt Script, which represents the rich history of excellence for the University of Pittsburgh and Pitt Athletics, the script serves as the symbolic reminder of the collective commitment to position Pitt student-athletes to achieve comprehensive excellence. The Script Society was established with the aim to foster philanthropic leadership and drive meaningful change within Pitt Athletics.
Capital Projects & Capital Enhancements
Capital projects support the student-athlete experience by enhancing or constructing facilities to better position our programs for competitive success. For example, the Bill and Sissy Lieberman Student-Athlete Lounge in the Petersen Sports Complex was a transformative project generously donated by The Script Society members, Bill and Sissy Lieberman. Capital projects of this caliber provide Pitt Athletics the opportunity to recruit and retain top student-athletes.
Sport Championship Funds
Sport championship funds allow Pitt supporters to give to individual teams and help support their specific goals and needs. Since 2020, donations from The Script Society members to the Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball and Volleyball programs have allowed them each to participate in foreign tours within the last few years. Programs use overseas trips as an opportunity for team bonding, new cultural experiences, and the chance to participate in high-level international competition.
"The foreign trip was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and for our team, it was one of if not the highlight of the season," said men's basketball freshman Jaland Lowe. "It brought us together on and off the court which helped us bond as a new team. That shared experience propelled us into the season like nothing else could."
Student-Athlete Success Fund
The Student-Athlete Success Fund directly impacts all Pitt student-athletes, spirit squads and Pitt Band members. Every donation provides Pitt student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue championships while also receiving a world-class education at the University of Pittsburgh. Generous contributions to the student-athlete success fund were allocated toward providing recovery bundles to each Pitt Athletics team and program. These recovery bundles included resources such as sleep and relaxation aids, heat and cold exposure equipment, massage therapy tools, and electrical and red-light stimulation devices.
As we celebrate this milestone, we extend our appreciation to each member of The Script Society for their transformative leadership and commitment to our shared mission. Together we are Building Champions and Committed to Excellence.
For more information on how you can become a member of The Script Society and make a lasting impact on Pitt Athletics, please contact scriptsociety@athletics.pitt.edu.