ACC Recognizes Pitt Top Six for Service
4/30/2025 10:00:00 AM | Cross Country, Football, Women's Lacrosse
PITTSBURGH – Four University of Pittsburgh student-athletes and two athletic teams were honored by the ACC with the league's Top Six for Service Award, an honor presented annually to student-athletes and programs from each ACC institution that demonstrate dedication to community service and outreach programs.
The Panthers' four student-athlete recipients include: Isabella Bufalini (Cross Country/Track & Field), Brandon George (Football), David Lynch (Football), and Tori Pecarchik (Spirit Squad). Pitt's team recipients were women's lacrosse and football.
The recipients have shown a willingness to help others and demonstrated a passion for wanting to enrich the lives of those around them.
More information on Pitt's honorees:
- Isabella Bufalini (Women's Track and Field) – completed 124 hours of community service, the second most hours by a Pitt student-athlete this academic year … served as a Peer PALS for 100 hours to serve the local youth ... her commitment to service is unmatched, and she makes it a priority to give back to the Pittsburgh community whenever she can.
- Brandon George (Football) – led the creation of B-Cause, a fundraising campaign aimed at raising $30,000 to support pediatric cancer patients and their families at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh … his leadership and dedication brought the community together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing unimaginable challenges ... also served as a captain on the football team, hosting the team's captain for a day each home game, usually being a hospitalized child.
- David Lynch (Football) – completed the second most hours out of all male student-athletes with 32 hours and 30 mins ... spent a significant amount of time with the Special Olympics and continuously showed up at any opportunities to volunteer … was a leader in service both at football and with all athletics community service events.
- Tori Pecarchik (Spirit) – completed the highest number of community service hours of all Pitt student-athletes this year, clocking in 207 hours ... served consistently with the Hillman Cancer Center as a HELP Program Volunteer and Patient & Family Coordinator where she spends quality time interacting with patients ages 70 and older who are hospitalized.
- Football – completed the highest number of community service hours per student-athlete, averaging 16 hours each student-athlete ... both in the fall and spring, the whole team made it a priority to give back to the community ... while traveling to play at North Carolina this past October, the team provided support and donated food and supplies to those in the state area affected by Hurricane Helene … made it a point to serve the local community consistently who supports them while also making a national impact this academic year.
- Women's Lacrosse – Completed the second highest number of hours per student-athlete of all Pitt Athletics Teams, averaging over 14 hours per student-athlete ... this year, the team started the See Her Be Her initiative, serving as Pitt pen pals and role models for children and siblings of those children who are living in the hospital ... whether in-season or out of season, the team makes it a priority to use their platform as student-athletes to give back to the local community.
