Awardees of Distinction
Since 1961, the Pitt Varsity Letter Club has honored those members who have distinguished themselves in their profession or community, and who, by their accomplishments, have enhanced the value of the intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Pittsburgh. To be eligible, a nominee must have earned a varsity letter in intercollegiate athletics from the University 25 or more years ago.
In recognition of exemplary professional attainments, of contributions to the welfare and life of the community, and for the honor and prestige that have been brought to the University of Pittsburgh since graduation, the graduates and varsity letterwinners below have been elected Awardees of Distinction by the Pitt Varsity Letter Club and a committee of Pittsburgh citizens.
2025 WINNERS
Dr. Ed Klein,Tennis
Scott Nedrow, Men's Basketball
Darelle Porter, Men's Basketball
Peri Jude Radecic, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Jennifer Price Rumbaugh, Women's Swimming & Diving
Beth Tarasi, Women's Basketball
Chinaza Ndee, Rising Star, Volleyball
Artie Rowell, Rising Star, Football
2024 WINNERS
Ken Balkey, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Dave Bucklew, Football
Sue Hershelman, Volleyball
Paul Knouse, Tennis & Squash
Jason Matthews, Men's Basketball
Ray Olsen, Football
Stuart Swanson, Men's Swimming & Diving
Kimberly Yarnall, Gymnastics
Jordan Fields, Rising Star, Women's Track & Field
Andin Fosam, Rising Star, Women's Track & Field
2023 WINNERS
Curtis Aiken, Men's Basketball
Gary Burley, Football
Brock Generalovich, Men's Basketball
Jennifer Shingler Hansberry, Women's Basketball
Paul Helsel, Baseball
Roman Matusz, Football
Theresa Nuzzo, Cheer & Dance
2022 WINNERS
Dr. Brenda Buffington, Women's Track & Field
Alan Utter, Wrestling
Dr. Phil Dahar, Football
Don Silvestri, Football
Bill Englert, Football
Denny Terzich, Baseball
Dr. Monica Hockaday, Women's Track & Field
Dr. Rhonda Gibbs, Women's Basketball & Tennis
2021 WINNERS
No event held due to COVID19.
2020 WINNERS
Ruben Brown, Football
Clarissa Dudley, Women's Track & Field
Angela Lopez, Women's Swim & Dive
Rev. Lowell Meek, Men's Gymnastics
Mark Podrosky, Wrestling
Peter Varischetti, Football
Adam Walker, Football
2019 WINNERS
Roberto Croce, Men's Soccer
Gregory Meisner, Football
William Moorhead, Men's Track & Field
Laura Nerone Reinhart, Women's Swim & Dive
Todd Toerper, Football
Ed Wilamowski, Football
Allison Williams, Women's Track and Field
2018 WINNERS
No event held due to Inaugural Pitt Hall of Fame.
2017 WINNERS
Laura Barber Getchell, Women's Swim & Dive
Don Hahnfeldt, Men's Swim & Dive
Charles Gennaula, Men's Track & Field
Paul Killian, Football
Rebecca Maziarz, Women's Basketball
John Morahan, Men's Soccer
Calvin Sheffield, Men's Basketball
Carl Wooten, Men's Track & Field
2016 WINNERS
Darryl Baynes, Men's Track & Field
Peter Billey, Football
Sam Clancy, Men's Basketball
Rodney Fedorchak, Football
Kimberly Green-Goldsborough, Women's Track & Field
Dan Lecce, Wrestling
Gary Siriano, Men's Track & Field
Keith Starr, Men's Basketball
2015 WINNERS
Patrick Cavanaugh, Men's Basketball
Bill Daniels, Football
Kathy Evans-Palmisano, Women's Volleyball
Bill Fralic, Football
Katherine Hudgens-Heart, Women's Volleyball
Tim Riley, Men's Track & Field
Clair Wilson, Football
2014 WINNERS
Marian Cassidy Clark, Women's Swimming & Diving
Renee Henderson Shepard, Women's Track & Field
Jeffrey J. Jelic, Wrestling
Ronald G. Linaburg, Football
Joseph F. Novogratz, Football
Gary Patterson, Football
Lloyd Weston, Football
2013 WINNERS
Beth Baughman DuPree MD, Women's Tennis
Alisa S. Collins, Women Gymnastics
John Congemi, Football
Carlos Reisen Jr., Men's Track & Field
Bill Shay, Baseball, Basketball
Charles D. Smith, Men's Basketball
2012 WINNERS
Bernard C. “Bernie” Artman, Men's Basketball, Football
Tim Grgurich, Baseball, Basketball
Cathy Jacobson, Women's Tennis
Roger Kingdom, Football, Men's Track & Field
John “Sandy” Pidgeon Jr., Men's Swimming & Diving
Suzanne Pulley Newell, Women's Swimming & Diving
Dan Slain, Baseball
2011 WINNERS
Jennifer Bruce Scott, Women's Basketball
Joseph David, Men's Basketball
Paul G. Patton, Squash, Tennis
Phillip “Papo” Ruiz Lugo, Men's Volleyball, Water Polo
Deborah A. Stinner Ferrington, Women's Volleyball
Carl H. Templin, Men's Soccer
John L. Verkleeren, Football
2010 WINNERS
Ralph Jelic, Football
Joe Kovacic, Football
J.C. Pelusi, Football
Maria Perez, Women's Volleyball
Dennis Stitch, Baseball
David Wohlfarth, Wrestling
2009 WINNERS
Joe Carroll, Football
Merle DeLuca, Football
Jerry DeMuro, Men's Swimming & Diving
Wayne DiBartola, Football
Cathy R. Gordon, Women's Volleyball
Jerry Minsinger, Baseball
2008 WINNERS
James P. Covert, Football
Henry Ford, Football
Nick Generalovich, Men's Basketball
Donald Nania, Baseball
Rande Stottlemyer, Wrestling
Rebecca Zuccarelli Verbus, Women's Gymnastics
2007 WINNERS
Debbie Lewis, Women's Basketball
Mark May, Football
Melanie Joan Nickerson, Women's Track & Field
Thomas E. Richards, Men's Basketball
Daniel W. Rullo, Football
William M. Sulkowski, Men's Basketball
2006 WINNERS
Matt Cavanaugh, Football
George F. Dieffenbach, Men's Tennis
Richard J. Gradisek, Football
Benjamin S. Jinks, Men's Basketball
Robert P. Randall, Baseball
Carlton Williamson, Football
2005 WINNERS
William B. Bannow, Men's Track & Field
Theodore N. Bobby, Men's Track & Field
Raymond M. Cappelli, Wrestling
Joseph Curtin, Football
S. Jeffrey Kondis, Football
Thomas N. Mitrakos, Football
2004 WINNERS
David E. Garnett, Football
Kenneth E. Macha, Baseball
William (Billy) Knight, Basketball
Bryant J. Salter, Football, Men's Track & Field
Thomas R. Staab, Men's Soccer
Kathy J. Stetler, Women's Swimming and Diving
2003 WINNERS
Tony D. Dorsett, Football
Charles Hefflin, Men's Track & Field
Joseph A Luxbacher, Men's Soccer
George J. Prussin, Baseball
Louis R. Slaby, Basketball, Football
George Constantine Yatron, Football
2002 WINNERS
Thomas M. Booth, Men's Basketball
Kirk M. Bruce, Men's Basketball
Gail Evans-Potter, Women Volleyball, Women Basketball
Joseph A. Macerelli, Football
John H. Pelusi Jr., Football
John Sikora, Men's Basketball
2001 WINNERS
Leslie S. Block, Football
David R. Havern, Football
David S. Jancisin, Football
Michael T. Jupina, Men's Track & Field
David Natali, Men's Swimming & Diving
Mary Ellen Wyszomierski, Women Basketball
2000 WINNERS
Vincent J. Bartolotta Jr., Men's Soccer
M. Perry Jones, Men's Track & Field
Jerome Matulevic, Baseball
Bruce D. Murphy Sr., Basketball, Football
Robert V. Racunas, Men's Soccer
Jonathan B. Towne, Men's Track & Field
1999 WINNERS
David A. Blandino, Football
Michael K. Ditka, Baseball, Basketball, Football
Serafino “Foge” Fazio, Football
John Guzik, Football
Donna Sanft, Women Gymnastics
Dave Wannstedt, Football
1998 WINNERS
Edwin E. Assid, Basketball, Football
Samuel Colella, Football
Steven A. Eiseman, Baseball
Joseph P. McCain, Baseball, Football
1997 WINNERS
Ralph E. Cindrich, Football, Wrestling
Ludwick Hayden Jr., Men's Track & Field
Alex J. Kramer, Football
P. Jerome Richey, Men's Track & Field
1996 WINNERS
John S. Beachler, Football
George F. Medich, Baseball, Football
Arnold M. Sowell Sr., Men's Track & Field
1995 WINNERS
Robert A. Bazylak, Football
Frank W. Gustine Jr., Baseball, Basketball, Football
Alfred S. Pelaez, Men's Soccer
K. George Schoeppner, Baseball
1994 WINNERS
Louis “Bimbo” Cecconi, Baseball, Basketball, Football
James M. Donahue, Men's Track & Field
Al A. Grigaliunas, Football
Martin Schottenheimer, Football
1993 WINNERS
Thomas Beckett, Baseball, Basketball
Brian Generalovich, Basketball, Football
Barry McKnight, Football
Barry J. Wetzel, Baseball
1992 WINNERS
Oland Canterna, Baseball, Basketball, Football
Heywood A. Haser, Football
Robert G. Lovett, Basketball
John A. Maczuzak, Basketball, Football
1991 WINNERS
William A. DelVecchio, Men's Track & Field
Regis J. Larkin, Men's Track & Field
Frederick H. Mazurek, Baseball, Football
Joseph F. Walton, Baseball, Football
1990 WINNERS
William Furrer Jr., Men's Swimming & Diving
Thomas C. Hall, Wrestling
Richard A. Leeson, Football
Vincent R. Scorsone, Football
1989 WINNERS
Richard E. Deitrick, Baseball, Basketball, Football
J. Paul Martha, Baseball, Football
Edwin C. Peery, Wrestling
Robert W. Richardson, Wrestling
1988 WINNERS
Walter N. Bielich, Football
Albert E. Ferrara, Men's Track & Field
William G. Kaliden Jr., Football
Daniel R. Kanell, Men's Track & Field
1987 WINNERS
Robert G. Bubb, Wrestling
T. Arnold Greene, Football
David R. Kraus, Football
Andrew J. Kuzneski Jr., Football
1986 WINNERS
James E. Banner, Men's Track & Field
Julius Pegues, Basketball
Samuel D. Shapiro, Baseball, Basketball
James Theodore, Football
1985 WINNERS
Donald E. Fisher Jr., Football
Don L. Hennon, Basketball
Morton S. Lerner, Basketball
Leroy L. Lewis, Football
1984 WINNERS
Thomas G. Bigley, Baseball, Football
M. Ray Ferguson, Football
Robert H. Lewis, Baseball
Michael R. Zernich, Basketball
1983 WINNERS
Arthur D. Boyd, Basketball
Charles L. Cost, Baseball, Basketball, Football
Stuart N. Kline, Football
John H. Wilson Jr., Men's Track & Field
1982 WINNERS
William W. Cieply, Basketball
James J. Robinson, Football, Men's Track & Field
William Y. Rial, Basketball
Theodore A. Schmitt, Football
1981 WINNERS
Robert C. Alberts, Men's Track & Field
Robert A. Johnson, Basketball
Martin S. Kramer, Men's Swimming & Diving
Charles R. Wilson, Basketball
1980 WINNERS
Richard P. Cassiano, Football
Herbert P. Douglas Jr., Men's Track & Field
John R. Kountz Sr., Men's Track & Field
Robert W. Timmons, Football
1979 WINNERS
James T. Dattilo, Wrestling
William T. Hughes, Basketball
Lindoro Lauro, Football
John B. Ulam, Men's Track & Field
1978 WINNERS
Nate Apple, Basketball
Stephen L. Petro, Football
Joseph P. Schmidt, Football
Wallace Zernich, Baseball, Basketball
1977 WINNERS
James Conklin, Wrestling
D. Russell Lindberg, Men's Swimming & Diving
Samuel Musico, Men's Track & Field
Harry Zeller, Basketball
1976 WINNERS
Axel J. Anderson, Football
Homer D. Butts Jr., Men's Swimming & Diving
Albin J. Leeson, Football
Frank J. Shea, Men's Track & Field
1975 WINNERS
Ernest B. Bonelli, Baseball, Football, Men's Track & Field
Walter P. Cummins, Football
William F. Kern, Football, Men's Track & Field
J. Robert LaRue, Football
1974 WINNERS
Frank J. Benedict, Football, Men's Track & Field
Virgil Fassio, Baseball
Charles M. Gongloff Sr., Men's Track & Field
Sidney S. Spatz, Baseball, Men's Track & Field
1973 WINNERS
Frank W. Knisley, Baseball, Basketball
Lou Mervis, Basketball, Football
Jack R. Scott, Basketball
Stephen Zernich Jr., Basketball
1972 WINNERS
Leland W. Cook, Baseball
Harris F. Hawkins, Football
Frank Scott, Football
Ralph C. Wilde, Men's Swimming & Diving
1971 WINNERS
J. Clyde Barton, Tennis
Rocco Cutri, Basketball, Football
Alfred T. Duff, Baseball, Men's Track & Field
Edwin F. Fisher, Baseball
1970 WINNERS
Richard M. Coni, Boxing
Averell E. Daniell, Football
Thomas J. Davies, Football, Baseball
Michael Radvansky Jr., Basketball
1969 WINNERS
Joseph R. Kristufek, Tennis
John P. Michelosen, Football
John A. Schricker, Wrestling
John Earl Weigel Sr., Track
1968 WINNERS
John G. Brosky, Track
Robert O. Garvin, Men's Basketball
Charles M. Hughes, Men's Basketball
William D. McClelland, Football
1967 WINNERS
Harvey J. Harman, Football
Elmer A. Lissfelt, Basketball
Herb Stein, Football
James M. Underwood, Men's Swimming and Diving
1966 WINNERS
Alan A. Booth, Football
Charles Hartwig, Football
J.F. Regis Toomey, Track
John Y. Woodruff, Track
1965 WINNERS
Carl Dallenbach, Football
John T. Dickinson, Football
Marshall Goldberg, Football
J. Steele Gow Sr.
George W. McLaren Jr., Football
Emil E. Narick, Football
Albert R. Pechan, Band
Paul E. Zehfuss, Basketball
1964 WINNERS
H.C. Carlson, Football
Lester B. Cohen, Basketball
Robert E. Grove, Baseball
Andrew F. Gustafson, Football
Lloyd P. Jordan, Football
Richard M. Simpson, Basketball
William F. Swanson
Everett E. Utterback, Track
1963 WINNERS
William C. Arthur
George I. Bloom, Baseball
Harry W. Colmery
Louis N. Colonna, Football
Patrick J. Corr, Swimming
Herbert Dewar, Football
Robert R. Gaw, Football
Ernest T. Lewis
1962 WINNERS
Edward B. Baker, Football
Joseph C. Donchess, Football
Frank E. Finley
Jack Harding, Football
Ira R. Hill, Baseball
George F. Kowallis, Basketball
Norman MacLeod, Football
Leonard M. Monheim, Men's Track & Field
1961 WINNERS
Karl Bohren, Baseball
George I. Carson, Football
Allen K. Collingwood, Football
G. Herbert McCracken, Basketball & Football
William S. McEllroy, Football
Harbaugh Miller, Men's Track & Field
John B. Sutherland, Wrestling
J. Huber Wagner, Football