At every level, Panther Club membership make an impact on Pitt student-athletes by providing vital resources for our student-athletes in the classroom and on the field. Beginning on July 1, 2025 the minimum membership level will increase to $100.
PRIORITY POINTS
The Panther Club utilizes a priority point system to determine rank among donors – rewarding loyalty and giving level. The point system determines priority for ticketing and special events.
Points are accumulated on the following basis:
Annual Financial Support
5 points for every $100 given philanthropically to Pitt Athletics (including, but not limited to, the Athletic Director's Fund, Student-Athlete Success Fund and Sport-Specific Championship Funds)
3 points for every $100 contributed to Panther Club Scholarship Seating/Parking Memberships
10 points for each consecutive year of membership in the Panther Club
Season Ticket Purchases
2 points for each year of purchasing Pitt football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and volleyball season tickets (football and men’s basketball since 1972, women’s basketball since 2005, volleyball since 2019)
University of Pittsburgh Affiliation
10 points for each affiliation (one-time application per account regardless of quantity of persons/degrees on account):
Varsity letterwinner at the University of Pittsburgh-Oakland (Main Campus)
Faculty/Staff
Alumni
Bonus Points
The Panther Club reserves the right to utilize bonus point opportunities where/when deemed appropriate
If you have any questions about joining the Panther Club, annual benefits, and/or priority point information, please contact us at 412-648-8889 or pantherclub@athletics.pitt.edu.
FAQ
General Membership Questions
Panther Club membership begins at $100. Your gift to the Panther Club is used towards student-athlete scholarships, facility updates and resources. With over 850 student-athletes, your contributions play a critical role in the success of Pitt Athletics programs.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has repealed the "80/20" rule for charitable giving related to seating. Therefore, all contributions tied to priority seating or parking are no longer considered tax-deductible. Any required fees associated with season tickets and/or parking will now be known as Scholarship Seating/Parking Memberships. Panther Club priority points and membership benefits are still applicable.
All donations not related to seating and are above and beyond Scholarship Seating/Parking Memberships, classified as philanthropic gifts, are tax-deductible. Please consult your personal tax advisor concerning the deductibility of any contribution to the Panther Club.
Scholarship Seating/Parking Memberships are included in the cost of any season ticket order for football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and volleyball. Like the majority of other colleges and universities across the country, Pitt uses Scholarship Seating/Parking Memberships to provide vital funding for our athletics programs to offset the scholarship expenses of Pitt student-athletes. The need for this funding continues to be prevalent and grow over the years.
Philanthropic gifts are above and beyond investments into Pitt Athletics. These gifts are above and beyond required costs, qualify as tax deductible, and accrue the most priority points for your gift. Areas of priority for Pitt Athletics include:
Athletic Director's Fund - The cornerstone for maintaining Pitt's competitive excellence in this modern era of collegiate athletics. Your support is crucial in addressing the immediate and future needs of Pitt's student-athletes.
Student-Athlete Success Fund - This fund provides vital resources such as scholarship support, leadership development, technology and health and wellness resources to our 850 student-athletes, Pitt Band and Spirit Squad members.
Sport-Specific Championship Funds - Donors have the choice to support a team directly through a specific Championship Fund. Your support helps our teams establish themselves as perennial ACC and national championship contenders.
Yes! The Student Panther Club program allows current Pitt students to Join the Panther Club. As a member of the Student Panther club, our goal is to enhance your student experience by deepening your connection to the University of Pittsburgh through exclusive athletic experiences and benefits. Learn more about the Student Panther Club and its membership benefits.
Gifts can be made online, over the phone or by mail. Each active members has a personalized online account that can be access to make secure gifts, check account status, update contact information or access their ticket account. Access your account here.
Members are prioritized based on Panther Club membership level, followed by total priority points accumulated over lifetime giving within membership level. The Panther Club will calculate your ranking in snapshots throughout the drive year to determine priority for ticketing and events such as:
Single Game Ticket On-Sale
Season Ticket/Parking Upgrades and Requests
Away/Postseason Contests
Stadium/Arena Reseats
The best way Panther Club members can immediately improve their priority at any given time is by upgrading to the next membership level.
Members are only transferable one-time and only between immediate family members (parents to children). For more information on membership transfers, please contact the Panther Club Office at 412-648-8889.
