Staff Directory
- Title:
- Executive Associate Athletic Director, Philanthropy and Engagement
- Email:
- Phone:
- 412-624-6163
Lee Roberts joined the University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department in March of 2021 as the Executive Associate Athletic Director, Philanthropy & Engagement. Roberts oversees all fundraising and alumni engagement for Pitt Athletics through the Panther Club and Varsity Letter Club, as well as the Pitt Ticket Office. He also serves as a member of the Executive Leadership and Senior Leadership teams. Since his arrival in March of 2021, the Panther Club has seen tremendous growth with a 78% increase in donors. During the 2021-2022 and 2022-23 fiscal years, the number of donors to Pitt Athletics surpassed 12,000 donors for the only times in our history, with a peak of 12,778. Over that same time period, $59M has been contributed to Pitt Athletics, including a $20 million gift, the largest in the department's history.
In April 2022, Roberts assumed oversight of the Pitt Ticket Office. Since that time, he led the ticket office through an organizational restructuring to build a dedicated Fan Services team and an outbound Sales Team to complete the Ticket Operations team. This transition has led to enhanced service for Pitt Season Ticket Holders, as well as a growth in new ticket buyers. In 2022, Pitt hosted the largest attended sporting event ever in the city of Pittsburgh, when the Panthers hosted West Virginia in front of 70,622 fans. During the 2023 Pitt Volleyball season, they broke the volleyball attendance record with 8,865 fans enjoying a dramatic 5-set win over Louisville. Prior to Pitt, Roberts spent the past three years as the Associate AD, Development at Chattanooga, where he raised over $1 million for the Athletic Director's Discretionary Fund, while also funding major renovations to the men's basketball offices and the Mocs' wrestling practice facility. Under his leadership, Chattanooga saw unprecedented growth to its annual fund, summer school fundraising, C Club letterwinners participation and its annual Day of Giving campaign. In addition to his development responsibilities, Roberts also served on the department's senior leadership team and was the sport administrator for the men's cross country and women's track and cross country programs.
Roberts carried four different titles in six years at Michigan concluding his tenure as the Director of Development, Eastern States (2016-18). In that role, he raised $4.4 million in major and planned gifts in fiscal year 2017 with primary focus on the New York Tri-State Region, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. He also served as the Interim Director of Annual Giving, culminating in $35 million in revenue, from July 2016 through March 2017.
As Associate Director of Development, Michigan & Mid-Atlantic Region (2014-16), Roberts raised $3.1 million in philanthropic support for Michigan Athletics and developed the department's strategic stewardship plan for major gift donors as part of a $270 million facility plan. In six months as an Associate Director of Annual Giving (May 2014 – November 2014), he managed premium seating at Michigan Stadium, Crisler Arena and Yost Ice Arena generating $1.75 million in new suit sales and $3.25 million in suite renewals. Roberts began his time at Michigan as an Annual Giving Associate (2012-14) managing season ticket interest lists for football and men's basketball and executing the annual giving solicitation calendar.
Roberts, graduated from North Carolina in 2004 with a BA in journalism and mass communication and returned to his alma mater to earn a master's degree in sport administration in 2012. During his time in Chapel Hill, he worked in game operations before serving as an annual giving graduate assistant with The Rams Club.
Roberts, his wife Sarah, their two sons Harris and Henry and their dog Sadie reside in Franklin Park.
Beyond the Bio
Favorite Place on the University of Pittsburgh Campus?
Petersen Events Center – the energy in this building every day as the central hub for all Pitt students gets me excited to come to work. Plus, it has a Chick-Fil-A.
Favorite Sports Moment at Pitt?
Pitt Men’s Basketball making a run in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Favorite Aspect of working in Pitt’s Athletic Department?
Being inspired every day by our incredible student-athletes.
Favorite Quote?
It’s a beautiful day in which to excel. – My Dad
