The rivalry between Pitt and Duquesne dates back to 1932 when the two teams first met on the hardwood. In 1939, the rivalry was suspended because the animosity between the two schools, but over a decade later it was resurrected in 1953. Things may not be as heated between Pitt and Duquesne as they used to be, but you’ll still experience quite a game when attending a Pitt-Duquesne game.
Pitt vs Syracuse
Rival Team: Syracuse Orange
Pitt and Syracuse have been battling it out on the court since the Panthers joined the Big East in 1982. The rivalry and tension between the two teams have recently moved over to the ACC, so make sure to get tickets when the Panthers long-time rivals come to town.
Backyard Brawl
Rival Team: West Virginia Mountaineers
The Panthers and Mountaineers had one of the most intense rivalries in college sports up until 2012 when the Big East disbanded. The two teams have met 184 times with the Mountaineers holding a 96-88 lead in the all-time series, so don’t miss it when the series kicks off again.
Pittsburgh Panthers Stadium Guide
In Game
The Petersen Events Center won Recreation Management magazine’s Innovative Architecture & Design Honor Award in 2003 and is a breathtaking facility. The arena is home to 42,000 sq ft of glass and is the only arena in college basketball to feature courtside suites making it one of the most impressive arenas in the country.
In addition to being a gorgeous arena, The Pete is also home to one of the most raucous and craziest student sections in college hoops, the Oakland Zoo. The Zoo is high energy no matter what the score and gives opponents fits by creating a loud atmosphere that just about any opposing player would struggle to play in.
You’ll also find lots of tributes and shrines to Panthers athletics inside the Petersen Events Center. The arena is home to the McCarl Panthers Hall of Champions, which features exhibits and memorabilia for all of Pitts varsity athletics teams. The trophy displays and banners hanging up around the arena also help give off the sense of how important Panthers athletics are, so arrive early and walk the concourse before the game.
The Oakland area is home to lots of sports bars and pizza joints, so if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat you’ll be able to find it here. However, if you’re looking for something more adventurous, then you’ll want to venture out into the rest of Pittsburgh.
The Petersen Events Center is an excellent arena that is home one of the best student sections in the country and several tributes to Pitt athletics, making it well worth your time to attend a Pitt basketball game.
Learn more about the history of Pitt athletics by stopping by the McCarl Panthers Hall of Champions. The Hall of Champions features exhibits on a variety of Pitt sports and is a must-see for any college sports fan visiting the Petersen Events Center.
Outside The Pete is one of the several panther statues found around the Pitt campus. Snap a pic with the statue and try and locate the rest around campus when visiting Pitt.
Check out the men’s and women’s basketball trophy displays to see all of the hardware won by the Panthers over the years. Here you can see a wide variety of trophies and other memorabilia making it a must-see for Panthers fans.
The scoreboard from Pitt Stadium is located in the lobby of the Petersen Events Center, so check it out as you enter the arena. The Pete stands where Pitt Stadium used to be, and the scoreboard is a nice call back to the former home of the Pitt football team.
The Pete is home to banners honoring all of best Panthers basketball teams over the years including the program’s Premo-Porretta and two Helms national championships. Take a peek at the banners to remember all of the best moments in Pitt basketball history.
If you’re looking to pick up a souvenir then make sure to stop by the Panthers Team Store. You’ll find a wide variety of merchandise here, so no matter what you’re looking for you won’t walk away empty-handed.
The Oakland Zoo has earned a reputation as one of the rowdiest student sections in college basketball. The student section has been profiled by many national news outlets including the Wall Street Journal, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated. The Zoo creates an incredible in-game atmosphere, so enjoy the high energy and cheers coming from the student section when attending a Pitt basketball game.
You can spot the lovable Roc the Panther at every Pitt basketball game. He entertains the crowd with his shenanigans and gives high fives to fans young and old, so don’t miss him when attending a Pitt game.
Let’s go Pitt, we’re set for victory
So lend a hand, strike up the band!
Let’s go Pitt, we’re making history
We’ll never yield out on the field.
The whistle blows, we’re on our toes
The ball is IN the air.
It may be rough the going tough
But always fighting fair so…
(Chorus) Fight on for dear old Pittsburgh
And for the glory of the game
Show our worthy foe that the Panther’s on the go
Pitt must win today! Rah! Rah! Rah!
Cheer loyal sons of Pittsburgh
Cheer on to victory and fame
For the Blue and Gold shall conquer as of old
So fight, Pitt, fight!
Da da da da da-da Fight, Pitt, fight!
Da da da da da-da Fight, Pitt, fight!
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! (repeat Chorus)
Hail to Pitt!
Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt every loyal son
Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt ’til the victory is won
The gold and blue shall wave forever
On high through fair and stormy weather
We’ll sing her praises far and wide
Until the end of time
Hooperay, hooperay for dear old U-N-I
We’ll give a grand old alleghenee, genac, genac, genac
We’ll wave and cheer for many a year
And sing our songs out loud and clear
For our university.
Alma Mater
Alma mater, wise and glorious
Child of light and bride of truth
Over fate and foe victorious
Dowered with eternal youth.
Crowned with love of son and daughter
Thou shalt conquer as of yore.
Dear old Pittsburgh, Alma Mater
God preserve thee evermore.
Official University Yell
Pitt is the only school with an official yell as part of the chorus in one of its fight songs. The yell is in the fight song Hail to Pitt and is a reference to W.A. Johnston’s Official University Yell. When attending a Pitt Panthers game bring your vocal chords as you’ll need them to take part in this unique game day tradition.
During the introduction of the opposing team, members of the Oakland Zoo chant, “sucks” or “he sucks too” after each player is introduced. Join in on the chant to show your displeasure for the opposing team and to get in their heads.
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