From the Cathedral of Learning to Petersen Events Center to the football team’s training facility on the South Side, some of Pitt’s most high-profile officials and coaches have expressed sadness and outrage at the killing of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis.
Football coach Pat Narduzzi said in a tweet he was “saddened and sickened” by the death of George Floyd. He wrote that Floyd was “murdered at the hands of four police officers.”
#BlackLivesMatter #Unity pic.twitter.com/ST1nG14Cjm
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) June 2, 2020
A tweet from the men’s basketball team said “the recent and senseless deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd made it clear that we have a larger purpose.” Arbery and Taylor were shot to death in southern Georgia and Louisville.
“We have the opportunity to be the voice of our generation and use our platform to be the catalyst of change.”
It is a cause championed by basketball coach Jeff Capel, whose paternal grandfather, Felton Capel Sr., was hand-picked by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help desegregate the south.
WE HAVE 2 MAKE THIS STOP! Anyone that sees this and can’t see ALL THE WRONG in this pic is sick. This isn’t political. This isn’t black vs white. This has 2 be EVERYONE against racist people, institutional racism, and systemic oppression! We must come TOGETHER 2 fight this enemy! pic.twitter.com/IpdTuHjX5E
— Jeff Capel (@jeffcapel) June 2, 2020
We stand in solidarity. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/7kcNsnTxg5
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) June 2, 2020
Athletic director Heather Lyke expressed her “tremendous empathy for all our African American student-athletes, coaches & staff.”
Additionally, Pitt’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will hold a Zoom meeting Thursday for student-athletes to voice any concerns. Lyke and Chancellor Patrick Gallagher will attend. “We aim to make this a reoccurring event,” SAAC said in a tweet. Pitt senior football player Cal Adomitis is president of SAAC.
A message on behalf of the Pitt Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
— Pitt Life Skills (@Pitt_LIFESKILLS) June 2, 2020
Together we stand. #PanthersUnite#H2P pic.twitter.com/k8zcZJaNCd
The past week has been intensely sad. I wanted to take this opportunity to connect with @Pitt_ATHLETICS & Panther nation. I have tremendous empathy for all our African American student-athletes, coaches & staff. We support, love, respect & care for each and everyone of you #H2P
— Heather Lyke (@Pitt_LykeAD) June 2, 2020
Assistant head coach Charlie Partridge wrote, “I am so sorry for anyone who has faced injustice.”
We must do better as nation and a society... together. When it is time, we must stand up. When it is time, we must listen. I am so sorry for anyone who has faced injustice. #BlackLivesMatter #BlackOutTuesday pic.twitter.com/w0j7sqUM9q
— Charlie Partridge (@CoachPartridge) June 2, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher added, “It’s time to turn the lens inward and consider Pitt’s role in perpetuating unfair structures and systems.”
The painful truth is that persistent and systemic racism continues to fuel a deep injustice toward Black Americans. It’s time to turn the lens inward and consider Pitt’s role in perpetuating unfair structures and systems: https://t.co/oJ2YY8lf4U#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/GSTctg8zQE
— Patrick Gallagher (@PittChancellor) June 2, 2020
