Pitt Names New Athletic Director
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Former Utah State Athletic Director Scott Barnes has officially been named the next athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh by Chancellor Patrick Gallagher.
Barnes spent the last seven years with the Aggies' program and has 26 years of administrative experience at the collegiate level. He replaces former athletic director Steve Pederson who was fired in December.
Barnes, who will officially begin at Pitt on July 1, was a unanimous choice of a 14-member University search committee charged with the responsibility of recommending candidates.
"This is a man of great warmth, integrity and sincerity and what comes across when you talk to Scott Barnes is his focus on the students athletes," Gallagher said.
Barnes' career in college athletics was inspired by his own experiences as a student athlete on the basketball team at Fresno State University. His wife Jody was also a Fresno State student-athlete as a member of the track team and their daughter is a basketball player at USU.
"This is not a job, it's a lifestyle and I mean that. It's a huge part of our lives," Barnes said.
Some of his most notable achievements during his tenure at Utah State include the football program averaging 10 wins a year over the past three seasons, 20 conference team championships among all of the athletic programs and record breaking athletic fundraising success.
Barnes said he is excited about the opportunity to lead the Pitt athletic program because of the rich history and tradition throughout the university and the passion for excellence in both athletics and academics.
