History of University of Pittsburgh in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 15, 2025

The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It comprises seventeen undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges on its urban campus, which accommodates over 31,000 students. The 132-acre campus features historic buildings within the Schenley Farms Historic District, including the iconic 42-story Cathedral of Learning. Pitt is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity.

1905: Pitt sponsors varsity men's basketball

In 1905, Pitt first sponsored varsity men's basketball.

1909: Panther adopted as mascot

In the fall of 1909, the University of Pittsburgh became the first college or university to adopt the panther (Puma concolor) as its mascot.

1911: Pitt Band founded

In 1911, the Pitt Band, the varsity marching band of the University of Pittsburgh, was founded.

1911: University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band founded

In 1911, the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band was founded.

1913: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Established

In 1913, the historically black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, was established at the University of Pittsburgh.

1914: Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program started

During the 1914, the Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program started.

1915: Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program continued

During the 1915, the Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program continued.

1915: Kappa Alpha Theta established

In 1915, the oldest women's group, Kappa Alpha Theta, was established at the University of Pittsburgh.

1918: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Established

In 1918, the historically black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, was established at the University of Pittsburgh.

1927: Pitt wins Helms Foundation National Championship

In 1927, Pitt's men's basketball team, coached by "Doc" Carlson and led by Charlie Hyatt, won one of its two Helms Foundation National Championships.

1927: Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program goes on hiatus

In 1927, the Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program went on hiatus.

1929: Pitt wins Helms Foundation National Championship

In 1929, Pitt's men's basketball team, coached by "Doc" Carlson and led by Charlie Hyatt, won one of its two Helms Foundation National Championships.

1941: Pitt appears in Final Four

In 1941, Pitt's men's basketball team appeared in the Final Four.

1969: Pitt Jazz Ensemble founded

In 1969, the Pitt Jazz Ensemble was founded by saxophonist Dr. Davis and has since performed internationally.

1970: Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program returns

In 1970, the Pittsburgh Panthers women's varsity basketball program returned after a hiatus.

1974: Pitt appears in Elite Eight

In 1974, Pitt's men's basketball team appeared in the Elite Eight, led by All-American Billy Knight.

1974: Pitt women's volleyball program began

The Pitt women's volleyball program began in 1974.

1982: Pitt joins the Big East Conference

In 1982, Pitt joined the Big East Conference.

1983: Pitt African Music and Dance Ensemble founded

In 1983, the Pitt African Music and Dance Ensemble was founded by Ghanaian ethnomusicologist Willie O. Anku, specializing in music and dances from Africa.

1992: Pitt Cheerleading squad wins national championship

In 1992, The Pitt Cheerleading squad won its first of three straight cheerleading national championships.

1994: Pitt Cheerleading squad wins national championship

In 1994, The Pitt Cheerleading squad won its third straight cheerleading national championship.

2002: Era of consistent national and conference competitiveness begins

Beginning in 2002, led by coach Jamie Dixon, Pitt achieved an era of consistent national and conference competitiveness in men's basketball, reaching the number one ranking in various national polls.

2005: Trecia-Kaye Smith wins World Championship

In 2005, Trecia-Kaye Smith, a seven-time NCAA champion, won the World Championship in triple jump.

2008: Pitt women's basketball advances to Sweet Sixteen

In 2008, led by head coach Agnus Berenato, Pitt's women's basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

2009: Pitt women's basketball advances to Sweet Sixteen

In 2009, led by head coach Agnus Berenato, Pitt's women's basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

2012: Academic achievements of Pitt varsity athletes

During the 2012 calendar year, out of approximately 450 Pitt varsity student athletes, 350 had term grade point averages exceeding 3.0, including 16 that had a perfect average of 4.0, and 174 were named Big East Conference Academic All-Stars or placed on the all-academic Big East football team.

2013: Pitt baseball reaches national ranking

In 2013, Pitt's baseball team reached the national top 25 repeatedly.

2013: Pitt joins Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

In 2013, all varsity sports teams at the University of Pittsburgh, with the exception of gymnastics, became members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

2015: Pat Narduzzi becomes head football coach

Since 2015, Pat Narduzzi has been the head coach of the football team at the University of Pittsburgh.

2019: Pitt Alumni Association supports alumni

As of 2019, the University of Pittsburgh has over 330,000 living alumni who are supported by the Pitt Alumni Association, founded in 1866, and over 50 regionally-based Pitt Clubs located throughout the world.

2023: Gymnastics moves to the ACC

In 2023, the gymnastics team moved to the ACC when the conference began sponsoring the sport.

April 2024: Pittsburgh University students protest Israel–Hamas war

In April 2024, Pittsburgh University students joined other campuses in encampments and protests against the Israel–Hamas war, calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza, divestment from the "Israeli apartheid regime," and cutting ties with Israeli universities. CAIR-Pittsburgh urged the university to drop charges against protesting students.