Panthers of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh adopted the Panther as its official animal and mascot on November 16, 1909 at a meeting of students and alumni.
[12] At one time, painting or defacing the Moretti sculptures was a popular form of vandalism committed by the fans of rival universities prior to the schools' football games.
This Panther outside the William Pitt Union is ten-and-a-half-feet long and was cast with a sleek and muscular tone in pure bronze by sculptor Miriani Guido in Parma, Italy.
The statue arrived on campus in May 2001 and was stored over the summer in a University warehouse until placed outside the William Pitt Union at the end of August 2001.
Dedicated August 31, 2001 with the belief that scholarship,integrity and the unyielding spirit of our past will carry usinto the new millennium and beyond.A gift from the 1999 Student BodyGeorge J. MongellPresident, Student GovernmentMark A. NordenbergChancellorStudents, alumni, and fans rub the nose of the Millennium Panther in order to bring good luck to the university's teams prior to athletic contests.
Similar to the Panther outside Heinz Field, it is based on the design by Thomas N. Mitrakos for the award for the Pitt Varsity Letter Club Awardees of Distinction.
[21] “Pitt the Panther”, adopted by Henry and Linda Haller, is one of the animals on a Victorian-style carousel, opened in 2006 and built by Chance Rides Manufacturing of Wichita, Kansas, and funded by the PNC Financial Services Group.
It holds 20 people, on 15 1950s-style animals or in a handicapped-accessible chariot and a spinning tub suitable for small children and their parents.
The carousel is Schenley Plaza’s feature family attraction and the menagerie of animals, including "Pitt the Panther",[22] symbolizes the fellowship and diversity of Pittsburgh.
[23][24] In order to create a new homecoming tradition, the Pitt Student Government board purchased ten fiberglass panther statues in 2007 for $60,000 from Heavy Industries of Calgary, Canada.
Originally planned for a 2007 homecoming introduction, manufacturing delays prevented initial decoration and first unveiling until a ceremony on January 10, 2008.
At the 2021 National Cheer Association Mascot Competition in Daytona Beach, Roc the Panther took home 3rd place to the Steel City with a performance celebrating his energy, moves, and character.
This award tops his previous earning more than 10 years ago when he placed 6th for his "Roc of Ages" performance, dancing through different eras of music.
