PITTSBURGH — Pitt Athletics enshrined 10 new members in its 2024 induction class during the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner presented by PNC Friday evening at the Petersen Events Center. The honorees also will be introduced at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14, when the Panthers take on historic rival West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl.
2024 Hall of Fame Induction Class
- DeJuan Blair (Men’s Basketball)
- Dick Groat (Broadcaster; Posthumous)
- Bill Hillgrove (Broadcaster)
- Amy Jackson (Women’s Swimming)
- Brianna Kiesel (Women’s Basketball)
- George McLaren (Football; Posthumous)
- Jamie Pelusi (Women’s Soccer)
- Darrelle Revis (Football)
- Al Romano (Football)
- Steve Lewis (Track and Field Coach; Posthumous)
Nominations for the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame were solicited from the general public. Candidates must be five years removed from their final year of collegiate competition and not currently be playing professional sports.
The Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee then evaluated the candidate pool and provided a recommendation on the class to the director of athletics.
2024 Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Class Biographies
DeJuan Blair | Men’s Basketball | 2007-09
A product of Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District who lived a mere 600 yards from the Petersen Events Center, Blair is one of the most dominant and decorated players in the history of Pitt basketball. A 6-foot-7 center, he bullied taller opponents with a rugged and relentless style. Blair averaged a double-double (15.7 points and 12.3 rebounds) during his final collegiate season, leading the Panthers to a 31-5 record and the Elite Eight of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Pitt twice ascended to its first-ever No. 1 national ranking that season. Blair was a 2009 consensus All-American—becoming the first Pitt basketball player to earn that stature since Don Hennon in 1959—and the Big East’s Co-Player of the Year. He burst onto the scene as a freshman, averaging 11.6 points and 9.1 boards, to earn 2008 Big East Co-Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-America accolades. Blair’s play lifted Pitt to the 2008 Big East Tournament title. He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2009 NBA Draft and later…
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