Pitt names Eastern Michigan's Heather Lyke as athletic director

PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh on Monday announced Heather Lyke as its new athletic director.

Lyke, who will be leaving the same position at Eastern Michigan University, will be the first woman to serve as Pitt’s athletic director.

“Any time you get a call from a guy named Patrick Gallagher on St. Patrick's Day is a good sign,” Lyke said at a news conference.

Lyke spent 15 years at Ohio State, where she eventually became the senior associate athletic director. She left in 2013 for Eastern Michigan.

Lyke said giving coaches resources to be successful and creating an “environment of comprehensive excellence” are among her goals as athletic director.

“It’s the challenge of instilling a belief that we can compete with the best. When we wear the blue and gold, we'll wear it with pride. We'll expect to win and we'll prepare for success,” Lyke said.

Cox Media Group