When Pat Bostick first arrived at Pitt, his job was scoring touchdowns — either by throwing them as a highly recruited, four-star quarterback or by leading the Panthers offense.
Today, Bostick’s job is scoring points with donors: building lasting relationships with deep-pocketed alumni and supporters who part with their assets in an effort to prop up Panthers athletics.
He plays an integral role in securing funds that fuel things such as facility facelifts and players’ assistance programs.
“(Athletic director) Heather (Lyke) and (former) Chancellor (Patrick) Gallagher have made an unprecedented investment in athletics, coaching salary, facility infrastructure,” said Bostick, who carries the lofty and lengthy title of senior associate athletics director of development/major gifts. “It’s our job to make sure that we continue to meet those needs financially, moving forward in a way that not only yields short-term success but also is sustainable long-term.”
If it sounds like Bostick is reciting a company line, he just might be.
A Pitt Man, Bostick might be the best salesman the athletic department could ask for.
He was quarterback in 2007 when Pitt famously upset No. 2 West Virginia, 13-9, and a year later when the Panthers defeated Notre Dame in four overtimes. They stand as two of the most memorable victories in Pitt’s illustrious history.
Related:
• Fueled by Heather Lyke's leadership, Pitt athletics experiencing renaissance of success• Pitt chancellor: Multiple factors will play into a new contract for AD Heather Lyke
• Mega-donor Chris Bickell helping Pitt level playing field with college football's elite teams
• Wofford's Shawn Watson embraces `the why' of coaching as he prepares his Terriers for Pitt
He also serves as the color analyst — often with blistering honesty — for Pitt football games.
He has seen firsthand the changes of the college athletics landscape.
“The rules were different back (when I played),” he said. “The quality of food and shelter that they get, it’s all gone to another level.
“Obviously, the most important thing is providing them with a world-class education but also a world-class, elite environment in which to become the best possible athlete they can be, with the best coaching, the best training, the best nutrition.
“It’s at an unprecedented level, not only in my time here but in Pitt athletics history.”
Bostick said when his football career ended, he felt the need to attend to some unfinished business.
“We saw what the university could become, academically from a research standpoint, health care. But what could the athletic department become? I wanted to play a role in that,” he said. “I knew what the experience did for me as a young person. That’s first and foremost, to be able to pay that forward.”
