Heather Lyke believes Pitt can 'weather this storm'

Faced with the possibility of canceling football games, losing revenue and limiting crowds at Heinz Field — perhaps even the sellout expected for Notre Dame — Heather Lyke said Tuesday that Pitt can “weather this storm” created by the covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking on 93.7 FM, Pitt’s director of athletics admitted, “This year may be a little bit challenging.”

“We are going to rely on our university to continue to support us through this time,” she said. “The reality is we have an unbelievably supportive university (and) our board of trustees. They know what athletics does in the city of Pittsburgh and for our university.

“Fortunately, I think we are very good stewards of the financial resources we are given, and we’re also going to have to adjust.”

Yet, she acknowledged the current reality: “If we can’t host fans, obviously, that’s a huge source of revenue for us in football and basketball but primarily football.”

The first issue might be dealing with the possibility of coronavirus testing turning up positive results, either among Pitt players and staff or the upcoming opponent.

If games need to be rescheduled or canceled for that reason, Lyke said priority will be given to playing the scheduled ACC games.

“If it means, unfortunately, maybe having to get rid of nonconference games, we would do that if we had to shorten or start the season later,” she said. “A lot is unknown, but that’s our priority right now.”

Pitt plays four nonconference games — one-third of the schedule, including Notre Dame on Oct. 17 at Heinz Field.

“It’s a priority game for us,” Lyke said of the Irish. “I know that Notre Dame is going to be in a situation, obviously, that they’re going to be looking for games. So we’re hoping to be able to accommodate that in some way or fashion.

“It’s one we were expecting a sellout crowd. That’s going to be a bit of a challenge, potentially. But we hope to be able to play that game. It’s important, a great opportunity for us to showcase our team against a top-rated opponent.”

Lyke said Pitt will offer full refunds if any of the seven home games, starting Sept. 5 against Miami (Ohio), are canceled. She added people may be moved from their seats to comply with social distancing “if that’s what we need to do.”

Lyke said limiting the number of people attending games at Heinz Field also might be necessary, creating the uncomfortable possibility of turning away fans.

“There are a whole lot of (other schools) that are in that situation,” she said. “I am not ready to share probably exactly what are plans are because we just don’t know exactly.”

But she added priority will be given to suite holders and those in club seats.

“They are in isolation,” she said. “We feel we can set up some isolation or separation possibilities. And then our season ticket holders will probably get priority next.”

She said those are the three highest priority levels, but she offered no specific numbers.

“We have to figure out what those numbers are and how it all shakes down,” she said. “Hopefully, people will understand that if they have to be turned away at one game, they might be able to come to another game.”

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