Bill Hillgrove, Dick Groat broadcast team joins 6 others in Pitt's 2024 Hall of Fame class

The University of Pittsburgh on Thursday unveiled its 10-member 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame class, a group headlined by the legendary broadcast team of Bill Hillgrove and Dick Groat, plus star athletes Darrelle Revis and Al Romano (football) and DeJuan Blair (basketball).

The sixth class of honorees will receive induction Sept. 13 at Petersen Events Center.

“Our Hall of Fame classes annually showcase not only the greatest athletes in Pitt history but also the very best to ever compete in their respective sports,” Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke said in a statement. “These 10 honorees embody that same legendary excellence.

“This class features iconic performers representing six different sports and, for the first time ever, the field of broadcasting. Their achievements truly inspire Pitt pride, and we look forward to celebrating their richly deserved inductions this fall.”

The inductees also will be introduced Sept. 14 at Acrisure Stadium when Pitt meets West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl.

DeJuan Blair, men’s basketball, 2007-09

Blair lived 600 yards from Petersen Events Center in the Hill District. As a result, it was not unexpected when he matriculated from Schenley High School to Pitt. At 6-foot-7, he bullied taller opponents from his center position while averaging a double-double (15.7 points, 12.3 rebounds) during his final collegiate season when he led the Panthers to a 31-5 record and the Elite Eight of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Blair was a 2009 consensus All-American, the first Pitt basketball player to earn that stature since Don Hennon in 1959. He had a seven-year NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards.

Bill Hillgrove and Dick Groat (posthumous), broadcasters

Hillgrove and Groat formed one of the most beloved broadcasting duos in Pittsburgh history, calling Pitt men’s basketball games on the radio from 1979 to 2019. They are the first inductees into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame who did not play or coach for the Panthers. Hillgrove has been the play-by-play voice for Pitt basketball since 1969. He was Pitt football’s color analyst from 1970-73 before taking over play-by-play duties in 1974. Groat was a college basketball All-American at Duke and the 1960 National League MVP and batting champion for the Pirates.

Amy Jackson, women’s swimming, 1978-82

Jackson is one of the most decorated athletes in Pitt history, regardless of sport. At the time, she was the fourth Pitt athlete named a four-year All-American, joining Tony Dorsett and swimmers Kathy Stetler and Suzanne Pulley. She earned All-America honors in 20 events.

Brianna Kiesel, women’s basketball, 2011-15

Kiesel played guard and became the only player in Pitt women’s basketball history to record at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists in a career. She led Pitt in scoring and assists in four consecutive seasons while starting all 122 games of her career.

George McLaren (posthumous), football, 1915-18

McLaren played fullback and never was thrown for a loss in four varsity seasons. His 91-yard touchdown run against Syracuse in 1917 stood as a Pitt record for 100 years. He was selected first-team All-American twice (1917-18), earning consensus status in 1918.

Jamie Pelusi, women’s soccer, 2002-05

Pelusi started 53 consecutive games as a goalkeeper, finishing her career as Pitt’s all-time leader in saves (456), save percentage (.786), goals-against average (1.75), shutouts (13) and victories (19). Nearly two decades after her final match, she still ranks first in saves and second in save percentage, shutouts and victories.

Darrelle Revis, football, 2004-06

Recruited from the longtime Pitt football pipeline of Aliquippa, Revis was a Freshman All-American in 2004 while helping the Panthers earn a share of the Big East championship and a Fiesta Bowl berth. In three seasons, he played in all 35 games (34 starts). Revis was a two-time first-team All-Big East cornerback, scoring five touchdowns: three on interceptions and two punt returns. His most memorable play for Pitt was a 73-yard punt return touchdown against West Virginia that was chosen as ESPN’s 2006 College Football Play of the Year. He was drafted in the first round by the New York Jets in 2007 and played 11 NFL seasons, earning seven Pro Bowl honors and four All-Pro distinctions before his induction last year in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Al Romano, football, 1973-76

Romano was a member of Johnny Majors’ first Pitt recruiting class in 1973, helping build the foundation that led to the undefeated Panthers winning the national championship in 1976. A nose tackle, he was a consensus All-American and Outland Trophy finalist in ’76. He was responsible for the biggest defensive play of the ’76 season when he stopped a Syracuse ball carrier deep in Pitt territory on fourth-and-short, protecting a seven-point lead in an eventual 23-13 victory.

Steve Lewis (posthumous), track and field coach, 1984-2002

Lewis arrived at Pitt in 1982 as an assistant men’s track and field coach, became head women’s coach in 1984 and continued to work with the men’s sprinters and hurdlers. In 1994, he took over as head coach of both programs and served in that capacity for the next eight years. He tutored two-time Olympic gold medalist Roger Kingdom, four-time NCAA champion Lee McRae, two-time NCAA champion Najuma Fletcher and seven-time NCAA champion Trecia-Kaye Smith.

NOTE: Nominations for Hall of Fame induction were solicited from the general public and evaluated by the selection committee that provided recommendations to Lyke. Candidates must be five years removed from their final year of collegiate competition and not currently playing professional sports.