the University of Pittsburgh has made the surprising decision to part ways with athletic director Heather ly several months before her contract was set to expire at the end of 2024 the move announced by pit Chancellor Joan Gabel on Monday signals a shift in leadership at a time when the landscape of College athletics is undergoing significant changes while like has been credited with numerous successes during her tenure Gabel stated the need for a new vision and a new leader to guide pit Athletics into the future Heather L who took over the athletic department in 201 17 is regarded as a transformative figure for pit Sports under her leadership the University's athletic programs experienced significant growth and success across multiple Sports the football team reached New Heights by capturing its first Atlantic Coast Conference ACC title in 2021 a landmark achievement for the program since joining the conference in 2013 L also hired men's basketball coach Jeff Cable in 2018 a decision that played a crucial role in revitalizing a program that had struggled for years the additionally she spearheaded the rise of the women's volleyball team into a national Powerhouse and oversaw the men's soccer team's impressive runs to the college Cup in 2020 and 2022 however like's contributions extended Beyond on field performance one of her most ambitious initiatives was the launch of the Victory Heights project a $240 million state-of-the-art athletic complex that once completed will serve as the home for 16 of Pit's 19 Intercollegiate programs the facility which began Construction in 2020 is expected to open in the fall of 2025 and will feature seating for up to 3,000 Spectators for sports such as volleyball wrestling and gymnastics although like played a pivotal role in envisioning and securing funding for Victory Heights she will not remain in her position to see the project come to fruition in her parting statement posted on social media like expressed pride in her accomplishments at pit reflecting on the positive impact she believes she has made today I reflected on the wise words from a mentor if you leave a place better than you found it you can be proud of your work she wrote I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of the student athletes coaches staff alumni donors and community members that I have had the privilege to serve alongside at the University of Pittsburgh L's tenure at pit has not gone unnoticed in the broader landscape of College athletics in recent months she explored other opportunities and was a finalist for the athletic director position at Northwestern University ultimately Northwestern chose to hire Mark Jackson the athletic director from Villanova for the role but like's candidacy was a testament to her growing National rep reputation as a leader in Collegiate Athletics despite her achievements Pit's leadership evidently felt that it was time for a change citing the rapidly evolving challenges in college sports as a major factor we need a new vision and a new leader of our athletics department Gabel said in her statement signaling the University's desire to take a different direction Jennifer Tuscano who has worked in Pit's athletic department in various roles will serve as inter athletic director while the university conducts a comprehensive search for likes permanent replacement the search is expected to attract significant attention given Pit's improving status in college athletics and its major projects underway like leaves pit with a legacy of notable accomplishments from bringing in successful coaching hires and raising the profile of the University's teams to launching a game-changing facilities project her departure marks the end of an era but also opens the door to new leadership as pit navigates the increasingly competitive world of Collegiate Sports