Panthers of Pittsburgh A panther ( " Puma concolor " ) is the animal that serves as the official mascot of the University of Pittsburgh and used as a nickname for both athletic teams as well as other organizations and affiliates of the university . The mascot is generally referred to as the Pittsburgh Panther or Pitt Panther , while the costumed panther mascot is also named " Roc " . Up to 20 physical representations of panthers can be found in and around the university ' s campus and athletic facilities . History . The University of Pittsburgh adopted the Panther as its official animal and mascot on November 16 , 1909 at a meeting of students and alumni . This adoption occurred shortly after the university , previously known as the Western University of Pennsylvania , obtained an alteration to its charter in the summer of 1908 in order to change its name to the University of Pittsburgh . When named the Western University of Pennsylvania , the university had been referred to by the nickname of " Wup " ( pronounced Whup ) and athletic teams referred to as the " Wups " , a play on the school ' s abbreviation W . U . P . At this time , the university also began the process of moving from what is now Pittsburgh ' s North Side to its current location in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh . According to George M . P . Baird ( class of 1909 ) , who made the suggestion for the Panther as the university ' s mascot , the reasons it was chosen were : 1 . The Panther was the most formidable creature once indigenous to the Pittsburgh region . 2 . It had ancient , heraldic standing as a noble animal . 3 . The happy accident of alliteration . 4 . The close approximation of its hue to the old gold of the University ' s colors ( old gold and blue ) , hence its easy adaptability in decoration . A costumed Panther character has made appearances at University of Pittsburgh athletic events for decades . Although the Panther costume has changed over time , the mascot was nicknamed " Roc " in 1990s to honor Steve Petro , former football player , assistant coach , athletic department assistant , and long - time fan , whose nickname from his playing days under Jock Sutherland was " the Rock " . The Panther mascot appears at various university events , both athletic and other . Statues and other representations . There are 20 representations of Panthers in and about Pitt ' s campus , including ten painted fiberglass panthers decorated by various student groups that are placed around the campus by the Pitt Student Government . The oldest representations of panthers are four " Panther " statues that guard each corner of the Panther Hollow Bridge . Other Oakland locations include both inside and in front of the William Pitt Union , outside the Petersen Events Center , " Pitt the Panther " on the carousel in Schenley Plaza , the Panther head fountain on the front of the Cathedral of Learning , and the Pitt Panther statue outside Heinz Field on Pittsburgh ' s North Shore . Panther Hollow Bridge Panthers . Giuseppe Moretti ' s ( 1859 – 1935 ) four cast bronze " Panther " statue s created in 1897 guard each corner of Panther Hollow Bridge in Schenley Park adjacent to the Pitt campus . Panthers were once found abundantly throughout the region and became to symbolize it . These statues , and Panther Hollow , existed prior to the university ' s move by 1909 to Oakland which includes the neighborhood of Panther Hollow adjacent to the school ' s campus . Moretti ' s " Panther " statues soon became adopted representations of the university and of the Pittsburgh Panthers and became a popular photographic site for visitors and students of the university and were widely used in university and student publications . Representations of Moretti statues were also used in university logos . At one time , painting or defacing the Moretti sculptures was a popular form of vandalism committed by the fans of rival universities prior to the schools ' football games . William Pitt Union Moretti Panther . An 1897 panther sculpture by Giuseppe Moretti , the same artist who sculpted the Panther Hollow Panthers , sits inside a paneled wood case in the Tansky Family Lounge on the first floor of the William Pitt Union . Panther Fountain . A panther head spews water in this fountain located at the base of the Cathedral of Learning , which was constructed from 1926 - 1937 . Joseph Gattoni did the Cathedral ' s stone work , although no information is available on whether he specifically worked on the fountain . Millennium Panther . This Panther outside the William Pitt Union is ten - and - a - half - feet long and was cast with a sleek and muscular tone in pure bronze by sculptor Miriani Guido in Parma , Italy . With one paw poised in the air , the panther is designed to appear ready to pounce on an unsuspecting enemy . The statue arrived on campus in May 2001 and was stored over the summer in a University warehouse until placed outside the William Pitt Union at the end of August 2001 . A time capsule to be opened in the year 2051 was buried beneath the statue . The project , a gift to the university from the Student Government Board to commemorate the beginning of the 3rd millennium , began with deliberations in April 1999 , cost $ 72 , 000 ( $ 62 , 000 plus a $ 10 , 000 base ) , the most student government has ever spent on one project up until that time . The plaque on the statue reads < br > The Pitt Panther Dedicated August 31 , 2001 with the belief that scholarship , < br > integrity and the unyielding spirit of our past will carry us < br > into the new millennium and beyond . < br > < br > A gift from the 1999 Student Body < br > < br > George J . Mongell < br > President , Student Government < br > < br > Mark A . Nordenberg < br > Chancellor Students , alumni , and fans rub the nose of theMillennium Panther in order to bring good luck to the university ' s teams prior to athletic contests . This tradition was featured in a national television advertisement for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson automobile . Panther outside Heinz Field . This Panther sits outside Gate A of Heinz Field across the Monongahela River from downtown Pittsburgh . It is based on the design by Thomas N . Mitrakos for the award for the Pitt Varsity Letter Club Awardees of Distinction . Dedicated on September 6 , 2002 . The statue , long is set on a granite base . Paved in the stone around the base is an image of the Cathedral of Learning . The statue was made possible by a donation from Charles “ Corky ” ( ENGR ’ 58 ) and Frances M . ( CAS ‘ 58 ) Cost . Panther outside the Pete . This Panther sits at the main entrance of the Petersen Events Center . Similar to the Panther outside Heinz Field , it is based on the design by Thomas N . Mitrakos for the award for the Pitt Varsity Letter Club Awardees of Distinction . Paving stones surrounding the nine - foot - long panther are etched with images of the former Pitt Stadium . The retired jerseys of Panther football greats , including Mike Ditka , Tony Dorsett , Dan Marino , Hugh Green , and Bill Fralic , are carved into the panther ' s base . The statue was made possible by a donation from Charles “ Corky ” ( ENGR ’ 58 ) and Frances M . ( CAS ‘ 58 ) Cost , who also donated the panther statue at Heinz Field . Pitt the Panther . “ Pitt the Panther ” , adopted by Henry and Linda Haller , is one of the animals on a Victorian - style carousel , opened in 2006 and built by Chance Rides Manufacturing of Wichita , Kansas , and funded by the PNC Financial Services Group . It holds 20 people , on 15 1950s - style animals or in a handicapped - accessible chariot and a spinning tub suitable for small children and their parents . The carousel is Schenley Plaza ’ s feature family attraction and the menagerie of animals , including " Pitt the Panther " , symbolizes the fellowship and diversity of Pittsburgh . However , it is not the first carousel in Schenley Park . In 1913 the original Schenley Park Carousel was opened to the public at the corner of Panther Hollow and Greenfield roads . The original carousel also had a menagerie of animals . The PNC Carousel in Schenley Plaza operates April through October and is open seven days a week . Homecoming Panthers . In order to create a new homecoming tradition , the Pitt Student Government board purchased ten fiberglass panther statues in 2007 for $ 60 , 000 from Heavy Industries of Calgary , Canada . Proposed to be an annual homecoming event , the approximately tall by wide panthers are to repainted and redecorated by student organizations that will be selected from applications on an annual basis . Originally planned for a 2007 homecoming introduction , manufacturing delays prevented initial decoration and first unveiling until a ceremony on January 10 , 2008 . Following the ceremony , the panthers were placed in and around Pitt ' s campus . In a Fall 2008 article of " The Pitt News " , it was announced that the statues decorated by the Black Action Society , " The Pitt News " , the Pitt Pathfinders , and the Pitt Band would be spared another year due to their designs . Both " The Pitt News " and the Pitt Pathfinders have paid to have their panther statues kept permanently in their respective locations , while the Pitt Band is attempting to raise money to purchase its panther in time for its centennial in 2011 .