Therese Pitman on Building Belonging in Athletics & Creating a Path Beyond the Game
About the Episode
In this powerful episode of Queen Me, we sit down with Therese Pitman - Director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Pittsburgh and a former Division I lacrosse player. From her time as a multi-sport high school athlete to leading one of the most impactful departments in college athletics, Therese shares how she turned sideline moments into stepping stones, why supporting athletes off the field matters more than ever, and how she’s shaping the future of inclusive, purpose-driven sports leadership.
Key Takeways
From Sidelines to Center Stage: Therese started her collegiate lacrosse career on the bench, but instead of being discouraged, she owned her role as the ultimate hype woman. That energy—and her grit—carried her through multiple schools, ultimately earning her a starting spot, conference honors, and the title of team captain.
Transferring with Purpose: After two transfers and a pandemic-canceled season, Therese found herself helping launch Pitt’s inaugural women’s lacrosse team. Practicing for a full year without games, she focused on legacy, seeing it as a chance to lay the groundwork for future generations of women in sports.
Turning Support into a Calling: Her own positive experience with Pitt’s life skills department inspired her to give back. What started as an internship turned into a full-fledged career supporting student-athletes through resume prep, leadership development, and life after sport.
Leading with Flexibility and Gratitude: Therese describes her leadership style as situational—shaped by the team, the moment, and her own evolving experiences. Whether as a walk-on or a director, she believes in staying authentic, grounded, and grateful.
Connecting Athletes to Opportunity: Now as Director, Therese builds bridges between student-athletes and the professional world through mentorship, internships, and hands-on career prep—always making sure partners see the drive, work ethic, and talent of Pitt’s athletes.
Teaching Life After the Game: From resume building to time management and networking, Therese helps athletes plan for what’s next. Her advice: develop hobbies outside your sport, expand your circle, and take control of your time.
The Future of Athlete Development: Therese sees a shift coming—toward financial literacy, NIL education, and revenue-sharing policies. But her focus remains clear: prioritize leadership, DEI, and community engagement so student-athletes thrive as whole people, not just performers.
NIL with Integrity: While supportive of NIL deals that align with an athlete’s values, Therese is cautious about performance-based compensation. She encourages partnerships rooted in purpose, not just profit.
Unleashing Her Inner Queen: For Therese, it’s about challenging the status quo in a male-dominated industry and creating space for everyone. As a doctoral student researching LGBTQIA student-athlete experiences, she leads by lifting others—grounding her advocacy in facts, empathy, and unapologetic truth.
