Pitt Receives $1.25 Million Gift from the Martchek Family for Victory Heights

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics has received a $1.25 million gift from Jeff and Sandra Martchek to support its recently unveiled Victory Heights capital project, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Heather Lyke.

In recognition of the Martchek’s generous commitment, the spectacular new strength and conditioning space within the new Victory Heights Sports Performance Complex will bear the Martchek Family name. The Martchek Family Strength and Conditioning Center will serve 16 of Pitt’s 19 varsity teams, providing a state-of-the-art training environment for 84 percent of Pitt’s more than 500 student-athletes.

“We are extremely grateful to the Martchek Family for their belief and support of Victory Heights,” Lyke said. “Jeff and Sandra are incredible supporters of Pitt Athletics and their leadership and commitment have been critical in moving Pitt Athletics forward. This generous gift represents a real opportunity for our student-athletes to train and learn in a state-of-the-art environment designed to help foster success at the highest levels. The Martchek Family Strength and Conditioning Center will have immediate and lasting impact for our student-athletes and coaches.”

“Moving Victory Heights from vision to reality is a team effort—one that will elevate the world of Pitt Athletics,” Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said. “Thankfully, Jeff and Sandra are leading the way in this campaign by investing in the facilities and opportunities that our student-athletes need to train, compete and thrive.”

A 1987 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Jeff Martchek is the President of Homebuilding Operations for NVR and is a member of the Pitt Athletics Champions Advisory Board. Jeff and Sandra have three children and reside in both Arlington, Va., and Naples, Fla.

“Sandra and I are thrilled to support Victory Heights,” Martchek said. “As a Champions Advisory Board Member, I’ve seen firsthand the competitive disadvantages our current facilities present. We are proud to support Chancellor Gallagher and Heather Lyke’s vision to bridge that gap and elevate Pitt Athletics to new levels of comprehensive excellence.”

Victory Heights is a transformative capital project featuring a new 3,500-seat competition arena for Volleyball, Wrestling and Gymnastics with designated practice areas for each team, a Sports Performance Complex housing strength and conditioning and sports medicine centers for 84 percent of Pitt’s student-athlete population, and a 300M Indoor Track and Field Complex with an adjoining Marching Band facility. In addition, a third floor providing coaches’ offices, team meeting rooms and a student-athlete lounge will be added to the Petersen Sports Complex. Already underway, this project will modernize and maximize the utilization of this important venue in the daily lives of our student-athletes and coaches. For more information and ways to support Victory Heights, visit www.hailtopitt.com/victory-heights.