Pitt’s Conor Lee Named Big East Football Scholar-Athlete of Year

Conor Lee

Conor Lee, the most accurate placekicker in the University of Pittsburgh’s history, has added to his impressive legacy at Pitt by being named the Big East Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Lee, an Upper St. Clair native, graduated magna cum laude from Pitt in April 2008 with a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and business in the School of Arts and Sciences, earning a 3.715 grade-point average. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Pitt’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.

As the league’s Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Lee received a $2,000 scholarship, which may be applied to graduate or professional studies.

Lee was named first team All-Big East this past year and also was a second team Academic All-American. He finished his career as the most accurate kicker in Pitt history, converting 83.3 percent of his field goals. Lee also made a school-record 113 consecutive extra points.

In addition to rejoicing in Lee’s honor for 2008, the Panthers are celebrating the fact that 13 players, including Lee, have been named to the 2008 Big East Football All-Academic Team, which recognizes letter winners who have posted a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better. Student-athletes who have completed a minimum of two semesters of academic work and earned a letter are eligible.

Long snapper Mark Estermyer, who earned a Pitt undergraduate degree in information sciences in 2008 and is now enrolled as a graduate student in Pitt’s School of Information Sciences, was honored for the fourth consecutive year, while Lee was honored for the third time.

Three of Pitt’s other honorees were recognized for two consecutive years: tight end John Pelusi, who is a marketing senior in the College of Business Administration; linebacker Austin Ransom, who earned an undergraduate degree in economics in Pitt’s School of Arts and Sciences in 2008 and is currently enrolled as a graduate student in public and nonprofit management in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs; and defensive end Tyler Tkach, who is a marketing junior in the College of Business Administration.