Baaron Brand Pittenger Jr. (July 15, 1925 – January 15, 2021) was an American sports administrator who was the executive director of the United States Olympic Committee from 1988 to 1990 and USA Hockey from 1990 to 1993.
Baaron Pittenger | |
|---|---|
| Born | Baaron Brand Pittenger Jr. July 15, 1925 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | January 15, 2021 (aged 95) |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
| Spouse |
S. Anne Williams
(m. 1946; death 2019) |
| Children | Baaron Pittenger III (1961–2016) |
Early life
editPittenger was born on July 15, 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri. His parents, Baaron Brand Pittenger and Mabel Tamm Pittenger, divorced when he was young and he lived with various relatives and family friends. He attended thirteen different schools in eight states and graduated from the Taft School in 1944. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and was a member of the United States Navy Reserve from 1946 to 1951.[1]
Journalism
editPittenger graduated from Penn State University in 1947, then worked as reporter for the Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In 1949, he joined the staff of The Hartford Times, becoming a sportswriter in 1951.[2] That same year, he was named Connecticut's state director of Little League Baseball.[3]
Harvard University
editIn 1955, Pittenger became the sports information director at Brown University. Four years, later he took the same job at Harvard University.[2] In 1970, he was promoted to associate athletic director.[4][5]
United States Olympic Committee
editIn 1977, Pittenger became the United States Olympic Committee's director of public relations and special projects.[6] One of his first tasks was assisting the organization's move to the new United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1978, he organized the first National Sport Festival, which later became the U.S. Olympic Festival.[7] He was promoted to assistant executive director in 1981 and served as acting executive director following George D. Miller's departure in 1987.[7][8] Miller's successor, Harvey Schiller, resigned after less than three weeks on the job and the USOC chose to give the job to Pittenger.[9] His contract was not renewed and he was replaced by Schiller in 1990.[10] In 1992, he was awarded the Olympic Order for his contributions to the Olympic movement.[11]
Later career
editFrom 1990 to 1993, Pittenger was executive director of USA Hockey. He succeeded Bob Johnson, who resigned to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.[12][13] From 1995 to 2000, he served as co-chairman of the USOC's anti-doping task force.[14][7]
Death
editPittenger died on January 15, 2021 at the age of 95.[7] He was predeceased by his wife and son.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Baaron B Pittenger". Dignity Memorial. SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Lottman, Michael (November 27, 1959). "The Man in the Pressbox". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ Cohen, Sam (December 31, 1951). "Yours In Sport". Sunday Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Pittenger Harvard Post". The Norwalk Hour. March 10, 1970. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ Decherd, Robert (March 10, 1970). "Baaron Pittenger Selected Assistant to Athletic Head". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "The NCAA Record". NCAA News. September 15, 1977. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c d McDougall, Chris. "Baaron Pittenger, Former USOC Executive Director, Has Died". Team USA. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Miller Leaves Executive Post With USOC". Schenectady Gazette. August 24, 1987. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Officially gone". The Times-News. January 27, 1988. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ Janofsky, Michael (October 12, 1989). "USOC names Schiller as executive director". The Day. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ Morrissey, Rick (August 2, 1992). "Dennis, Pittenger honored with the Olympic Order". The Telegraph. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Sports Digest". The Pittsburgh Press. June 14, 1990. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Transactions". Beaver Country Times. May 9, 1993. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Seles withdraws from tournament". Herald-Journal. November 1, 1995. Retrieved December 14, 2024.