Message of motivation From Pitt’s Lance White

PITTSBURGH — One of the main pillars of the Pitt women’s basketball program is relationships. As the Panthers, like many of us, are enduring these trying times, head coach Lance White shared a message of motivation centered on strengthening bonds and working together.

“Relationships have to be bigger than any problem,” White said. “No matter what problems we’re dealing with, the relationship will always be bigger than what we’re in right now.”

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For White, that starts with working together to find joy in the little victories.

“One success every day,” the coach said through a smile. “We wake up and make the bed. We need a success and that’s our first win. In change we want control, and that gives us our first controlled win over the day.”

It’s also admitting that sometimes, it’s OK to not be OK.

“It’s going to be a cycle,” added White. “There’s going to be good days and bad days and that’s OK. You’ve got to give yourself the ability to feel joy. It doesn’t take away empathy and understanding of what the world is like right now, and how difficult this is.”

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White shared these messages with the Pitt community through a webinar Thursday. He’s learned creative ways to stay connected - whether it’s with grandma via TikTok or with his recruits.

“Adding some games, adding some different just being having dinner with them and their families while we’re doing it,” explained White. “Just to be able to connect on a different level.”

White also stressed the fact that gratitude and fear can’t live in the same place in your mind. It’s a message his team has taken to heart.

“I was talking to Daya (guard Dayshanette Harris) the other day on the phone and she just kept saying ‘I will never take anything for granted again,’” noted the head coach. “That will help us. That’s not us forcing them. Now, they’re going to be willing and ready to do whatever it takes to be great.”

White emphasized how we’re all in this together, and we’ll get through this because of our bonds, and because we’re Pittsburgh Strong.