A familiar opportunity awaits freshman Gracie Spagnolo at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
After helping to build a growing women's golf program during her high school career, Spagnolo will once again have the chance to be part of something from the beginning — this time at the collegiate level.
Pitt-Greensburg Athletics is launching its new women's golf program, with Spagnolo becoming the first women's golfer in program history. She will compete in several events throughout the fall and spring while helping lay the foundation for a full roster in Fall 2027.
"I am extremely excited to be able to play at the next level here at UPG and to hopefully help start a new chapter for women's sports," Spagnolo said.
For Spagnolo, helping launch a golf program is familiar territory.
Originally from the Shaler Area before moving to Gibsonia in 2017, Spagnolo was introduced to golf during her sophomore year at Deer Lakes High School. The program was small when she joined, but Spagnolo quickly found success on the course, qualifying for the WPIAL individual championships during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
During her time at Deer Lakes, Spagnolo also had the opportunity to see the school's women's golf program grow and eventually become an official sport.
Now, she has the chance to play a similar role at Pitt-Greensburg.
"I am looking forward to coaching Gracie and having her represent the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Women's Golf program in a positive and competitive way," said Lou Zadecky, Director of Athletics and Interim Head Women's Golf Coach.
Spagnolo brings an extensive athletic background to Pitt-Greensburg beyond the golf course. At Deer Lakes, she competed at the varsity level in basketball, softball and flag football while also participating in Best Buddies and National Honor Society.
As she begins the next chapter of her athletic career, Spagnolo is thankful for those who helped her reach the collegiate level.
She expressed her appreciation to her parents, brother, friends, former teammates, high school coach Mark DeRose and Zadecky for helping make the opportunity possible.
While Spagnolo will be the face of the program during its inaugural season, Pitt-Greensburg Athletics is already looking toward the future. The program plans to build a full roster for Fall 2027 and establish a strong foundation for women's golf on campus.
Zadecky said support from across the university has played an important role in getting the program off the ground.
"I can't express how supportive the campus community and campus President Dr. Gregerson has been throughout this process to get the program started," Zadecky said. "I can't wait to see how things go this year with Gracie and look ahead to growing the UPG Women's Golf Program next year."
With its inaugural golfer in place, Pitt-Greensburg is now searching for prospective student-athletes interested in helping write the program's next chapter.
Prospective women's golf student-athletes graduating this year who are interested in joining the program in Fall 2027 can complete the UPG Recruit Me form or contact Zadecky at LOZ16@pitt.edu.
For Spagnolo, the opportunity brings her golf career full circle. After watching a small high school program grow into an official sport, she now has the chance to help establish one at Pitt-Greensburg — and ensure that being the first is only the beginning.
