Absolutely, a $10m donation only equates to ~$450K per year. That's $450K a year for football, for perpetuity (and should increase to match inflation), but that doesn't turn Pitt football into a juggernaut. Consistent support still must come, as well as additional endowments.
Yeah, hopefully this will encourage other new large donors (obviously doesn't have to be this large) to donate on a regular basis. And I know football and to a lesser extent basketball feeds all athletics and obviously should be the focus. But I've seen more people talking about Pitt athletics overall, both just around the community and in the media due to the success of the other sports. Just keeps them in the spotlight throughout the year instead of just during football season.
A few of my neighbors said they didn't even know Pitt had these other teams and have taken their kids to a soccer, baseball or volleyball match, and now thier kids want them to take them to a football game or two this season. I know that won't move the needle all at once, but those other sports may have opened the door for these kids to support football and basketball as well.
But yeah, overall giving has to really increase if people want Pitt to compete the way they want on a regular basis. We are so far behind other P5 peers with regard to the giving. The admin is dumping money into the program, but we aren't seeing that return in giving. Evntually if that doesn't get better, the admin may do what past admins have done and wonder if the investment is worth it.