THE SIDELINES : Ditka U. of Pittsburgh Fund Set

PITTSBURGH — Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has agreed to donate $10,000 a year to the University of Pittsburgh for the next 10 years to establish a $100,000 endowed scholarship.

The Mike Ditka Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide financial assistance to students who have distinguished themselves in athletics and academics, according to Robert Heddleston, the university’s assistant athletic director for development. The scholarships will be given to students from western Pennsylvania’s Beaver Valley, Ditka’s birthplace.

Ditka was an All-America tight end in 1960, his senior year at Pitt. He led the Panthers in receiving three consecutive years. Ditka also played basketball and baseball at Pitt.