Cam Heyward Completed Pittsburgh School Closet Program

The final Craig's Closet location has opened at Perry High School, providing free dress clothing to students.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy

A rack of formal suit jackets and pressed shirts inside a school library alcove, supporting students' professional needs.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward has completed the rollout of his Craig's Closet program across all nine city public high schools. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local schools provide free professional attire for students to help boost their confidence?

Cam Heyward has finalized the installation of the Craig's Closet program across all nine Pittsburgh Public Schools. The initiative provides local high school boys with access to free professional dress clothing.

Why it matters

The program removes barriers for students who lack access to formal attire, ensuring they have appropriate clothing for professional milestones. It serves as a tribute to Cam Heyward’s late father, Craig Heyward.

There are now nine Craig's Closets operating within the Pittsburgh Public Schools district. Each installation provides new and gently used dress clothing to students at no cost.

The players

Cam Heyward

He is an NFL player who runs The Heyward House, a foundation dedicated to supporting youth and community initiatives.

Craig Heyward

He was an NFL running back who played at the University of Pittsburgh before his professional career.

The Heyward House

This foundation manages community philanthropic efforts and spearheaded the Craig's Closet initiative.

Rivers Casino

This local entertainment venue partnered with the initiative by donating the clothing inventory for the closets.

The details

Located inside the school library, the closet was established through The Heyward House and Sport Clips, with Rivers Casino donating the clothing inventory. The project ensures that students have consistent, free access to professional wear throughout their academic career.

Timeline

  1. The Craig's Closet at Perry High School debuted on October 13, 2026.

Market Landscape

This program reflects a growing trend of corporate and athlete-led partnerships designed to fill resource gaps within public educational institutions. By embedding these closets directly into school infrastructure, the initiative establishes a sustainable model for long-term community support.

Students at all nine Pittsburgh public high schools now have guaranteed access to free professional clothing throughout the academic year. The program ensures that lack of access to formal attire no longer acts as a barrier for local students participating in professional events.

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates the efficacy of using existing school infrastructure like libraries to provide essential resources to students. Families can reach out to school administration to learn how students can utilize these closets for upcoming school events.

Further reading

Learn more about local efforts to support students through Pittsburgh Philanthropy.

Live Poll

Should local schools provide free professional attire for students to help boost their confidence?