After reading the letter from Coach Narduzzi,

[TheNewCastlePanther]

I really hope that one of the changes he is referring to is the elimination of "Sweet Caroline." I remember being there the first time they played it; and, we rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the opponent (I cannot remember who it was...) But in all honesty, Sweet Caroline is not an every game ritual/song that entices a crowd to get on its feet. To put it simply, the song is "cheezy" and needs to be put away for campfires.

The attempt to motivate the crowd by Coach Narduzzi is yet another indication of his complete commitment to our great University!! His energy level and creativity are truly amazing!! I believe Coach has our team headed in the RIGHT direction!!

Hope to see all of you Pitt fans at Heinz Field!!

Hail to Pitt!!!!

 

[pitt-girl]

I really hope that one of the changes he is referring to is the elimination of "Sweet Caroline." I remember being there the first time they played it; and, we rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the opponent (I cannot remember who it was...) But in all honesty, Sweet Caroline is not an every game ritual/song that entices a crowd to get on its feet. To put it simply, the song is "cheezy" and needs to be put away for campfires.

The attempt to motivate the crowd by Coach Narduzzi is yet another indication of his complete commitment to our great University!! His energy level and creativity are truly amazing!! I believe Coach has our team headed in the RIGHT direction!!

Hope to see all of you Pitt fans at Heinz Field!!

Hail to Pitt!!!!

I totally disagree. We want to throw away one of the only times noise is generated at Heinz? You find something to replace it, I'm all for it. Until then at least it gets some portion of the crowd loud.

 

[ChazzMo]

I totally disagree. We want to throw away one of the only times noise is generated at Heinz? You find something to replace it, I'm all for it. Until then at least it gets some portion of the crowd loud.

before they walk out.

true, no?

 

[pitt-girl]

before they walk out.

true, no?

Totally true. But when else is that stadium actually loud? There are many examples of season ticket holders needing to switch their seats from the "Don't stand", "You're making too much noise" crowd. Sorry. I'm all in for "Sweet Caroline" and the student exodus until someone else comes up with a better idea. Until then, yeah, let's get rid of something that generates actual noise. Makes a TON of sense.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

before they walk out.

true, no?

True, and so what? I mean surely there isn't anyone dumb enough to think that the reason they walk out has anything to do with that stupid song, is there?

 

[SteelCityChamps]

before they walk out.

true, no?

Bus lines. Not the song.

 

[Scooter7427]

I totally disagree. We want to throw away one of the only times noise is generated at Heinz? You find something to replace it, I'm all for it. Until then at least it gets some portion of the crowd loud.

This statement here shows truly how bad our fan base is. Nothing against you Pitt Girl but if this statement is true then we are truly a sad bunch as Pitt fans. How is this the only time noise is generated in the stadium? Sad. So sad.

 

[pitt-girl]

This statement here shows truly how bad our fan base is. Nothing against you Pitt Girl but if this statement is true then we are truly a sad bunch as Pitt fans. How is this the only time noise is generated in the stadium? Sad. So sad.

No offense taken! Our fan base IS sad.

 

[OriginalEther]

True, and so what? I mean surely there isn't anyone dumb enough to think that the reason they walk out has anything to do with that stupid song, is there?

Sadly Joe, I think there are Pitt fans who think that's the reason.

 

[Pittx9]

Sweet Caroline doesn't bother me, but I don't love it either. I leave almost every game with practically no voice, but Sweet Caroline i might softly sing a few words. I actually sing it louder when it's played at weddings or something, just to throw out I'm a Pitt fan. Gamedays though, I'm more worried about the game and I'd rather see something like the Steelers do with Renegade that really gets people excited.

 

[ZekeGadsonFan]

I agree with the OP. IMO singing Sweet Caroline at a football game is borderline pathetic. Its a corny bubble gum pop tart song that is embarrassing to sing drunk at a dive bar at 1am let alone as a rally and battle cry at a football game. If it was a tradition that started here then Id still hate it but it would be understandable. I mean, yeah it would still be all the things I said above, but it would be ours at least. But obviously we bit the entire thing. That in itself is embarrassing and reason enough to stop it. Id rather do nothing than steal another sports teams idea and try to pass it off as a Pitt thing.

 

[ratking17]

It gets loud during a time out. Not during the actual game play. I am indifferent to it.

 

[Pitt-Chains]

I totally disagree. We want to throw away one of the only times noise is generated at Heinz? You find something to replace it, I'm all for it. Until then at least it gets some portion of the crowd loud.

Sweet Caroline is awesome!

 

[Pitt-Chains]

Totally true. But when else is that stadium actually loud? There are many examples of season ticket holders needing to switch their seats from the "Don't stand", "You're making too much noise" crowd. Sorry. I'm all in for "Sweet Caroline" and the student exodus until someone else comes up with a better idea. Until then, yeah, let's get rid of something that generates actual noise. Makes a TON of sense.

When the crowd is into it and from my earshot pretty darn special but nothing as special as I look up in the stands and see my three year old son and wife singing....

 

[Teh Teh]

I really hope that one of the changes he is referring to is the elimination of "Sweet Caroline." I remember being there the first time they played it; and, we rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the opponent (I cannot remember who it was...) But in all honesty, Sweet Caroline is not an every game ritual/song that entices a crowd to get on its feet. To put it simply, the song is "cheezy" and needs to be put away for campfires.

The attempt to motivate the crowd by Coach Narduzzi is yet another indication of his complete commitment to our great University!! His energy level and creativity are truly amazing!! I believe Coach has our team headed in the RIGHT direction!!

Hope to see all of you Pitt fans at Heinz Field!!

Hail to Pitt!!!!

Honestly, to say something last let that is kinda chicken sh*t. First, the fans do like (I don't, but it's definitely something that gets them involved). It's ok to say what you did, but come up with an alternative... Not just negatives. Like I know every Pitt wedding I've ever been too plays YMCA but we all spell out P-I-T-T instead. However I think YMCA is hardly less lame than sweet Caroline

Anyways brain storm and come up with something better... Just top of my head something like AWOLNATION "sail" but yell Pitt instead of sail??? Something easy and catchy

 

[JoeScaz]

Bus lines. Not the song.

The bus lines is the silliest excuse I have ever heard. My son is a freshman, who stayed the entire YSU game, walked out-- got on on a bus and was in Oakland in 30 minutes. Lame, and an overstatement... The real reason it has become accepted and almost "cool" to not care, and that it has become a self-perpetuating thing... It will continue to happen, unfortunately.

 

[PITTLAW]

The bus lines is the silliest excuse I have ever heard. My son is a freshman, who stayed the entire YSU game, walked out-- got on on a bus and was in Oakland in 30 minutes. Lame, and an overstatement... The real reason it has become accepted and almost "cool" to not care, and that it has become a self-perpetuating thing... It will continue to happen, unfortunately.

Personally, I think there is a lot more to worry about than when or if the students leave. That they trek down from campus to the north shore is pretty outstanding...and if they want to leave early...that is on them. Maybe they are just training for being adult Pitt fans that always leave the game early to "beat the traffic." Hail to Pitt!

 

[JoeScaz]

Personally, I think there is a lot more to worry about than when or if the students leave. That they trek down from campus to the north shore is pretty outstanding...and if they want to leave early...that is on them. Maybe they are just training for being adult Pitt fans that always leave the game early to "beat the traffic." Hail to Pitt!

PittLaw, I think the problem is just how ugly it is.. It's not like they leave here and there, a few at a time... The mass exodus via orderly procession is possibly one of the strangest things I have seen in a stadium... I wonder when our student base became SO soft that males, at that age.. don't give a crap.... I was a Pitt student in the late 80s, and although the students section wasn't always full.. there wasn't the dramatic exodus.... Like, what is the message? "this isn't important enough for me, and I really want to get home by 4PM?".. I almost get it, if it were a 7PM start.. but they have ALL day.

 

[Pghfan]

I am always one to stay til the end then I did it, I left early at the YSU game.. I had my two little ones and I swear to God the sun was 20 freakin feet above my head, cooking me to death.. Had to get the hell out of there and into some shade. So I leave early, take the kids outside, when they want me to buy them some cotton candy. I had no cash but pull out my debit card, and no debit card. Fell out of my pocket. Panic strikes, my tens of dollars are in jeopardy, so I grab kids and walk all the way back in, up the ramp to my seat and sure enough, under my seat, is my debit card.. I hear you Football Gods, I got your message loud and clear. It won't happen again..

Joe Scaz brings up a great point.. Where are these students going? What is going on at 4pm that wont be there at 5pm? Id say the bars but that doesn't make sense.. Bars will be open til 2am, so that's not it. Doubt anyone needs to go hit the books at 4pm on a Saturday. WHERE ARE THEY GOING?? The fact that a busride is ahead of them is even more reason to sit and wait. If stadium was still in Oakland, I could kind of understand leaving early to get a seat at Peters but you want to go get in a line to get on a school bus.. That's weird..

 

[Pittx9]

I think the answer is simple. The girls don't care that much, they need to go home early as they need hours to get ready for the night. The boys follow the girls.

 

[Pittx9]

I am always one to stay til the end then I did it, I left early at the YSU game.. I had my two little ones and I swear to God the sun was 20 freakin feet above my head, cooking me to death.. Had to get the hell out of there and into some shade. So I leave early, take the kids outside, when they want me to buy them some cotton candy. I had no cash but pull out my debit card, and no debit card. Fell out of my pocket. Panic strikes, my tens of dollars are in jeopardy, so I grab kids and walk all the way back in, up the ramp to my seat and sure enough, under my seat, is my debit card.. I hear you Football Gods, I got your message loud and clear. It won't happen again..

That's terrible, but thank God you found it! But question as I was unaware... you are allowed to leave the stadium and re-enter?

 

[Pghfan]

That's terrible, but thank God you found it! But question as I was unaware... you are allowed to leave the stadium and re-enter?

Yes, it was in 4th quarter. Gates were open. Not sure when they open the gates, sometimes in the second half.. They had the Ribfest going on that day..

 

[Pittx9]

Yes, it was in 4th quarter. Gates were open. Not sure when they open the gates, sometimes in the second half.. They had the Ribfest going on that day..

Thanks for the info. Nothing better than Pitt Football and Ribfest!

 

[Pghfan]

I think the answer is simple. The girls don't care that much, they need to go home early as they need hours to get ready for the night. The boys follow the girls.

Terrible strategy, they should do what I did when I was in college. Ignore the girls and get drunk as hell until about 11pm, then go to the bar and attempt to pick up girls. Strike out because the girl sees you are way to drunk then go back to your buddies at the bar and tell them that the chick is a dyke, do shots of jameson then go home and call your ex girlfriend and tell her she screwed up by letting you go..

 

[Pittx9]

Terrible strategy, they should do what I did when I was in college. Ignore the girls and get drunk as hell until about 11pm, then go to the bar and attempt to pick up girls. Strike out because the girl sees you are way to drunk then go back to your buddies at the bar and tell them that the chick is a dyke, do shots of jameson then go home and call your ex girlfriend and tell her she screwed up by letting you go..

Hahaha... Pitt should hire you as a professor to teach a class on that. At the very least, the students may stay at the games longer.

 

[pittpitt]

PUT IN A DECIBEL METER - LET FANS KNOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE LOUD

I live in Oregon and have been to several Duck games. Their stadium is often considered the best home field advantage in football, and it's clear why because the entire stadium is loud, usually no matter what. I saw them play USC a few years ago when both teams were top-5 or so. USC kicked off, the Ducks fumbled the return around the 25, and the crowd was upset but immediately got loud for the D. We held them to a FG and the crowd got happy and louder. It was during that game that a record was set for loudest football game ever (I believe since beaten), and they hold just over 50k. Once Duck fans knew they had the record, fans wanted to ramp it up every game knowing they were defending their title of loudest fan base. They all have Duck quackers (basically a bill-shaped kazoo) and many rattle change in plastic bottles while yelling.

Maybe something as simple as a visible decibel meter that is shown at key points throughout the game (including start of every opponents' drive, every time opponent gets in the red zone) will help. Not a stupid red bar that goes up and down with volume like I've seen at basketball games before - an actual decibel meter with instant feedback on exactly how loud we are. Start posting the 3 loudest moments of the game (at the end of the game, on the website with the game article, before the next game along with highlights when the volume corresponded with a good play from our players), then start posting the 5 loudest moments of the season (throughout games, in TPN, etc), and then post and mention the 5 loudest moments in our history with the decibel meter. Keep telling fans that it is good to be loud (posting top lists and records all the time will do this), and keep showing them how close to being a truly loud crowd they are (by showing their current volume on a scale that tops out at the all-time record).

Edit: Have separate lists for pre-game and during game (we're always super loud before a big opponent, usually louder than we ever get during the game - maybe don't even measure/record any noise before or during an opening kickoff for any list), and maybe list records by quarter as well so fans always have a number they can truly affect, and that then can affect the game, in a big moment that doesn't have to be the absolute loudest moment ever. Part of making all this work is that the scoreboard operator has to not be an idiot. Don't show the meter during an Akron game unless it's a tight game in the 4th. Don't show it when our opponent has the ball and is down 20. Don't just randomly try to ramp us up and then get a lousy outcome.

 

[PITTLAW]

PittLaw, I think the problem is just how ugly it is.. It's not like they leave here and there, a few at a time... The mass exodus via orderly procession is possibly one of the strangest things I have seen in a stadium... I wonder when our student base became SO soft that males, at that age.. don't give a crap.... I was a Pitt student in the late 80s, and although the students section wasn't always full.. there wasn't the dramatic exodus.... Like, what is the message? "this isn't important enough for me, and I really want to get home by 4PM?".. I almost get it, if it were a 7PM start.. but they have ALL day.

Like I said, I think there are far more important things to worry about. If I were in charge, I would ask the students why they leave early. To the extent I could address their concerns, I'd do it. Otherwise, I am going to focus on fundraising and selling tickets to people that actually pay the bills. Busing those kids down and back from the games is not cheap. Hail to Pitt!

 

[#99HUGHgreen]

I totally disagree. We want to throw away one of the only times noise is generated at Heinz? You find something to replace it, I'm all for it. Until then at least it gets some portion of the crowd loud.

Then it's settled.
We find something new. Something that everyone will want to embrace and think is fun- not just the students. Something that will feel much more relevant to Pitt Football and will add to the excitement of every "Pitt" game- rather than take Pitt fans out of their football frame of mind. Something that will energizes the entire Pitt fan base as well as the Pitt players... so that Heinz Field echoes with thunderous panther pride!

I'm on it.

 

[pitt-girl]

Then it's settled.
We find something new. Something that everyone will want to embrace and think is fun- not just the students. Something that will feel much more relevant to Pitt Football and will add to the excitement of every "Pitt" game- rather than take Pitt fans out of their football frame of mind. Something that will energizes the entire Pitt fan base as well as the Pitt players... so that Heinz Field echoes with thunderous panther pride!

I'm on it.

Go for it!

 

[pitt-girl]

Terrible strategy, they should do what I did when I was in college. Ignore the girls and get drunk as hell until about 11pm, then go to the bar and attempt to pick up girls. Strike out because the girl sees you are way to drunk then go back to your buddies at the bar and tell them that the chick is a dyke, do shots of jameson then go home and call your ex girlfriend and tell her she screwed up by letting you go..

You crack me up.

 

[ChooChoo Panther]

The bus lines is the silliest excuse I have ever heard. My son is a freshman, who stayed the entire YSU game, walked out-- got on on a bus and was in Oakland in 30 minutes. Lame, and an overstatement... The real reason it has become accepted and almost "cool" to not care, and that it has become a self-perpetuating thing... It will continue to happen, unfortunately.

I agree with Joe on the bus excuse for this year. I left at the end of the YSU game and saw about 7 or 9 empty buses sitting on General Robinson St and no students in sight. Maybe they didn't know there would be more buses in different locations?

ChooChoo

 

[Pghfan]

I think this is being addressed, and they are still leaving early.. Only 1 game so far, we'll see if it gets any better this Saturday though. According to some posters on here though, students were polled and said they left early to get in line for bus ride home. AD has more busses in multiple locations, and allegedly advertised this all over campus. So if this is correct, their only real issue is being addressed.. Don't know what else you can do to keep them outside of giving out complimentary Milwaukee's Best lights if they stay..