Here are some of the excuses I've heard from people about why they were NOT...

[PittMan 72]

I know this will be ridiculed because there aren't many free thinkers here but I think Pitt is losing the "old guy" crowd. These are the guys that literally have nothing better to do but watch football and find ways to get out of the house.

Let me explain. Heinz wasn't designed to worry about aging people that can't get around too well. The Steelers know they don't need them. Parking and getting to the stadium is difficult for a lot of people. It's not like colleges that run shuttle busses from remote parking lots right up to the door and restrict access to the area directly around the stadium. Heinz has a major interstate empty right next to one of the gates and couldn't possibly limit access safely in a way that makes sense, making such a scheme nearly impossible. Couple that with a lack of close, affordable parking, and it's suddenly not doable for the old guy unless he is part of a contingent that can help him or he can donate enough money to park close and get VIP access to his seats.

Most of the other challenges are similar to other college stadiums so far as hiking up ramps and climbing steps to your seat. None of that is too terrible but parking and getting to the stadium is a gigantic problem for that demographic.

FYI: I realize this demographic might only account for 5k butts in seats but when you're struggling to cover ugly yellow seats with butts, it's kind of worth noting.

Not sure if you're from Pittsburgh or how familiar you are with Pittsburgh parking and transportation, but there could be a reasonable solution for those "old guys" that you describe above. You can park in town at numerous garages and lots on weekend game days for $5.00. Then you can take the T from a stop very close to where you park and ride it for FREE to and from stadium. There is a T stop right outside the north end of HF.

See link: http://www.portauthority.org/paac/SchedulesMaps/StadiumService.aspx

Here's the link to the list of $5.00 garages/parking lots in town: http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/g...rking-map/evening-weekend-event-parking-5-max

 

[ncyajleel]

So basically you want us all to be the wvu and psu fans that you continually make fun of because attendance is the most important thing in the world. You sound like church pastors who tell people if you do not attend church every session, God will remember that on your judgment day.

By the way, how many national titles has attendance gotten for wvu and psu? How about Notre Dame in the past 25 years or so?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Coming from a guy who coaches 2 youth basketball teams and with multiple kids who play higher level youth sports (including soccer)- it's 6 games a year. You are taking nothing away from your kids by missing a couple of their games to attend a sporting event. My point was- it's not difficult for people to attend games if they want.

I think you are forgetting that those of us who choose kids' games over noon Pitt home games can actually WATCH both. Its not one or the other. I will be on my couch watching Pitt vs GT after we get home from the game. I dont have to miss Pitt/GT. I just have to miss being there in person. I cant DVR my kids' games.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

well I'm glad we have so many devoted family men here. Hey it's a good thing really, not bashing that at all we need more of that. Just my point is there are only 6-7 home games a year, and if your kids are like mine there are events 365 days a year. So missing a few to attend Pitt games is not a big deal to me as there will be other events and my wife covers the ones I miss for Pitt games.

Also assuming many of you family guys posting about never missing the kids events aren't sitting in the c-suite as you would never reach that level with that viewpoint.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

You're right, I also miss work related stuff to go to my daughter's games. I skipped an executive level meeting just last week for a high school soccer game, fck it! I have my priorities.

As I said, we need more devoted family guys in this country. I wouldn't hire you, but I do admire your ethics.

 

[Swervin27]

well I'm glad we have so many devoted family men here. Hey it's a good thing really, not bashing that at all we need more of that. Just my point is there are only 6-7 home games a year, and if your kids are like mine there are events 365 days a year. So missing a few to attend Pitt games is not a big deal to me as there will be other events and my wife covers the ones I miss for Pitt games.

Also assuming many of you family guys posting about never missing the kids events aren't sitting in the c-suite as you would never reach that level with that viewpoint.

you are a hell of fan Slick, a deadbeat dad but a hell of a fan. Kids' love come and goes but pitt football is forever..

 

[Pitt79]

As I said, we need more devoted family guys in this country. I wouldn't hire you, but I do admire your ethics.

Thanks, I wouldn't want to work somewhere where I'd have to constantly put my job ahead of my kid, or miss her growing up just for career advancement. I've advanced fairly far in my career, farther than most where I work, but I get ZERO satisfaction out of any of those accomplishments compared to how much I enjoy every minute of being a dad. True story.

 

[TD_istheman]

Thanks, I wouldn't want to work somewhere where I'd have to constantly put my job ahead of my kid, or miss her growing up just for career advancement. I've advanced fairly far in my career, farther than most where I work, but I get ZERO satisfaction out of any of those accomplishments compared to how much I enjoy every minute of being a dad. True story.

Amen, I married money, and a good woman, so I could do the career I wanted, felt most satisfaction, not having to worry about bowing down to green, and get to see my kids in all they do, every single time. I am a smart man

 

[Pitt79]

you are a hell of fan Slick, a deadbeat dad but a hell of a fan. Kids' love come and goes but pitt football is forever..

Pitt games and career 1st, time for the kids, Maybe when there's nothing better to do and you can't get the wife to do it.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Pitt games and career 1st, time for the kids, Maybe when there's nothing better to do and you can't get the wife to do it.

.

Although I do hire some like you...it is nice to have the ones that just collect the paycheck and don't have a ton of ambition.

 

[TD_istheman]

What about ambition to your family, friends , church, you can be ambitious and not just about a job , right ?

 

[Pitt79]

.

Although I do hire some like you...it is nice to have the ones that just collect the paycheck and don't have a ton of ambition.

That's cool, some people just have different priorities.

 

[joeydavid]

I'm not even commenting on those who choose. My comments were about the idiotic posting of someone being called selfish for missing a kids game a couple of times a year.

I think you are forgetting that those of us who choose kids' games over noon Pitt home games can actually WATCH both. Its not one or the other. I will be on my couch watching Pitt vs GT after we get home from the game. I dont have to miss Pitt/GT. I just have to miss being there in person. I cant DVR my kids' games.

 

[Pitt79]

I'm not even commenting on those who choose. My comments were about the idiotic posting of someone being called selfish for missing a kids game a couple of times a year.

Nothing wrong with missing kids games, it's not the end of the world, I just don't want to, it's a choice.

 

[TD_istheman]

What if you have 6 kids, you are missing something often, can only be in one place at a time. To each their own , but yes, prefer to be with the kids first always. That's why, outside of my kids sports etc in school or church activities, I made Pitt a family priority, and that made me only miss a handful of games the past 20 years

 

[Swervin27]

this whole thread reiterates my point. Worry about yourselves and quit worrying about other people. Why any of you care what strangers do with their Saturdays is beyond me.. Go, stay at home, watch your kids, ignore them, WHO CARES?

 

[cbpitt2]

I didn't attend because i didn't want to.

Enjoyed the day spent with my 4 year old son and wife.

Take you son and wife to the game! You're still with them and you've created a memory for your son he'll always remember. Create a new Pitt fan for life! Have your wife take a female friend so you can talk to your son about the game. Voila, you've brought three fans to the game. Imagine if everyone did that. So when you read about how few Pitt alums they are, they can bring a friend or two, a significant other, their children, etc. No good excuse for a metropolitan area of over two million people in a region known for its passion for football at all levels not to sellout every Pitt game.

 

[cbpitt2]

THIS JUST IN...

It's a Sunday night and there's a football game being played at Heinz Field. This game will start an hour later then yesterday's Pitt - Marshall game (on the eve of a workday for most tomorrow). The "home team" is playing a team that they are better then and should beat Kansas City comfortably. People had to make choices all day for this event. Do they...
- Give up watching their child play a sport this afternoon?
- Do they spend $300.00 on two seats for the game?
- Do they fight the traffic to get there"?
- Do they complain about the price of parking?
- Do they complain about the cost of beer and food?
- Do they complain about standing in a line to pee?
- Do they complain about the yinzer standing in front of them to cheer?
- Do they get wet sitting in their seats in the rain?
- Do they get to the stadium 5 hours before kickoff to tailgate?
OBVIOUSLY...we all know the answers to these and every other excuses that was listed in the original post, they ATTEND the game and SUPPORT the home team.
That's what "real fans" do.

And they're going to have to deal with getting up the next day and go to work. For most people, that's not an issue for a late Saturday Pitt game. Too many "fans" fight excuses not to go, rather than reasons to go.

Hell, when my son played football in h.s., we had the jv game on Tuesday or Wednesday if I recall, Friday night varsity game, Saturday Pitt game and I have Steeler season tickets. So sometimes there were four games in a span of five-six days. You just knew you were going to have to deal with that for a few years. Sometimes I wish I could of just slept in Heinz Field Saturday night and saved me the back and forth trips but truthfully, there aren't that many weekends both Pitt and the Steelers play back-to-back days at Heinz Field. Excuses, "fans" make excuses.

 

[NTOP]

My wife and I had a wedding at 4:30, left reception after the Bridal toast, and first dance at 6:15, 40 miles away, made it to seats just missing the kickoff only... Come on people... make Pitt Football a priority... It was kinda cool that My wife went along with it... especially going 90 on the highway as we were changing clothes in the car... LOL.. My two sons were already at the game, since they drove seperately.. So this was not good parental role-model thing to do... Speeding, I mean.... but going to the wedding and the game, set a precedent for the kids to understand the importance of Pitt football....
Would like to hear the stories from those that do make Pitt Football a priority, rather than the reasons others dont go...

H2P

Came back from my honeymoon in Bermuda a day early for Pitt-ND in 1988.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

you who preaches about no tangible increase in spending.....where is the money supposed to come from? Can't rely totally on the ACC well.

Money and attendance are separate things

 

[USN_Panther]

I'm a bad fan. I didn't make the drive in from New Zealand for Marshall. Even worse, I gave my tickets to a Marshall fan (who is a friend of mine).

 

[BuffetParrothead]

The bridge was stuck in the open position couldn't get around it
Hurricane warning in my area
Went to a Chinese Buffet on Friday night
Went to a Mexican Restaurant Friday night

 

[TD_istheman]

I would have thought Marshall fans were less rude than the Hoopies, was wrong, but we won, so it went well in the end.

 

[upj87]

I agree, and I know people who never see their kids play sports, and they miss it all for things like Pitt games or golf! I went to a Pitt game one time when my daughter was playing soccer, she was 10 years old and she scored 3 goals that game. I regretted that and never missed any games since, except once when I had surgery.

I think you are confusing soccer with sports...I can see not missing a boy's football or basketball game, but girl's soccer?

 

[Pitt79]

I think you are confusing soccer with sports...I can see not missing a boy's football or basketball game, but girl's soccer?

It's not about the sport, it's only about who's playing. I'd have a hard time sitting through a boy's football or basketball game where I didn't know any of the boys. Who cares? They mean NOTHING to me. Yesterday my daughter played great defense in a 0-0 tie that went into OT and ended 0-0, it was very exciting for me. My daughter's school has a badminton team, if she was on that team, I'd become a big badminton fan and enthusiastically watch that over the football games.

 

[big marty]

How bout this one? It's 10 times better watching it on HD at home.

Regarding attendance, to get the good crowds, you need the fair weather fans. To get the fair weather fans, you need to be good, not lose games to unc and osu.

Only my opinion but I disagree. I love gooing to games. I could never be at home when Pitt is home. I would feel like a traitor. Everyone in 210 would call a missing persons report with the police. Have to be there.

 

[Swervin27]

Only my opinion but I disagree. I love gooing to games. I could never be at home when Pitt is home. I would feel like a traitor. Everyone in 210 would call a missing persons report with the police. Have to be there.

That's why this is your world and the rest of us just live here..

 

[big marty]

I think you are confusing soccer with sports...I can see not missing a boy's football or basketball game, but girl's soccer?

I dont get "Kickball" either. We are not missing a Pitt game for "kickball".

 

[big marty]

That's why this is your world and the rest of us just live here..

I like that Swerv.

 

[Swervin27]

I like that Swerv.

I find myself playing the contrarian role more and more here. Truth be told, I do stand when others stand and I do like to go to the games more than not. I just am not a big fan of calling out those who don't, that's all. If it's a big 3rd down, im standing and if someone behind me tells me to sit down, well lets just say they will have to live with looking at my ridiculously tone rear end..

 

[big marty]

I find myself playing the contrarian role more and more here. Truth be told, I do stand when others stand and I do like to go to the games more than not. I just am not a big fan of calling out those who don't, that's all. If it's a big 3rd down, im standing and if someone behind me tells me to sit down, well lets just say they will have to live with looking at my ridiculously tone rear end..

Thats fair.

 

[Jpripper88]

well I'm glad we have so many devoted family men here. Hey it's a good thing really, not bashing that at all we need more of that. Just my point is there are only 6-7 home games a year, and if your kids are like mine there are events 365 days a year. So missing a few to attend Pitt games is not a big deal to me as there will be other events and my wife covers the ones I miss for Pitt games.

Also assuming many of you family guys posting about never missing the kids events aren't sitting in the c-suite as you would never reach that level with that viewpoint.

Most don't reach that level posting to Pantherlair on a weekday.

I'm sure you are very, very important, though.

 

[TD_istheman]

Is Brian still in his seats, 2 hours before kick ? Now that's a real fan!

 

[TD_istheman]

Does titleman still look like sonny bono, now that's a real fan!

 

[Swervin27]

Does titleman still look like sonny bono, now that's a real fan!

70's Sonny Bono or 90's politician Sonny Bono?

 

[Pitt79]

I think you are confusing soccer with sports...I can see not missing a boy's football or basketball game, but girl's soccer?

I guess I could watch a boys high school football or basketball game where I didn't know any of the kids, if it was my alma mater, but not if it conflicted with my daughter's soccer games

 

[Pitt79]

I find myself playing the contrarian role more and more here. Truth be told, I do stand when others stand and I do like to go to the games more than not. I just am not a big fan of calling out those who don't, that's all. If it's a big 3rd down, im standing and if someone behind me tells me to sit down, well lets just say they will have to live with looking at my ridiculously tone rear end..

I do like going to games, I'm going to go to the Pitt and Steelers games this weekend-I picked a weekend when my daughter had no soccer games. and if I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd probably try to go to 4-5 of each every year. And when my daughter get's too old to be playing girls soccer anymore, I'm pretty sure I won't be going to those games anymore, life goes on.

 

[Pitt79]

Most don't reach that level posting to Pantherlair on a weekday.

I'm sure you are very, very important, though.

SMC is in his office suite right now, like Gordon Gekko! "Rip his lungs out, sell, sell, sell!"

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

70's Sonny Bono or 90's politician Sonny Bono?

It depends is Sonny Bono a raging racist? Then yes

 

[Swervin27]

It depends is Sonny Bono a raging racist? Then yes

what does this have to do with his looks? is titleman an aging racist? Sounds like you know him personally. If so, you are attacking the character of someone you know personally, on a public message board. That's kind of a weird move.

Since you know him, why don't you just call him or text him your thoughts about his affinity towards other races and leave us out of it..