Latest on Hamlin via Adam Friedman

[pittdan77]

Good chance the kid is just answering a question and the writer went with that slant. More readers at big state schools than Pitt so there may be a little promotional bias.

I'm glad the kid is thinking about things. He's a good kid and seems to have his head on straight. It's the coaches job to convince him that other things matter too. We'll see.

 

[vegasgreed]

do they have more attendance or less this year compared to previous years?
even their fans are not going to put up with their garbage schedule. not saying it will go from 100k to 60k but it will go down.

wrong.
honestly. Why don't people here get this yet? college attendance is only marginally impacted by success and or profile of opponents in the vast majority of college towns.

People go to the games because there is a culture of supporting your team embedded in most every college football fanbase.

Pitt doesn't have that to the same extent, for whatever variables of reasons. we are what we are. It's different and it's a disadvantage .

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

do they have more attendance or less this year compared to previous years?
even their fans are not going to put up with their garbage schedule. not saying it will go from 100k to 60k but it will go down.

When they are averaging over 90k a game.. it's a silly thing to focus on.
Especially when OUR average attendance fluctuates 15k, with a SUBSTANTIALLY a fraction of the base rate.

Keep waiting for Beaver Stadium to be nearly empty for a PSU game, you're going to be disappointed.

 

[vegasgreed]

we have more attendance this year. they have less. its simple math. why do they have less this year?

When they are averaging over 90k a game.. it's a silly thing to focus on.
Especially when OUR average attendance fluctuates 15k, with a SUBSTANTIALLY a fraction of the base rate.

Keep waiting for Beaver Stadium to be nearly empty for a PSU game, you're going to be disappointed.

 

[crharris8892]

People here have been saying we need to upgrade our OOC schedule. Well we have in the most realistic sense. People cant expect Pitt to have ND's schedule because honestly we would be guaranteed to have 6-6 forever, and attendance would suffer even further. I dont get the crowd that only comes to see Big Name opponents, that's been part of the problem with a smaller fanbase like Pitt. We don't have a large enough population to attract the high enough casual fan numbers.

 

[JBDLion]

we have more attendance this year. they have less. its simple math. why do they have less this year?

Slightly less this year (~98k average instead of 100k) but that will come up a bit after the Michigan game. The main culprit was 5 straight home games (difficult to commit to 5 straight weeks of travel for out of town fans), extremely poor weather for 3 of those 5, and few marquee opponents. I would expect next year's attendance to jump up again considerably with a balanced schedule, a strong conference home schedule (Maryland, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State), and an unexpected revenge matchup with Temple.

 

[pierre93]

Slightly less this year (~98k average instead of 100k) but that will come up a bit after the Michigan game. The main culprit was 5 straight home games (difficult to commit to 5 straight weeks of travel for out of town fans), extremely poor weather for 3 of those 5, and few marquee opponents. I would expect next year's attendance to jump up again considerably with a balanced schedule, a strong conference home schedule (Maryland, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State), and an unexpected revenge matchup with Temple.

Ok joebot now back to cow board.....moooooooooo JERRY JERRY!!!!!!!

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

we have more attendance this year. they have less. its simple math. why do they have less this year?

We have more?
less than 50k for YSU.
45k for homecoming against UVA.
43k for a matchup of of ranked teams against UNC.

This is NOT the tree you want to bark up.

 

[JBDLion]

Ok joebot now back to cow board.....moooooooooo JERRY JERRY!!!!!!!

I came to see what was being said about Hamlin since I'm not a premium subscriber anywhere. Someone asked a valid question as to why attendance at PSU was down so I thought I would answer with no inflammatory content. I live and work in Pittsburgh, and fortunately, the Pitt fans/grads I interact with on a daily basis are much classier than this.

 

[perchance]

You are correct. At Penn State a good bit of fans show up no matter what. If you need proof just look at all the cupcakes they play this year and still have decent crowds. Pittsburgh just has so many other sporting events going and other activities in the city, that Pitt would have to be a really good team playing a big name opponent for the stadium to fill. Any pro sports city for the most part is a bandwagon fan city. Being Pitt is in one of those cities they unfortunately suffer from some of those things.

It is certainly true that that PSU has no alternate competition for day games, But night games at State College suffer fierce competition from Clan rallies.

 

[vegasgreed]

we've had a 12% increase in attendance this year.

i 100% stand behind what i said, if they continue to play a garbage schedule, their attendance will suffer. it will happen.

We have more?
less than 50k for YSU.
45k for homecoming against UVA.
43k for a matchup of of ranked teams against UNC.

This is NOT the tree you want to bark up.

 

[Pghfan]

It is certainly true that that PSU has no alternate competition for day games, But night games at State College suffer fierce competition from Clan rallies.

Don't forget about the always-exciting trips to the local winery.. You aren't in central pa without a trip to the dime-a-dozen winery..

 

[CaptainMurphy]

People here have been saying we need to upgrade our OOC schedule. Well we have in the most realistic sense. People cant expect Pitt to have ND's schedule because honestly we would be guaranteed to have 6-6 forever, and attendance would suffer even further. I dont get the crowd that only comes to see Big Name opponents, that's been part of the problem with a smaller fanbase like Pitt. We don't have a large enough population to attract the high enough casual fan numbers.

OOC schedules are always such a crapshoot when scheduled so far in advance. ND schedule is tough but it probably looked a lot tougher when it was scheduled (USC, Texas, GT all struggling). Ours might have looked weak if Iowa and/or ND had down years. Scheduling one upper tier program, another solid P5 program (like Iowa, PSU, WVU), and a few lower tier P5 programs/MAC schools is probably sufficient. No more FCS, please.

 

[Blue Goose]

who is sam ficken?????

 

[Panthergrowl13]

If a player has NFL aspirations, playing as early as possible (depth chart) to establish your reputation is vital.

Pitt attendance didn't hurt Aaron Donald NFL draftability nor will it affect Tyler Boyd or James Connor.

Our current QB transferred to Pitt because of lack of playing time at TENN.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[pittmeister]

who is sam ficken?????

You don't know who Sam Ficken is?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Wow!

Gee, I thought I was the only one who didn't know.

 

[NTOP]

This is incorrect on every level. It is beyond unrealistic to think Pitt can sell 68,000 consistently without a ton of help from traveling fanbases. Our fanbase is too small. Our alumni base is too small and the Yinzers watch Pitt on TV. They are Steeler/Pirate/Penguins fans first who will never buy tickets. I know scores of people like this who watch Pitt but would never give a 2nd thought to attending a game.

The stadium is way too big. If GT played at the Georgia Dome, BC at Gillette, TCU at JerryWorld, or Stanford at Levi's, would their fans be saying, just win and we will fill it?

I agree with the premise that a smaller, on-campus stadium would suit Pitt better than Heinz Field. But let's face it, 68,000 isn't some staggering number. Building a smaller stadium to give the appearance of better attendance is a shell game to the extent it effects recruiting. Kids aren't stupid, they realize that playing in front of 50,000 isn't the same as playing in front of 85-110 thousand. If playing in front of a big crowd every week is a high priority for a kid, Pitt probably won;t be his choice.[/QUOTE]


I'm indifferent to the tarping "solution", but if we can get 50K for most games, and fill that hot mess once or twice a year, we'd be just fine. psu/wvu/ND & an ACC game of importance should do that. Spending $500 large for 7 gamedays makes no sense....and limits the upside attendance to only the 50K limit.

 

[ratking17]

Related to Einhorn

 

[The Loaded Italian]

The kid is hearing all the pitches from the big schools... that is all.

He is starting to believe smoke and mirrors, falling for marketing pitches... he is a young kid, what do you expect???

The thing is we would best prepare him for the future, and he would be with family. If he doesnt value that and wants the fake adoration of like 10-20 thousand more fans on Saturdays, then good riddance to him really... shows he doesnt have a brain in his head if that is REALLY going to be his criteria for his future.

I am betting though he is smarter than that, and he will choose the school that fits best academically, and prepares him for future success in the NFL with the best coaching and pros in the NFL. Plus, life is about your family... I think around xmas time, you see that more, and that will make him think about what is really important.

 

[Franb]

I agree with the premise that a smaller, on-campus stadium would suit Pitt better than Heinz Field. But let's face it, 68,000 isn't some staggering number. Building a smaller stadium to give the appearance of better attendance is a shell game to the extent it effects recruiting. Kids aren't stupid, they realize that playing in front of 50,000 isn't the same as playing in front of 85-110 thousand. If playing in front of a big crowd every week is a high priority for a kid, Pitt probably won;t be his choice.

I'm indifferent to the tarping "solution", but if we can get 50K for most games, and fill that hot mess once or twice a year, we'd be just fine. psu/wvu/ND & an ACC game of importance should do that. Spending $500 large for 7 gamedays makes no sense....and limits the upside attendance to only the 50K limit.[/QUOTE]
Exactly - what business is going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars for a facility that does not generate more revenue? Fans are not going to pay more for tickets just because the stadium is on campus and smaller.

 

[CampbellLION]

If a player has NFL aspirations, playing as early as possible (depth chart) to establish your reputation is vital.

Pitt attendance didn't hurt Aaron Donald NFL draftability nor will it affect Tyler Boyd or James Connor.

Our current QB transferred to Pitt because of lack of playing time at TENN.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

Ask Carl Nassib how important early playing time is. He never started a game in high school or college until he was a fifth year senior and now he's leading the country in sacks and is a possible first rounder.

 

[pitt-girl]

It's called negative recruiting and guarantee OSU, UM, PSU and ND bring it up all the time. It's the truth. I hope Gallagher and Barnes see this quote because Heinz has no atmosphere because these guys get it unlike the previous two idiots. Figure a way to level Frick and build the stadium in that area. There is plenty of room. If you don't believe me, go walk the area.

This is a stupid argument which will never go away and continues to be the hottest argument on all Pitt message boards. No other teams are moving off campus and have seen enough of the off campus experiment. You get 20M plus a year from the ACC due to football however we invest in other sports which bring in zero revenue to Pitt outside of BB. No disrespect to the other sports, but football rules and should be priority number one. Can't wait for Temple to build their on campus stadium as its only going to increase public pressure on Pitt.

I'm sorry, I can't help myself - saying I agree with the "plenty" of room argument - just where do you think the $$ will come from? Donations? LOL. Sure Pitt has $200M laying around IN EXCESS for this endeavor. It is so much more than just the real estate. And Pitt as a University is so much than just its athletics.

 

[The Loaded Italian]

lol yeah Nassib was a walk-on. I think there is loads differnce there. He is a guy that worked his butt off to become what he has become, and kudos to him, even though those sacks came against a near DII schedule, it is still very impressive. I have not read anywhere that he will be a first rounder, but who knows. But, I dont think you can compare a walk-on with a 5 star player as far as playing time goes. ALMOST everyone gets better with experience, and that paying time is the experience... far far far more examples of that helping than one extreme outlying case like Nassib

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Slightly less this year (~98k average instead of 100k)

Get the eff out of here. You had 70K vs Illinois. I dont care what number Barbour makes up. We make up numbers too. I want you to tell me you dont believe those are true numbers they are announcing.

 

[ratking17]

I thought he was drafted in the nfl after his stint in Syracuse.

 

[Pittx9]

It is certainly true that that PSU has no alternate competition for day games, But night games at State College suffer fierce competition from Clan rallies.

I thought a night game at State College was a klan rally?

 

[9nationalchampionships]

You just feel that way because you are their subordinate !

I came to see what was being said about Hamlin since I'm not a premium subscriber anywhere. Someone asked a valid question as to why attendance at PSU was down so I thought I would answer with no inflammatory content. I live and work in Pittsburgh, and fortunately, the Pitt fans/grads I interact with on a daily basis are much classier than this.

 

[pittzap]

I thought a night game at State College was a klan rally?

The clan meeting loses its luster after 14 home games in a row.

 

[franklinman]

Why would any kid base his decision on 8 home games a year,what about the other 44 weeks ? We made our decision on the coaching staff,friends and family close(never know when your going to need them) medical staffs,education.ect.Which is more important,getting to the next level or fans in seats for 8 weeks?.Think we made the right decision.

 

[JBDLion]

Get the eff out of here. You had 70K vs Illinois. I dont care what number Barbour makes up. We make up numbers too. I want you to tell me you dont believe those are true numbers they are announcing.

It's all relative. If we are making up numbers this year, we were doing the same last year. It's a 2% decrease in relative attendance, which is all you can really go by at any school.

You just feel that way because you are their subordinate !

I have Pitt and PSU grads both above and below me, there's no shame in that.

 

[pittguy81]

We have more?
less than 50k for YSU.
45k for homecoming against UVA.
43k for a matchup of of ranked teams against UNC.

This is NOT the tree you want to bark up.

Nor is 107K when it is achieved once every couple of years and your last game drew 80,000 a$$es in the seats.

 

[pittguy81]

I came to see what was being said about Hamlin since I'm not a premium subscriber anywhere. Someone asked a valid question as to why attendance at PSU was down so I thought I would answer with no inflammatory content. I live and work in Pittsburgh, and fortunately, the Pitt fans/grads I interact with on a daily basis are much classier than this.

Yet you didn't answer. Go figure

 

[JBDLion]

Yet you didn't answer. Go figure

I did: http://pittsburgh.forums.rivals.com...in-via-adam-friedman.33569/page-2#post-481784

Summary:

• 5 Straight Home Games
• Terrible weather
• Poor non-conference and conference home schedule.

Next year should look much different due to a better schedule:

• No more than 2 consecutive weekends at home
• Better opponents: Temple, Maryland, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State

I can't predict the weather.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

98,000 students !!!!

 

[broey]

Damar Hamlin will end up at Pitt.... Mark it down. He's just saying that stuff for a more "surprising" announcement. He and Paris Ford have had it worked out for years they were going to Pitt together. He's been to EVERY Pitt home game this year.... Nobody does that if they're not coming. Done deal, put a fork in it, move on.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Nor is 107K when it is achieved once every couple of years and your last game drew 80,000 a$$es in the seats.

My last game drew 43k against a ranked team.

I'm just not delusional about our lack of fan support.

 

[Jpripper88]

I am not being hard on this kid. But if he doesn't understand that we have a smaller alumni base, and play in a stadium that is too big for us, then I wish him well else where.

I forget who said it, but heard something on the radio from one of the "recruiting experts", that it takes a kid who is more mature in his decision making to not let attendance play in his decision. I am paraphrasing as I can not remember exactly, but I am close.

Anyway, we aren't going to keep all the local kids. That is a fact. Coach Nard will have to provide an atmosphere of winning and sending kids to the pros, then maybe we can keep a few more here.

I agree with this in part but attendance plays into atmosphere and those schools that draw generally have atmospheres that just blow Pitt away. It is much, much more exciting in those environments to watch games, so just imagine how much cooler it might be to play in them. And really, that is what he is saying. I don't think that is a maturity issue. Now, if that is all he is basing his choice on, sure, it is stupid, but as a factor, it makes sense. We just have to overcome that with our positives.

 

[Jpripper88]

I came to see what was being said about Hamlin since I'm not a premium subscriber anywhere. Someone asked a valid question as to why attendance at PSU was down so I thought I would answer with no inflammatory content. I live and work in Pittsburgh, and fortunately, the Pitt fans/grads I interact with on a daily basis are much classier than this.

Don't bother with him. He is a moron and if 90% of us had our wish, he wouldn't be associated with Pitt or this board.