Man, how long has it been since an on-campus stadium post???

[CrazyPaco]

The LA Coliseum, while technically off campus, is located in an area relative to USC that is more campus accessible than many on campus stadiums. If there was an award for most on-campus off-campus stadium they would win it. Of the Los Angeles Power Conference programs, the core UCLA campus's distance from the Rose Bowl is a more relevant example of a school having their football stadium located outside of easy walking distance from campus.

USC does now operate the Coliseum. They may not technically own it, but then Pitt doesn't technically own Hillman Library.

 

[CrazyPaco]

A referendum in Allegheny County to add a tax to fund two new venues (PNC & HF) was voted down that year by over 70% by taxpayers / voters.

And yet, the venues get built with taxpayer money.

After the referendum was shot down, Harrisburg (and perhaps it wasnt Rendell but power brokers in the legislature).....pushed to get these built.

One of the "strong arming" techniques, was to threaten Pitt with state funding IF they didnt go along with moving downtown.

The promise of HF being used for more than just 8-10 Steeler games being the hook, of course, to sell this idea.

I wont dismiss Pederson / Nordenburg outright. Sure, they had input.

But the pressure to move (and quite frankly the decision to move) came from Harrisburg, and not the top floor of the Cathedral.

Around the time that the Bryce Jordan and Liacouras centers were funded, the O'Connor administration made a deal to take more of the state's money allocated for Pitt's arena, generically termed the convocation center, up front in order to start the design process and get the project rolling while it fundraised for the rest. The fundraising, like the fundraising for the doming of Pitt Stadium, failed miserably, so the project languished and Pitt was left with entirely insufficient funds to move forward with the project while the costs to build continued to increase only widening the financial gap. By the mid- to late 90s, when O'Connor administration came to an end, Pitt was left with a badly deteriorating physical plant (not just athletic facilities), its athletic programs had hit rock bottom, and the university was even struggling to fill its beds. Circa 1996-97, it was not what I'd call a healthy university; it was struggling in many aspects.

The new Nordenberg administration began lobbying the state to release more money for the convocation center, to no real avail, because the prior administration had squandered the original deal to take the bulk of the money upfront so it was basically Pitt saying 'give us more money because the last guy in my position was incompetent.' Not really an effective hand to have to play. The subsequent deal that was brokered was tied in with Pitt jumping on board with "Plan B" for the pro-stadiums, which changed the site and design of the convocation center plan and included rolling two additional state-funded projects (a water chiller and student rec center) into one big Petersen Events Center project, but it did result in the state releasing additional monies that actually got the project completed.

Basically, without playing ball with "Plan B," a convocation center doesn't get built. Remember, Pitt had already moved its football operations to the South Side at this point as well, and it is not hyperbole to state that the remainder of Pitt's athletic facilities were the worst in all major college sports, and even perhaps most of mid-major facilities. Taking the sorely needed substantial renovations of Pitt Stadium off the to do list and getting the convocation center taken care of also allowed Pitt to turn to renovation projects on the Field House and to the construction of the Petersen Sports Complex. I'd bet a lot of money that Pitt does not get into the ACC with the facilities that existed circa 1999.

Perfect world, Pitt would have had the money to adequately renovate Pitt Stadium and build the convocation center on the OC lot as planned. But in the real world, it had no ability to get these project completed, probably through the next decade, a decade that was marked by seismic changes in conference memberships.

 

[PittMiamiRivalry]

He is 100% right, but I don't give a sh*t anymore. Pitt should have made this commitment 20 years ago. It's over. And to think those stupid f*cks committed hundreds of millions to Victory Heights and probably have less that 5% raised to fund it. In the words of you know who... Unbelievable.

Heather Lyke was a complete disaster for Pitt football and basketball. I don't follow these Pitt sports anymore as a result of her excessive and moronic contracts to Narbrainless and Capel's family stealing money from the university.

I don't expect anything from the new AD. He is another disappearing act. Not another penny to the worst athletic department in the US

 

[CrazyPaco]

Heather Lyke was a complete disaster for Pitt football and basketball. I don't follow these Pitt sports anymore as a result of her excessive and moronic contracts to Narbrainless and Capel's family stealing money from the university.

I don't expect anything from the new AD. He is another disappearing act. Not another penny to the worst athletic department in the US

Just curious, when was the last time you gave a penny?

 

[Richard A]

Around the time that the Bryce Jordan and Liacouras centers were funded, the O'Connor administration made a deal to take more of the state's money allocated for Pitt's arena, generically termed the convocation center, up front in order to start the design process and get the project rolling while it fundraised for the rest. The fundraising, like the fundraising for the doming of Pitt Stadium, failed miserably, so the project languished and Pitt was left with entirely insufficient funds to move forward with the project while the costs to build continued to increase only widening the financial gap. By the mid- to late 90s, when O'Connor administration came to an end, Pitt was left with a badly deteriorating physical plant (not just athletic facilities), its athletic programs had hit rock bottom, and the university was even struggling to fill its beds. Circa 1996-97, it was not what I'd call a healthy university; it was struggling in many aspects.

The new Nordenberg administration had been lobbying the state to release more money for the convocation center, to no real avail, because the prior administration had squandered the original deal to take the bulk of the money upfront and it was basically Pitt saying give us more money because the last guy in my position was incompetent. The subsequent deal that was brokered was tied in with Pitt jumping on board with "Plan B" for the pro-stadiums, which changed the site and design of the convocation center plan and included rolling two additional state-funded projects (a water chiller and student rec center) into one big Petersen Events Center project, but it resulted in the state releasing additional monies that actually got it completed.

Basically, without playing ball with "Plan B," a convocation center doesn't get built. Remember, Pitt had already moved its football operations to the South Side at this point as well, and it is not hyperbole to state that the remainder of Pitt's athletic facilities were the worst in all major college sports, and even perhaps most of mid-major facilities. Taking the sorely needed substantial renovations of Pitt Stadium off the to do list and getting the convocation center taken care of also allowed Pitt to turn to renovation projects on the Field House and the to the construction of the Petersen Sports Complex. I'd bet a lot of money that Pitt does not get into the ACC with the facilities that existed circa 1999.

Perfect world, Pitt would have had the money to adequately renovate Pitt Stadium and build the convocation center on the OC lot as planned. But in the real world, it had no ability to get these project completed, probably in through the next decade, a decade that was marked by seismic changes in conference memberships.

Very interesting and I forgot for the most part the exact details of that deal. Thanks for the info

 

[pittdan77]

In the real world, there is no debate. It is not currently needed nor is it currently possible physically, politically, or financially.

I agree. The real worlds says there isn't anything this fan base is doing that moves the needle but if there was some solid evidence of maniacal fan support ($$$) then I'm certain there would at least be a serious discussion in order to leverage even more money from that fan base. Even then, I'm not sure it's all that good of an investment.

 

[CrazyPaco]

I agree. The real worlds says there isn't anything this fan base is doing that moves the needle but if there was some solid evidence of maniacal fan support ($$$) then I'm certain there would at least be a serious discussion in order to leverage even more money from that fan base. Even then, I'm not sure it's all that good of an investment.

If there was maniacal fan support, Acrisure would be a lot more full. But none of that changes the reality of what would be needed for the footprint and surrounding infrastructure changes needed for a suitable power-conference quality football stadium within walking distance of the Cathedral of Learning.

Pitt's problems have zero to do with the location or ownership of where they play football games.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Just curious, when was the last time you gave a penny?

SEC fans: This coach stinks, the program is failing, I'm giving more money to fire this loser and get a better coach

Pitt fans: This coach stinks, the program is failing, I'm not giving anything until things get better

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

If there was maniacal fan support, Acrisure would be a lot more full. But none of that changes the reality of what would be needed for the footprint and surrounding infrastructure changes needed for a suitable power-conference quality football stadium within walking distance of the Cathedral of Learning.

Pitt's problems have zero to do with the location or ownership of where they play football games.

i agree, heinz (i cant call it accrusure) is pretty solid with a nice crowd in it. not even talking steelers but pitt. many good memories of a loud pitt home crowds there...


People on here complain about the "ho hum" games with a small and bored crowd. that atmosphere would still be just as boring and quiet in a 40k stadium.. you can put all the lipstick on a pig you want but it's still a pig..

 

[pittdan77]

i agree, heinz (i cant call it accrusure) is pretty solid with a nice crowd in it. not even talking steelers but pitt. many good memories of a loud pitt home crowds there...


People on here complain about the "ho hum" games with a small and bored crowd. that atmosphere would still be just as boring and quiet in a 40k stadium.. you can put all the lipstick on a pig you want but it's still a pig..

The stadium formerly known as Heinz is about as vanilla as it gets. Very utilitarian but so is Beaver Stadium. That really can't be the problem.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

The stadium formerly known as Heinz is about as vanilla as it gets. Very utilitarian but so is Beaver Stadium. That really can't be the problem.

arent all or most football stadiums "vanilla?" baseball parks have the ability to have charm and character. football stadiums? Not so much in my opinion.

you can put the stands closer, have nice score boards and big screens, but when it's all said and done, a football stadium is a football stadium.. Three Rivers was the most "vanilla" stadium ever constructed and just some incredible memories made there that multiple generations of steeler fans will fondly remember..

 

[Islanderpanther]

SEC fans: This coach stinks, the program is failing, I'm giving more money to fire this loser and get a better coach

Pitt fans: This coach stinks, the program is failing, I'm not giving anything until things get better

A lot of us tried the sec approach five times and were rewarded with Pitt hiring another bum or otherwise sabotaging athletics. It ain’t the fans’ fault!

 

[BigChungus90210]

arent all or most football stadiums "vanilla?" baseball parks have the ability to have charm and character. football stadiums? Not so much in my opinion.

Bingo. Football can't customize the actual playing surface like baseball can. Once you're inside. they all more or less look the same, it's just the atmosphere that can change the experience. Most of those places that show up on the "best college football stadiums/environments" lists that start popping up at this time in the offseason are 100+ year old dumps.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Bingo. Football can't customize the actual playing surface like baseball can. Once you're inside. they all more or less look the same, it's just the atmosphere that can change the experience. Most of those places that show up on the "best college football stadiums/environments" lists that start popping up at this time in the offseason are 100+ year old dumps.

There are some exceptions. Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta looked nice inside & outside. Same with Charlotte.

 

[forbesfield]

If you get enough people into the old stadiums, the structure itself becomes invisible.

When empty, Pitt Stadium was pretty much a dump. When it was close to full, it was sweet.

 

[12162022]

Around the time that the Bryce Jordan and Liacouras centers were funded, the O'Connor administration made a deal to take more of the state's money allocated for Pitt's arena, generically termed the convocation center, up front in order to start the design process and get the project rolling while it fundraised for the rest. The fundraising, like the fundraising for the doming of Pitt Stadium, failed miserably, so the project languished and Pitt was left with entirely insufficient funds to move forward with the project while the costs to build continued to increase only widening the financial gap. By the mid- to late 90s, when O'Connor administration came to an end, Pitt was left with a badly deteriorating physical plant (not just athletic facilities), its athletic programs had hit rock bottom, and the university was even struggling to fill its beds. Circa 1996-97, it was not what I'd call a healthy university; it was struggling in many aspects.

The new Nordenberg administration began lobbying the state to release more money for the convocation center, to no real avail, because the prior administration had squandered the original deal to take the bulk of the money upfront so it was basically Pitt saying 'give us more money because the last guy in my position was incompetent.' Not really an effective hand to have to play. The subsequent deal that was brokered was tied in with Pitt jumping on board with "Plan B" for the pro-stadiums, which changed the site and design of the convocation center plan and included rolling two additional state-funded projects (a water chiller and student rec center) into one big Petersen Events Center project, but it did result in the state releasing additional monies that actually got the project completed.

Basically, without playing ball with "Plan B," a convocation center doesn't get built. Remember, Pitt had already moved its football operations to the South Side at this point as well, and it is not hyperbole to state that the remainder of Pitt's athletic facilities were the worst in all major college sports, and even perhaps most of mid-major facilities. Taking the sorely needed substantial renovations of Pitt Stadium off the to do list and getting the convocation center taken care of also allowed Pitt to turn to renovation projects on the Field House and the to the construction of the Petersen Sports Complex. I'd bet a lot of money that Pitt does not get into the ACC with the facilities that existed circa 1999.

Perfect world, Pitt would have had the money to adequately renovate Pitt Stadium and build the convocation center on the OC lot as planned. But in the real world, it had no ability to get these project completed, probably through the next decade, a decade that was marked by seismic changes in conference memberships.

That question about 2 arenas went to the 6 Counties, not just Allegheny. The Rooney Mafia ruled the city.

 

[Richard A]

The stadium formerly known as Heinz is about as vanilla as it gets. Very utilitarian but so is Beaver Stadium. That really can't be the problem.

Most football stadiums are vanilla. Baseball stadiums are different because of the field configurations.

 

[12162022]

Most football stadiums are vanilla. Baseball stadiums are different because of the field configurations.

i voted for the two joints......got a gem in PNC, still one of the best. HF/AC.....OK, nothing special except the yellow seats. And Pitt got a good building for hoops+ (We used to play big opponents at the Civic Arena.)

It would be interesting to know whether the debate in the 90’s over renovating/rebuilding Pitt Stadium ever involved a discussion about whether football would play in Three Rivers/HF versus basketball playing in the Civic Areana. From a pure logistics standpoint, it might have made more sense to move basketball to the Civic Arena and keep football on campus. I know, I know, Duquense plays there.

Problem #1......Sharing the Arena schedule would get a mirror of second picks for the Pens. Gee, did Pitt hoops improve when the Pete was opened??

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Pitt fans: This coach stinks, the program is failing, I'm not giving anything until things get better

Pitt fans: This coach stinks, the program is failing, I haven't given anything for years, and I'm certainly not going to start now.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Who thought fundraising for a dome on Pitt Stadium was a good idea? And the fundraising effort was very likely a clown show.