On Campus Stadium-Pitt's lone solution

[paulbl99]

Ok, so what does Pitt do in 15 years when the Steelers opt to leave Heinz Field? Maybe they move the new Stadium north or south....then what does Pitt do? I'm not as focused on where the stadium is as I am that Pitt has to share a stadium. If Pitt Stadium was built where Heinz Field is now, I'd be great with that.

Make a financial arrangement to play there as their home

Rename it Pitt Stadium.

Build classrooms inside it and call it an on campus facility.

Remove or cover seats and squeeze 45 to 50 into a smaller footprint.

But whatever a college football stadium is not going to be built in Oakland.

 

[ThePanthers]

They were at 3 Rivers for 30 years. 70-00

And?

 

[oldschool13]

Because we stunk!!!!! For 25 years because we had and admin. who didn't give a rat's behind about FB. And spare me the stats on 76-81 because just when we started to get some momentum, guess what happened? The Incompetent boobs running Pitt blew up the FB program YET AGAIN! Fans stopped going to hoops games because Rainman sucked the life out of the BB program with boring BB, poor scheduling and lousy recruiting.

You have nailed it again..... The issue is Pitt-not its fans. We are just starting to be relevant again.... due to the commitments of the administration and an excellent coach.. yes,the fan experience has to be improved and that is on pitt to get to the public stadium authority with all guns blazing--we were strong in a time when college football was just beginning to be a national movement.... Heniz Field can rock when we are relevant--PSU, the Cincinnati game we blew with horrible coaching and execution,etc. We finish the season without a natural rival which most acc schools handle with a non conference rival at season's end-clemson,scarolina.,louisville ky,--georgia georgia tech---florida florida state---pitt stadium is a dead issue escept for arguments among pitt fans... its over...and it has been over.....

 

[happjack]

The Steelers aren't going anywhere, the Rooney's have to much invested in the North Side to pick up and move to Cranberry or Murrysville. Heniz Field is going to get "updated/improvements" every 8 years or so at the expense of the taxpayers. Don't be shocked if they tear down those new seats to build a party deck or fancy club in the early 2020's.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

That would not be on campus.

But it would be ours solely to occupy and maintain. It is best of we can't build on campus stadium.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

As has been shown to you before, a 50,000 seat stadium doesn't fit on the OC lot site. And yet you propose one that can be expanded to 70,000. And continue to pretend that you know what you are talking about.

My un-engineered friend... I measured it myself. I used a DuraWheel DW-1000 12.5" Diameter Distance Measuring Wheel provided to me by m friend who accompanied me and who is a civil engineer in Pittsburgh. It was precisely measured and the same as the maps that are found at www.newpittstadium.com which are provided by the City of Pittsburgh. By building, "Over" the roof of the Cost Center, the New Pitt Stadium can accommodate approximately 15 to 20,000 fans alone. Please don't argue unless you have the technical knowledge to dispute reality. This isn't a political rally where being stupid is accommodated by treachery.

 

[ThePanthers]

The Steelers aren't going anywhere, the Rooney's have to much invested in the North Side to pick up and move to Cranberry or Murrysville. Heniz Field is going to get "updated/improvements" every 8 years or so at the expense of the taxpayers. Don't be shocked if they tear down those new seats to build a party deck or fancy club in the early 2020's.

This is the main reason. They and the Pirates have a significant amount invested in the North Shore. Plus they have much more control over how the stadiums look than the typical cement bowl, dual stadium.

They aren't moving or asking for a stadium for a long time IMO.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

And the rest of us are surprised that you continue to tout a plan that was designed by a third grader who had no idea what he was talking about, so there's that.

Joe, please don't be rude. If you were a professional engineer, architect or urban planner, you could merely use facts to dispute the plans for The New Pitt Stadium on the OC Lot instead ad hominen attacks.

 

[CorsosRevenge]

I'm very ignorant when it comes to things like stadium costs, but is 500 million all it would take for a new stadium? The one they're getting set to build in Las Vegas for the Raiders and UNLV is projected at 1.9 billion, and will probably end up higher. I realize that's for an NFL team, but 500 million doesn't seem like much by today's standards.

Las Vegas also plans to build a palace. A new Pitt Stadium would be about 48,000 bleacher seats and a club level.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

This is the main reason. They and the Pirates have a significant amount invested in the North Shore. Plus they have much more control over how the stadiums look than the typical cement bowl, dual stadium.

They aren't moving or asking for a stadium for a long time IMO.

Perhaps, but go to a map or Google Earth if you're at your desk, the land cleared out located northward on the Mon River makes an ideal spot for The New Steeler Stadium and it is very close to the Southside Practice Facilities. Many NFL teams are doing this these days.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

Unless you can deal with geography and road/transportation infrastructure, you are not getting more people to show up for pitt games by making an on campus stadium. Students are not the issue. The Pitt alumni and the greater pittsburgh area are who don't show up. Pittsburgh is a pro town not a college town like clemson where people are willing to spend an entire day on campus.

I must disagree. Please read the transportation and traffic portion of The New Pitt Stadium plan. A great many access and parking projects have transformed Oakland's automobile needs. www.newpittstadium.com

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

Las Vegas also plans to build a palace. A new Pitt Stadium would be about 48,000 bleacher seats and a club level.

I assume that you didn't go to Clemson and sat on their bleacher seats. Consider club and super box seating above the Cost Center with a fantastic view of The Cathedral with a large bowl for seating in a horseshoe open in the direction of the Pete.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

Where are these 5K more fans now? Where will they come from?

Hungover in South Oakland & the Quad. Easier to traverse the Hill by bus to a football game than to go to The Northside....

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

Unless you can deal with geography and road/transportation infrastructure, you are not getting more people to show up for pitt games by making an on campus stadium. Students are not the issue. The Pitt alumni and the greater pittsburgh area are who don't show up. Pittsburgh is a pro town not a college town like clemson where people are willing to spend an entire day on campus.

Oakland is much nicer than Downtown Clemson before a game. I've seen it.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

Attendance is NEVER going to be great for Pitt football. Sure, I can see a bump here or there, but to think that they will regularly draw 60K + is ridiculous. Whether they have 40K or 50K in Heinz Field, the empty yellow seats on the lower level look hideous. Attendance isn't the problem, the venue they play in is.

Temporary fix could include switching the cameras to the visitor side of the field so that the seats behind the Pitt bench, which are pretty much full every game are the ones shown.

WHEN WE WIN, WE GET 50-60k. I remember seeing many empty seats in Pitt Stadium when TD33 was running for the MNC. I also remember every game being sold out and packed in 1982, 1983 when we were #1 with Marino et al. IF YOU BUILD IT AND WE WIN; THEY WILL COME.

 

[CorsosRevenge]

I assume that you didn't go to Clemson and sat on their bleacher seats. Consider club and super box seating above the Cost Center with a fantastic view of The Cathedral with a large bowl for seating in a horseshoe open in the direction of the Pete.

I did. I saw no issue with it. They're college stadiums. They're not supposed to be as nice as pro stadiums. New flash: Houston, TCU and Minnesota's new stadiums also have mostly bleacher seating.

 

[raleighpanther]

OK, so some of you think you can shoehorn a stadium into some lot space you think will be made available for a football stadium in Oakland. Fine. Now, where do people tailgate?

That is not a trivial thing. Tailgating is one of the main reasons that many college football fans go to games; it is a key part of the game day experience. Without it, well, you can see the game better at home, so why fight parking, pay a small fortune, deal with bad weather, etc., if you're just going to watch the game?

I know a couple that religiously go to Penn State games. They tailgate for many hours before the game, then he enters the stadium, and she goes shopping. Without the tailgating, they'd do something else with their weekends.

 

[Jpripper88]

OK, let's talk about recruiting. If you pay attention at all to the interviews with Pitt's recruits who visit, most of them are wowed by Pitt's relationship to the Steelers. They practice and play at the same place as the Steelers, and hardly a single recruit fails to mention that as a positive. Some are blown away by it. In the interview posted today with Max Browne, he talked about getting to meet Rothleisberger at the facility on his visit, and was really impressed by it. And to them, Heinz is big-time; they've watched many games there on TV.

Recruits don't give a damn about whether a stadium is on or off campus, and why would they?
If you, as a fan, want an on-campus stadium, petition for one, but don't pretend like its important to recruits, because it just isn't.

I think we hear that from guys who commit to Pitt. I think we hear plenty from guys who don't commit that gameday atmosphere (which is heavily impacted by stadium, attendance, and being on campus) is a big part of enjoying their visits and picking a school. So, yes, many, many recruits care about an on campus (and lively, right sized) stadium and how it affects their gameday experience.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

I think we hear that from guys who commit to Pitt. I think we hear plenty from guys who don't commit that gameday atmosphere (which is heavily impacted by stadium, attendance, and being on campus) is a big part of enjoying their visits and picking a school. So, yes, many, many recruits care about an on campus (and lively, right sized) stadium and how it affects their gameday experience.

Indeed many recruits do care about playing on campus, in front of 90,000 fans, in a bucolic little town.

I got news for you. That aint Pitt. Never will be. Even with a new football stadium in Oakland.

What happens in 2040 when 25,000 fans show up to watch Pitt play Virginia in late November in crappy weather at a new "right sized" stadium in the OC Lot? What will the excuse be then?

 

[Jpripper88]

Indeed many recruits do care about playing on campus, in front of 90,000 fans, in a bucolic little town.

I got news for you. That aint Pitt. Never will be. Even with a new football stadium in Oakland.

What happens in 2040 when 25,000 fans show up to watch Pitt play Virginia in late November in crappy weather at a new "right sized" stadium in the OC Lot? What will the excuse be then?

I don't disagree with you about our fanbase problems now and into the future, but playing in an on campus (and the gameday atmosphere that encourages) stadium in front of a raucous (not necessarily 90k) crowd does move the needle for many (most?) recruits. Of course most of the guys who commit to us aren't going to be quoted as that being one of their driving factors because otherwise we wouldn't get them.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

I don't disagree with you about our fanbase problems now and into the future, but playing in an on campus (and the gameday atmosphere that encourages) stadium in front of a raucous (not necessarily 90k) crowd does move the needle for many (most?) recruits. Of course most of the guys who commit to us aren't going to be quoted as that being one of their driving factors because otherwise we wouldn't get them.

Were you at the Virginia Tech - Pitt game at Heinz in 2003? Was that raucous enough? Did it matter one iota that the game was being played 3 miles from campus?

Pitt is better off investing a few extra million dollars per year on attracting and retaining football coaching talent and playing at Heinz than the hundreds of millions of dollars that would be required to develop an on campus stadium. The coaching investment can pay greater dividends and offer a return on the investment MUCH more quickly than a stadium development process.

 

[Panther Al]

Heinz doesn't work and am sensing the fans who are against a campus stadium are Steeler fans. Listen guys. The students hate taking the bus because its a major inconvenience and is a SIGNIFICANT problem when your loudest fans aren't in the building. See VT, Duke (after Clemson win) and Cuse. If you took a survey from the students whether they would prefer Heinz or on campus, it would be 90/10 in favor of a campus stadium (those 10% are diehard Steeler fans) When we get the on campus stadium, I'm sure parking and tailgating will be worked out. Pitt isn't building a 90,000 seat building. It will be a 50,000 to 60,000 seat building and at least a 1/4 of those fans or more are walking to the game/taking the bus and don't require parking. How about a big tailgate party on the cathedral lawn? I also have heard complaints about traffic if we had an on campus stadium? What school that draws 80,000 to 100,000 people on campus doesn't have traffic issues on game day? Have you ever been to OSU, UM or a PSU game? Ask those fans about traffic. Its part of going to a college football game. There is absolutely nothing like going to a college football game on campus which is why just about every team who experimented playing off campus has moved back to campus or is in process of moving back. Colorado State is the latest school and they are opening their new building this coming fall. Its made a difference for Baylor and even a school like Minnesota who was winning two games a year for a long time. The large parking lots with a stadium in the middle are meant for Sunday's. H2P!

 

[eastcoasthoops]

Heinz doesn't work and am sensing the fans who are against a campus stadium are Steeler fans. Listen guys. The students hate taking the bus because its a major inconvenience and is a SIGNIFICANT problem when your loudest fans aren't in the building. See VT, Duke (after Clemson win) and Cuse. If you took a survey from the students whether they would prefer Heinz or on campus, it would be 90/10 in favor of a campus stadium (those 10% are diehard Steeler fans) When we get the on campus stadium, I'm sure parking and tailgating will be worked out. Pitt isn't building a 90,000 seat building. It will be a 50,000 to 60,000 seat building and at least a 1/4 of those fans or more are walking to the game/taking the bus and don't require parking. How about a big tailgate party on the cathedral lawn? I also have heard complaints about traffic if we had an on campus stadium? What school that draws 80,000 to 100,000 people on campus doesn't have traffic issues on game day? Have you ever been to OSU, UM or a PSU game? Ask those fans about traffic. Its part of going to a college football game. There is absolutely nothing like going to a college football game on campus which is why just about every team who experimented playing off campus has moved back to campus or is in process of moving back. Colorado State is the latest school and they are opening their new building this coming fall. Its made a difference for Baylor and even a school like Minnesota who was winning two games a year for a long time. The large parking lots with a stadium in the middle are meant for Sunday's. H2P!

I'm sensing you lack the requisite brainwaves to have a legitimate conversation.

 

[jtownknowitall]

How many more students do you think will be going to games on campus? How much longer will they stay? How many thousands of Pitt students aren't going to games because they have to get a ride? My guess is its in the low double digits. Tens. So do you trade 36 students for perhaps 58 locals who ain't driving out to Oakland to watch Pitt play Boston College or Wake Forest?

 

[HailToPitt725]

I really think the number of students who aren't showing up because it's off campus is overstated. Sure, there may be more students showing up to the games, but there'd also be less fair weather yinzers there too, so I think it'd even out.

 

[Panther Al]

Firstly, East Coast Hoops must be a diehard Steeler fan and am sorry if I offended him.

Secondly, the students not only don't go to the games (would you like me to send you the picture of the student section for the Cuse game), but they also leave right after the 3Q in a mass exodus. At the home opener vs Nova, I watched (sitting across the field from them on the Pitt side) just about the entire student section leave. Why? Was it too hot that day? Student section was in the shade for the section half of that game. Its talked about after every game (outside of PSU) on this board and isn't something I'm fabricating. It's a fact. The bottom line is they don't want to wait on line to get on a bus for an hour to get home. They would rather leave when the game is over and walk back to their dorm/off campus apartment like what goes on at just about every other football school. The problem is you can't at Pitt because you aren't walking home unless you're ready to do a eight mile walk back to campus after tailgating all day. Now there is more to the story than just the students but they are certainly a big part of the atmosphere problem at Heinz.

 

[raleighpanther]

I'll repeat, for those saying game day atmosphere is something we have to have to compete against other programs: a big part of it is pre-game tailgating, something that is impossible in Oakland.

 

[jtownknowitall]

Busloads of branch campus dummies from Johnstown and Greensburg attend Pitt games and sit in the student section.

You said 1/4 of the 50,000 who would be at the on-campus stadium would walk to the games. Wouldn't that be over 100% of the current enrollment? Would every student go to the game if it was played on campus and would they stay to the bitter end of each game?

 

[raleighpanther]

Many guys we recruit, including ones that don't get to sign, mention the value of the Steeler relationship. Its not just the guys who do sign.

And, the reason the Steeler relationship is attractive to recruits is because they have aspirations of playing in the NFL one day themselves. Those are exactly the type of recruits we want.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

Firstly, East Coast Hoops must be a diehard Steeler fan and am sorry if I offended him.

Secondly, the students not only don't go to the games (would you like me to send you the picture of the student section for the Cuse game), but they also leave right after the 3Q in a mass exodus. At the home opener vs Nova, I watched (sitting across the field from them on the Pitt side) just about the entire student section leave. Why? Was it too hot that day? Student section was in the shade for the section half of that game. Its talked about after every game (outside of PSU) on this board and isn't something I'm fabricating. It's a fact. The bottom line is they don't want to wait on line to get on a bus for an hour to get home. They would rather leave when the game is over and walk back to their dorm/off campus apartment like what goes on at just about every other football school. The problem is you can't at Pitt because you aren't walking home unless you're ready to do a eight mile walk back to campus after tailgating all day. Now there is more to the story than just the students but they are certainly a big part of the atmosphere problem at Heinz.

I'm not offended Einstein. I actually feel sorry for you.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

Busloads of branch campus dummies from Johnstown and Greensburg attend Pitt games and sit in the student section.

You said 1/4 of the 50,000 who would be at the on-campus stadium would walk to the games. Wouldn't that be over 100% of the current enrollment? Would every student go to the game if it was played on campus and would they stay to the bitter end of each game?

Shhhh. Numbers hurt his brain.

 

[Gorachee]

Heinz doesn't work and am sensing the fans who are against a campus stadium are Steeler fans. Listen guys. The students hate taking the bus because its a major inconvenience and is a SIGNIFICANT problem when your loudest fans aren't in the building. See VT, Duke (after Clemson win) and Cuse. If you took a survey from the students whether they would prefer Heinz or on campus, it would be 90/10 in favor of a campus stadium (those 10% are diehard Steeler fans) When we get the on campus stadium, I'm sure parking and tailgating will be worked out. Pitt isn't building a 90,000 seat building. It will be a 50,000 to 60,000 seat building and at least a 1/4 of those fans or more are walking to the game/taking the bus and don't require parking. How about a big tailgate party on the cathedral lawn? I also have heard complaints about traffic if we had an on campus stadium? What school that draws 80,000 to 100,000 people on campus doesn't have traffic issues on game day? Have you ever been to OSU, UM or a PSU game? Ask those fans about traffic. Its part of going to a college football game. There is absolutely nothing like going to a college football game on campus which is why just about every team who experimented playing off campus has moved back to campus or is in process of moving back. Colorado State is the latest school and they are opening their new building this coming fall. Its made a difference for Baylor and even a school like Minnesota who was winning two games a year for a long time. The large parking lots with a stadium in the middle are meant for Sunday's. H2P!

 

[HailToPitt725]

Firstly, East Coast Hoops must be a diehard Steeler fan and am sorry if I offended him.

Secondly, the students not only don't go to the games (would you like me to send you the picture of the student section for the Cuse game), but they also leave right after the 3Q in a mass exodus. At the home opener vs Nova, I watched (sitting across the field from them on the Pitt side) just about the entire student section leave. Why? Was it too hot that day? Student section was in the shade for the section half of that game. Its talked about after every game (outside of PSU) on this board and isn't something I'm fabricating. It's a fact. The bottom line is they don't want to wait on line to get on a bus for an hour to get home. They would rather leave when the game is over and walk back to their dorm/off campus apartment like what goes on at just about every other football school. The problem is you can't at Pitt because you aren't walking home unless you're ready to do a eight mile walk back to campus after tailgating all day. Now there is more to the story than just the students but they are certainly a big part of the atmosphere problem at Heinz.

I don't need a picture of the student section, I have a cousin who attends so I try to keep track of what's going on.

I think a large part of why there hasn't been an atmosphere in the past is an inept administration who doesn't help to fix it and a football program that went 6-6 for 4 straight years. We've seen that when the football team is winning, it's going to be packed. VT in 2003, ND and Cincinnati in 2009, the Backyard Brawls and the UPS game this year. A lot of the atmosphere also comes from the limited pregame festivities in the past. The athletic dpt has been looking to change that as far as I know so that's going to improve. Just imagine the tailgating scenes with the flags waving high, a pregame concert going on at Stage AE, fans restaurant and bar hopping on the North Shore, and alums enjoying a pregame tent tailgate.

I still think an underrated factor in the experience is the signage. Hanging more Pitt signage in and around the stadium would go a long way to making it feel like home. Even if it's hanging up signage strips along the press boxes like they did during the Winter Classic would make, that'd help.

In conclusion, I don't think Heinz Field is limiting Pitt's potential as much as some say. Rather, Pitt hasn't reached their full potential at Heinz Field. A winning team with an awesome pregame experience will go a long way in improving the atmosphere.

 

[Gorachee]

Firstly, East Coast Hoops must be a diehard Steeler fan and am sorry if I offended him.

Secondly, the students not only don't go to the games (would you like me to send you the picture of the student section for the Cuse game), but they also leave right after the 3Q in a mass exodus. At the home opener vs Nova, I watched (sitting across the field from them on the Pitt side) just about the entire student section leave. Why? Was it too hot that day? Student section was in the shade for the section half of that game. Its talked about after every game (outside of PSU) on this board and isn't something I'm fabricating. It's a fact. The bottom line is they don't want to wait on line to get on a bus for an hour to get home. They would rather leave when the game is over and walk back to their dorm/off campus apartment like what goes on at just about every other football school. The problem is you can't at Pitt because you aren't walking home unless you're ready to do a eight mile walk back to campus after tailgating all day. Now there is more to the story than just the students but they are certainly a big part of the atmosphere problem at Heinz.

They might just leave at the same time. I would imagine that a decent percentage of student fans are not avid panther or football fans and are going at least in some part for the social aspects. In fact, if it is a short walk back to the dorm or apartment and they don't have to rely on bus transportation, I would imagine that many would leave earlier or show up later.

 

[HailToPitt725]

I just don't think an on campus stadium is the lone solution for football. Heck, if you try to jam it somewhere in Oakland it'd probably create problems somewhere else. If we put out a consistent Top 25 product and put some of the ideas from the Panther Fan Experience Committee into practice, it'd be a complete 180.

 

[Jpripper88]

Were you at the Virginia Tech - Pitt game at Heinz in 2003? Was that raucous enough? Did it matter one iota that the game was being played 3 miles from campus?

Pitt is better off investing a few extra million dollars per year on attracting and retaining football coaching talent and playing at Heinz than the hundreds of millions of dollars that would be required to develop an on campus stadium. The coaching investment can pay greater dividends and offer a return on the investment MUCH more quickly than a stadium development process.

But we aren't talking once in a blue moon.

I didn't say Pitt was better off one way or the other. I simply said it is completely wrong to say that most kids care about a very, very limited relationship with the Steelers and having an on campus stadium doesn't impact recruiting. I don't necessarily disagree with you eastcoast (even though I certainly think there would be benefit to Pitt, there won't be anything close to $400M benefit), but I do disagree completely with the post I originally quoted.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

But we aren't talking once in a blue moon.

I didn't say Pitt was better off one way or the other. I simply said it is completely wrong to say that most kids care about a very, very limited relationship with the Steelers and having an on campus stadium doesn't impact recruiting. I don't necessarily disagree with you eastcoast (even though I certainly think there would be benefit to Pitt, there won't be anything close to $400M benefit), but I do disagree completely with the post I originally quoted.

I suspect that the relationship with the Steelers is just one factor of 1000 factors a recruit uses to calculate his interest in playing at Pitt. It is, however, a unique factor that ONLY Pitt enjoys.

As I said earlier...Pitt, as an urban semi-private university, is an outlier in the world of P5 football. It has strengths and weaknesses that most other P5 programs don't. I just think this whole "playing on campus is Pitt's only solution" theory is hogwash.

And, I agree with you 1000% that Pitt would never get $400MM (or whatever number someone wants to pull out of the sky) benefit from building an on campus football stadium. It would be a poor use of funds...if they existed.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Joe, please don't be rude. If you were a professional engineer, architect or urban planner, you could merely use facts to dispute the plans for The New Pitt Stadium on the OC Lot instead ad hominen attacks.

Actually, unlike you I am an engineer. And the notion that you surveyed the site is complete BS. As was proven when you posted that they wouldn't even need to do any site prep to the OC lot before they started construction because it was already flat. That shows that either you have never been on the OC lot site before (which wouldn't surprise me) or that you have absolutely no idea what so ever how much space a football field, let alone a football stadium, takes up. Without some serious site prep and some serious earth moving there isn't even enough space on the OC lot for a full sized football FIELD, let alone the 70,000 seat STADIUM you think could go there.

The funny thing is that you tell someone else in the thread to look at something on Google Earth. And yet it's obvious that you've never really done that, because if you did it would be easy to see that a stadium doesn't fit there. As a matter of fact someone has already posted the image on this board using Google Earth to overlay a small stadium on that site, and surprise, surprise, it didn't fit. You would have to do a ridiculous amount of work on that site to get a flat site that could hold a full sized stadium. You'd also have to demolish buildings. No matter how many fifth graders you get to make crayon drawings of the site it won't change the facts on the ground.

 

[ameoba defense]

I did. I saw no issue with it. They're college stadiums. They're not supposed to be as nice as pro stadiums. New flash: Houston, TCU and Minnesota's new stadiums also have mostly bleacher seating.

I just can't see the 35+ crowd that has the money to buy season tickets, sitting in bleachers. I can hear the complaining now. Pitt is not a school with 50,000 students, located in the middle of nowhere, where the entire town shuts down during the game, and there is literally nothing else to do. The alums might enjoy coming back on campus, and reliving their youth, but the non alums don't really care about that. They just want to tailgate, and then watch the game. Heinz is a-ok for them.

 

[Howie'81]

Unless you can deal with geography and road/transportation infrastructure, you are not getting more people to show up for pitt games by making an on campus stadium. Students are not the issue. The Pitt alumni and the greater pittsburgh area are who don't show up. Pittsburgh is a pro town not a college town like clemson where people are willing to spend an entire day on campus.

If I recall, Pitt attendance was pretty good back in the glory days of the late 70's and 80's, was it not? I remember going to Pitt Stadium and enjoyed the experience.