I do get the contingent that say the average Pitt fan is cheap and won't dig deep.
I also get those who like to reference that Pitt was a great program in the late 70s and donations and attendance didn't skyrocket then, as proof that it wouldn't happen with success now, either.
I can only offer that things like sports as entertainment, consumer behavior, discretionary income, competition for local spending, and the general local economy have all changed dramatically since circa 1978.
In that year the Steelers were heading to a fourth Super bowl win (Pitt only had won one championship in comparison), ESPN didn't exist (sports were not as important in entertainment mainstream), people didn't blow as much money on entertainment, and the Pittsburgh economy was tumbling and heading for a genuine disaster. There wasn't as much room in the local attention span, or especially in local spending, for leaping on both the Steelers and Pitt bandwagons at the same time. People went with the one that finished the job 4 out of 6 years. We were good, but we couldn't match that dazzling success. So laid off yinzers, pulverized by high inflation as well, chose one over the other.
The Steelers waxed and waned since then, but usually remained good, went to 4 more SBs, to justify keeping and increasing fan attention.
Meanwhile all those other things changed, sports became a much bigger part of entertainment, and people's habits changed as well, more willing and able to spend and attend more on sports.
But Pitt gave absolutely NO reason at all, not any, in the past 40 years, to deserve that added attention and spending.
The debate now is, would people rush in and get excited and spend and attend if Pitt suddenly could become as relevant again as the late 70s?
Most here seem to think not, but I think otherwise, and my point of reference there are the Penguins. The Pens stretched the regions interest and spending beyond the Steelers. It proved this region will throw in behind any major league winners and reward them with riches well beyond the investment needed. But it took the Pens sustained winning and multiple championships. BEFORE that happened. It would take no less for Pitt.
