Standing during the game

[Italianblend]

hi,

Disclaimer: this is not a "I hate penn state fans" thread. It is for discussion of the etiquette.

So, at the penn state game, there were a few PSU fans who like to stand during the game. And not just like stand for a play and then sit down. They wanted to stand for long periods of play.

Now I understand. They want to support their team. And I'm told at the PSU home games this is generally accepted and even encouraged. So naturally, they wanted to do this at Heinz field too.

Some of the Pitt fans asked them to sit down and they were stubborn. One PSU gentlemen said "stand up and support your team." He encouraged everyone to stand. One who was much younger said "it's a football game," as if to say "duh, you stand at football games."

It got rather heated at times.

One perspective is that it's inconsiderate. If the custom at Heinz field is to generally sit, then PSU fans should adapt to our customs. Because standing has a domino effect. If the person in front of me stands up, I can't see the play unless I stand. Then the whole section is reluctantly standing. And, what if some fans are elderly, or have a hard time standing? Then we are really inconveniencing them.

One perspective is that it's a loud, rowdy atmosphere where you should stand and cheer to support your team. It doesn't seem like this is the norm at A Pitt game except in the student section.

Personally, I think people should be considerate and sit. But there have also been Pitt fans who like to inconvenience others by standing as well.

Where do you come down on this issue? Not only from a visiting team fan perspective but from a normal home game fan perspective. What is the proper etiquette?

 

[Parkview57]

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" would be the considerate course of action.

 

[Hailpitt]

I guess if we were to adopt the psu fan "way" of doing things I would feel bad for prepubescent boys in Allegheny County.

 

[PhPanther1]

You should stand and be as loud as possible for the appropriate parts of the game. I remember going to the field house in 95/96 where they played #1 umass, Uconn, unc etc and you stood the entire game. You sat for the commercial breaks to rest your legs and it was awesome. Look at the SEC crowds, Clemson or anybody who has a rockin stadium....the majority of them stand the entire game.

The problem in Pittsburgh is, people go to Pitt games to relax for 3 hours and have a good time to spend with the family etc. It appears as if at other schools where the crowd is insane, people go to games to help be a difference maker. Pitt games are closer to a Pirate game vs a Steeler game....and to me that's sad.

 

[Malachi Constant]

I expect the student section to stand and every other section to sit. There are stadiums where many fans stand the entire game, but their stadium consists of mostly bleachers and have very few chair backs (or chair backs are available for a donation). Heinz Field has chair backs so most non-students will sit, therefore guests in our stadium should sit. I'm sorry you had to deal with rude Penn State fans.

 

[VeroBeachPanther]

I expect the student section to stand and every other section to sit. There are stadiums where many fans stand the entire game, but their stadium consists of mostly bleachers and have very few chair backs (or chair backs are available for a donation). Heinz Field has chair backs so most non-students will sit, therefore guests in our stadium should sit. I'm sorry you had to deal with rude Penn State fans.

Agree,
We have the most comfortable stadium in the country. I have been to many away games where everybody stands. Common sense you look around and if you the only one standing or sitting, I prefer to sit because I am old with bad knee and sore back, but I am prepared either way. When I go to a concert, I go knowing I might be standing for 3 hours

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Because I'm 6'4" I only stand during the game when everyone else is... Out of courtesy to the people sitting behind me.

 

[JokePa]

Because I'm 6'4" I only stand during the game when everyone else is... Out of courtesy to the people sitting behind me.

This is such the correct answer. THIS IS A PITT FAN. I'm 6'5 and I don't even like sitting in front of people at movie theaters.

You have to remember penn state fans are self entitled aholes (many of them), so they will stand and be a jerk because their cult is calling them to stand. They don't feel about other people's feelings or even their own... There life and wel being is built around a flawed goofyass football team. They prefer to think Joe didn't know, Sandusky did nothing on school grounds and to have the best team in the world.

 

[Piranha]

You should stand and be as loud as possible for the appropriate parts of the game. I remember going to the field house in 95/96 where they played #1 umass, Uconn, unc etc and you stood the entire game. You sat for the commercial breaks to rest your legs and it was awesome. Look at the SEC crowds, Clemson or anybody who has a rockin stadium....the majority of them stand the entire game.

The problem in Pittsburgh is, people go to Pitt games to relax for 3 hours and have a good time to spend with the family etc. It appears as if at other schools where the crowd is insane, people go to games to help be a difference maker. Pitt games are closer to a Pirate game vs a Steeler game....and to me that's sad.

Agreed - stand up, get loud, and support your team.

 

[Italianblend]

Looks like 2 perspectives. Stand up and cheer vs be considerate of others.

Let's not please turn this into insulting the general penn state population. It was just the most recent example I had to go from. Plenty of other thread to do that.

I sit with my dad at the games and he is in late 60s. He's healthy but he doesn't like to stand and considers it inconsiderate for people to stand during a game.

 

[Parkview57]

You have to remember penn state fans are self entitled aholes (many of them), so they will stand and be a jerk because their cult is calling them to stand. They don't feel about other people's feelings or even their own... There life and wel being is built around a flawed goofyass football team. They prefer to think Joe didn't know, Sandusky did nothing on school grounds and to have the best team in the world.

The Penn State Narcissist Lions

 

[Swervin27]

Because I'm 6'4" I only stand during the game when everyone else is... Out of courtesy to the people sitting behind me.

I'm 5'9" and I do the same. Common courtesy. Not sure why Pitt fans feel like they have to stand. Cheer loudly while sitting, it's possible. If everyone stands then cool but don't be that sole guy standing, waving his arms to get others to stand. That guy is a jackass, don't be that guy.

 

[OH Pete]

Because I'm 6'4" I only stand during the game when everyone else is... Out of courtesy to the people sitting behind me.

Same with me. That is another reason I won't move from my last row of the small section of rows at the front of the upper deck. I can stand all game and the people behind me can still see.

 

[big marty]

Dont stand at away games unless the home fans are standing. Period

 

[Pitt-Chains]

hi,

Disclaimer: this is not a "I hate penn state fans" thread. It is for discussion of the etiquette.

So, at the penn state game, there were a few PSU fans who like to stand during the game. And not just like stand for a play and then sit down. They wanted to stand for long periods of play.

Now I understand. They want to support their team. And I'm told at the PSU home games this is generally accepted and even encouraged. So naturally, they wanted to do this at Heinz field too.

Some of the Pitt fans asked them to sit down and they were stubborn. One PSU gentlemen said "stand up and support your team." He encouraged everyone to stand. One who was much younger said "it's a football game," as if to say "duh, you stand at football games."

It got rather heated at times.

One perspective is that it's inconsiderate. If the custom at Heinz field is to generally sit, then PSU fans should adapt to our customs. Because standing has a domino effect. If the person in front of me stands up, I can't see the play unless I stand. Then the whole section is reluctantly standing. And, what if some fans are elderly, or have a hard time standing? Then we are really inconveniencing them.

One perspective is that it's a loud, rowdy atmosphere where you should stand and cheer to support your team. It doesn't seem like this is the norm at A Pitt game except in the student section.

Personally, I think people should be considerate and sit. But there have also been Pitt fans who like to inconvenience others by standing as well.

Where do you come down on this issue? Not only from a visiting team fan perspective but from a normal home game fan perspective. What is the proper etiquette?

If you decide to go to Peddstate next year and in honor of their rotting in hell fired ex-enabler coach.. Distribute in the urinals the face of paturdo and see if they piss on his face... When in Rome..

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Because I'm 6'4" I only stand during the game when everyone else is... Out of courtesy to the people sitting behind me.

Yeah. I am 5'10, maybe 11" and do the same. It is only the human thing to do. If everybody stands, great. But if everyone is sitting, then I would look like and in fact be a jackass if I chose to stand. Unless of course I am doing some sort of civil disobedience in the name of a cause. Then it is an appropriate peaceful demonstration.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Yeah. I am 5'10, maybe 11" and do the same. It is only the human thing to do. If everybody stands, great. But if everyone is sitting, then I would look like and in fact be a jackass if I chose to stand. Unless of course I am doing some sort of civil disobedience in the name of a cause. Then it is an appropriate peaceful demonstration.

Technically shouldn't you be kneeling then?

Someone asked about this a few years ago wrt basketball games. I said that I stand during play as little as possible. They couldn't understand why. So I told them in our group of four the shortest guy was about 6-1, the tallest was about 6-8. In the row behind us sat a 65-70 year old guy who was probably no more than about 5-6. If we stood the whole game that old guy would see none of the game, other than by watching the screen on the scoreboard. It is simple common courtesy to not stand when doing so is an imposition on other people.

And at the end of the day, why is this something that is important anyway? Are people who are sitting not allowed to cheer for their team like people who are standing can? Cheering for your team is way more important than whether you do so while standing or sitting.

 

[MA5TER5HAKE]

I stand for the majority of the game but i'm in the last row up section 219 so there's no one behind me

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I stand for the majority of the game but i'm in the last row up section 219 so there's no one behind me

Years ago we had Penguins season tickets and sat in the last row and we stood all game, every game. But we didn't have to worry about blocking anyone's view. If you are sitting in a place like that and you want to stand, go for it.

 

[CorsosRevenge]

I see things both ways:

Yes, when in Rome you do as they do, and don't be an ass just because "well, this is what we do at home."

This said, Pitt fans are the absolute worst when it comes to parking their asses and thinking that they're watching some sort of dinner theater. Even on third down in the fourth quarter against Penn State it was a fight to get some of these people on their feet. It doesn't help environment at all.

 

[Joe Magarac]

hi,

Disclaimer: this is not a "I hate penn state fans" thread. It is for discussion of the etiquette.

So, at the penn state game, there were a few PSU fans who like to stand during the game. And not just like stand for a play and then sit down. They wanted to stand for long periods of play.

Now I understand. They want to support their team. And I'm told at the PSU home games this is generally accepted and even encouraged. So naturally, they wanted to do this at Heinz field too.

Some of the Pitt fans asked them to sit down and they were stubborn. One PSU gentlemen said "stand up and support your team." He encouraged everyone to stand. One who was much younger said "it's a football game," as if to say "duh, you stand at football games."

It got rather heated at times.

One perspective is that it's inconsiderate. If the custom at Heinz field is to generally sit, then PSU fans should adapt to our customs. Because standing has a domino effect. If the person in front of me stands up, I can't see the play unless I stand. Then the whole section is reluctantly standing. And, what if some fans are elderly, or have a hard time standing? Then we are really inconveniencing them.

One perspective is that it's a loud, rowdy atmosphere where you should stand and cheer to support your team. It doesn't seem like this is the norm at A Pitt game except in the student section.

Personally, I think people should be considerate and sit. But there have also been Pitt fans who like to inconvenience others by standing as well.

Where do you come down on this issue? Not only from a visiting team fan perspective but from a normal home game fan perspective. What is the proper etiquette?

Since when has the cult been considerate of anyone?

 

[Pittx9]

I prefer to stand most of the game, at least when Pitt is on defense. Honestly there is no point when we're on offense and the fans should actually be much quieter than they are then. If someone wants to stand in front of me, whatever I'll stand too. What I can't stand is opposing fans at any sporting event that think they can just do what they want and the hospitable thing to do would be to just accept it.

 

[bobfree]

I've been to college games at a lot of different places and at most stadiums fans stand. Pitt fans have always been against this and to the extreme of teetering on obnoxious

 

[Pitt-Chains]

I stand for the majority of the game but i'm in the last row up section 219 so there's no one behind me

219? My wife and son sit there ...

 

[SeniorBeach]

Sit Down. Stand Up.

I sit in 132 with my wife and our two small children. We sit there for reasons dear to me. My wife would much prefer the club but she is a saint and she soldiers on in 132 to keep me smiling.

132 is next to the band which IS college football. 132 is one section removed (by the aforementioned Pitt Marching Band) from The Panther Pitt. The Panther Pitt IS college football.

132 SHOULD be most like college football at Heinz Field. But Like the rest of Heinz Field section 132 falls well short of the college football atmosphere.

Forget what isn't collegiate about Heinz, we are going to be there for a while. We can't presently change the stadium. But if we introspect we can change ourselves.

This conversation is about standing. The answer is simple. If you're physically able, you should stand; even if you don't feel like it. Why? Atmosphere. Why? The visiting team. Why? Recruits and their families. Why? YOUR PITT PANTHERS.

Pitt fans need to understand that they owe the players, coaches and the university a little more. We are all stakeholders in the success of the program. We all play a role on Saturday.

I know it might seem inconsequential but our fan base is weak. We are quiet and docile in most victories and utterly defeated in defeat. Our fan base is Paul Chryst. (I loved Chryst and wish him the best at UW) We were not going to win the way we know we could with Paul Chryst.

We just might realize that winning potential with Pat Narduzzi. Pat Narduzzi is Pittsburgh. He is loud. He is opinionated, tough, confident, brash. Our fans on Saturday should be the same.

I've seen games at Notre Dame Stadium. (2002 & 2010)
I was at Kinnick Stadium for an ACC Day collapse from Todd and the Gang.
I suffered through many a mid-90s Pitt shellacking visiting my older brother at Pitt Stadium.
And I saw one game at Beaver Stadium in 1989.

Atmosphere is many things but at the heart of atmosphere is the people. "We Aren't, Penn State" but with that said we Pitt fans could learn something from a great many fan bases around the country. Who cares how many we are if we are passionate. Not just passionate whiners and mopers but passionate 12th Pitt Men and Pitt Women.

Stand Up! Hoot! Holler! Ring your keys and bang your seat! Alleghenee Genac Genac Genac!

Pitt is It.
I bet Pat Narduzzi would stand.
We owe it to our coach and certainly to our team to do the same.

* and a question to the board. Why do we come alive on third down. Wouldn't it be most effective to be vivacious for every down and every distance on defense. The fans had moments vs. PSU but we can be better.

 

[dave97]

hi,

Disclaimer: this is not a "I hate penn state fans" thread. It is for discussion of the etiquette.

So, at the penn state game, there were a few PSU fans who like to stand during the game. And not just like stand for a play and then sit down. They wanted to stand for long periods of play.

Now I understand. They want to support their team. And I'm told at the PSU home games this is generally accepted and even encouraged. So naturally, they wanted to do this at Heinz field too.

Some of the Pitt fans asked them to sit down and they were stubborn. One PSU gentlemen said "stand up and support your team." He encouraged everyone to stand. One who was much younger said "it's a football game," as if to say "duh, you stand at football games."

It got rather heated at times.

One perspective is that it's inconsiderate. If the custom at Heinz field is to generally sit, then PSU fans should adapt to our customs. Because standing has a domino effect. If the person in front of me stands up, I can't see the play unless I stand. Then the whole section is reluctantly standing. And, what if some fans are elderly, or have a hard time standing? Then we are really inconveniencing them.

One perspective is that it's a loud, rowdy atmosphere where you should stand and cheer to support your team. It doesn't seem like this is the norm at A Pitt game except in the student section.

Personally, I think people should be considerate and sit. But there have also been Pitt fans who like to inconvenience others by standing as well.

Where do you come down on this issue? Not only from a visiting team fan perspective but from a normal home game fan perspective. What is the proper etiquette?

I sit in 136(only make it to 1 game a year), and was the jerk standing more than sitting. It is tough to sit when players on the bench are screaming for fans to get off their ass and make some noise. The ticket office should make certain sections stand friendly so that if fans can't stand for whatever reason, they can sit elsewhere.

Hail to Pitt!

Dave

 

[cashbin99]

There is a reason that stadiums have seats. It is to sit in them. I understand that everyone has the right to stand and cheer during certain plays during games,but to stand the entire game is inappropriate. If you want to stand the entire game then go to the standing areas and not the seating areas. Quite simple.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

hi,

Disclaimer: this is not a "I hate penn state fans" thread. It is for discussion of the etiquette.

So, at the penn state game, there were a few PSU fans who like to stand during the game. And not just like stand for a play and then sit down. They wanted to stand for long periods of play.

Now I understand. They want to support their team. And I'm told at the PSU home games this is generally accepted and even encouraged. So naturally, they wanted to do this at Heinz field too.

Some of the Pitt fans asked them to sit down and they were stubborn. One PSU gentlemen said "stand up and support your team." He encouraged everyone to stand. One who was much younger said "it's a football game," as if to say "duh, you stand at football games."

It got rather heated at times.

One perspective is that it's inconsiderate. If the custom at Heinz field is to generally sit, then PSU fans should adapt to our customs. Because standing has a domino effect. If the person in front of me stands up, I can't see the play unless I stand. Then the whole section is reluctantly standing. And, what if some fans are elderly, or have a hard time standing? Then we are really inconveniencing them.

One perspective is that it's a loud, rowdy atmosphere where you should stand and cheer to support your team. It doesn't seem like this is the norm at A Pitt game except in the student section.

Personally, I think people should be considerate and sit. But there have also been Pitt fans who like to inconvenience others by standing as well.

Where do you come down on this issue? Not only from a visiting team fan perspective but from a normal home game fan perspective. What is the proper etiquette?

The reason PITT fans sit is because most are to lazy to stand and cheer.
A lot of PITT fans object to others standing and cheering. When you go to other stadiums the fans stand/yell/ and scream for most of the game.We moved our seats from a section where people would get angry if we jumped up and started to cheer for PITT. They all sat on their hands and hardly ever made a sound the whole game except to tell us to sit down.
We now sit in a section recommended by friends where the people actually have a pulse!
Similar fan behavior in the Petersen Non Event Center. Fans get angry when you stand and cheer for stuff. Go to a Duke or UNC bball game most fans don't sit down the whole game.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

I sit in Sec. 137. We usually sit when the game is "normal" (70% of the time); we stand, get loud, and go nutz when the action picks-up. Everyone arounds us stands and cheers at the same time; no one ever gets down anyone's throat for standing.

Section 137 is a nice mix of people: some older, some middle aged, some younger, some waaay younger (kiddies). But (at least around us) everyone gets along. From what I can tell, most people around us don't know each other's names. We only see each other on game day. But there's mutual respect - no one gives anyone a hard time.

I agree with cashbin99. We're not Texas A&M...we're not the "12th man" - standing and waiting to go into the game if needed. (It's a great tradition, but it's not a Pitt tradition.)

 

[tetonpanther]

Just got back from UNC. great fans . they support the school. both Pitt and UNC fans stood at appropriate times. Like on big plays. Or on third downs or at critical points in the game. These nitter assholes would have been in a real world of hurt if they tried that shit in my club section. Lots of older fans who cannot stand for 3 hours its a disgrace to be so inconsiderate. Again the younger fans like to rip on the docile old farts. But there are older fans with issues such as bad hips. knees etc. Thank God I don't have those issues. And a lot of those older fans have been loyal for 30 years of mediocrity. Show a little respect.

 

[pittdan77]

I think the standing thing at PSU is kind of like being in church. Still waiting for Joe to rise again.

 

[Pitt79]

I like to sit and I don't make any noise, I like to sit quietly and comtemplate what is happening.

 

[pittguy81]

My wife and I are in 133 and have been for years, with many of the same folks around us. We stand a lot when it makes sense, trying to get off the field on 3rd down, Opposing team deep in the North end of the field, going in for a TD...or as another poster said when the players...pretty much right in front of you, are waving their arms telling everybody to get up and get loud.

 

[Muddy Puddles]

Studies have shown that standing is better for your health than sitting, so get off your fat arse for a change, that's what I say.

 

[tetonpanther]

BTW Bill Beinecke , Brians dad and a former olineman at Pitt sits near me. In his late 60s but he looks like he could rip your nuts off. Those disrespectful doucehbags would have gotten their asses kicked by Bill.

 

[H2P-2007]

I see things both ways:

Yes, when in Rome you do as they do, and don't be an ass just because "well, this is what we do at home."

This said, Pitt fans are the absolute worst when it comes to parking their asses and thinking that they're watching some sort of dinner theater. Even on third down in the fourth quarter against Penn State it was a fight to get some of these people on their feet. It doesn't help environment at all.

This - If you want to sit and be quiet, watch at home. Im not saying that fans should be standing the entire time, but some of our fans act like they are at the movies instead of a football game.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I like to sit and I don't make any noise, I like to sit quietly and comtemplate what is happening.

You should try the men's room stalls during the game! You can do all of that there!
Plus they announce the game there as well! Perfect place for you!

 

[CorsosRevenge]

Sit Down. Stand Up.

I sit in 132 with my wife and our two small children. We sit there for reasons dear to me. My wife would much prefer the club but she is a saint and she soldiers on in 132 to keep me smiling.

132 is next to the band which IS college football. 132 is one section removed (by the aforementioned Pitt Marching Band) from The Panther Pitt. The Panther Pitt IS college football.

132 SHOULD be most like college football at Heinz Field. But Like the rest of Heinz Field section 132 falls well short of the college football atmosphere.

Forget what isn't collegiate about Heinz, we are going to be there for a while. We can't presently change the stadium. But if we introspect we can change ourselves.

This conversation is about standing. The answer is simple. If you're physically able, you should stand; even if you don't feel like it. Why? Atmosphere. Why? The visiting team. Why? Recruits and their families. Why? YOUR PITT PANTHERS.

Pitt fans need to understand that they owe the players, coaches and the university a little more. We are all stakeholders in the success of the program. We all play a role on Saturday.

I know it might seem inconsequential but our fan base is weak. We are quiet and docile in most victories and utterly defeated in defeat. Our fan base is Paul Chryst. (I loved Chryst and wish him the best at UW) We were not going to win the way we know we could with Paul Chryst.

We just might realize that winning potential with Pat Narduzzi. Pat Narduzzi is Pittsburgh. He is loud. He is opinionated, tough, confident, brash. Our fans on Saturday should be the same.

I've seen games at Notre Dame Stadium. (2002 & 2010)
I was at Kinnick Stadium for an ACC Day collapse from Todd and the Gang.
I suffered through many a mid-90s Pitt shellacking visiting my older brother at Pitt Stadium.
And I saw one game at Beaver Stadium in 1989.

Atmosphere is many things but at the heart of atmosphere is the people. "We Aren't, Penn State" but with that said we Pitt fans could learn something from a great many fan bases around the country. Who cares how many we are if we are passionate. Not just passionate whiners and mopers but passionate 12th Pitt Men and Pitt Women.

Stand Up! Hoot! Holler! Ring your keys and bang your seat! Alleghenee Genac Genac Genac!

Pitt is It.
I bet Pat Narduzzi would stand.
We owe it to our coach and certainly to our team to do the same.

* and a question to the board. Why do we come alive on third down. Wouldn't it be most effective to be vivacious for every down and every distance on defense. The fans had moments vs. PSU but we can be better.

I honestly think the funeral home atmosphere at Heinz also contributes to younger fans not attending when they graduate. They get out of the student section and buy tickets among these old mopes and it's depressing. No standing, no cheering, no yelling, it's boring and lame.

 

[CorsosRevenge]

You should try the men's room stalls during the game! You can do all of that there!
Plus they announce the game there as well! Perfect place for you!

Also heated during the cold games.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I honestly think the funeral home atmosphere at Heinz also contributes to younger fans not attending when they graduate. They get out of the student section and buy tickets among these old mopes and it's depressing. No standing, no cheering, no yelling, it's boring and lame.

Good post!
At the Nitter game they tried something new that went over like a lead balloon.
During a commercial the announcer put on some dance music and said " everyone get on your feet."
Well we did, a few others did, the students did, but most of the PITT fans just sat there and looked at the few people who did get up and dance!
What a crowd??????