Temple's endzones

[Sean Miller Fan]

They were painted maroon for the PSU game and have been painted like that before, Ive noticed. No midfield logo but somebody at Pitt has got to sell the Rooneys into allowing us to make the field look like our own 7 times each fall. If Temple can do it. And USF, then Pitt should.

http://phillysportslive.com/temple-vs-penn-state/

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Here, here!

 

[geeman2001]

See the other thread. Its a parallel of the field turf thing.

It's not a matter of the Steelers can't. Or that they shouldn't. Or even that they wouldn't spend the money (replacing the crappy sod with more crappy sod as they do multiple times a year isn't cheap).

It's that they won't, and nobody can make them. Nobody. On Earth. In the universe. And that's how they likes it. Capiche?

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Tarp the bleachers with a giant Hail to Pitt

 

[TempleBAPittMPA]

They were painted maroon for the PSU game and have been painted like that before, Ive noticed. No midfield logo but somebody at Pitt has got to sell the Rooneys into allowing us to make the field look like our own 7 times each fall. If Temple can do it. And USF, then Pitt should.

http://phillysportslive.com/temple-vs-penn-state/

That's CHERRY, my friend. It's been rare that we've gotten considerations like that from the Eagles, and in this instance it's primarily because they're not home until 9/20. (Otherwise, they likely would have vetoed it.) Most of the time, we've been forced to play our games with full Eagles regalia on the field and in the stands. At least at Heinz, the name of the university is always in the end zone (well, one of them, anyway)

 

[Consultant Panther]

They were painted maroon for the PSU game and have been painted like that before, Ive noticed. No midfield logo but somebody at Pitt has got to sell the Rooneys into allowing us to make the field look like our own 7 times each fall. If Temple can do it. And USF, then Pitt should.

http://phillysportslive.com/temple-vs-penn-state/

It's great for Temple that they did that, but it's very unusual. For most Temple games, the stadium looks exactly like it does for Eagles games.

 

[pittdan77]

I didn't want to be the one to go there but after seeing VT on TV last night, I really miss having a stadium on campus.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

They were painted maroon for the PSU game and have been painted like that before, Ive noticed. No midfield logo but somebody at Pitt has got to sell the Rooneys into allowing us to make the field look like our own 7 times each fall. If Temple can do it. And USF, then Pitt should.

http://phillysportslive.com/temple-vs-penn-state/

Art Rooney II is a Pitt Graduate Class of 1978, he should know to do it on his own and as a compliment to welcoming Coach Pat Narduzzi! Someone should call him and let him know?

New Pitt Script or Hail To Pitt!, or Pitt Is It! in the End Zones would be Nice!

 

[adeluca6]

That's CHERRY, my friend. It's been rare that we've gotten considerations like that from the Eagles, and in this instance it's primarily because they're not home until 9/20. (Otherwise, they likely would have vetoed it.) Most of the time, we've been forced to play our games with full Eagles regalia on the field and in the stands. At least at Heinz, the name of the university is always in the end zone (well, one of them, anyway)

I read somewhere that Temple agreed to re-sod the end zones after the game. The only way the Eagles would allow it to be painted. I'm not sure on the cost, but perhaps Pitt would have to do the same.

 

[ThePanthers]

Yeah, usually it's all Eagles stuff around the stadium and on the field when they play. I was out there like in 2002 and not one thing had Temple on it that I remember.

 

[OriginalEther]

I didn't want to be the one to go there but after seeing VT on TV last night, I really miss having a stadium on campus.

For the millionth time, fans make the atmosphere, not the stadium.
Well, that and the team itself.

You don't think it would be the same if the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes came to Heinz Field? At least, until it became apparent to the fans that Pitt wasn't going to win.

I'm pretty sure those massacres Ohio State inflicted on Pitt in Pitt Stadium in the 1990's didn't lend themselves to a great atmosphere.

 

[TempleBAPittMPA]

Yeah, usually it's all Eagles stuff around the stadium and on the field when they play. I was out there like in 2002 and not one thing had Temple on it that I remember.

2002 would have been Veterans Stadium, which was even worse from an atmosphere perspective. Sometimes the seating was still partially in baseball configuration, which left some seats too close to the end zones for player safety.

 

[PittPanther44]

When Heinz first opened, they DID paint both end zones and switched out team names in the south

So why did they stop? What was the harm? Did it mess up the grass that much? Also, u dont play much of the game in that end zone anyway

 

[pittzap]

Yeah, usually it's all Eagles stuff around the stadium and on the field when they play. I was out there like in 2002 and not one thing had Temple on it that I remember.

They typically have Temple tarps on the walls along the sidelines, but yes, once the NFL season starts, it is the Eagles stadium. The Eagles obviously didn't play this week and their first game next week is on the road so they have two weeks to convert it.

 

[geeman2001]

When Heinz first opened, they DID paint both end zones and switched out team names in the south

So why did they stop? What was the harm? Did it mess up the grass that much? Also, u dont play much of the game in that end zone anyway

For one, it looked really bad. The Steelers and Panthers (whichever came first) didn't get adequately removed before the other was applied,and bled into each other. I have a promotional photo from the ticket office from season tix the second year at Heinz, with a top down view, and it appears as "SPtaenetheers" iF you can picture it. Comically ugly.

But I think the main reason is because it made the end zones prohibitively slippery. For whatever reason, paint used on Heinz sod is like bacon grease apparently. It's dangerous to the players (recall that Ray Graham ripped his ACL when he slipped on the midfield logo) and, as has been pretty much agreed by all, it's ugly. So, since they won't go to Field Turf like they should, they should avoid logos on the field all together, imo.

 

[pittdan77]

For the millionth time, fans make the atmosphere, not the stadium.
Well, that and the team itself.

You don't think it would be the same if the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes came to Heinz Field? At least, until it became apparent to the fans that Pitt wasn't going to win.

I'm pretty sure those massacres Ohio State inflicted on Pitt in Pitt Stadium in the 1990's didn't lend themselves to a great atmosphere.

So PNC is a spectacular venue that makes the experience special but Heinz is the fan's fault because it's subpar for pretty much everything? Even the Steelers pump crowd noise through the speakers.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Gotta admit, though I much prefer Pitt playing at Heinz to Pitt Stadium, I'm pretty envious of the face-lift Sun Life Stadium is getting is undergoing to accommodate the Dolphins and Canes. A similar renovation would be ideal for Pitt. That said, Sun Life's remodeling is privately funded while the Steelers/Rooney always look to the city/county for their loot... Ugh.

Just looks more intimate and malleable in terms of reducing attendance when necessary. Optimal for an urban school. It's my hope that Barnes will do his best to make similar adjustments at Heinz to reduce the capacity to 55K when necessary and still make it appealing to look at.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Yes!Yes!Yes!

 

[OriginalEther]

So PNC is a spectacular venue that makes the experience special but Heinz is the fan's fault because it's subpar for pretty much everything? Even the Steelers pump crowd noise through the speakers.

Don't they all?

The stadium's great for the big games. WVU in 2002 and 2004. Virginia Tech in 2003. Notre Dame in 2005 and 2009, even 2013. Cincy in 2009. Hell, the atmosphere was great for Miami in 2010 and Florida State in 2013 for the 1st 5 minutes.
The biggest problem is there hasn't been enough of them. Too often, Pitt's been a mediocre team playing in a relatively meaningless game.
But the fans are a problem too. Too often, they've stayed home and have acted disinterested with some decent name opponents, such as Michigan State and the Iowa games. Even South Florida in 2009. And I don't remotely buy that it would be different if the stadium was located in Oakland.

 

[HailtoPitt]

That's CHERRY, my friend. It's been rare that we've gotten considerations like that from the Eagles, and in this instance it's primarily because they're not home until 9/20. (Otherwise, they likely would have vetoed it.) Most of the time, we've been forced to play our games with full Eagles regalia on the field and in the stands. At least at Heinz, the name of the university is always in the end zone (well, one of them, anyway)

Most? Whenever I see video or pics of a Temple game, I usually notice the endzone painted red and the red sideline tarps. Pitt get the sideline tarps (it is easy to do) but no modified end zones.

Bottom line... pro stadium are not meant for college football. It sucks for both teams, which is why Temple will eventually build a new one.

 

[pittzap]

Most? Whenever I see video or pics of a Temple game, I usually notice the endzone painted red and the red sideline tarps. Pitt get the sideline tarps (it is easy to do) but no modified end zones.

Bottom line... pro stadium are not meant for college football. It sucks for both teams, which is why Temple will eventually build a new one.

Temple does not have the end zones painted for most games. A lot of times it depends on if the Eagles play the next day. If they have a home game, Temple doesn't get the field painted.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Temple does not have the end zones painted for most games. A lot of times it depends on if the Eagles play the next day. If they have a home game, Temple doesn't get the field painted.

I only see two Eagles home games this year where they play the next day. Last year it was 3 games.

 

[upitt33]

Why doesn't both endzones just say Pittsburgh until the Steelers resod the field after Thanksgiving? Hell then they can place their beloved STEELERS in the endzone.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Someone may've already explained this... But, how is it that the Tampa Bay Bucs stadium accommodates the end zones for the Bucs and USF Bulls? Is it field turf there? Do they paint over or replaces the turf in the end zones. Seem to do it with ease at that stadium. At a very minimum, if it's not field turf, the new AD should get the Steelers/Heinz to do the same for Pitt.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Someone may've already explained this... But, how is it that the Tampa Bay Bucs stadium accommodates the end zones for the Bucs and USF Bulls? Is it field turf there? Do they paint over or replaces the turf in the end zones. Seem to do it with ease at that stadium. At a very minimum, if it's not field turf, the new AD should get the Steelers/Heinz to do the same for Pitt.

Doesn't matter who the AD is. Steelers gonna do what they want. That's part of the deal when you play in a stadium that isn't yours.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Why doesn't both endzones just say Pittsburgh until the Steelers resod the field after Thanksgiving? Hell then they can place their beloved STEELERS in the endzone.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Someone may've already explained this... But, how is it that the Tampa Bay Bucs stadium accommodates the end zones for the Bucs and USF Bulls? Is it field turf there? Do they paint over or replaces the turf in the end zones. Seem to do it with ease at that stadium. At a very minimum, if it's not field turf, the new AD should get the Steelers/Heinz to do the same for Pitt.

Different climate and entirely different grass. That wouldn't work here. What would work here is painting the city's name in both end zones until after Pitt's final home game. Also, and this too is key, leave midfield completely unpainted. That gives it more of a throwback feel.

Then, when it is re-sodded in late November/early December - as it is every single year - that's when you customize it for the Steelers.

I don't understand why this is even an issue, to be honest.

Another possibility is to borrow from Temple's playbook a little and paint gold diamonds in the end zone with PITTSBURGH painted in there. That too could look cool and still give the entire thing a throwback feel - which is apparently a goal for the Steelers.

I am also okay with slashes in BOTH end zones - provided there is no midfield logo. That too could look cool and old school.

What they are doing now looks really chintzy on both Saturdays AND Sundays.

 

[ThePanthers]

2002 would have been Veterans Stadium, which was even worse from an atmosphere perspective. Sometimes the seating was still partially in baseball configuration, which left some seats too close to the end zones for player safety.

Maybe it was 2003 then. It was definitely at Lincoln Financial. I was never at the Vet.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I read somewhere that Temple agreed to re-sod the end zones after the game. The only way the Eagles would allow it to be painted. I'm not sure on the cost, but perhaps Pitt would have to do the same.

Funny, Penn State had to Re-Sod part of the practice field they buried the Temple Football Tapes? I would have made them watch them all week long but Franklin believes in burying them? Like Temple's Rhule did to them last week!

 

[HailtoPitt]

This is assuming that the Steelers would want to customize it more than it already is.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Different climate and entirely different grass. That wouldn't work here. What would work here is painting the city's name in both end zones until after Pitt's final home game. Also, and this too is key, leave midfield completely unpainted. That gives it more of a throwback feel.

Then, when it is re-sodded in late November/early December - as it is every single year - that's when you customize it for the Steelers.

I don't understand why this is even an issue, to be honest.

Another possibility is to borrow from Temple's playbook a little and paint gold diamonds in the end zone with PITTSBURGH painted in there. That too could look cool and still give the entire thing a throwback feel - which is apparently a goal for the Steelers.

I am also okay with slashes in BOTH end zones - provided there is no midfield logo. That too could look cool and old school.

What they are doing now looks really chintzy on both Saturdays AND Sundays.

Someone meed to remind Art Rooney II he went to Pitt and when Pitt wins more he benefits too and part of that is attracting more Pitt Fans that do come to Pitt games?

Rooney worked with Pederson to move to Steelers Stadium and build Off Campus Practice Facilities, both that benefit the Steelers more than Pitt on Campus?

Time to let Rooney know Pederson is gone!

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Maybe it was 2003 then. It was definitely at Lincoln Financial. I was never at the Vet.

I went to the Vet for a few Pitt/Temple games. I remember going to a game at Temple in the 80s that legitimately had a big time feel to it. I think Temple had Paul Palmer at the time and he ate us alive. I remember coming out of that game convinced that Temple was going to become one of our biggest rivals.

Boy, was I wrong!

I also remember going to a game at the Vet in the late 90s/early 2000s and it was the single saddest college football experience I have ever personally encountered.

Pitt won the game 7-0 and it was every bit as bad as the score would indicate. What made it worse was there couldn't have been more than 5-7,000 people there. In fact, the crowd was so small that they closed off the upper deck completely and we had PLENTY of room to stretch out in the lower bowl. Honestly, it felt like the Class A WPIAL championship game.

Look, I am a Pitt fan so I am not unfamilar with smallish crowds. Also, I know how hard it is for urban schools to compete in pro sports markets so I am not at all looking down my nose at anyone. However, that was the most pathetic college football experience I have ever seen and frankly, it is not even close.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

This is assuming that the Steelers would want to customize it more than it already is.

Yes, it does make that assumption. However, I think you could make the case to them that it would look better than it does now and it would be safer at midfield if that area wasn't constantly being painted over. That really is a safety risk and there's no reason for it.

I think a cool little circle like Notre Dame use to have would be perfect. A little football would work there too.

 

[ThePanthers]

PS - It was 2003. My bad on 2002. I remember Miree running all over them, but the game was somewhat close until the end. I think the game would have been boring except we found out they served beer during the game when we got in there. That was a nice surprise.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Here is Heinz Field with no midfield logo. It looks GREAT! Just put PITTSBURGH in the sound end zone to match what is already in the north end zone and you would be all set.

 

[ThePanthers]

^Agree. I like. To me, and this goes with uniforms, the more simple, the better.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Yinzer, I agree... I hate the slashes in the end zone. Rooney's a goofball for keeping them there. PITTSBURGH and PITTSBURGH makes far more sense.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Gotta admit, though I much prefer Pitt playing at Heinz to Pitt Stadium, I'm pretty envious of the face-lift Sun Life Stadium is getting is undergoing to accommodate the Dolphins and Canes. A similar renovation would be ideal for Pitt. That said, Sun Life's remodeling is privately funded while the Steelers/Rooney always look to the city/county for their loot... Ugh.

Just looks more intimate and malleable in terms of reducing attendance when necessary. Optimal for an urban school. It's my hope that Barnes will do his best to make similar adjustments at Heinz to reduce the capacity to 55K when necessary and still make it appealing to look at.

The downsizing technology that will be used to cover entire sections of the upper deck at the new Falcons and Dolphins stadiums is something to be envied.

 

[pittdan77]

Don't they all?

The stadium's great for the big games. WVU in 2002 and 2004. Virginia Tech in 2003. Notre Dame in 2005 and 2009, even 2013. Cincy in 2009. Hell, the atmosphere was great for Miami in 2010 and Florida State in 2013 for the 1st 5 minutes.
The biggest problem is there hasn't been enough of them. Too often, Pitt's been a mediocre team playing in a relatively meaningless game.
But the fans are a problem too. Too often, they've stayed home and have acted disinterested with some decent name opponents, such as Michigan State and the Iowa games. Even South Florida in 2009. And I don't remotely buy that it would be different if the stadium was located in Oakland.

Heinz is still a dump and the only reason it sells out for the Steelers is because there is a genuine, cult like, mentality for the team. People show up and just sort of sit there.

I went to ND 2013. No atmosphere at all. Not sure what you saw but it felt like a sterile NFL game.

 

[ThePanthers]

Meh. I've been to the games mentioned above and I thought it was great. To me, the fans and the excitement of certain games make the atmosphere. Not the stadium itself.

I've been to some pretty crappy college FB venues and it's the fans. I've been to some nice stadiums and it is dull and quiet.