The only problem with game day atmosphere...

[burnie1105]

...Is the fact that Heinz Field is a dump. The general atmosphere is fine: everyone is energetic and enthused during the tailgate/pregame, blue and gold everywhere, the band and cheerleaders are entertaining, the fans who are there get loud, etc etc. But Heinz Field is basically a football-only Three Rivers: the concourses are tight, getting to your seat is a nightmare (especially if you are in the upper deck), the sight lines in the upper deck suck, the bathrooms are the 7th ring of Hell, and it's generally just feels like a cesspool. The ambiance would be the same in an on-campus stadium (in fact it may even be worse, since there would be less tailgating).

 

[OAKLAND'S FINEST]

...Is the fact that Heinz Field is a dump. The general atmosphere is fine: everyone is energetic and enthused during the tailgate/pregame, blue and gold everywhere, the band and cheerleaders are entertaining, the fans who are there get loud, etc etc. But Heinz Field is basically a football-only Three Rivers: the concourses are tight, getting to your seat is a nightmare (especially if you are in the upper deck), the sight lines in the upper deck suck, the bathrooms are the 7th ring of Hell, and it's generally just feels like a cesspool. The ambiance would be the same in an on-campus stadium (in fact it may even be worse, since there would be less tailgating).

Heinz Field is a dump...lol...well this is the retard post of the day...I bet you love beaver stadium too

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Delete this thread.

 

[burnie1105]

Heinz Field is a dump...lol...well this is the retard post of the day...I bet you love beaver stadium too

I've never been to Beaver Stadium, but it's probably a dump too. Though that wasn't built in the past 15 years, so it's understandable. The Rooney family built Heinz Field as cheaply as they could, and it shows. You couldn't convince me that the jump from Three Rivers -> Heinz was as drastic as the jump from Mellon -> Consol or basically any other new stadium/arena that has been built in the same timeframe.

 

[PittEngineer]

...Is the fact that Heinz Field is a dump. The general atmosphere is fine: everyone is energetic and enthused during the tailgate/pregame, blue and gold everywhere, the band and cheerleaders are entertaining, the fans who are there get loud, etc etc. But Heinz Field is basically a football-only Three Rivers: the concourses are tight, getting to your seat is a nightmare (especially if you are in the upper deck), the sight lines in the upper deck suck, the bathrooms are the 7th ring of Hell, and it's generally just feels like a cesspool. The ambiance would be the same in an on-campus stadium (in fact it may even be worse, since there would be less tailgating).

Heinz Field itself is not the problem. Go to a Steelers game sometime and let us know what you think.

 

[burnie1105]

Heinz Field itself is not the problem. Go to a Steelers game sometime and let us know what you think.

The Steelers will always fill the building; they could still be playing in Three Rivers, and Steelers fans would flock to see them.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

You couldn't convince me that the jump from Three Rivers -> Heinz was as drastic as the jump from Mellon -> Consol or basically any other new stadium/arena that has been built in the same timeframe.

If you think Heinz is disappointing I don't see how you could be impressed with Consol. Almost everything that was wrong with the Civic Arena was duplicated at Consol.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

If you think Heinz is disappointing I don't see how you could be impressed with Consol. Almost everything that was wrong with the Civic Arena was duplicated at Consol.

Heinz is a dump. Consol is disappointing but better than the Igloo for sure.

 

[pitt2010]

I'm not a fan of Heinz field regardless of who is playing. Steelers, Pitt, high school, Kenny Chesney......

 

[9nationalchampionships]

The op obviously has not been many college stadiums around the country. Not sure if he is a little troll or niave.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

I've been an outspoken critic of Heinz Field, too, but despite its many flaws, the Steelers have demonstrated that it's very possible to build an enthusiastic response from the Heinz Field crowd when the team consistently plays well enough to generate enthusiasm.

And besides, we have to get off the idea of Pitt having an on-campus stadium. Like it or not, Heinz Field is "The Home of Pitt Panther Football". This topic has been beaten to death repeatedly, and we're still no closer to having an on-campus stadium now than we were the day that they started ripping down old Pitt Stadium.

 

[WNYPanther]

It looked there were 15 people in the upper deck, if you had problems getting to your seat it wasnt because of the people on the concourse. I'm in the lower level and never have trouble maneuvering the concourse or getting to my seat.

 

[ZekeGadsonFan]

Many Pitt fans would rather be in the parking lot than see the opening kickoff, its embarrassing.

Many Pitt fans need to be begged by the head coach just to stay and watch the 4th quarter, its embarrassing.

But yeah OP, its the stadium, the one thats nicer than 95% of college teams play in.

 

[goalieman]

I guess I'm in the minority but I like both Heinz Field and the Consol Energy Center.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Consol is disappointing but better than the Igloo for sure.

Because it's newer, sure. But it has pretty much all the same problems that the Arena had. The concourses are way too narrow (that someone could complain about the concourses in the upper level at Heinz but think that the concourses at Consol are just fine makes me wonder if the OP has ever been at either venue). Getting in and out of the place is still a hassle. They still didn't put in enough restrooms. The concession areas are designed such that they completely choke off the flow of people in between periods. And so on. I think the real issue is that instead of building a "full sized" arena they decided that they needed to wedge it into the lot where they put it, and that lot is simply too small for the size of building that they should have built.

 

[UPitt '89]

Heinz Field is the Taj Mahal compared to Pitt Stadium and Three Rivers.

I go to lots of away games. Heinz is better than almost every college stadium I've been to. It sure as hell beats Beaver Stadium and Milan Puskar Field as far as amenities and sightlines.

The OP needs to get to other stadiums more.... He'll be hardpressed to find a stadium that Pitt will play in this year that is better than Heinz.

 

[pbrad]

...Is the fact that Heinz Field is a dump. The general atmosphere is fine: everyone is energetic and enthused during the tailgate/pregame, blue and gold everywhere, the band and cheerleaders are entertaining, the fans who are there get loud, etc etc. But Heinz Field is basically a football-only Three Rivers: the concourses are tight, getting to your seat is a nightmare (especially if you are in the upper deck), the sight lines in the upper deck suck, the bathrooms are the 7th ring of Hell, and it's generally just feels like a cesspool. The ambiance would be the same in an on-campus stadium (in fact it may even be worse, since there would be less tailgating).

Heinz is a basic football stadium, no Jerryworld. The Rooney's had the taxpayers in mind when the design build came out. Anything more lavish would have cost the taxpayers more. My seats are and have been in 509 since its opening, the sight lines are great and access is very easy to and from. You sound like someone who finds fault with everything. This is what we have and will have for many years to come.

 

[daminals76]

"Heinz field is a dump"

Most ridiculous post ever!

 

[Pitt-Chains]

...Is the fact that Heinz Field is a dump. The general atmosphere is fine: everyone is energetic and enthused during the tailgate/pregame, blue and gold everywhere, the band and cheerleaders are entertaining, the fans who are there get loud, etc etc. But Heinz Field is basically a football-only Three Rivers: the concourses are tight, getting to your seat is a nightmare (especially if you are in the upper deck), the sight lines in the upper deck suck, the bathrooms are the 7th ring of Hell, and it's generally just feels like a cesspool. The ambiance would be the same in an on-campus stadium (in fact it may even be worse, since there would be less tailgating).

Idiot post hit the shower jack nut.

 

[Pittx9]

But yeah OP, its the stadium, the one thats nicer than 95% of college teams play in.

Exactly. Only problem sometimes is the actual field, the stadium itself is very modern.

 

[pittgoat]

Heinz field is better than at least 90% other college football stadiums and I've been to a lot.

 

[rojo36]

...Is the fact that Heinz Field is a dump. The general atmosphere is fine: everyone is energetic and enthused during the tailgate/pregame, blue and gold everywhere, the band and cheerleaders are entertaining, the fans who are there get loud, etc etc. But Heinz Field is basically a football-only Three Rivers: the concourses are tight, getting to your seat is a nightmare (especially if you are in the upper deck), the sight lines in the upper deck suck, the bathrooms are the 7th ring of Hell, and it's generally just feels like a cesspool. The ambiance would be the same in an on-campus stadium (in fact it may even be worse, since there would be less tailgating).

Quit blaming the stadium for the fact that the people do not show up and usually Pitt gives us a nerve wracking game.

 

[PittPanther44]

Heinz is a nice stadium and certainly nicer than 95% of college stadiums

The problems? Easy:

1)Needs to be filled
2)And the field. effort in making it look like its yours. It cant be thaaaat hard can it??

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Heinz was built relatively cheap for the going rate of football stadiums. It doesn't look great from the outside coming across the Ft. Pitt Bridge, and they definitely cut some corners (the cocktail umbrellas over the escalators). But it was built to have great lines of vision, which it does have. Also wide concourses, decent sized rest-rooms, plenty of concessions (although over-priced) and chair backs (although PITTLAW loves him some bleacher seats).

So I wouldn't call it a taj mahal, but it is more than serviceable. Problem is that it is too big for our needs. Just like 3 rivers was too big for the pirates (remember the score of empty seats in 90's NLCS games), Heinz is too big for us. Yeah an on-campus stadium would be nice, but really not feasible for an urban campus. Should tarp off the upper bleacher for all but big games, and just win so we can get as many as we can in there as possible (2003 the average attendance was over 60K so it can be done)

 

[quip]

...Is the fact that Heinz Field is a dump. The general atmosphere is fine: everyone is energetic and enthused during the tailgate/pregame, blue and gold everywhere, the band and cheerleaders are entertaining, the fans who are there get loud, etc etc. But Heinz Field is basically a football-only Three Rivers: the concourses are tight, getting to your seat is a nightmare (especially if you are in the upper deck), the sight lines in the upper deck suck, the bathrooms are the 7th ring of Hell, and it's generally just feels like a cesspool. The ambiance would be the same in an on-campus stadium (in fact it may even be worse, since there would be less tailgating).

How many college football stadiums have you been in? I've been in over 50 and Heinz is better than 95% of them!

 

[Burgh15]

Heinz is a fine football facility (and much better than Jerryworld) from an "everyday" fan's perspective. The problem with the atmosphere is the lack of people at the games. That can be made up with an energetic crowd. Keep winning games and the crowds will get better.

Speaking of Consol, that was such a disappointment IMO. Feels like an office building and haven't experienced any sort of exciting atmosphere in a game I've attended.

 

[MajorMajors]

Love my seats in the second row of the upper deck at Heinz. And I even like the exercise and views of the rivers and the point I get walking up the spiral ramp.

I really miss having that damn track around the field - that really helped with the sight lines at Pitt Stadium...

Go Pitt.

 

[PITTLAW]

How many college football stadiums have you been in? I've been in over 50 and Heinz is better than 95% of them!

Guess it depends on how you measure better? If you are talking pure fan comfort, I'd likely agree with you. However, college football and NFL football are entirely different products and experiences. There is certainly a reason most successful, and even the not successful college programs do not play in NFL facilities...and it has nothing to do with being "better." Pitt is stuck playing in an NFL stadium for better or worse for perpetuity--so get used to it. I think the new administration is going to give it their best shot at making it as close to a normal college football experience as can be attained. Stay tuned. Hail to Pitt!

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Good sight lines? Directionally they are good. But if you are seated in upper deck and more than about 1/3 of the way up the distance from the field is appallingly bad and field glasses are needed to read the players's numbers. It's a function of having the open end for aesthetics creating distances from the upper deck like those for a 100,000 seat stadium vs a 65-68,000 seat bowl.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Good sight lines? Directionally they are good. But if you are seated in upper deck and more than about 1/3 of the way up the distance from the field is appallingly bad and field glasses are needed to read the players's numbers. It's a function of having the open end for aesthetics creating distances from the upper deck like those for a 100,000 seat stadium vs a 65-68,000 seat bowl.

Other than that, the only complaint I have is the trough style urinals. I thought I had seen the last of those at Pitt Stadium.

 

[CrazyPaco]

Guess it depends on how you measure better? If you are talking pure fan comfort, I'd likely agree with you. However, college football and NFL football are entirely different products and experiences. There is certainly a reason most successful, and even the not successful college programs do not play in NFL facilities...and it has nothing to do with being "better." Pitt is stuck playing in an NFL stadium for better or worse for perpetuity--so get used to it. I think the new administration is going to give it their best shot at making it as close to a normal college football experience as can be attained. Stay tuned. Hail to Pitt!

Yes, and that major reason for the most successful and non-successful college football programs not playing in NFL facilities is because they aren't major urban gradate research universities with less than 150 acres of campus based in the middle of cities that also have NFL franchises. Outside of Notre Dame, the preference for an uncomfortable fan experience and butt splinters for the sake of tradtion has zero to do with a school's stadium design and amenities.

 

[ThePanthers]

I guess I'm in the minority but I like both Heinz Field and the Consol Energy Center.

I like both as well.

May not be the best, but it certainly is not a dump.

I just think some people are morons.

 

[Pghfan]

quote of the day, you cracked me up

I was dating this girl when Heinz opened up. she was interning at some marketing firm that was hired to "poll" the open house crowd (they opened up Heinz for season ticket holders to check out before first game/concert). So I told her I would help her with this job. Basically, going around Heinz and asking people 4 or 5 questions about likes/dislikes of Heinz. I helped out just to check it out. So the one question was "what do you not like about stadium" and people said the "yellow seats" and the second most popular answer was "trough urinals." Like I said, weird. Who cares where you take a leak?

 

[TD_6082]

I like Heinz Field. Perhaps they cut a few corners, but overall, I think it showcases the city nicely and is about as unique as a football stadium can be. Its as good as many others built around the same time (Cincy, Tennessee, Charlotte, New England etc.)

 

[RINGGOLD94]

Only problem with Heinz is that the consessions suck

 

[TD_6082]

SMF, I think the Great Hall area, the black and yellow seats, and the location give Heinz a little character. I don't think its as bland as the stadiums in Cincinnati or Tennessee. I would throw Charlotte, New England, and Cleveland in there as well. I think all those were built around the same time. Possibly even Tampa. I'd take the view of Pittsburgh over a pirate ship any day.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

I was dating this girl when Heinz opened up. she was interning at some marketing firm that was hired to "poll" the open house crowd (they opened up Heinz for season ticket holders to check out before first game/concert). So I told her I would help her with this job. Basically, going around Heinz and asking people 4 or 5 questions about likes/dislikes of Heinz. I helped out just to check it out. So the one question was "what do you not like about stadium" and people said the "yellow seats" and the second most popular answer was "trough urinals." Like I said, weird. Who cares where you take a leak?

I fully understand the trough urinal complaint thing. Some guys like the little bit of spacing and the semi-privacy individual partitioned urinals provide. Having a "bashful bladder" myself, I find it difficult to piss at the trough shoulder to shoulder. At Heinz, I have, and would in the future, use a crapper stall rather than have to shoulder my way to the trough.