Pittsburgh is an NBA type city that shows up to watch stars and not teams. We need more Jordan Whiteheads.
Sell beer and mixed drinks
Don't worry about offending family with kids. This has been Pitt's problem for 20 years. Sporting events are not supposed to be family friendly to create a home field advantage. Remove bouncy houses out front and get a band with beer trucks to create a gathering before game. Take tailgaters money by being better than a parking lot.
Do not worry about fans who complain it's not a family atmosphere. Give it a try for a few years, see what happens and you can always go back to the bouncy houses. I know this advice will not be taken so I suggest that you now use the current visitor section and the new seats under the scoreboard as the " new family fun section". No beer, concessions targeted at kids like vendors with Popsicles on hot days and hot chocolate on cold days. Have Roc show up often, have clowns in that open area with concessions making balloon figures for the kids, etc.... It would be the family friendly opposite of the other 80% of the adult section.
The visitors now have the upper deck in the closed end and they have the best view of the skyline. We see it all the time so we can live without it. I have always scratched my head why the visitor's section is where it is. That upper deck now serves as a tarped area on the sections that go unsold. Just call the seats General Admission and let the visitors fill them in depending when they arrive.
The reason we sometimes have a dead atmosphere is people are too concerned about yelling, standing, being obnoxious because we are too polite around kids. While this is kind, it is not loud and it isn't a home field advantage.
There are 6 kids under 10 that sit with my large group and we are all in agreement of what I am saying. The world has become so politically correct that it leaves little room to be obnoxious and a little inappropriate. Again, make a family section to avoid the adult behavior. Maybe the kids won't make it to the game and that is fine. Kids honestly do not become real fans of understanding the game and strategy until they are 8 at the youngest but likely closer to 11. When a kid is about 12, they are pretty smart and have heard all the bad words. I am talking about keeping kids home that really have not formed future bonds to Pitt. Again, you can always switch seats to family section and go on the preferred list to upgrade when that time comes to being in the adult sections again.
Create a home field advantage with variables that can be controlled.
Pitt may lead the country for Thursday and Friday games played. This just does not work because Pitt fans generally are allergic to the concept. Avoid these slots. Play Miami Saturday night even if it means ESPN 3.
Our home field is Heinz so let's work with what we have.
Sell beer and mixed drinks
Don't worry about offending family with kids. This has been Pitt's problem for 20 years. Sporting events are not supposed to be family friendly to create a home field advantage. Remove bouncy houses out front and get a band with beer trucks to create a gathering before game. Take tailgaters money by being better than a parking lot.
Do not worry about fans who complain it's not a family atmosphere. Give it a try for a few years, see what happens and you can always go back to the bouncy houses. I know this advice will not be taken so I suggest that you now use the current visitor section and the new seats under the scoreboard as the " new family fun section". No beer, concessions targeted at kids like vendors with Popsicles on hot days and hot chocolate on cold days. Have Roc show up often, have clowns in that open area with concessions making balloon figures for the kids, etc.... It would be the family friendly opposite of the other 80% of the adult section.
The visitors now have the upper deck in the closed end and they have the best view of the skyline. We see it all the time so we can live without it. I have always scratched my head why the visitor's section is where it is. That upper deck now serves as a tarped area on the sections that go unsold. Just call the seats General Admission and let the visitors fill them in depending when they arrive.
The reason we sometimes have a dead atmosphere is people are too concerned about yelling, standing, being obnoxious because we are too polite around kids. While this is kind, it is not loud and it isn't a home field advantage.
There are 6 kids under 10 that sit with my large group and we are all in agreement of what I am saying. The world has become so politically correct that it leaves little room to be obnoxious and a little inappropriate. Again, make a family section to avoid the adult behavior. Maybe the kids won't make it to the game and that is fine. Kids honestly do not become real fans of understanding the game and strategy until they are 8 at the youngest but likely closer to 11. When a kid is about 12, they are pretty smart and have heard all the bad words. I am talking about keeping kids home that really have not formed future bonds to Pitt. Again, you can always switch seats to family section and go on the preferred list to upgrade when that time comes to being in the adult sections again.
Create a home field advantage with variables that can be controlled.
Pitt may lead the country for Thursday and Friday games played. This just does not work because Pitt fans generally are allergic to the concept. Avoid these slots. Play Miami Saturday night even if it means ESPN 3.
Our home field is Heinz so let's work with what we have.
