The interesting thing about the Virginia Tech game next year is that it is a two year “home and away” deal. If Pitt goes to the ACC in 2013-2014, how does Pitt fulfill it’s obligation that year as they would be in the ACC?

OK, all together now … what does Pitt, Maryland and Miami have in common?

Two years ago the atmosphere for the Pitt-Cincy game was as good as any I’ve been a part of. The primetime Notre Dame game rocked that year, too. Winning does incredible things.

And losing those must win games destroys attendance and the fickle fanbase must be rebuilt again. If Pitt became a consistent winner (not the same old Pitt) and had some titles to show for it, attendance wouldn’t be a real or perceived issue. I’m just amazed that Pitt gets the numbers they do despite not giving the fans much reason to show up from stupid Wednesday games to bad opponents to lousy weather to Pitt finding a way to lose. I’ll take the core of Pitt season ticket holders over other team’s any day. Pitt doesn’t deserve the fans it has.

Pittsburgh is definitely in a strange position of small city with a big city’s supply of entertainment, especially sports. With three pro sports teams and big time college basketball available, there is usually at least one or two teams that are having success and playing in big games. Pitt rarely even gets to the big game (losing the set-up game to what would be amazing games the following week or two), and when they do they lose disappointingly.

Yinzers love big games, because they are events. If there is success, they get excited. Weren’t people even going to Pirates games this year? My expatriate Pittsburgher neighbors in NC were kicking down my door to take advantage of my MLB package on a regular basis, huddled around the tiny secondary TV.

When Pitt fills Heinz, it amounts to 20% of the city of Pittsburgh’s population (not MSA).

When State Penn draws 110k, that’s less than 1% of the State’s population.

That 2009 season even included a “Wanny special” loss to NC State, and it followed the pathetic Sun Bowl performance. Yet with a bit of optimism and legitimate hope, fans showed up. And yes, we were disappointed again. But that turnaround in attendance was not years in the making.

despite the NC State loss, we were ranked 12th – 14th (or something like that) and Cincy was ranked 4th (or smething like that) going into that 09 game. Since that definitely was for all of the marbles, it should have been a great draw despite the cold and noon start

I feel like a bad fan this year. I have had season tickets for about 8 years and I used to go to every game. As a student I went to every game. Now I get tickets for the rare games that aren’t on tv like Maine (only on espn3) or big games like ND. After a long work week, sometimes I’m just too tired to come to Heinz. Also it feels like going to work because I work downtown. I religiously watch every game but with HD flat screens, a convenient, clean bathroom, and not having to walk a long way to the staduim, staying at home in the heat is nice. Maybe I’m just getting soft. Years ago, a lot of games weren’t on tv and if that were the case today, my ass would be at Heinz every week. With Direc TV and the net showing games, my motivation to go out has gone down and I wonder if this has affected anyone else’s attendance.

AJ, would you go to the Steeler game if you had a ticket?

I was at both the Cincy game for the BE championship and the ND game when the game was the game of the week game.

The ND game was definately sold out with standing room only tickets gobbled up as well. An awesome atmosphere.

The Cincy game was also sold out but not everyone showed. It was basically full with exception of the very corners in the upper decks. but also a great atmosphere.

Those midweek contests are weird sometimes, especially if the opponent isn’t a draw in the first place. This Saturday’s game will be a better indicator of how many fans have given up on Pitt this season already.

In any case, poor attendence, I make lemonaide out of that situation. Open urinals throughout the game, don’t have waiting in long lines to buy food at halftime. traffic is lighter and if I have a few bucks burning a hole in my pocket, more open gaming tables at the Rivers Casino after the game. Its all good! As long as Pitt WINS!!!

Move a thousand miles out of state so you have a legit excuse to miss games. Heck, if I was still living in the area, I’d probably find an excuse not to make some games myself. It is true that fans don’t have to be physically at the stadium to be fans. Grown adults have other responsibilities sometimes on weekends. I would think watching on TV counts and Pitt games do get very good national ratings. That’s what I do along with wearing the Pitt script around the MetroPlex and wherever I travel in the states. I spread the Pitt gospel every chance I get. I’ve been trying to convert some Nitters down here to no avail.

I want the big east football 2011 conference championship to be won bye PITT or WVU or Syracuse stick it to the big east that way.

Put the Panthers and the Pirates in a paper bag, shake ’em up, and they both roll out at the same time. As long as the game is just another event, attendance will suffer. Make it a destination that folks don’t want to miss, and they will come.

Again, I’ll argue that relative to Pitt’s potential core fan base, the student and alumni populations, they are performing as well or better than many other teams attendance-wise.

The economy, on-field performance and excitement, winning/losing, the weather, the night of the week, the time of the game, etc., etc. are factors that affect every team. But those are all factors that are more influential in attracting casual and bandwagon fans.

I won’t go into all of the math again, but I contend that Pitt’s core fans are more loyal than the core fans from many other schools – including State Penn and Hoopie U.

Just for clarity, I do not consider a season ticket holder who has a long drive and skips a work night or even a weekend game from time to time a casual or bandwagon fan. I know we have a number of those folks who participate here in addition to Chas. Nor do I consider a person who has been severely affected by the economic downturn in that light. Those people simply have to set their priorities correctly, which is understandable. And again, those factors affect every team’s attendance, not just Pitt’s.

AJ, absolutely, there is no question about that, and I’m a season ticket holder and usually do 5 or 6 out of 7. Nieces and nephews always get a game or two.

College football is more popular than ever, no doubt about that, tv ratings and attendance figures will support that. As you mentioned though, I have a test that will support you. When you speak of tickets purchased, and actual warm bodies in the seats, two totally different things as Pitt fans can attest to this better than anyone.

The eyeball test. First, can’t compare Pitt to SEC teams or Tex, Neb etc where it’s a religion. Reasons ad nauseum we all know and have gone over for years. Just the way it is.

I have noticed watching the games on Saturdays, quite a few with some empty corners or a little section not quite packed. Kansas, Virginia, Cal, the Arizonas, hell, even Doak Campbell at FSU was not packed and had a top, left hand corner sparsely populated two or three weeks ago. Indiana, Illinois, I can name more, etc. etc.

Actually, I take that back about the SEC, have seen both Mississippis 3/4 full this year. (teams not playing so well this year), hmmm, funny. Kentucky can be a wasteland!

On the other end, Kansas St. has been barren this past couple years, Coach Snyder has brought them back a bit, and guess what, big game against Oklahoma last week (yes, they got blasted), but the place was over filled.

Also, my workplace. I have heard several people yesterday, and today, saying, “wow, great, Pens on late tonight, Pitt on Sat night, Ala-LSU on Sat Nite, Pens on again late Sat night, NFL all day Sunday, and finish it up with Steelers and Ravens what a weekend!!!”

They’re not disrepecting Pitt, they’re including Pitt-Cincy with the rest!! One of the guys is a Pitt alum, the other, just general Pittsburgh of all teams fans. Including Pitt hoops when they get going.

The clicker does have some effect on some fans for sure!!

Good post Tampa. Happened to me for UCONN!!

Didn’t get out of the office till 7:10, called home, they all cringed at the thought of all the racing around we would have to do.

“bring a couple Pizzas home, it’s chilly, it’s Wednesday night, just come on home, it’s on the tube” basic jist of what I got, and that’s what we did.

I kinda consider myself a die hard, maybe I’m not. I’m on this board enough!!!! LMAO!!!

Dan: Don’t worry. You are definitely a die-hard. LMAO!!!

Fwiw, I was unemployed for 09 season but still bought season pass as I have done for the past decade for the years I was living in Pgh area.

Nowadays, I am 2.5 hrs away and have gone to only 2 games so far (3 last year) although I am sure I would go if I was still in area.

You too are a die-hard, wbb. 🙂

If I had the expendable income for airfare and overnight stays, or my own jet, I’d be a season ticket holder too. Actually thought about buying a pair for the 2010 season, which is one reason I got so mad at Wanny last year. Good thing my wife is a little more sane than me, even though you’d think she’s the Pitt grad when we’re at the games.

By the way AJ, you’re not a bad fan, you’re posting on this board, you’ve got an interest right?

Maybe they put a couple good seasons together, and with the ACC you’ll get season tickets again in a year or two, who knows?

I think that was a good, honest post you had.

I’m going, but, hell, Pitt-Cincy, Bama-LSU, Pens-Kings on a big screen, sounds like a pretty good Saturday night to me!!!

My 4.5 hour drive to the game gives me a Risk/Reward scenario for attending games. If the game is at 3:00 or later I have to spend the night before I make that long drive home.

I used to do it with regularity but these last two years I’m more of the – is it worth all that when the game is still on TV?

@ Dan, good post re attendance. Big games support big crowds. Think about the home game two years ago against Cincy (on second though, we all want to forget that game!). But in all seriousness, that crowd was electric. Now that I live in Florida, I’ve been to USF, UCF, Miami and even FSU games where they crowds were awful. In 2008 I was at an FSU home game against BC (mediocore year for FSU that year with an 8-5 record I believe) and the atmosphere was terrible! So, we are not the only school with this challenge.

Big games equal big crowds. With that said, I do believe there are always ways to improve the atmosphere and whatever department is in charge of that should work hard to address some of our game day weaknesses.

H2P and lets get ready for a huge game Saturday! I’d be there if I could afford the flight up.

This is no insult towards the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area but this is what struck me at the Utah game. I’m a 1975 grad and we had our fraternity reunion for that era’s brotherhood 73-76. So about 30 guys show up for the reunion and I was amazed at the number of people who are long gone from Pittsburgh proper. Out of that 30 there were only about a third who still lived within an hour of Pittsburgh.

This fact my have a bearing in itself when considering the Pitt alumni has diehard fans who ante up for season tickets and attend all the games.

Thats hard to do if you’re living two states away. Got a great education at Pitt but I found greener pastures outside of staying in Pittsburgh. Could have a bearing on a lot of alumni not showing up for games.

It is the same with me a 3 hour drive and a 15 year old truck but if i still lived in pittsburgh i would go.
but i do care i really do i love pitt.

It appears that Boise will accept the BE invite. If so, that should really help the BE maintain its BCS status.

Nonetheless, glad we don’t have to travel 2500 miles to play on that stupid blue turf

Distance from the Burgh definitely creates a challenge even for the die-hard fans who post here, especially with the time and money constraints – including gas prices – that most of us face these days. The availability of games on TV also adds a factor that we didn’t have in past eras of Pitt football, even as recent as Walt’s tenure.

To JAM 05’s point, I have a couple friends who are in key admin positions at FSU. They’ve always complained about attendance, even in the days when FSU was a perennial Top 5 team. A big part of that is due to the location of Tallahassee relative to the major cities in Florida, and therefore the FSU fan base. Tallahassee is almost in Alabama and the shape/length of the state puts it 4 to 7 hours from most of the big metro areas where most of their alumni live. People always show up for the Florida and Miami games, but to make that travel commitment for 4-5 other games is tough for many.

Florida, which is 2 1/2 hours closer to the center of the state and the major metro areas, has little trouble filling their stadium on a regular basis.

Too many gold helmets in the ACC – Pitt would make four.

Markp, Script Time?

I realize there is a tid bit of a population gap, but in Los Angeles it’s the same deal with USC. USC is branded as all sunshine and roses, but their attendance is abysmal compared to what it was a few years ago. Granted it will come back, but it’s testament to struggle of fighting for attendance in an urban setting.

ESPN-ABC, the undisputed Sugar Daddy of college football.

BC’s AD Gene DeFillippo let the proverbial ‘cat out of the bag’ with his remarks last month.

Hope somebody at PITT sent ESPN a nice present.
haha

(And the good folks at BC as well)

Let me see, Gold Helmets in the ACC, four of them eh?

1) Georgia Tech
2) Boston College
3) Florida State
4) PITT

Well… if four is too much gold, we can always go back to our famous Mustard Yellowcake helmets with the nice center stripes and the classic
Script Pitt. Those away uniforms were a much better look than the current all white garb.
The home uni’s are about a wash.

link to dood5.tripod.com

I have great respect for all of you that come from more than an hour away. I usually get two about half the games. I actually prefer to watch all sports on TV, partly lazy, but mostly because you see more and time is too precious. No matter what, you give up most of your day. I am a huge Steeler fan, but I have no desire to attend a game more than every few years.

The big Cinci game was the best Pitt Football experience in many years except for the end. It was great to hear loud roars and feel the sustained energy of the crowd.

Pittsburgh fans are spoiled. With the steelers, penquins and pitt basketball we have the highest quality of sports almost anywhere. When Pitt Football delivers greatness, fans will show up.

I will be there Saturday night, as always, hoping for the best, expecting the worst.

Thanks Dan for telling me I’m not a bad fan. Wbb—I have lived in Pittsburgh my entire life, but I hate the Steelers with a passion. My friend’s uncle is Jim Kelly so I’ve always been a Bills fan.

I hope we can beat Cincy and I think if Nix is back, we’ve got a chance. Zack Brown is a good back, keep Tino throwing lots of screens, and get on the road to a bowl game.

I live 2.5 hours away and try to get to at least 1 football and 1 basketball game per year. If I lived closer, I would go to more. The bball game I went to last year was the Butler game in the NCAA tournament (long ride home).

EMel and Timmeh – even if the color of the helmets (with the stripes to match the current ‘gold’ pants) would be a huge upgrade. The old mustard style with the current ‘Pitt’ on them would be a good compromise. The current helmet color matches nothing on the uniform – IMHO.

I would love to see them usher in the new ACC era with the old script logo. Doubt it will happen though.

Emel – Pitt could again go with a blue strip ala 1962-63 or q blue and gold stripe ala 1974-82.

This is a good line of thinking…The current UNI is a brand of the Big East…When we move to the ACC it would be a perfect time to change the UNI, in particular that dumb ND helmet with a logo that it seems like a third of college teams have (and half of the HS teams). I have said since we moved to HF, if we are going to play in a stadium that has bright yellow as its dominant color, then maybe, just maybe, we should have that color in our UNI in some way. Also, enough of the terrible turf at HF. They need to put down an artificial surface so Pitt can have full logos in the endzones and on the field. Changing our colors to reflect the stadium and adding our logos to the feild would enhance the game day experience…Wait a minute, I’ve got it…Bosie St has its blue field, some other school has an all red field, we could have a bright yellow field, you could see it from space!…Just kidding, of course, but the UNI color change and the field logos would help with the game day atmosphere and make HF feel more like a home than a rented space.

Good points HbgFrank. And let me bring the minutest point up, that some will dismiss.

Talking about game experience and that whole line of thinking….where are the ACC logos going to go, the ones on each side of the field around the 20???

Are they going to be able to be put on first, second, are they going to stand out and look nice if they are, or are they going to spray paint them on with with liquid chalk that will look like some bad high school field??

Yes, yes, minor I know, but, these are the i’s and t’s types of thing, that not have been dotted and crossed in the past, that takes away from the whole experience.

Minor in themselves, when added onto other items, it becomes part of the whole!!!

When you turn Georgia Tech, Fla St and NC ST on the tube, no doubt who they are with, beautiful emblems in the school colors of the ACC.

Will ours be like that, or just one more reminder of “hey, Pitt plays in a pro stadium” to lots of fans???

You guys are comedy:

Pitt’s unis are the most classic, simple, bad ass uniforms we’ve had in 30 years. – link to whyfordesign.com

Not surprising though: link to post-gazette.com

Pitt has almost 300,000 graduates around the world and only 20,000 paid alumni association members (less than 8%). Unfortunately many (if not most) live way to far away to attend games regularly. Most of the college grads in Pittsburgh went to PSU, Slimy Pebble or some other school and couldn’t care less about Pitt.

I think the Pitt News covered it nicely: link to pittnews.com

And for the record. I had season tickets all 14 years I lived in DC and missed maybe 1 game each season during that time – most of which were Backyard Brawls, unfortunately. Living in AZ, I’m down to 2 games a year (ND and SoFla this year).

It’s amusing how the lame excuses have become self-fulfilling prophecies.