Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl has apparently joined in the whole national recognition for Pitt thing, by declaring Friday “Turn it blue day.”
The Panthers, ranked as high as No. 8 in the country, will face the Fighting Irish in front of a soldout crowd and national ABC television audience. Pittsburghers are encouraged to wear their Pitt Blue on Friday to get ready for the game.
Fans should also wear their Pitt Blue to Heinz Field Saturday night as Pitt and Pittsburgh are showcased to the rest of the country.
“This weekend, let’s `Turn it Blue’ and show our support for our own hometown team as they take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame,” Ravenstahl said. “We’ll have the eyes of the nation watching us, and I’m confident that with the talent we have this season and with the support of Pitt fans, our team will be successful. Go Pitt!”
What a sweet gesture. I’m sure that this more than makes up for the dickish attempt by the Mayor — after winning reelection — to impose a 1% tuition tax on college students in Pittsburgh to cover the budget shortfall. I’m sure the students will just embrace him now.
I’m guessing Ravenstahl won’t be making a public appearance at the game.
I’m not sure you understand much about “the pitt students”
Now onto the important stuff…
At least there’s an attempt being made by the city to acknowledge a local football team that’s not the Steelers!
It’s just refreshing to see Pitt football get their day in the sun in that town.
Anyway, still nice that the city acknowledged Pitt. Wait until we win our BCS bowl. Luke will have a big ‘ole parade for the Panthers. Of course admission will be $20. 🙂
Please tell me that your postings are satirical. You can’t really be serious…..right? “Burned down Oakland after the Super Bowl? Pissed all over the east end? It’s about time that the students pick up part of the tab” The G-20 damage was caused by protesters from out of town, a couple of small fires of shitty dorm furniture hardly constitutes burning down Oakland and I see more public urination at a Steeler game than what happened in Oakland during the G 20.
What are you getting for your money? Why do you let it stand?
Sure, Pitt, UPMC, Duquesne, and CMU should probably pay taxes, as should Penn State, Temple, hell, Slippery Rock. But none of them do. So I’m OK with what Ravenstahl did in taxing students… which is big of me, of course, given that I graduated in 1994.
My first reaction to “back to blue” was like Ben’s. A few years back Indiana had a “wear red” (or whatever) day when hosting Ohio State, so that they could have a great aerial shot of a sold out stadium. Cheesy. But hey, whatever it takes.
Just beat the Irish.
God, I must be getting old.
I sadly didn’t picture the mutual conflict with Notoriety Dame until Ben mentioned it at the beginning of the post. Ole Steelerstahl didn’t think of a ‘make it gold’ proposition?
There’s quite a bit of media hype starting to circulate around this weekend’s game. All the talking heads are determining this as Weis’s make-or-break game (duh). I only hope that Wanny and the boys will continue to keep their nose to the grindstone and exercise the game plan we expect. It would be quite satisfying for Wanny to bury Weis’s ass.
Good coaching decisions, ground attack from Lewis/Graham, decisions and execution from Stull, and efforts from Dickerson/Baldwin/et al. should make for a good outcome.
HTscriptP
Last weeks attendance was disquesting. 7 and 1 beautiful day for Syr. and the upperdecks were almost empty.
I wish it happened other than when we play Notre Dame and West Virginia.
I’m happy to see Ravenstahl jumping on board, even if it is to smooth things over with the tax. Positive publicity for Pitt is never a bad thing, and with a win this week maybe some more people around the city will start to take notice.
Also, I have a hard time understanding the argument that Pitt kids need to pay for city policing when Pitt operates a full time police department …
This is a money grab from people who cannot really fight back. It is dishonest. Typical politician move.
It’s really no different than the “Code Blue” campaigns of previous years, except we have a pretty good team and the AD can claim it’s a student initiative.
Students are already crushed with student debt so let’s just tack on some more. That debt can’t be wiped away through bankruptcy. Think about that. Thirty year old adults can be bailed out of poor financial decisions while 18 year olds cannot.
As for all the issues students cause, 80% of those are served by the PITT police department (CMU & Duquesne being lesser offenders). You seem to forget the ridiculous amount of good things that these colleges do for the city.
I’m seriously disgusted by anyone who supports this measure.
HTP
Pitt may be able to compete for a final 4 in two seasons and possibly as early as next year.
Wow! Holding on to Jamie Dixon has been a slam-dunk, grand slam decision.
But I always thought that Smizik (suprisingly) was more than fair to the Panthers. Plus, the guy’s a Pitt alum.
If you’re looking for anti-Pitt bias, I wouldn’t look at Smizik.
How about the 3-4% annual increase in tuition every year? Do you try to stop that? I’m against the tuition tax by the city but the presidents of the uninveristies take more each year.
J.J. MOORE IS A PANTHER!!!!
From everything I’ve read, this is HUGE get for the program and Brandin Knight snatched him right out from under Rick Pitino. I guess recruiting is a lot tougher when you also have to deal with a former mistress extorting you. Jamie Dixon and staff have been able to a lot of great things with under-the-radar type recruits, I can’t wait to see what he can do with big name guys.
What a week! FBall: Top 10 in AP, Primetime game against Notre Dame Saturday. BBall: Stole a big-time recruit right out from under a conference rival, Biggest recruit of the last 25 years debuts Friday, plus a banner raising of last years Elite Eight appearance.
Whether they are committing crimes, or being protected from crime/fire/or need EMS treatment, Pitt/CMU/Duquesne et al kids do cost the city money.
Now, let’s talk about a commuter wage tax – that’s something Pittsburgh needs as well!
2) JJ Moore will put Pitt one over the scholarship limit for next year. But note that the PG is reporting of possible eligibility issue for Moore, and he may not be all to sign until next year (which may make sense.)
Great link that every Pitt fan should watch. Joe Bendel turns out to be a bigger PSU shill than Guy Junker! Imagine that.
usually if the game is simulcast on espn or espn2 is says so in the coverage map. You may need gameplan to get the game or use espn360.com, if available.
Omar, you are assuming that everyone who is around today will be around next year. If Dante Taylor lives up to, or possibly exceeds, his hype, this may not be the case. Likewise with Epps in two years.
Omar, based on history, I cannot take exception to what you posted.
Great recruiting by Dixon – maybe he can help Dave W. get some high-end national talent?
