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July 19, 2012

Pitt has posted video of the nearly 16 minute press conference with AD Steve Pederson. Not much in the way of revelations in it.

Pitt has paid $2.5 million to the Big East back in September when it was announced Pitt was heading to the ACC. He didn’t specify when or how Pitt was going to pay the other $5 million, but made it clear that it wouldn’t be hard to do since Pitt will make that difference up in TV revenue in the ACC.

He defended the lawsuit, sticking with the argument that it was the catalyst to get movement on the settlement going. Didn’t really expect him to say, “Yeah, that was a waste of time.”

Apparently Pitt and Cuse were negotiating separately with the Big East. Okay.





No need for me to see or know how the sausage was made…it is done and gone.
Now, the task before the Pitt athletic department is to step up in all areas including the performance of routine things…ticket applications, ticket sales, marketing, branding, and most importantly FUND RAISING.
There has not been the build up of a large body of institutional knowledge at Pitt. Success is derived from the doing the common things uncommonly well and let’s face it, we have not been very good administratively.
Now, for anyone at the athletic department, don’t think I am judging the content of your character. I am not.
But don’t expect me to believe phony attendance figures when I’m not blind. Don’t expect me to be happy when my ticket app show up and doesn’t reflect my points. Don’t expect me to be pleased with mediocrity because I won’t be.
I expect best practices out of everyone there and that starts at the top with Steve P.
I don’t know if Steve is the man for this job–whether he is the guy who can take Pitt to the “next level” or not. But I know I won’t have any say in the decision.
Going to the ACC won’t mean a thing if we don’t step up our game and to do that, we need a leader. I expect it was a humbling experience for SP to get fired from Nebraska, but that is done and now I want to see proactive steps from the athletic department and that means you SP.
Nordy has another full time job so stop having him do yours. Here is my priority list for you.
1. Hire Tom Donahoe in some capacity and quit worrying about what the Rooneys think.
2. Get aggressive with fund raising. Stop telling people to give. Give them goals to shoot for “Your money will help build this _____” and so on.
3. Capitalize on all of Pitt’s glorious past…embrace the mustard script once a year and make money from it.
4. Stop using “my city, my Panthers” for God’s sake….why do you limit you geogrpahic sphere. Make the world your oyster “My friggen’ planet, my Panthers” at a bare minimum!
5. Make the game day experience in the stadium like a college game…show scores of all games including RMU and Duquesne. The scores you guys show on the big board look like what showed up on TV in 1970. Then you only show 8 games. Get with it.
6. Tell Joe Distio (sp?) to stop announcing everything; especially the glaringly obvious. It is annoying.
7.Can we hear a little of the Pitt band and less of that sketch guitar blaring in my ears on 3 and 2?
I’m done.

Comment by sfpitt 07.19.12 @ 4:39 pm

Excellent, sfpitt. I’d add give the hook to Sweet Caroline and replace it with “WE ARE…PITTSBURGH”

Comment by steve1 07.19.12 @ 5:09 pm

Yeah! More of the Pitt Band…..

Just because Heinz has lots of “bells & whistles” doesn’t mean a college game has to feel like a lower rent pro game.

Comment by CompLit 07.19.12 @ 5:30 pm

Sfpitt completely agree. Get people excited about football.

Give t-shirts to everyone in attendance a game or two and show we are a unified Pittsburgh.

Student Section finally is getting matching shirts…finally.

Create a new tradition that will catch hold so that Pitt can finally have their “featured” tradition that is unique to Pitt.

Create Script week- Make it the week of Syracuse or any other big opponent but do it. Have events all week (free concerts or something) for students leading up to the saturday game and get them excited about having that game even if we are 0-11.

Get rid of Sweet Caroline. I don’t want to be Penn State and we copied it from them. Plenty of other Pittsburgh related music out there.

I agree the band should have a bigger role musically during the game. I don’t mind the loudspeaker stuff but less of it will be more satisfying.

Pitt is a diverse university. Feature some of the talent the student body has to offer between the whistles.

We are not going to get 70,000 a game. Cut the losses and tarp up a section for now. Until we win consistently again this is necessary. Condense the seating area and make the stadium look more full. The tarp can always come off if need be. People on TV will notice the difference.

The administration also must push for later games, even if they are at irregular times. Even if its 1:00, thats still better than 12.

Do the little things that will satisfy the fan base and make it more loyal.

Comment by Timmeh 07.19.12 @ 5:49 pm

More band and let them play when they want to.

Comment by FRANKCAN 07.19.12 @ 6:35 pm

I also hate “sweet caroline” I didn’t know PSU used it. I just thought it was a Boston Red Sox thing that we had borrowed. I don’t like borrowing stuff from others. It shows lack of creativity. Traditions should be uniquely your own.

Comment by pitt1972 07.19.12 @ 6:49 pm

I freakin’ hate Sweet Carolina and leave my seat every time its played.

Comment by Reed 07.19.12 @ 7:04 pm

Well most of the stadium seems to like Sweet Caroline (including me) and especially the student section. If they are into it — keep it. Also, out of town scores are shown continuously on the stadium side screens. Never liked the my city, my Panthers slogan much. Agree that it is too limiting. Always thought the band was given plenty of time to play, although I agree that the tunes played over the speakers on 3rd down, etc. get annoying. Overall though the atmosphere is very “college game”. If you have ever been to a Steelers game at Heinz, there is a noticable difference in atmosphere.

Comment by JCE 07.19.12 @ 7:24 pm

How about reviving the Steel Bowl bball tourney with WVU, PSU and the Dukes at Consol since non are in the same conference. Would give each two decent non conference games and should sell out. The first round game each year could be the two teams that do not meet the previous year so you would play every one at least every other year.

Comment by Jimbo 07.19.12 @ 7:35 pm

Pitt has made innumerable mistakes on moving the football venue from campus to 3 Rivers and then to Heinz Field. The biggest was taking 3 years to mike up the band. I will never forget Wannys first game with Notre Dame and their band combined with ours to play the National Anthem.
My season tickets were on the 40 yd line oppo side and you could not hear a note.

Thank you SFPitt…great rant…almost Milleresque. Mine would fill 3 pages.

Comment by Dan 72 07.19.12 @ 7:58 pm

they should play a round robin during the week after Christmas … I guess a night after the annual Globetrotters’ night

Comment by wbb 07.19.12 @ 8:01 pm

Jimbo- emulate the Big 5 in Philly?

Comment by Timmeh 07.19.12 @ 8:08 pm

My, my, gentlemen. What passion you are displaying. Actually, it is allowing for open,candid discussion. So, I;ll throw in my nickle’s worth. I dive in with some Ohio buddies from Ohio’s Cap city. We are all thoroughly Panther loyalists. We have difficulty with the parking, but finally find our way to our seats. I always look to see if the Pitt students are :into it”. Many times I find to my amazement and disgust there are NOT THAT MANY STUDENTS PRESENT. Shame, shame! My heart races when the BLUE AND GOLD clad warriors race onto the field. The great Pitt band has played and, I’m HOME AGAIN. Pittsburgh, my city (born the 81 years ago and raised there. too. My city. My team and I’m [roud to be a Panther!! Furhrmore I really enjoy the enthusiasm and togetherness evidence when we sing “Sweet Caroline”(LET”S GO PITT”. I am shocked when some, especially the students exit after that event. Of course, we Buckeye Panthers stay until the final whistle—win or lose. This blogger is pleased to get out of the Big East and thrilled to be heading south to the ACC. Weep not for our former compatriots in Providence and “Jersey”. They will collect 35 million for the exodus of Syracuse, Pitt and that school in Morgantown. None of the three institutions is lamenting the emigrations into new venues. So farewell, next year to the “Big Least”, and greetings to our academic equals in Dixie. Rev. George in Columbus

Comment by Rev. George Mehaffey 07.19.12 @ 8:49 pm

Why not.

Comment by Jimbo 07.19.12 @ 8:56 pm

SFPITT, you write good! You got me going. Now we have to get the Athletic Dept to start thinking and being aggressive. Some new ideas, in addition to what you have stated would go a long way. Maybe wacky, outside of the box. However, above all, we need good players and we have to win.

Comment by Old Pitt Grad 07.19.12 @ 9:01 pm

Uh oh, Rev. George – I figured you were about my age, mid 50s… Hard to believe you are 81 years old.

I take back all the guff I’ve given you over the years. Please tell the Man upstairs that I’m really a nice guy.

FRANKCAN on the other hand…. and Chas ain’t too great either.

P/S: I’ve got a widowed Aunt in NC who was playing tennis up until last year and she’s 95 years old. She’s a PITT grad, former PITT professor, Shakespearean scholar and was a Commander in the Navy Waves in WWII. She awesome in the truest sense of the word. Should I try to get her to a home game so you can ‘bump’ into us? Disregard if you are married of course.

But seriously, could you let all of us know the next home game you’ll attend so that we can meet and buy you dinner and a beer for being the great guy you are?

Comment by Reed 07.19.12 @ 9:02 pm

Drove to Boston to see a game at Fenway on Monday. While the crowd was awesome for baseball, I thought the Pitt fans did a better job with Sweet Caroline than the Red Sox fan do.

The place was electric with energy because everyone was excited about the BASEBALL GAME! Not fireworks or bobbleheads. There was no t-shirt toss or pirogi race. Just baseball…it was awesome!

Pitt need to place the emphasis on the product on the field. Make it about watching real college football.

Comment by ME 2001 07.19.12 @ 9:08 pm

You are SO KIND. Thank you for the invitation. I drink St.Pauli Girl NA!! I guarantee yiu are SQUARE with the “Man” (or “Woman”) or (Genderless” Sovereign “upstairs”. (Wherever that is???) As I gaze at my calendar, I THINK I might be able to squeeze in the Gardner-Webb encounter. I want to be sure we come out a WINNER! Seriously, I’m quite optimistic abouy the upcoming season without that “SNAKE OIL SALESMAN”. We will be blogging, I’m certain as the season approaches, Oh yes! Don;t be so AMAZED at the ages of 81 and 75. Hey, man—it just happens and its a blast!! Rev. George in Columbus

Comment by Rev. George Mehaffey 07.19.12 @ 9:41 pm

Rev. George Mehaffey you make me fell young i thoght i was old but i am only 67 just a pup compated to you but i am on good terms with the man up stairs and will speak to him for you and Reed.

Comment by FRANKCAN 07.19.12 @ 9:53 pm

One of the fill-ins on today’s Jim Rome show had nothing but great things to say about how smart Pitt athletes are, referencing the academics, and the intelligence and speaking ability of Tony Dorsett, Curtis Martin and Darelle Revis. It was a great plug for Pitt….until he went south on Revis for wanting to re-negotiate. He said, if you go to Pitt, you have to be smart!! They make you earn your credits and it’s great for the athletes.

SFPitt, you go boy! Glad to see the enthusiasm. Reed, I am not going to pile on Steve as everyone should know I don’t care for his management technique or lack thereof.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 07.19.12 @ 10:02 pm

Replace sweet Caroline with love will rock you by Donny iris!! Also, script week a must-throwbacks have made millions in NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA as well as other NCAA schools time for Pitt to embrace it’s tradition not run from it. Want a great crowd for Gardner Webb? Then make that throwback night!

Comment by John 07.19.12 @ 10:37 pm

John well said good idea.

Comment by FRANKCAN 07.19.12 @ 10:53 pm

Thanks for indulging my rant. We have an opportunity here that doesn’t come around often…hey, I fell in love with Pitt football in a blowout loss at home to ND in the late 60’s…I am tired of this crap especially when I know greatness is within our grasp.
This is our time!!!

Comment by SFPitt 07.19.12 @ 11:17 pm

To Reed and FRANKCAN: The former,first. I meant to write 81 and 95! Guess I just can’t imagine a 95 year old actually playing tennis. To FRANKCAN. Hey man! You are as young as you feel. 67 or 81,the difference is in your mind. Rev. George in Columbus where, whike watching the Clippers play yesterday I sat behind a dude in a WILLIE STARGELL top, complete with #8. The Pirates are getting contagious. May it CONTINUE!!

Comment by Rev. George Mehaffey 07.20.12 @ 7:21 am

If we are going to revive the Steel Bowl would much rather have RMU than WVU!!

Comment by Class of 66 07.20.12 @ 7:28 am

PSU should be interested since they may be looking to schedule a lot of games in the near future .. (according to a story in today’s PG)

Comment by wbb 07.20.12 @ 8:24 am

If RMU replaces anyone it would be the Dukes, WVUbrings RPI and kicking their butt is much more satisfying. Also sells tickets. RMU doesn’t draw.

Comment by Jimbo 07.20.12 @ 8:32 am

Great words SFPitt. I also feel Sweet Caroline was ripped of from either Ohio State or Pedo State. Although John beat me to suggesting some Donnie Iris, or some other local like Wiz Khalifa? H2P

Comment by Bones 07.20.12 @ 10:17 am

BTW SFPitt, I’m moving to the city at the end of the month. We should try to catch a game at Giordano’s?

Comment by Bones 07.20.12 @ 10:19 am

PSU possibly kicked out of big 10?! Never going to happen but just the mention of it leads me to believe that 1 year death penalty maybe a reality.

Comment by John 07.20.12 @ 10:35 am

Excellent SFPITT. Here are a couple more to go with your thoughts.

Minutiae you say, nonsense. Very important for fans, marketing, making it a college atmosphere.

May cost some extra money, well, ya.

May have to talk to the Steelers and Rooneys hard, send the big boys, because it needs to be done.

1. Get a larger and properly colored Pitt logo in the center of the field (Blue, Gold and white outlines), not some white chalk thing that looks like someone just threw together.

2. Get the end zones with Pitt or Panthers in both, and properly color them. (Blue, Gold and white outlines)

3. The ACC logo that all of the ACC teams have on their field. They are actually beautiful. Done nicely, done in the each schools particular colors. Make sure it is done right.

4. Extra idea for you. Install flag poles for large and “can be seen” flags of all 14 ACC members at Heinz Field. Take em down on Steeler day if you want. Whatever.

Six on one side (Coastal Div), Six on the other side (Atlantic) division. You have two in the end zone. One for the Pitt flag, and one for whoever we happen to be playing that day.

**yes, making the field markings correct, and looking like a college field will cost some money. Will need a company to come in and do it, and undo it Saturday night after the game in time for the Steelers on Sunday. Yes, I know this. You’re money will come back to you, as SF said. This is a unique time, to make enormous strides, even with some of our constrictions.**

Make it happen, I do not want to show up at the first 2013 home game, with some mess of just plain old white chalk ACC markings at the 20’s like you hired some kids out of William Pitt to do it for a dirty “o” dog.

These are just a few ideas. They actually come quite easily when everyone is on the same page, and you want to make a top impression and do things the right way.

Make it so people at the first 2013 home game, don’t go away saying, “why didn’t they do this, why didn’t they do that”, “boy, that looked chinzy”, “not very collegiate down there”.

Make it happen, do it!!

Comment by Dan 07.20.12 @ 11:14 am

Whoever had the tarps ides, good one too.

Make it a tight 40-45K stadium for lesser teams, and when crowds are expected to be lower.

If we play well, get some better attendance, better games, yes, they come right off.

START THINKING!!!!!!!

Comment by Dan 07.20.12 @ 11:18 am

I would prefer to have the script back permanently, but a week is better than nothing at all. My stepson starts at Maryland this fall. Too bad for him. H2P!

Comment by longsufferingpittfan 07.20.12 @ 12:27 pm

I agree with the sentiment about trying to improve game day a bit, although I think a lot of it is what you make out of it personally. When I do get back to games, I have a blast and am very proud of the experience. I do, however, disagree about the tarp thing. My Yankees are playing in Oakland this week it just sad and embarrassing every time they show the stands with the gigantic Oakland A’s logo on the green tarp in the upper deck. The image is not, “hey, look, the lower bowl is packed!” It says to me, “we suck, our fans suck, we have no chance or even any interest in trying to get more fans to the game.” Put a better product on the field, do more outreach in the community, sell more tickets. In other words, do your job athletic department.

As for some of the game day stuff, our hands are tied with the field/stadium with markings and making it more Pitt-like. The Steelers and the visiting team, when there are back-to-back games are CHOMPING at the bit to get into the stadium to do their walkthroughs on Saturday afternoons. They are not going to move to the side or do their work around guys trying to undo paint on the field or end zones. “Excuse me Mr. Ray Lewis, can you move so I can paint over this Pitt logo. Oh and please don’t step on this area for the next two hours.”

Sorry, not happening. Unfortunately, that is the reality of the situation and sharing the stadium with a pro team. (cue on campus stadium grumblings)

Comment by cnorwoodaz 07.20.12 @ 12:41 pm

John, I’m not so sure that PSU would “never” be kicked out of the Big 10. The Big 10 is exremely conscious of its “brand” image. The fact is right now PSU is a cancer to college football, the Big 10, and its own entity. This thing is going to stay ugly for a very long time. The possibility exits that future court cases may reveal even more terrible behavior by the PSU administration. If that happens, I could see the Big 10 booting PSU to protect its brand.

Comment by HbgFrank 07.20.12 @ 12:58 pm

They use paint machines, and stripping machines.

Paint Friday over night. Paint drys within 1/2 hour.

Strip Pitt, and repaint over night Steelers, Sat night.

Only negative I see, the pro teams would have to practice one Saturday evening with Panthers in the end zone.

Yep, probably gonna have to pay the company time and a half. Pay it.

If it’s the Heinz field crew, tell them we’re hiring a private firm and we’ll handle it.

Start pressing the Rooneys now, and keep pressing them for how important it is, and your field will be ready before Sunday morning.

It’s not just the Rooneys stadium, the taxpayers of Pittsburgh and W.Pa. paid a hell of a lot of money to get that thing built.

Comment by Dan 07.20.12 @ 1:22 pm

Call the mayor, call the county executives.

You’re the biggest employer in Allegheny County.

Get it handled.

Comment by Dan 07.20.12 @ 1:24 pm

Any word on uniform updates this season? Can’t wait to hit the turf!

HTP, Rev Geo, FRANKAN, Reed and everyone else here!

Comment by Pitt it IS 07.20.12 @ 1:53 pm

Hopefully this season i am not “forced” to turn to the scotch and rather just reach for it out of joy every game!

Comment by Pitt it IS 07.20.12 @ 1:54 pm

Here here, Pitt is IS!!! Looking forward to some celebratory post-game beverages!!

Comment by cnorwoodaz 07.20.12 @ 2:32 pm

Would you rather having the ugly yellow seats blaring at you lol?

Comment by Timmeh 07.20.12 @ 8:26 pm

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