I am awaiting word from one of the Philly alumni organizers about what happened/their side of things, so if you know Chad Heffner or what happened shoot me an e-mail to update.

As it stands, now, the event was forced to scramble at the last minute and is at a Fox & Hound in King of Prussia. Sorry guys.

In the meantime, let’s review based on what we do know.

Pitt’s Philly Alumni group wanted to have a pre-game party for the Pitt-Nova game this Saturday night. The usual approach is to try and have it relatively near the location so those with tickets can go to the game and the rest end up staying for watching the game with fellow Pitt grads. If you look at the form the Philly alumni group (PDF) offered, it was clear that there was primarily a pre-game event with what would have been an impromptu gamewatch for those without tickets. There was no drink special for the group beyond the voucher (as part of the cost of the pre-game buffet). The event was listed as only running until 9pm.

This is why bars do this. They get more people staying during the game drinking.

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Pitt better meet/exceed expectations early, because the frustration over parking and construction will only make it that much more likely people opt not to turn out for games.

Since this matter is taking over some comment threads, I might as well put it in a post.

Sorry to be late on this matter. I don’t handle the tickets and parking passes in my group, and since I don’t live in the ‘Burgh I did not know about yet another Northside giveaway to the Rooneys. In this case, the huge chunk of parking near Heinz Field for an unnecessary amphitheater. This eliminated some 800 prime Gold parking spots. Amazing ripples across the entire spectrum.

My group has been parking in Green 22 and then Green 23 since 2000. A bit detached from most of the action, but convenient in terms of getting in and out of the Northside. Especially since our group is almost all out-of-towners, and often at least one of us is running late or has to get home with some haste. It was also useful since our seats are on the Allegheny Avenue side.

Now we find ourselves with most of our parking relegated to the Red 5 Garage and one spot in Red 7B. The first thought was that we might go “old school” with the whole parking garage — tailgate in there. Just like everyone did when we were in Oakland with Pitt Stadium.

Problem is, Alco prohibits grills and glass bottles in the garage. Not sure how strictly this is enforced, but given this is Alco and a Pitt game — not a Steelers game — I expect rather stridently.

I think everyone understands that space is limited with the removal of some key parking, there would be some problems and frustrations.

The way that Pitt has handled it, however, has been mind-blowingly stupid.

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I realize it’s a minor league team outside of Cleveland just trying to use LeBron’s free agency to get people to come to a game, but it is still really sad.

The Lake County Captains are offering all tickets tonight for $6 — in honor of LeBron James’ new uni number.

Even worse. Renamed for tonight, the team is the LeLake LeCounty LeCaptains.

Sorry for going beyond the usual weekend shutdown. Daughter’s birthday, family, the usual. Never even cracked open the laptop after a quick look-around and e-mails on Saturday morning.

So, just going to get some stuff out of the browser tabs.

Let’s start with that which everyone is sick of hearing. The Big 12 survival and Big East stuff.

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Obviously nothing truly new to report. But as I monitor it all, share I must.

Paul Tagliabue continues to confound and say things that have to be clarified or nuanced out later. Amazing how not being the Commish of the NFL for a few years have ruined his speaking skills.

After the Big East Commissioner has made big talk about how the Big East, kind of maybe might look into the details of thinking about their own network. You know, in 2013 after the Big East media deal with ESPN ends.

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It never ends well with pasty white people, tailgating, dancing and a video camera. The good folks at Black Heart, Gold Pants have the Nit fans, um, unironically rocking out to what I think is Miley Cyrus or some other bubblegum pop. The true embarrassment: the flags in the background. A confederate flag? Really?

Our friends at Marquette are celebrating being named the top Catholic party school by Playboy. Suck on that Notre Dame, Boston College and even Duquesne.

And closer to us, the Big East is taking action with unpaid consultant Paul Tagliabue? What?

The official party line is that Tagliabue will help assess the league’s strengths and weaknesses and help in negotiating future TV and other media rights deals.

TNIAMM has a list of possible ideas Tags may float. To which I’ll add the idea of moving WVU to Maryland for a larger TV market.

In a way he is perfect for working with the Big East. A Georgetown grad from the NFL trying to help in a college football issue. How can this not fail?

But there could be some other action. There has been speculation that the Big East is going after Maryland, and there has even been talk that it could send out an olive branch to see if Boston College would come back. Throw in Central Florida as a partner in that state with South Florida, add that to a core Northeast group centered around Rutgers, Pitt, Syracuse, Connecticut, and West Virginia, and you might have something.

Any inclusion of Atlantic Coast Conference schools probably would happen only if a league such as the Southeastern Conference dipped in. If the ACC lost schools such as Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida State, or Miami, Maryland and BC might be more inclined to look for safe haven in the Northeast.

Yesterday, SEC commissioner Mike Slive said his league would be proactive.

Critics suggest that the Big East is too big as a basketball league at 16 teams. What about 20?

“Who is to say we couldn’t go to 20 teams in basketball, but not have one 20-team league, but a league with pods of four or five teams?’’ said Marinatto. “You have to think strategic alliances — what strategic alliances could we create?

…

“We need a new way of thinking. Strategic thinking. We need to be proactive rather than reactive, and develop our assets. Paul’s theory is, ‘Think long-term, think over the horizon.’ ‘Out-of-the-box thinking,’ Jim is always saying to me, ‘You have to think differently.’

“So hopefully Paul is going to help us think differently.’’

Right. Because after the Big East and ACC would theoretically get raided, teams from the ACC would line-up for an unstable hybrid conference that has gotten less money in TV contracts. The Big East football teams would have no interest in going to the ACC.

/weeps into keyboard.

Somewhat related to Pitt since the baseball team was playing at Rutgers. The Rutgers men’s basketball coach and son of the baseball coach there lost it.

In front of several reporters and hundreds of fans, Hill made a scene on the diamond after the Rutgers baseball team beat ranked Pitt 9-8 in a wild finish Thursday.

In the bottom of the ninth, with Rutgers trailing 8-7, runners on second and third and two outs, Mike Lang’s grounder to short was fielded cleanly, but the throw to first was off the mark, allowing the tying and winning runs to score. Pitt coach Joe Jordano protested the call at first base, prompting a huddle by the umpires.

During the huddle, Hill (whose father is RU’s longtime baseball coach) was out onto the diamond in front of the Rutgers dugout and launched into a profanity-laced tirade in the direction of Jordano and the Pittsburgh coaches.

The next day, Pittsburgh AD Steve Pederson called Rutgers’ Tim Pernetti to complain about Hill’s conduct.

Now the Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti is “actively investigating” it.

“”We are actively investigating the incident involving the head men’s basketball coach that took place at our baseball game last Thursday on campus,” Pernetti said in a statement released to MyCentralJersey.com Tuesday. “”The reports and eyewitness accounts are very concerning.”

The only reason why Hill even made it to this point as still employed is because Rutgers is so broke they can’t afford to buy him out. This might just do it.

Now this is just plain funny.

DePaul is targeting Pittsburgh’s Jamie Dixon as its first choice for men’s basketball head coach, sources tell NBC 5.

Kansas State’s Frank Martin is the University’s second choice, according to the same source.

H/T to @PeteGaines.

There isn’t even anything worth adding to this bit of silliness.

This flat out blows.

Pittsburgh vs. SetonHall BIG EAST Network broadcast has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Now, the way I am reading all of this. The game itself is on. There just won’t be any broadcast of the game. Not on FoxSports Pittsburgh. Not on MASN, SNY or Altitude. Not on ESPN360.com.

Just cancel the whole game if they can’t even get a TV crew there. That means it is too unsafe for anyone to make the trek.

UPDATE 1:49 pm: Here’s the official weasel statement from the Big East.

ESPN Regional Television (ERT) has had to cancel this evening’s “Big East Network” production of the Seton Hall at Pittsburgh game scheduled for 6 p.m. (ET) tonight.  Although the game is still scheduled to be played, the weather and road conditions throughout the area prohibit ERT from assembling production facilities and personnel in a timely fashion to originate a telecast.  We regret the inconvenience, but the safety of our staff and employees is always a primary concern.

Safety of fans in the area. Not so much. If you want to see the game you paid for, gut it out.

Just wondering. Since the Pitt Athletic Department is encouraging anyone who can’t walk to the game to stay home, any chance they are going to offer refunds? Any chance? Any?

/crickets chirping

UPDATE 3:00: Just for fun, here are some other locations that got hit by the storm, yet managed not to have their telecasts canceled:

State College (Minn-PSU), Big 10 Network

Charlottesville, VA (WF-UVa), Raycom

Richmond, VA (Temple-Richmond), ESPNU; and (ODU-VCU) Comcast

Blacksburg, VA (Clemson-VT), Raycom

UPDATE 3:33: Here’s how ESPN Regional works. They are based in Charlotte, but have production facilities in various areas that are dispatched. One of them is located in Huntington, WV. They pull in people — usually w/in driving distance from the region to do the job. For example, John Sanders (“bending, bending…) who regularly calls games for the Big East also shows up on Big 11 Network broadcasts and MAC because he lives in the Cleveland area and can drive to a lot of the games (or catch quick flights).

ERT didn’t plan or adjust. They just hoped that it would work out.

I still blame the Big East for deciding to push the game through. ERT knows they can’t safely have their people come in for the game. Pitt is saying that if you can’t walk to the Pete, don’t come.

Yet the Big East is saying that the game has to take place. That’s on the conference for screwing fans in Pittsburgh and outside.

UPDATE 4:50: I suppose it’s better than nothing, but apparently there will be a free video feed at Pitt’s web site. Here’s the direct link.

Also, all Pitt students get in free with a valid student ID. Lots of seats available.

Oh, the nostalgia. Oh, the games that have been played. Let’s reminisce about strange endings. Oh, give me a frickin’ break.

Good news. Crappy seats still remain.

I get it. The final City Game to be played at the Civic Arena. It’s a historic moment. An event. Whatever.

Pardon me for not getting all misty-eyed over this. Yes, there were some great NCAA Tournament games played there and some fantastic energy at points for those games. Yippee.

I have nothing nice to say about Pitt playing basketball at the Civic Arena. It’s my bias, feel free to disagree and dispute. It’s a product of when I was at Pitt. The late-80s as those high-talent, underachieving Paul Evans teams were there. When Fitzgerald would be packed and sweaty. A completely dominating homecourt advantage. Student section right on top of things and a force.

But, the place was too small to make as much money as they could if they moved some of the bigger conference games to the Civic Arena. So, that’s what happened. The big conference games against Syracuse, Georgetown and even St. John’s were moved to the Civic Arena. The students had to pay extra for those tickets. Transportation was shoddily provided to get them there — and most of the time we just ended up ying and taking a PAT bus there in frustration.

Then they stuck the students under one basket — not right under. No, that was reserved for people that paid the good money. The students were shunted a section back. The athletic department of the time seemed determined to remove any energy and excitement from the student section. Keep them back, make it a complete chore to get there and it showed on the court. The crowds had no energy and Pitt would go from having a definite home court advantage to a 50-50 proposition. Take away the games against Duquesne, and Pitt was only 41-37 at the Civic Arena and 14-20 against the Big East teams. Yeesh. Tell me again, why this is great?

Yes, the athletic department has much more of a clue these days. I’m sure the place will be loud tonight. I just don’t share the nostalgia and see little reason to start talking about playing at the Con in another year for some games. Pitt has one of the great home court advantages in the country. Why waste it for the cash grab of a few thousand more seats?

He’s just asking questions.

Joe Starkey penned what may be one of the laziest, craptacular, most regurgitated column I’ve read in some time — and yes I am saying it is worse than anything written this year on booing Bill Stull.

Let  me put it this way. This column would be derided as deluded fan ranting from a message board if a columnist had to respond to it.

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Pitt-Penn State in the Fiesta or any of the BCS Bowls.

I hate to even waste a post on it. I’ve read the articles laying out how it could happen. So what?

Yes, it would pack the stadium, but that’s only half the equation. It would be little with the TV ratings. It is a regional game of limited interest. Nationally, it would be something like a Florida-Miami game or perhaps Texas-SMU for the nostalgia hounds.

Even in a bye week, this is a complete waste of time.

Speculating on bowl match-ups is silly in October. Speculating on BCS bowl match-ups in October is dumb.

I want the Pitt-PSU game back as much as anyone — as a home-and-home series. My parents are PSU grads, so the return to that fun at family gatherings is something I would dearly love.

I’m also resigned to the fact that the series won’t restart until sometime after the Zombie King is denied his brains on which to feed, has salt poured into his mouth, and has his eyes and mouth stitched shut to put him at rest.

Until then, skip the time waste.

Maybe I shouldn’t be making fun (or pointing out where others make fun) of the New Jersey stereotype with Lil’ Jovi a hit at Rutgers Stadium.

Yes there is plenty of Yinzer stuff that is so annoying at Heinz Field — especially with the continued use of AC/DC and other music that was dated when I was at Pitt. Seriously, when a 40-year old white guy — who’s new music purchases in the last 7 years has been limited to Backyardigans and Laurie Berkner — is tired of this stuff shouldn’t that be a hint.

And it was pointed out in the comments that “Sweet Caroline” is hardly unique to just Pitt and that baseball team from Boston.

It is, however, hard to argue with success.

Q: Should we credit Neil Diamond with an assist in the win against UConn? I had no idea “Sweet Caroline” could be a fight song! The crowd went from deflated to exhilarated after the song and the 30,000 or so who were left were deafening with UConn being forced to punt. Can you explain the “Neil Diamond Effect”?

ZEISE: You know you aren’t the only one who asked this, in fact, I got more than ten of these questions about Sweet Caroline changing the momentum in the game. Obviously, what happens in the stands can feed the emotions of the team to a certain extent and while I think this is a bit overstated I will agree with this — something does happen in that stadium when the crowd comes alive and sings that song. I think part of it is because the students came up with the idea, pitched it to the athletic department and the athletic department listened and as a result, it brings a little extra energy. It is pretty interesting actually — even the games like Youngstown State which were over long before the end of the third quarter, the crowd gets hyped for that song. What is interesting is, if you watch the team while that song is being sung, they seem to be getting into it a little bit as well. Hey, I’m not big on marketing gimmicks, but every little bit helps I suppose and this is one thing that every Pitt fan I’ve talked to seems to agree is a good thing and a good addition to the game day atmosphere.

I guess it’s better than a Donnie Iris sing-a-long.

A slight exaggeration for the new Big East Commish. After all, he’s only been on the job for a couple days now. That said, could you plan the info dumps a little better?

This is July 2. Half the country is starting their July 4 holiday weekend tomorrow. That means today is a getaway day. People traveling. Trying to pack. Organize. Run errands. Generally, just not working or in a position to sit down and get information.

So, naturally the Big East chooses today to release not just the conference opponent list for men’s basketball, but also more times for the football games.

Here’s the deal with days like this. It’s when you dump the bad news. Not the good and interesting stuff.

Ah, Huggy-bear. Really? Walking into the edge of a bathroom door is the best you could do to explain this?

Ed Pastilong and Bob Huggins

There’s something reassuring to know that Bob Huggins will never change.