Sportscenter doesn't recognize Pitt

[The Ancient Enemy]

Just some quick notes since I jumped in the thread late:

Who the hell is Dan Marion?

For as bad as Pitt is, and as good as PSU was when Pitt was down, Pitt still has the last two best PA quarterbacks at the I-A level: Tyler Palko right now, and Dan Marino 20 years ago. That's a big span, so give them a little credit.

When that attendance goes below the attendance of Heinz' Pitt home games, I'll be worried. But that will not happen. The fans have stayed loyal through all this "bad times".

[Goodwill]

I beg to differ AE, when Pitt was horrible so was the attendance. I remember going to games where people begged you to take their tickets.

[The Ancient Enemy]

I'm not sure I know what you mean. I just meant that when the PSU attendance gets below 60k, then I'll be worried.

[flybynight]

I dont see many people giving up PSU tickets, even when they are in "bad times"

[El-Moldo]

Like watching someone in a coma, PSU fans are afraid to give up their seats just in case the program is revived.

[The Ancient Enemy]

That, my friend, is because there is a waiting list for those tickets. Let me spell it out for all the Pitt alumni who don't like to hear this: You have no football stadium. You technically have zero attendance. Penn State has a very big stadium that holds about 110,000 fans. What I am saying is, PSU could extend that stadium even bigger and still do very well. Is that smart? Probably not, but I didn't agree with the newest addition either. There is a waiting list because the tradition and legacy is so big. Big enough that the PSU logo is one of the most easily recognized sports logos in the world. People SHOULD be worried about not getting the tickets again. The same cannot be said of that little program you have in Oakland.

Don't get too excited about Penn State slipping even further after Paterno leaves or dies. You are talking about one of the biggest money-making programs in the whole country; the university is not just going to let that team fall by the wayside. This is common sense. Penn State will be back on top within 10 years, back to being a 10-2, 11-1, 12-0, 9-3 program. You saw exactly what Nebraska did when they unjustly fired Solich. They went out and got a Super Bowl head coach to take over the team, and yes they had a down year but look at what Callahan did recruiting-wise this season. The Big 12 North is, and has always been, there for the taking.

There a gap in the Big 10 between the top 3 and the rest of the pack. Whereas the bottom 8 are "good" to "pretty bad", there's room for a team to AT LEAST grab 4th place on a yearly basis. That may be Penn State's fate for a little while until the new coach gets them over the hump. Whether that's Sandusky, Bradley, Don Shula, Gene Stallings, Tom Landry, or Bill Cowher, sometimes IT TAKES A GIMMICK LIKE A FORMER HEAD COACH TO GET PLAYERS TO COME TO YOUR SCHOOL OR PUT BUTTS IN THE SEATS. That's the sad truth that programs nowadays need to resort to dumping out the treasury for the football program. But Penn State does not need gimmicks to put 110,000 in Beaver Stadium right now. They didn't need to hire a former NFL coach yet, or try to swindle fans with 2-for-1 tickets.

NO GIMMICKS IN HAPPY VALLEY.

[Boilerman]

TAE,

I found your reply rather interesting. You did point out that Pitt had no stadium on campus, but I was hoping that you could add why there was no stadium on campus.

What was interesting was your weaving of stories that had a common link. Do you know what that common link was? It was actually kind of clever and if you wrote it that way on purpose you get some applause. If not, I guess if anyone can find the deep link in his story, you get some Boiler points (hint: actually has nothing to do with Penn State).

Also, sounds like you know Oakland pretty well, what are some of your favorite spots.

Boiler Up!
Boiler OUT!

[The Ancient Enemy]

Hey, when you write 8 books you learn how to hide subtle stuff. haha

I just bring up the Pitt stadium topic because it's hilarious. They razz on PSU for only getting 105,000! Pitt, technically, does not have 1 set availible to the fans!

I would guess there is no stadium on campus because there's probably no room as yet. But I think it goes deeper than that. Pitt is using the Steelers as a recruiting tool. Whether or not you agree on that tactic, it's a good one for a team who is trying to turn things around. Personally, I think it's shadier than Shadyside. But, I guess you have to do what you have to do. Good idea, but it's lacking some ethics.

[El-Moldo]

Who owns the Rose Bowl? Where does USC play their home games? Does Tulane play their home games in the Superdome? Does Temple play in the Eagles new stadium? Does South Florida play in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa? Are all of these schools unethical too?

[flybynight]

he never said unethical, he said shady....