Editorial: Rekindling Pitt’s football spirit

Historically speaking, Pitt is a football powerhouse. They’ve won nine national championships. Today, it’s a different story. While the team remains competitive, students’ and Pittsburgh residents’ fervor for our football team seems to have declined with our team’s chances to win another national championship.

When a team’s winning record sinks, it can be difficult to keep its fan base afloat. That’s a universal rule. But there’ve been other factors besides playing abilitythat have weakened Panther fans’ loyalty, and the losses are both a cause and effect of this unfortunate trend.

The Panthers used to have their own football stadium on campus: Pitt Stadium sat 69,400 fans — and it regularly sold out games. Today, the Panthers play at the cushy Heinz Field. But playing home games on a field that’s really the home turf of another team — the Steelers — just isn’t the same. In addition to losing the students dissuaded by the commute, losing their own stadium means the Panthers lost a part of their image. Sure, big stadiums serve as a means to watch games firsthand, but the structure also provides a tangible symbol of the program’s strength. It’s no coincidence that Pitt’s basketball team entered the upper echelon right as the Petersen Events Center opened for business.

Today, the Panthers hold strife with West Virginia University. But for years it was Penn State — and what a heated and historic rivalry it was. It wouldn’t be fair to say Pitt students don’t get fired up for the Backyard Brawl — we’re still relishing in our 2007 victory over then No. 2 WVU. But the Pitt vs. Penn State rivalry was arguably the best intrastate rivalry in the country. Aside from the big game between the two teams, a strong rivalry boosts spirit all season as football fans statewide feel the need to pick a side.

Pittsburgh still clings to its appearance as a blue-collar, steel town. Pitt, on the other hand, continually markets itself as a more progressive institution that’s becoming synonymous with technology and advanced medicine. Unless Pittsburgh and Pitt are thought of somewhat synonymously, locals and students alike feel little need to channel their Pittsburgh loyalty toward the Panthers.

Thinking realistically, there’re a few measures to amp up spirit and attendance at football games. At $25, the cost of student season tickets is now incredibly reasonable.

As team logos can provide the ultimate embodiment and identifier of allegiance to a team, Pitt should revert back to its cursive yellow “Pitt” logo that flourished in the team’s heyday. Some nostalgia will show that we’re proud of our history, something Pittsburghers appreciate.

Basketball is now on top in Pitt’s sporting community, but there’s no shame in offering loyalty points at football games if it will increase attendance. The points, which increase a student’s chances in the lottery to purchase tickets for Pitt’s basketball games, are offered at select winter sports games such as volleyball, swim meets and women’s basketball games. Nationally reputed as one of the best student sections in the country, perhaps the Oakland Zoo can spread its passion to enhance the Panther Pitt, our dedicated-yet-stagnant football student section.

The Panthers play at Heinz field, but you’d never know it when it’s not game day. Throughout the stadium run an array of ads and a sea of black and gold. Our Panthers hold virtually no presence. If we can’t have a home to call our own, we need to make Heinz Field feel more like it’s our stadium, too.

As tomorrow will be the Panthers’ opening game, the Panther Pitt will surely see relatively good attendance. Yes, Pitt and its fans are making an effort to keep attendance up and spirit alive all season. But this year’s as good a time as any to try something new.