NCAA broadcast at Field House is a go

Funding for Pitt Program Council’s Friday afternoon NCAA Tournament broadcast in the… Funding for Pitt Program Council’s Friday afternoon NCAA Tournament broadcast in the Fitzgerald Field House was confirmed yesterday.

According to the Program Council’s adviser, Tom Misuraca, his group will divide the final costs of the broadcast evenly among itself and the offices of the chancellor and the provost.

He and Executive Board Director Michelle Wydra estimate a one-night broadcast will cost just more than $6,000. If the Panthers win Friday, making it to the second round to play the victor of the California-Penn game, the total for two nights of broadcasting comes to just more than $10,000, they said.

Misuraca told The Pitt News Wednesday night that he was “95 percent sure” the event would happen, and that he was just waiting for official confirmation. He said that confirmation came in the form of an e-mail from Vice Provost and Interim Dean of Students Jack Daniel yesterday morning.

Daniel confirmed that funding is promised from Chancellor Nordenberg and Provost James Maher’s offices.

Wydra and the Pitt Program Council will begin setup for the event at 8 a.m. Friday. Doors will open at 11:25 a.m. – one hour before the tip-off at Mellon Arena. Admission is free.

The Program Council staff will work in conjunction with Huey’s Audiovisual/Electrastage Systems to install a 15-foot-by-20-foot screen center court in the Field House. Workers will set a tarp over the court so that students can sit there in the event that seating runs out.

The screen can only face one side of the court, and right now the Program Council is working to make that side the one with backed-chairs, so students don’t have to sit in the bleachers.

“We just want the Field House to rock,” Misuraca said, before hinting at the possibility of giveaways for students who decide to come to the broadcast.

As if students needed more reason to go crazy on Friday, Wydra said that while she was interviewed by Fox 53 about Friday’s event yesterday, she was told the Ten O’Clock News will post a camera crew in the Field House during the broadcast.

Students aren’t the only ones celebrating for the game. The Pitt Alumni Association is sponsoring the Panther Game Watch on Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel and at the Towers Le Bateau Room in Gateway Center, Downtown. The Alumni Association boasts large screen Jumbotron televisions and door prizes, as well as free admission. Fans may purchase refreshments at both events.

Both group’s events will appease Panther fans who were unable to secure tickets to Friday’s game at the Mellon Arena. According to NCAA regulations, each invited school is given 450 tickets. After distributing tickets to players, other support staff and season ticket holders/donors, Pitt was left with 40 seats to sell to students.