University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Plans for Debut Season in New Football Stadium Announced
4/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Plans for Debut Season in New Football Stadium Announced
4/6/2001
PITTSBURGH - Hailed by Athletic Director Steve Pederson as "the beginning of one of the most exciting and promising eras ever in our proud athletic history," the University of Pittsburgh announced plans for the Panthers' debut season in the new North Shore football stadium today.
Citing the Panthers' 2001 season theme - "New Game, New Home" - Pederson unveiled a host of initiatives for the stadium's inaugural year, including attractive season-ticket packages, new game times and special promotions and events.
"This season will be the most exciting time in the recent history of this program," said Pederson. "This stadium will be the finest football-only college venue in the country and will treat our fans as they have never been treated before. The action will be so close you'll feel as though you'll want a uniform. If you are a club seat holder, you won't believe you're at a football game. This is the biggest and best step for the future of our football program."
Pittsburgh will host a six-game schedule at the new stadium, featuring matchups against Big East powers Virginia Tech, Miami and Syracuse, as well as non-conference contests versus East Tennessee State, South Florida and Alabama-Birmingham.
Season-ticket packages are available for $135 and $120. Youth packages are $75. Panther fans also have the option of club seating in the new stadium with packages costing $240 and $210. (Club seating availability based on a priority access-fee basis.) Single-game tickets may be purchased for $25, $20 or $15 (youth) but these orders will not be filled until all season-ticket holders are seated.
Each home game will feature a special promotion or event, highlighted by the "unleashing of the spirit of Pitt Stadium" Sept. 27 when the Panthers host Miami. Legendary Panther running back Marshall Goldberg will preside over the ceremony, much like he did in the Pitt Stadium finale in 1999.
Additional special events include the 2001 Homecoming game, which will be played against Syracuse Oct. 13, and the 25th anniversary celebration of the Panthers' 1976 national championship team when Pittsburgh hosts Virginia Tech Nov. 3.
Citing feedback gathered from season-ticket holder surveys, Pederson announced that non-televised home games will now kickoff two hours earlier at 1:30 p.m., compared to 3:30 p.m. starts the prior four years.
"We decided that the best way to give the fans what they wanted was to ask them," said Pederson. "The feedback we received from the survey given to students a year ago made their transition sensational and resulted in record student season-ticket sales. The fifty-eight percent of our season-ticket holders who responded to our survey provided us with a road map that will make their transition just as smooth. The kickoff time is just one of the outcomes of this survey."
Pederson also announced the kickoff of the Ultimate 12th Man Rewards Program. This exciting new program gives Panther season-ticket holders the chance to earn authentic game jerseys autographed by Head Coach Walt Harris by referring new season-ticket customers to the university.
The North Shore stadium, designed by HOK Architects, will be completed this August and seat 65,000 people. The stadium will house the Duratz Panther Locker Room, an expansive and private dressing area solely for the University of Pittsburgh's use. The playing field will have a heated grass surface, marking the first time since 1969 the Panthers' home field will have a natural turf.
Fan features include more than 400 television monitors, two video walls, 32 concession areas, club seating and 122 luxury suites.
"We have been saying, `Don't wait. Sundays are sold out but Saturdays aren't...yet,'" said Pederson. "Whether it is the giant PantherVision video board, the concession stands and food options, the parking, wide concourses or chair-back seats, this will be a stadium without rival.
"Our fans will be treated to something very special and the welcome mat is out for all new fans who want to be a part of the excitement this fall."
For ticket information please call (800) 643-PITT or (412) 648-PITT.
