Pitt is having a "Blue" Out...

[Jim Johnson]

Pitt Notebook: Panthers' fans feeling 'blue'

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

The students spoke, and Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson listened.

That's pretty much how Saturday's "Turn it Blue" promotion -- a show of spirit for the Panthers' homecoming game against South Florida -- came to be.

"A couple of weeks ago I got a letter from some of our students who said they thought it would be fun to turn the stadium blue," Pederson said. "And so we'll ask not only all the students, but all of our fans to come in blue to the game and celebrate and have fun together, and homecoming is a good time to do that."

Pederson said those with student tickets will receive a dark blue Pitt T-shirt to wear as they enter the stadium, and the stadium itself, as well as many different spots on campus, will be decorated in blue.

This is actually just one of a number of marketing initiatives the athletic department has implemented at the requests of groups of students and fans.

Pederson and his group of marketing gurus have taken these suggestions and run with them in order to improve the game-day atmosphere at Heinz Field. That would include a Fanfest-like atmosphere outside the stadium, a student tailgate on the Great Lawn and, among other things, the singing of "Sweet Caroline" at the end of the third quarter.

"It is a fun place to be," Pederson said. "And this was a neat idea, we thought, and we've listened to the students on a number of other things. Our attitude has been 'let's do it,' and our fans have appreciated it. Our fans have made great suggestions.

"The people that come to the games know what is going on and have great ideas. If we don't listen to the people who are most important to us, our fans, we are making a big mistake."

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[Guest AstroBull]

This makes it official, we have no chance Saturday.

[usf97]

They should call it "Screwed, blued, and tatooed "!  ;D

[Danm1983]

this should be interesting. heinz field's seats are yellow. if you thought trying to green out a red seated stadium was fun, try watching to see how much yellow peeks through their "attempt" at a navy out.

[Griggsy]

I'll be glad when this "white out" trend (and all its variations) are done.

[Mr.F]

I'm afraid I just blue myself.

[On_the_Chip]

i'm so sceeerrrddd and confused.

[BigEastBeasts]

I can't believe that we're their Homecoming game when their next home game is against 'Cuse.

[80mins]

What? Pittsburgh's getting blew out?

[bull2saintleo]

What? Pittsburgh's getting blew out?

My thoughts exactly....hahaha.