No. Not for their victory in last week’s rematch
of the rivalry with Penn State. [Full
disclosure: I am a proud Pitt alum.]
Kudos
to Pitt and Penn State for bringing back the game that put Pittsburgh back on
the college football map AND brought in revenue to everything from the RAD to the
businesses and workers in the city’s hospitality industry. With the largest sports crowd in Pittsburgh
history, about a dozen people shy of 70,000, this event certainly is a
milestone for Pittsburgh’s sports reputation.
I’ll be the first to admit, these attendance numbers are small potatoes
compared to most every Fall Saturday in college towns from Tempe to Westwood,
Athens to Oxford, and Columbus to Austin – and if you don’t recognize those
towns and what schools play there well, better stick to pro sports.
But
this is a great reappearance of a tradition that will pay benefits to both Pitt
and Penn State in terms of alumni involvement [and contributions], an economic
boost for the City, and an added entertainment feather in Pittsburgh’s leisure
industry cap. Big events are “things to
do” that excite residents and visitors.
As I’ve so often said, Pittsburgh needs more party. Kudos to these universities’ athletic
departments for having the vision to resurrect a fun tradition.
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