The Readers Speak -- Pitt fans thoughts on Noon Games

 

 

First, thanks for the overwhelming response to the question about the good and bad when it comes to noon kicks.

I thought it had been a bit of a myth about Pitt fans not wanting noon games and I what I found - I had somewhere close to 100 responses -- is that most people prefer later times for the games but very few absolutely hate the idea of a noon game. It gave me a good background and base of knowledge for my story.

So thanks to all who responded again.

At any rate, this is a blog post in which I let you, the Pitt fans and readers of this blog, do most of the speaking so here is a small sampling - a cross section of responses -- of what people had to say about the subject of noon games. I have mixed in a lot of different responses, some positive, some negative and many indifferent - so offered without further comment:

** MICHAEL SEMINATORE offers these five reasons why Noon games are his favorite: "1) The first night game at Pitt Stadium occured for the 1985 home opener. Since that game, Pitt has had an atrocious track record. We can call this the "Jinx of the lights". 2) Fans do not have to waste an entire day waiting in anticipation for the game. This point alone improves productivity of the Pittsburgh area. 3) There is less time for "fans" to drink, which ensure better behavior. 4) The weather is generally warmer (Big plus for November and December games) 5) Football was historically played during the daytime due to the lack of artificial lights. The introduction of lights at stadiums produces an atmosphere with abnormal conditions for the players."

** STEVE BYRNE echoed the thoughts of a lot of people with his response: "I'm torn: I don't mind watching the noon kicks on TV, but I much prefer a night kick when I go to the game. When tuning in, a noon start gives me plenty of time to get other stuff done on a Saturday before sitting down for the game (perhaps even after missing a quarter). If I attend, I want to tailgate with friends and I don't want to get in after kickoff--bye bye morning productivity. Further, the atmosphere in Heinz is just a lot more electric for a later kickoff. The later games are usually the bigger matchups and the fans know it. It's similar to 4:00 and prime-time Steeler games."

** AVRAHAM K. likes noon kicks for practical reasons: "I don't mind noon kicks. It gets me out of bed and the upside is I work weekends, so I can just request a night shift on Saturday after the game and not miss any hours."

** BRUCE FROM INGRAM writes: "The obvious problem with a noon kick is to be in your seat by 11:45 you do have to get a pretty early start. If you want to tailgate, it is earlier yet. After a long week, I like to sleep in a little and have a leisurely trip to the stadium, maybe have lunch beforehand. On the up side, you have the late afternoon and evening to do whatever. Overall, I don't see where the noon start is such a bad thing."

** ANTHONY EPOLITIO loves that early morning grease!!!: "As much as I loved the Notre Dame game atmosphere nothing to me is better then being able to wake up early and not have to wait all day for the game. I love the noon kickoffs. Nothing beats having a morning pregame Primanti Sandwich at the strip. I think the reason the noon games dont get as many people there is simply a matter of who they are playing. If the Notre Dame game would of been at noon then it would of still been sold out and West Virginia last year was sold out. And unfortunately Heinz Field just isnt going to sell out for a Syracuse or South Florida game, but when the good good games are at noon the fans come."

** OMAR CHATHA likes to have his Saturday's free to do more than watch a football game: "I actually like noon games. Tailgating is fun, but a few hours are enough. I don’t enjoy being at the stadium 4 or 5 hours before the game and standing around in the parking lot drinking beer after beer. This activity results in fans being too intoxicated to enjoy the action. One of the hidden pleasures of Pitt games vs. the Steelers is the fact that alcohol is not served in the stadium unless one is in the club. This results in less obnoxious fans and better behavior. Additionally, a noon start doesn’t leave me waiting all day in anticipation. I get up and go. It is fun. Finally, if Pitt wins you have all day to celebrate, and if they lose you can find something better to do. It is a win-win."