Pitt Stadium

Pitt Stadium
	View from southwest corner in 1998
Location	Terrace Street; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	40.444°N 79.962°W
Owner	University of Pittsburgh
Operator	University of Pittsburgh
Capacity	56,500 (c. 1949–1999); 69,400 (1925–c. 1949)
Surface	AstroTurf (1990–1999); SuperTurf (1984–1989); AstroTurf (1970–1983); Natural grass (1925–1969)
Construction
Broke ground	August 7, 1924
Opened	September 1, 1925
Closed	November 13, 1999
Demolished	December 1999
Construction cost	$2.1 million; ($30.6 million in 2019[1])
Architect	W. S. Hindman
Main contractors	Turner Construction
Tenants
	Pittsburgh Panthers (NCAA); football, soccer, track & field (1925–1999); basketball (1925–1951); Carnegie Tech Tartans (NCAA) (1929–1943); Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) (1942, 1958–1969); Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (1946–1958)

Pitt Stadium was an outdoor athletic stadium in the eastern United States, located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1925, it served primarily as the home of the university's Pittsburgh Panthers football team through 1999. It was also used for other sporting events, including basketball, soccer, baseball, track and field, rifle, and gymnastics.

Designed by University of Pittsburgh graduate W. S. Hindman, the $2.1 million stadium was built after the seating capacity of the Panthers' previous home, Forbes Field, was deemed inadequate in light of the growing popularity of college football. Pitt Stadium also served as the second home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League (NFL) franchise. After demolition, the Pittsburgh Panthers football team played home games at Three Rivers Stadium in 2000, before moving to the new Heinz Field in 2001, where the Panthers have played their home games ever since.

History

The Pittsburgh Panthers played home football games at the Pittsburgh Pirates' Forbes Field from 1909 to 1924. In the 1910s and 1920s, Pitt football achieved great success under head coach Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner, completing several undefeated seasons and claiming several national championships. The popularity of college football was rising across the country and in Pittsburgh. Subsequently, due to tickets reserved for alumni and students, the general public's demand for tickets to see Pitt play at Forbes Field surpassed supply. In the early 1920s, the university administration decided to build an on-campus stadium to alleviate the seating problem. It purchased nine acres of land adjacent to university property for the Pitt Stadium site; university and private funding provided $2.1 million for site acquisition and construction. W. S. Hindman, a Pitt graduate, was the stadium's designer and engineer. The Turner Construction Company built the stadium from August 7, 1924 to September 1, 1925. The 791-by-691-foot (241 by 211 m) venue was designed to hold a capacity of 69,400, with provisions for an upper deck that could provide for an additional 30,000 seats.[2] On September 26, 1925, Pitt played its first football game at the new Pitt Stadium,[3] a 26–0 victory over Washington and Lee.

Starting in 1929, the stadium also hosted the football team of the Carnegie Tech Tartans, which played their home games there on a split schedule with the Panthers until 1943.[4][5]

By the 1940s, new safety rules from the city fire marshal prohibited temporary bleacher seats on the rim of the stadium and in the track area. In order to provide comfort to larger spectators, the Department of Athletics also widened seats from 16 to 18 inches (41 to 46 cm), reducing the final capacity to 56,500.[6] The original grass surface was replaced with AstroTurf in 1970. SuperTurf was installed in 1984, but after six years AstroTurf returned. In the late 1970s, the original 17 miles (27 km) of wood seating was replaced with metal bleachers. Temporary lighting was installed at Pitt Stadium in 1985, but was made permanent before the 1987 season. A scoreboard was installed at the eastern end of the stadium in 1995; this was followed in 1997 with the installation of the PantherVision videoboard, which allowed fans to see instant replays of the games.[7] The highest attended game was in 1938, when 68,918 saw the Panthers defeat Fordham 24–13 on October 29.[8][9][10]

The NFL's Steelers played home games at Forbes Field from their 1933 inception to 1957. They first played at Pitt Stadium in 1942, in an exhibition match for U.S.O. charity against the Fort Knox "Armoraiders" on November 15.[11] From 1958 to 1963, the Steelers split home games between Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium. Fans were able to purchase season ticket packages for one site or the other. In 1964, the Steelers began to play home games exclusively at Pitt Stadium, which they continued until moving to the new Three Rivers Stadium in 1970.[12] Of historic note, the iconic photo of New York Giants quarterback Y. A. Tittle, helmet-less, bloodied and kneeling, was taken at Pitt Stadium in 1964 following a Giants' loss to the Steelers on September 20. The photo, taken by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette photographer Morris Berman,[13] now hangs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In the late 1980s, then athletic director Ed Bozik unveiled a massive overhaul plan for Pitt Stadium that entailed gutting the stadium and rebuilding it from the ground up. In addition to luxury boxes, the $55 million renovation would have added a dome to the stadium.[14]

By the mid-1990s, it was apparent that Pitt Stadium needed further renovations to keep up with the times. When the cost of the needed renovations proved prohibitive, athletic director Steve Pederson decided to demolish the stadium and replace it with a long-awaited convocation center and basketball arena on its footprint.[15]

Pitt Stadium at the University of Pittsburgh prior to its last game — 1999

The final game at Pitt Stadium took place on November 13, 1999, when the Panthers defeated Notre Dame 37–27.[16] The final touchdown in Pitt Stadium was scored by Kevan Barlow at 7:06 pm, just minutes prior to fans rushing onto the field.[17] Some of the 60,190 spectators—the largest crowd in 16 years[18]—ran onto the field with nine seconds remaining in the game, tearing down both goal posts and removing pieces of turf.[19] The Panthers played their home games of the 2000 season at Three Rivers Stadium, before moving to Heinz Field in 2001. Demolition of Pitt Stadium began in December 1999. Concrete from the stadium was ground and left on site for use in the Petersen Events Center and student housing which was built at the site; construction began in June 2000 and the Petersen Events Center opened up in April 2002.[20]

The Pitt Pavilion

The Pitt Pavilion, located beneath the ramps inside Gate 2 of Pitt Stadium, was the home of the Panthers basketball team from January 6, 1925 (with a loss to Geneva College) to February 26, 1951 with a Backyard Brawl victory. The Pavilion contained both permanent and temporary bleachers for a capacity of approximately 4,000 spectators.[7] However, with only one dressing room, visiting teams were forced to use the visitors' football locker room to dress and then walk 60-yards outdoors to get to the basketball court.[21] Future coach John Wooden and Notre Dame's Moose Krause were basketball stars that played against the Panthers at the Pavilion. While there, the Panthers themselves featured several All-Americans, including Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Hyatt, and recorded the school's only undefeated season in 1928. On February 26, 1951, the Panthers won the final game at the Pavilion, defeating rival West Virginia 74-72 on a last-second shot by Scott Phillips, his only points in the game.[22] The basketball team moved to the Fitzgerald Field House for the 1951-52 season. The Pavilion also hosted WPIAL playoff games and pre-season games of the American Basketball League's Pittsburgh Rens. The Pitt Pavilion was removed in 1994 when ground was broken for the stadium's Duratz Athletic Complex.[23]

References

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
Borghetti, E. J., ed. (1999). University of Pittsburgh Football Media Guide 1999. University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics. p. 212. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
Hannum, Max E. (September 26, 1925). "New Pitt Stadium opened". Pittsburgh Press. p. 10.
Landucci, Fred (September 14, 1930). "Carnegie Tech: University of Pittsburgh Stadium football". Pittsburgh Press. p. 4, sports.
Landucci, Fred (March 19, 1946). "Tech chooses Forbes Field, schedule set". Pittsburgh Press. p. 22.
Alberts, Robert C. (1986). Pitt :the story of the University of Pittsburgh, 1787-1987. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 222. ISBN 0-8229-1150-7. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
Borghetti, E. J., ed. (1999). University of Pittsburgh Football Media Guide 1999. University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics. p. 213. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
"76,000 persons - count 'em, 76,000 - are in this stadium picture". Pittsburgh Press. (photo). October 30, 1938. p. 1.
Smith, Chester L. (October 30, 1938). "Pitt's power 'explodes' late to down Rams, 24-13". Pittsburgh Press. p. 1, sports.
Borghetti, E. J., ed. (1999). University of Pittsburgh Football Media Guide 1999. University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics. p. 214. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
Fortune, Dick (November 13, 1942). "Canteen tickets cut for children". Pittsburgh Press. p. 42.
Bouchette, Ed (1994). The Pittsburgh Steelers. Macmillan Publishers. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-312-11325-4.
Berman, Morris (September 21, 1964). "Story in pictures of how Tittle was racked up and injured". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (photos). p. 30.
Finder, Chuck (1989-11-20). "Pitt considering stadium dome". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
"Pitt gets it right with Pederson's return".
Anderson, Shelly (14 November 1999). "Pitt comes up with a truly grand finale, stunning Notre Dame, 37-27". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
Collier, Gene (14 November 1999). "Pitt Stadium Goes Out With A Bang". Post-Gazette. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
Collier, Gene (14 November 1999). "Pitt Stadium goes out with a bang". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
Ostendorf, Kristen; Michael A. Fuoco (14 November 1999). "Exuberant fans keep their cool after triumph". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
Anderson, Shelly (12 November 1999). "End of an Era: Pitt Stadium's final game signals first step of many changes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
Anderson, Shelly (1999-11-12). "Pitt Stadium was more than football field for Pitt athletics". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
University of Pittsburgh basketball media guide (2009–2010) (PDF). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: University of Pittsburgh. 2009. p. 192. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
"Pitt 'Breaks Ground' In Stadium Renovation". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. 1994-11-19. Retrieved 2010-02-02.

Preceded by Forbes Field	Home of the Pittsburgh Panthers football 1925–1999	Succeeded by Three Rivers Stadium
Preceded by Motor Square Garden/Trees Gymnasium	Home of the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball 1925–1951	Succeeded by Fitzgerald Field House
Preceded by Trees Gymnasium	Home of the Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball 1925–1927	Succeeded by Fitzgerald Field House
Preceded by Forbes Field	Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers 1942, 1958–1969	Succeeded by Three Rivers Stadium

Pittsburgh Panthers football
Venues	Recreation Park (1898–99) Exposition Park (1900) Schenley Park (1901) Coliseum (1902–03) Exposition Park (1904–08) Forbes Field (1909–24) Pitt Stadium (1925–99) Three Rivers Stadium (2000) Heinz Field (2001–present) UPMC Sports Performance Complex (practice)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Cincinnati (River City Rivalry) Notre Dame Penn State Syracuse West Virginia (Backyard Brawl)
Culture & lore	Panthers "Hail to Pitt" "Pitt Victory Song" Marching band 1921 Backyard Brawl (first college football game to be radio broadcasted) 2007 Backyard Brawl Highest-scoring game
People	Head coaches All-Americans NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
National championship seasons in bold

Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
Venues	Motor Square Garden (1905–1912) Duquesne Gardens (1905–1912) Trees Gym (1912–1925) Pitt Pavilion (1925–1951) Fitzgerald Field House (1951–2002) Civic Arena (alternate; 1984–2002) Petersen Events Center (2002–present)
Rivalries	Duquesne West Virginia
Culture & lore	Oakland Zoo "Hail to Pitt" "Pitt Victory Song"
People	Head coaches Award winners NBA players Statistical leaders
Seasons	1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21
Helms national championships in bold; NCAA Final Four appearance in italics

Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball
Venues	Trees Gym (1914–1925) Pitt Pavilion (1925–1927) Fitzgerald Field House (1970–2002) Civic Arena (alternate, 1984–2002) Petersen Events Center (2002–present)
Rivalries	Duquesne West Virginia
Culture & lore	History "Hail to Pitt" "Pitt Victory Song"
People	Head coaches
Seasons	1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–1970 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21

Pittsburgh Steelers
Founded in 1933 Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939) Based and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Franchise	History All-Time Team Seasons Logos and uniforms Coaches Players Starting quarterbacks First-round draft picks Records
Stadiums	Home fields: Forbes Field Pitt Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Heinz Field Training facilities: Rooney Field Point Stadium UPMC Sportsplex Chuck Noll Field
Culture	Football in Western PA Rooney family Myron Cope Steeler Nation Terrible Towel Steel Curtain Black Sunday Evening Shade "Right Here, Right Now" "Renegade" "Here We Go" "Black and Yellow" YinzCam This Is Us
Lore	Steelers lore J.P. Rooneys Pennsylvania Keystoners "Pennsylvania Polka" Steagles Card-Pitt Steelerettes Immaculate Reception Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story 1995 AFC Championship Game Jerome Bettis trade The Chief Immaculate Redemption/The Tackle
Rivalries	Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Tennessee Titans Las Vegas Raiders Dallas Cowboys Philadelphia Eagles
Media	Broadcasters KDKA-TV WPCW-TV AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh Charlie Batch Chris Hoke Bob Pompeani Radio Network WDVE-FM WBGG-AM Bill Hillgrove Tunch Ilkin Craig Wolfley Steelers figures in broadcasting
Division championships (24)	1972 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1983 1984 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 2001 2002 2004 2007 2008 2010 2014 2016 2017 2020
Conference championships (8)	1974 1975 1978 1979 1995 2005 2008 2010
League championships (6)	1974 (IX) 1975 (X) 1978 (XIII) 1979 (XIV) 2005 (XL) 2008 (XLIII)
Retired numbers	70 75
Hall of Fame members	Players: Bettis Blount Bradshaw Butler Dawson Dudley Greene Ham Harris Johnson Lambert Layne Polamalu Shell Stallworth Stautner Swann Webster Woodson Coaches and administration: Bell Cowher Kiesling Noll Art Rooney Dan Rooney
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: American Football Conference Division: North Division
Seasons (87)	1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Championship seasons in bold

Pitt Stadium

History

The Pitt Pavilion

References

Further reading