If there ever was a time to jump on the bandwagon train to Pittsburgh to catch a Pitt Panther college football game, now is the time to do so. It�s ok, true Panther fans who have stuck it out with the team through the hardships and rebuilding phase won�t mind too much. The more, the merrier, especially considering the more fans who come out to show their spirit will help towards selling out the Panthers new luxury stadium, slated to open for business in the coming months. The new stadium, Heinz Field, is a symbol of Pitt�s intent to �hang with the big boys,� so to speak, in Division 1A football. Pitt needed something to get them over the edge, something to show fans and recruits alike that they are every bit as serious about winning as Coach Walt Harris conveys. And Heinz Field does just that, and then some.

The addition of Heinz Field is definitely a step in the right direction, as Pitt plans and secures itself for a solid future of winning football games in front of thousands of raucous Panther fans. While Pitt Stadium could accommodate up to 50,000 with its bench style seats, each and every one of Heinz Field�s 65,000 seats has a chair-back, so every Panther fan in attendance will be comfortable while cheering on the team. Heinz Field can accommodate 6,600 in club box seating, to Pitt Stadium�s 0; as well as 1,500 in luxury suite seating to the ladder�s 0. Fans will find this new venue much more pleasing than they could have ever hoped for, as designers obviously had their best interest in mind. There are 3 times as many concession stands and over twice as many bathrooms. They have installed 2 huge video walls and over 400 television sets throughout Heinz Field, whereas Pitt Stadium had neither at the fan�s disposal inside its walls. They have included a revolutionary heated grass-playing surface that will definitely be a welcomed addition as far as players and coaches are concerned. The view from inside it is aesthetically remarkable, as it provides a picturesque view of Pittsburgh�s city skyline.

The Pittsburgh Panthers are demonstrating their knowledge and acceptance that in order to bring in highly touted recruits as well as multitudes of fans, a state of the art, modern facility is at the forefront of it all. This move shows the fans the team�s commitment to winning. It shows potential recruits their willingness to provide top-notch facilities for their players. It shows the rest of college football that the Panthers are ready, willing and able to step back into the spotlight as a powerhouse football squad with an exciting, new atmosphere. The last few years have been good ones for the Panther Pride; the addition of Heinz Field solidifies Pitt�s intent and commitment to exciting, outstanding seasons in the years to come.