Pitt, Penn State Officials Ask Fans To Behave During Rivalry Game
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's a big game this Saturday.
Pitt and Penn State will play each for the first time in 16 years, and both schools are asking fans to be on their best behavior.
The chancellor at Pitt, Patrick D. Gallagher, and the president of Penn State, Eric J. Barron, sent out a joint letter Thursday ahead of this weekend's sold-out game at Heinz Field.
In fact, people who have tickets are selling them for as much as four times the face value.
It'll be in the national spotlight on ESPN, so both schools want to make a good impression.
The letter reads, in part: "On game day, we hope to represent the finest qualities of Pitt, Penn State and all of Pennsylvania. Let's showcase the best version of ourselves to help support our respective teams. We look to everyone to make wise choices and enjoy the game responsibly."
To read the full letter from Gallagher and Barron, visit Pitt's website at this link.
Governor Tom Wolf is joining the efforts, using the event to promote the "It's On Us PA" campaign. The initiative works to end sexual assaults on college campuses through improved prevention, reporting and response.
The students that KDKA talked with said no problem, they've got this covered.
"Putting on for Pitt, putting on for the city of Pittsburgh, making sure were not going crazy and stuff, definitely understandable. I respect it," said Jack Keenan.
It was 16 years ago, the last time Pitt and Penn State played each other at Three Rivers Stadium; and to put it in perspective, college freshmen now would have been 2-years-old back then.
"Penn State has been the granddaddy of football in Pennsylvania for so long and to have the opportunity to take that away from them on national television one weekend, it's huge," said Pitt junior Andrew Ziemba.
There are even family rivalries. John Battitori is a Pitt student, but his dad is supporting Penn State.
"I told him they're gonna wipe the floor with Penn State," said Battitori.
As the letter wraps up: "And may the best team win!"