Pitt Spring Festival Schedule Set

Pitt's spring football practice sessions will culminate with the annual Blue-Gold game Saturday at 2 p.m. at Heinz Field, but the pre-game spring festival is noteworthy as well.

Not only will Pittsburgh hold its third intra-squad scrimmage, but there will be an autograph session that includes some former Panthers currently in the NFL, a Chalk Talk with head coach Dave Wannstedt, defensive coordinator Phil Bennett and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti as the primary speakers and on-field clinic put on by the team's players.

"We've got a lot of good things going on Saturday in conjunction with the spring game with the spring football festival,'' Pitt assistant athletic director for football operations Chris LaSala said. "It should be an exciting time for all our fans and their families.''

The stadium gates open at noon, and fans will be directed to their specific areas of interest for the festival events.

"It's going to be different,'' Wannstedt said, "but it should be a fun day for everyone involved. ... And I know the fans are looking forward to the Q/A session as well as listening to the coaches talk.''

The Chalk Talk begins at 12:30 p.m. in the East Club with each coach conducting a 20-minute session. There also will be a brief Q/A afterward, depending on how much time remains.

The Youth Clinic also begins at 12:30 on the South Plaza for children ages 12-and-under. Parental supervision is encouraged and videotaping allowed. There will be seven stations set up for basic position drills as shown by various Pitt players. Fun is expected for all in attendance.

A third major part of the Spring Festival is an autograph session with former Panthers Scott McKillop, Darrelle Revis, Jeff Otah, H.B. Blades and Clint Session. This portion also begins at 12:30 p.m. on the South Plaza.

There also will be several bands performing before the game, and at Gate A -- organized by Pitt's student-athletes -- a collection will be taken for the Fallen Heroes Fund established to benefit the families of the three Pittsburgh Policemen who were slain this past weekend.

Parking is $5 in Gold Lots 1 and 2, but admission to the game and events are free of charge. The game will be televised by WPCW, Pittsburgh's CW, and feature Wannstedt as a color analyst with Rob King calling the play-by-play. Additionally, Jory Rand and former Pitt coach Serafino "Foge'' Fazio will provide special reports from the field.

The game telecast will not be available on the internet.