Visiting Latrobe

[Oviedo]

For the first time in 20+years I'll be in Pittsburgh while the Steelers start camp. Thinking of heading up to camp the 28th or 29th.

Any advice from those who normally go on what is the best plan? When to get there? Parking? Eating? Etc?

Would appreciate your expertise.

[Shawn]

My advice is that you run onto the practice field and allow Harrison to slam you. I mean that will be a story for the grandkids.

[Oviedo]

My advice is that you run onto the practice field and allow Harrison to slam you. I mean that will be a story for the grandkids.

Just for you

[Iron City Inc.]

Always good to get their early. Shops n stuff selling all types of items raffle for this or that always going on. There are tents with burgers etc always set up as you enter but my advice is pack a cooler anyway. If you're looking for an autograph or two the endzone closest to you as you come in is always a good place for that. After practice often players line up by the snow fence there and sign.
I'll be getting in on the 29th and hanging with my depo buds. It's always great there provided the weather is normal.

[steelerkeylargo]

I might be there too for the first time in 20....

[winwithd]

I'll be going for the Friday Night Lights at the high school for the first time with my neice. Anyone have advice on attending that one? Arrival, autographs, etc...

[Iron City Inc.]

I'll be going for the Friday Night Lights at the high school for the first time with my neice. Anyone have advice on attending that one? Arrival, autographs, etc...

They all sign that night you'll have no problem with autographs. Limited local parking so arrive early.

[Oviedo]

I might be there too for the first time in 20....

Florida must be heading north

[winwithd]

They all sign that night you'll have no problem with autographs. Limited local parking so arrive early.

Thank you!!

[Iron City Inc.]

Thank you!!

Welcome. Guys want to stop by n say hey u can always find me n depo crew at or near the top of the bleachers right on the 50 yard line at St Vincent.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I'll be going for the Friday Night Lights at the high school for the first time with my neice. Anyone have advice on attending that one? Arrival, autographs, etc...

I know Pat Kirwin and former Steeler QB Jim Miller and the Movin' The Chains crew from SiriusXM NFL Radio always broadcasts from the Friday Night practice from Latrobe High School and they seem to enjoy interacting with football fans.

[flippy]

For the first time in 20+years I'll be in Pittsburgh while the Steelers start camp. Thinking of heading up to camp the 28th or 29th.

Any advice from those who normally go on what is the best plan? When to get there? Parking? Eating? Etc?

Would appreciate your expertise.

Lucky! I haven't been there for a couple years, but it's always a blast and I've gone for a week straight before and kept myself entertained (although that's usually easy for me to do in about every situation).

Parking is free and there's a big field next to the fields. Even if you get there late, there's loads of parking spaces. I think the lots open up 2-3 hours before practice starts. I seem to remember getting there around noon and practice beginning around 2:30 or 3 pm most days. Every day I've been there has presented new opportunities. I'd suggest going with the flow and going to the places that interest you.

They have food there that's relatively inexpensive, but I'd take my own water for sure and maybe a small snack if that's your thing. Afterward, I'd recommend having a beer somewhere near by like Sharky's or Dino's. Gino's (used to be called that when I was kid) or Gianillis (called that now) is a decent spot for some pizza or Italian food, and Jioio's is a one of kind place to get pizza in this world. People either love it or hate it. It's an unusually sweet sauce. I'd go for the local dive bars personally because you'll run into a bunch of fans, have a few drinks, and maybe even run into a few players if you are lucky.

If you want some new Steelers gear, I've always had decent luck finding really cheap stuff at the Walmart and Kmart close by. Usually a pretty good selection of stuff. Not going to have all the official stuff you can buy at camp, but way cheaper prices. You'll be able to stock up on Pirates and Penguins gear at the same time for a song.

When you get there early, one of the best spots to hang out before practice can be around the dorms. You'll see a lot of players. Good to recognize players and coaches before you go. Being the one guy that can identify anyone on the team or staff will get you into interesting conversations for sure.

The other spot before or after practice that's less crowed is the complete opposite end of the lower field. Few people will hang out there, but some of the most recognizable guys on the team will get carted in there. Be open to walking around and moving. I've ran into more players and conversations walking around the entire complex and running into random people being carted around the backside of the facility.

My favorite spot to watch practice is from the endzone in the main field on the hillside. It's shady from the trees. Isn't usually terribly crowded. Good vantage point. And when everyone's going to the prime locations, you'll sometimes cross paths with some interesting players/coaches before or after practice.

The same place where the stars enter the field is where many exit. Down by the barriers beyond the bleachers is another good spot after practice. Sometimes even during practice.

Don't neglect the other field. Sometimes there's other things going on in the second field and everyone is focused on the main field. Getting away from the crowd is a good move sometimes.

There's also a place for handicapped people to sit at the top of the secondary field to watch practice. Another interesting vantage point. Always good to make friends with everyone you can, including the people in the wheelchairs cause I've seen them get some extra attention at practices.

There's usually some free stuff I end up coming home with every time I go. And remember to tell everyone how far you've come to get there. Every time I do that, someone usually goes out of there way to be hospitable and make my experience even better. People in Pittsburgh are generally nice.

And finally, take pics instead of getting autographs. So many want autographs and relatively few ask guys to take pics. That always amazes me. It's less work for them. It's more memorable for you.

And wear your favorite player's jersey. Several years ago, AB wouldn't leave a couple days until he signed every one of his jersey's people were wearing if they wanted him to. He was there forever and mobbed. He finally got to the point where he left the crowd but was sending someone over to collect his jerseys and bring them to him to sign and then sending them back. He's probably too famous now to do that, but I remember how much time he wanted to spend with his fans which was beyond what most are willing to do.

[Slapstick]

My advice is that you run onto the practice field and allow Harrison to slam you. I mean that will be a story for the grandkids.

Incidentally, I was at the Steelers@Browns game when he did that...it is a memory I will cherish forever...

Unfortunately, half of my family are Browns fans, so the Christmas Eve dinner I hosted after the game was fairly uncomfortable...we won 41-0...

When we sat down at the table, I said, "So...anything cool happen today?"

It was not the tension breaker I hoped for...

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Incidentally, I was at the Steelers@Browns game when he did that...it is a memory I will cherish forever...

Unfortunately, half of my family are Browns fans, so the Christmas Eve dinner I hosted after the game was fairly uncomfortable...we won 41-0...

When we sat down at the table, I said, "So...anything cool happen today?"

It was not the tension breaker I hoped for...

Really, they are Browns fans. They should be used to humiliation by now.

I have one friend here who is a lifelong Browns fan. In 2010 when the Steelers lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl, my son, then 8, was starting to cry. I said to him "What are you crying about? You are 8 years old and you have seen your team go to 3 Super Bowls in your lifetime, winning twice. Imagine Jordan. He is almost my age and not only has his team never been to a Super Bowl, but he can probably count the number of playoff games his team has been to on one hand, and they even left the city for three years.

I'm surprised your relatives even knew that NFL football was still played in November.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Friday’s practice moved to Latrobe High School
Posted 6 minutes ago

Location of practice has been moved due to inclement weather.

Friday’s Steelers Training Camp practice will take place at Latrobe High School and begin at 3:55 p.m. due to inclement weather.

Fans can attend practice and parking is available at Latrobe High School.

Address:
Latrobe High School
130 High School Rd.
Latrobe, PA 15650

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Friday’s-practice-moved-to-Latrobe-High-School/6d207206-1f62-4af0-9622-397f55e4ed84