With the recent news of the Pittsburgh Steelers gaining rights to promote their brand in Ireland, it looks like expansion is something that the Steelers' are wanting to continue in the future. One of the ways of expansion could come is through adding new buildings under the Steelers name and growing the brand. This could also involve the Steelers potentially dipping their toes into building a youth sports complex.
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Steelers' quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates a win with his family at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers already own the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex which is located in South Side Pittsburgh. This is where they host their practices throughout the year. The Steelers also lease the facilities at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe for their training camp every year. The last space that they use is the most known, which is Acrisure Stadium. They use the stadium along with the Pittsburgh Panthers college football team and play their home football games there. It is also the host of the WPIAL high school football championships every year. This leaves them with no place that is designated to host youth sports activities that the team is heavily involved in.
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) participates in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Tuesday May 25, 2021 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Steelers And The NFL Are Heavily Involved In Youth Programs
Recently, Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten confirmed that they are looking for a building to host youth activities. He noted that they are looking to have it in Pittsburgh, but then held off on releasing any more details. It is believed that this potential project is in its early stages, and it could never even go through.
The Steelers and the NFL are heavily involved in youth programs for young men and women. This summer, the Steelers will host four two-day events around the Pittsburgh area. The location of these events will be at Saint Vincent College, West Allegheny High School, Slippery Rock University, and the Highlands Sports Complex near Wheeling, West Virginia. These events will be hosted by many players and coaches from the Steelers.
Steelers Youth Football
The 2023 Girls High School Flag Football Champions of the Black and Gold Bracket hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers at Clairton High School.
Youth Programs have been something that the Steelers have always been heavily involved with. Just recently, Steelers' tight end Pat Freiermuth held his first-ever youth camp at North Allegheny High School. The event held over 100 kids from ages 7-12. If the Steelers were to build a youth complex, you could expect to see many events like this held there.
Pittsburgh has become a city that has bred young football players over the years. Players like Dan Marino, Aaron Donald, and one of the Steelers' newest additions Joey Porter Jr. all came from and grew up in Pittsburgh. When Marino was growing up in Pittsburgh, they didn't have nearly the same number of programs that they had when Porter was younger, but the idea to continue to grow the game has remained the same throughout the years.
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Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (#88) warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA
If the Steelers continue to create opportunities with their youth programs, we could potentially see even more superstars come through the city of Pittsburgh. The addition of a potential youth sports complex could become beneficial to not only the youth as well, but could be useful to the Steelers team as well. It gives them an additional practice area if necessary.
So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Would a new youth sports complex be useful? Let me know in the comments below!
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