Pittsburgh Teams Designating "Chair Of Honor" At Venues To Honor Missing Military Members

The Steelers, Penguins and Pirates plan to "intentionally leave one seat empty during games to honor and remember soldiers who are missing in action or prisoners of war," according to Aaron Aupperlee of the PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW. Pennsylvania state Sens. Randy Vulakovich and Wayne Fontana, who also serves as Pittsburgh-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority BOD Chair, worked together to take the idea of a Chair of Honor to the teams and said that the plans could "include designating a seat in the stands or installing an honorary seat somewhere in the stadium." The politicians "doubt designating a Chair of Honor would count against attendance figures." Steelers Communications Coordinator Burt Lauten said that plans "were being finalized," while Penguins VP/Communications Tom McMillan added that a chair "could be designated by next season." Pirates VP/Communications & Broadcasting Brian Warecki said that the team "hopes to announce plans for a Chair of Honor soon" (TRIBLIVE.com, 7/4).