Success of U2 concert could prompt future concerts by Athletic Dept.

The concert brought people from everywhere to the oldest two-tiered stadium in the U.S. It probably was the first time Penn students were missing from the libraries during an event at Franklin Field. But while the dust is still settling from Sunday's U2 concert, it appears that closing Penn's libraries and buildings near the stadium was the only thing that could warrant any significant complaint from anybody regarding the event. In other words: the 56,000-person event went about as smoothly as anyone running a 56,000-person event could have hoped. And despite the exorbitant ticket prices, the Athletic Department gladly pocketed between $100-200,000, Steve Bilsky said earlier this year. Not bad, considering the department entered the year with a $200,000 debt. But the first concert in America's oldest two-tiered stadium since the 70s benefitted much more than the Weightman Hall-dwellers. For the first time in ages, people from outside University City flocked to West Philly, packing the bars and restaurants for pre- and post-concert fun. Even the parking lot across from Annenberg got a piece of the action, as tailgaters began firing up their grills as early as 2 p.m. Add the scores of Penn students who traveled from their vacations back home to come to campus -- even those who live in cities which are on the tour -- and there was certainly a unique mix of people on this side of the Schuylkill. Philadelphia night life found its way to the University of Pennsylvania. So now the seed is planted in the fertile minds across the Penn campus -- can and will this happen again? That question won't be answered for a while, but don't be surprised if another big-name band decides to spend a night in Franklin Field. For all intents and purposes, this was Penn's first time hosting a concert -- the University was a rookie in the field, so to speak. Surely there were some glitches behind-the-scenes of the U2 show, but just as surely, those problems can be identified and solved. A summer show can be seen as merely a testing ground for one during the school year, with less people on campus to worry about. But now that the ceremonial leap into concert hosting has been made, perhaps the University can begin to make up for one of the sore spots on the Penn social scene -- a lack of concerts. A Philly Quick Fix For Fly(ers) It's possible that everything donning the Orange and Black is destined to suck. Princeton. The Flyers. The Baltimore Orioles might want to consider changing their mascot and colors. But what about the orange-and-black-clad Flyers fans? The Detroit media and fans joined in the national claim that Philadelphia sports fans are the worst kind. Truth is, they're right. It's not the attitude, the loudmouths, the condescending nature of Philly fans that is appalling -- Flyers faithful are the prototypical bandwagoneers. It wasn't that long ago that the city had a certain buzz ringing throughout its narrow streets back when the Phillies were headed for the World Series. Now only a select handful of people even care to read up on them. The Sixers: same problem. So when the Flyers show a mistake-prone defense and intimidated goaltenders, the scapegoats were found and sent to the lion pit. And just as quickly as Stanley Cup fever hit Philadelphia, it vanished -- the only trace is SEPTA, who hasn't changed the flasher on the front of its buses. If the Flyers become an abomination next year, you can bet that attendance problems will make the CoreStates Center look as empty as a Sixers game. So why not go for the quick fix? Pat Kroce tried it for two years with the Sixers -- touting Jerry Stackhouse and Allen Iverson as players who will bring about a "revolution." Good thinking, Pat. So now that Flyers coach Terry Murray said his team choked, his bags have been all-but packed. Another quick fix for the impatient Philadelphia sports fan. Another huge mistake. But $10 million should be fine for Phillies' prized top rookie, J.D. Drew. Another quick fix, that is a sure bust: only 60 percent of the first picks in the top three rounds make it to the majors. Only 17 percent become an all-star even once.

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