Despite avid interest by the University of Pittsburgh to renew a football rivalry with Penn State, a spokesman for Penn State says it is not currently economically or financially possible.

Sen. John Wozniak, D-Cambria, said he is pushing for the two universities -- who haven't faced each other since 2001 -- to play a nonconference game in the near future.

Steve MacCarthy, vice president for university relations at Penn State, wrote in an e-mail message that the university is interested in scheduling athletic contests with the University of Pittsburgh, but reinstating the rivalry is not possible at this time.

"Current discussions by the Big Ten regarding the possibility of adding another conference game to the football schedule would limit our ability to schedule out-of-conference games," he wrote.

E.J Borghetti, associate athletic director for the University of Pittsburgh, said his university has always wanted to keep the rivalry going and has expressed interest several times in revitalizing it.

Borghetti said he encourages the rivalry be re-established, saying that it is one of the "most historical rivalries in all of college football."

MacCarthy also said an additional football game would be a financial burden.

"In addition, there is the economic consideration of having at least seven and probably eight home games per season since football revenues are critical to fund the self-supporting budget of our athletic programs ... We do not use tuition or tax dollars to support our athletic programs," he wrote.

But Wozniak said the game would add to the economy.

"This is something the taxpayers want," Wozniak said, adding that the rivalry would bring an economic boost to both the State College and Pittsburgh areas. "[You] fill up [the] stadiums, bars, restaurants and sell T-shirts."

The Penn State athletic department did not respond to requests for comment by press time yesterday.

Borghetti said it is a shame that students at both universities do not know the importance of the rivalry that he "knew and appreciated."

Some Penn State students said they would like to see a Penn State versus Pittsburgh rivalry reinstated.

Michael Freiberg (freshman-biochemistry and molecular biology) said it is "important to have a rival."

Freiberg added that it would be better for Penn State to have a true rival than to be caught up in the middle of Michigan and Ohio State.

Currently, Penn State's only planned yearly rivalry is with Michigan State, as the two universities play for the Land Grant Trophy.

Tom Hurley (junior-history) said he would "love to see [the rivalry] come back," and added "it'd be fun if [Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh] played."

Wozniak, a Pittsburgh graduate, said the efforts to revitalize the rivalry "will leave the door open" for a potential game in the next few years.

Despite possible setbacks, Penn State remains optimistic about the future of the games, McCarthy wrote.

"We will continue to consider this option as the football schedule unfolds in the coming years," MacCarthy said.