I'm a million percent sure this is not something IUP Athletics wants to get in bed with, but imagine if one of the bars that really cater to the student crowd (Coney, Twisted, Wolfies, Culpeppers) sponsored one of these games on a Wednesday or Saturday night. Buy a ticket to the game then if you bring that ticket stub to the bar, you don't have to pay cover. Imagine it as something like when Romeo's did the promotion where you got a free slice of pizza if IUP scored 72 and they won at home. The local crowd is great for bringing in the almighty dollar, but the drunk student demographic is really one needed to make the KCAC into a real home-court advantage. Joe, during post-game interviews (at least with me) pretty much alluded to (my words) wanting students to come out and have a good time from 7:30 to 9:30 on a Saturday night...then go get into whatever you want to get in to. I think that's how Slippery Rock's mentality is. A 3:30 p.m. Saturday tipoff is the pregame and then by the time the game is over, the real partying can start.
That's what their mentality is for football. Basketball... not even close.
In my experience, when it isn't SRU, Gannon, or Mercyhurst, it was always tough to draw both. All things considered, they've done remarkable with attendance this year. Most students, and by that I mean 99%, don't have a clue about what is going on in the region, etc. They really didn't recognize how big of a game that was on many levels. They see Pitt-Johnstown, and they say, "I really don't care. I didn't know UPJ even had a team." They're going to weigh going out the last weekend before spring break or going to a game against a school they don't care about. That said, I would bet the bars were packed last night.
Students get in for free. The advertising that I saw all week told me they were focused more on getting locals to the game. For me and some of my buddies.... We toasted again last night. Our attendance record remains.
I'm a million percent sure this is not something IUP Athletics wants to get in bed with, but imagine if one of the bars that really cater to the student crowd (Coney, Twisted, Wolfies, Culpeppers) sponsored one of these games on a Wednesday or Saturday night. Buy a ticket to the game then if you bring that ticket stub to the bar, you don't have to pay cover. Imagine it as something like when Romeo's did the promotion where you got a free slice of pizza if IUP scored 72 and they won at home. The local crowd is great for bringing in the almighty dollar, but the drunk student demographic is really one needed to make the KCAC into a real home-court advantage. Joe, during post-game interviews (at least with me) pretty much alluded to (my words) wanting students to come out and have a good time from 7:30 to 9:30 on a Saturday night...then go get into whatever you want to get in to. I think that's how Slippery Rock's mentality is. A 3:30 p.m. Saturday tipoff is the pregame and then by the time the game is over, the real partying can start.
I'd say of the 2,500 last night ... 2,350 were locals.
That said, Wayne Ave, 7th Street and Philly were bumping on my way home.
As IUP24 said ... the students just don't care. It's a shame but unlikely to ever change minus when the gym teachers come here (the pretend basketball rival who last won a game here a decade before any of the current students were born).
There might be a chance to break the record if iup hosts regionals and is in the final - students will be back from spring break.
You seem to not beleive me when I tell you that game was abolished for IUP history. The Lombardi Mafia took care of it. Lol.
We are like the 1972 Dolphins. At the end of every home schedule, as long as that record is still intact, we crack a bottle of champagne. Of course, there's still a few games left.
In my experience, when it isn't SRU, Gannon, or Mercyhurst, it was always tough to draw both. All things considered, they've done remarkable with attendance this year. Most students, and by that I mean 99%, don't have a clue about what is going on in the region, etc. They really didn't recognize how big of a game that was on many levels. They see Pitt-Johnstown, and they say, "I really don't care. I didn't know UPJ even had a team." They're going to weigh going out the last weekend before spring break or going to a game against a school they don't care about. That said, I would bet the bars were packed last night.
Students get in for free. The advertising that I saw all week told me they were focused more on getting locals to the game. For me and some of my buddies.... We toasted again last night. Our attendance record remains.
You seem to not beleive me when I tell you that game was abolished for IUP history. The Lombardi Mafia took care of it. Lol.
I'd say of the 2,500 last night ... 2,350 were locals.
That said, Wayne Ave, 7th Street and Philly were bumping on my way home.
As IUP24 said ... the students just don't care. It's a shame but unlikely to ever change minus when the gym teachers come here (the pretend basketball rival who last won a game here a decade before any of the current students were born).
It was a great local crowd. The student body was nowhere to be found minus a couple rows in 113.
In my experience, when it isn't SRU, Gannon, or Mercyhurst, it was always tough to draw both. All things considered, they've done remarkable with attendance this year. Most students, and by that I mean 99%, don't have a clue about what is going on in the region, etc. They really didn't recognize how big of a game that was on many levels. They see Pitt-Johnstown, and they say, "I really don't care. I didn't know UPJ even had a team." They're going to weigh going out the last weekend before spring break or going to a game against a school they don't care about. That said, I would bet the bars were packed last night.
Students get in for free. The advertising that I saw all week told me they were focused more on getting locals to the game. For me and some of my buddies.... We toasted again last night. Our attendance record remains.
It looked much fuller but the posted number is the number.
Saying the word 'only' and having 2,493 is a great problem to have in D2. Consider that was a full five times more than what was in Angelo's Dome yesterday.
It looked much fuller but the posted number is the number.
Saying the word 'only' and having 2,493 is a great problem to have in D2. Consider that was a full five times more than what was in Angelo's Dome yesterday.
For you math people thats one heck of a discount (by KCAC standards). Fan Appreciation Night. Some concessions are reduced, too. You'll still be paying $9 for that 12 oz. Coors (plus tip). Can't win 'em all.
They are going for the record crowd tonight. IUP will need a juiced up venue. UPJ is coming here to win. Very important game for both teams. It should be a fantastic atmosphere and game.
Leave a comment: