PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Mercyhurst has signed Navy transfer Daniel Ogele (6'7", 220 lbs). Chicago native.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

[Golden89]

Re: PSAC WEST

Great point ... when I a student at Gannon, they had a high-level concert (some big 80s band like Huey Lewis & the News - not kidding) at the Hammermill. The acoustics of the concert were as you might imagine -- dreadful. Thankfully, a new arena (now called Erie Insurance Arena) was shortly built a few blocks down the road and it has been a much more natural home for concerts and many other events for the past few decades.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

Seton Hill cast-off Trevor Lecuona has landed at Lock Haven.

[Chuck Norris]

Re: PSAC WEST

I don't disagree, but it's not necessarily always the "program" wanting the big gym with all the bells and whistles (although the KCAC is the house that Joe built). If location provides the opportunity, a university should want a multi-purpose venue like that. What you should remember is that there have been numerous events that IUP and the Indiana community has brought to the school and town that they otherwise would not have been able to put on if the KCAC wasn't there.

It's tough to bring in a big artist or performer to play in a gym with awful acoustics and 1,500 seats. Cal has obvious attendance issues with basketball, but they have struggled mightily making any use of the Convocation Center (which is actually larger than the KCAC). The problem is that they're too close to Pittsburgh (much closer than IUP). Very few performers are going to come to Cal when they can perform for more money in front of a lot more people if they head 35 minutes up the road.

The same story with West Liberty. It's not really feasible for them to build a venue like that when the city of Wheeling has an 8,000 or so seat arena that the Nailers play in.

[Columbuseer]

Re: PSAC WEST

Nor do I want them to even consider building a big on-campus arena. Love the ARSC and all it brings to the game...perfect size that rocks when the students are in town. Quite the home court advantage (lost four games over the last 5 years there) which is REALLY what you want in a home court!

There are some small things they can do to improve, but no need or desire to build an 8000 seat auditorium!

I'm with you IUP24 ad Boat. Much higher priority is to upgrade the dorms to modern standards to be more competitive with other schools for students and athletes!

[boatcapt]

Re: PSAC WEST

I don't disagree, but it's not necessarily always the "program" wanting the big gym with all the bells and whistles (although the KCAC is the house that Joe built). If location provides the opportunity, a university should want a multi-purpose venue like that. What you should remember is that there have been numerous events that IUP and the Indiana community has brought to the school and town that they otherwise would not have been able to put on if the KCAC wasn't there.

It's tough to bring in a big artist or performer to play in a gym with awful acoustics and 1,500 seats. Cal has obvious attendance issues with basketball, but they have struggled mightily making any use of the Convocation Center (which is actually larger than the KCAC). The problem is that they're too close to Pittsburgh (much closer than IUP). Very few performers are going to come to Cal when they can perform for more money in front of a lot more people if they head 35 minutes up the road.

The same story with West Liberty. It's not really feasible for them to build a venue like that when the city of Wheeling has an 8,000 or so seat arena that the Nailers play in.

Nor do I want them to even consider building a big on-campus arena. Love the ARSC and all it brings to the game...perfect size that rocks when the students are in town. Quite the home court advantage (lost four games over the last 5 years there) which is REALLY what you want in a home court!

There are some small things they can do to improve, but no need or desire to build an 8000 seat auditorium!

[Fightingscot82]

Re: PSAC WEST

IUP and Cal built event centers that include athletic facilities. Clarion is building a new athletics building. As IUPbigIndians explained, big difference.

I'm hoping that the new Tippin is a nice standard for the PSAC schools not in need of an "arena" facility.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

I don't disagree, but it's not necessarily always the "program" wanting the big gym with all the bells and whistles (although the KCAC is the house that Joe built). If location provides the opportunity, a university should want a multi-purpose venue like that. What you should remember is that there have been numerous events that IUP and the Indiana community has brought to the school and town that they otherwise would not have been able to put on if the KCAC wasn't there.

It's tough to bring in a big artist or performer to play in a gym with awful acoustics and 1,500 seats. Cal has obvious attendance issues with basketball, but they have struggled mightily making any use of the Convocation Center (which is actually larger than the KCAC). The problem is that they're too close to Pittsburgh (much closer than IUP). Very few performers are going to come to Cal when they can perform for more money in front of a lot more people if they head 35 minutes up the road.

The same story with West Liberty. It's not really feasible for them to build a venue like that when the city of Wheeling has an 8,000 or so seat arena that the Nailers play in.

The KCAC is a tremendous facility. I actually don't think it's too big. It's about perfect size. IUP has a very loyal 1,500 fans. The rest just suck.

What kills their number (as most) is that horrendously-long holiday break. They go almost 6 weeks of no students on campus. I'd guess if you take those games out of the average the actual average for the season would be closer to 2,300 or 2,400.

But, every year IUP hosts those Thanksgiving weekend two games (which draw about 900-1,000 per) and then the XMAS break (as I call it funeral season). From Jan. 20 (or whenever they come back) to the last home game they draw pretty well -- not great per capacity percentage but pretty well.

I am a supporter of playing one game at the Field House every other year. I think the fans enjoy one game over there for nostalgia. But, after that you start to quickly remember all the faults the place had/has. The restrooms are awful. Concessions are terrible. You realize how nice those 4,000 chairbacks are at the KCAC real quick when you hit those old, wooden bleachers. The 'regular' group is very territorial to their reserved seats. MFH is all general admission. But, one game works.


As for Cal, yeah, I was amazed how freaking big that place is the first time I went to a game there. It is dramatically larger than the KCAC (2,000 more chairbacks). It doesn't have the amenities the KCAC has and is obviously overkill for the 250 fans Cal gets a game. But, it was a nice addition to the campus. There are tons of mid-major programs that would love to have either facility.

The majority of PSAC 'gyms' are just, essentially, large high school gyms. IUP football games (atmosphere) feel like a high school game and are terribly boring. The basketball games are different. They have a whole different vibe -- and the facility plays a major role. Now, IUP could spruce up the basketball game-day dramatically. They still play to the older crowd much like what happens across the parking lot -- but, it's not quite as bad.

[IUP24]

Re: PSAC WEST

I understand a program wanting a big gym with all the bells and whistles and if they sell out they can be great. But of they don't it can sound like a tumb. But nothing can compare to a sold out old school "gym" with 1500 screaming fans on top of the floor! Lifts the home team a tick higher and can cause a visitor to wilt just a bit!

I don't disagree, but it's not necessarily always the "program" wanting the big gym with all the bells and whistles (although the KCAC is the house that Joe built). If location provides the opportunity, a university should want a multi-purpose venue like that. What you should remember is that there have been numerous events that IUP and the Indiana community has brought to the school and town that they otherwise would not have been able to put on if the KCAC wasn't there.

It's tough to bring in a big artist or performer to play in a gym with awful acoustics and 1,500 seats. Cal has obvious attendance issues with basketball, but they have struggled mightily making any use of the Convocation Center (which is actually larger than the KCAC). The problem is that they're too close to Pittsburgh (much closer than IUP). Very few performers are going to come to Cal when they can perform for more money in front of a lot more people if they head 35 minutes up the road.

The same story with West Liberty. It's not really feasible for them to build a venue like that when the city of Wheeling has an 8,000 or so seat arena that the Nailers play in.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

No doubt. Last year IUP played Ship at the Field House. Best crowd and atmosphere of the year ... and it wasn't even close to any other game at the KCAC.

[CALUPA69]

Re: PSAC WEST

I understand a program wanting a big gym with all the bells and whistles and if they sell out they can be great. But of they don't it can sound like a tumb. But nothing can compare to a sold out old school "gym" with 1500 screaming fans on top of the floor! Lifts the home team a tick higher and can cause a visitor to wilt just a bit!

HAMER does have the feel of an old school gym but has a listed capacity of 3500. On a good night it could get pretty loud....such as

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n5uLAYGmjHc

[boatcapt]

Re: PSAC WEST

I understand a program wanting a big gym with all the bells and whistles and if they sell out they can be great. But of they don't it can sound like a tumb. But nothing can compare to a sold out old school "gym" with 1500 screaming fans on top of the floor! Lifts the home team a tick higher and can cause a visitor to wilt just a bit!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: PSAC WEST

I hope that the VULCANS MBB can pick up their game enough that the WBB/MBB doubleheader will get this rivalry close to what it used to be. If I had any say the games would always be played at HAMER. IMO it's a far superior venue to the ANGELO DOME.

Hamer was a great venue. On the surface it was the same as most of the others but I think it was how fans entered up above and had to walk down ... made it seem much bigger than it probably was. Cal sure didn't lose at home much for 10-15 years. Boone and Brown had some fantasic players go through there.

[CALUPA69]

Re: PSAC WEST

Different times. Smaller venues.

You get 1,500 in the Field House and it's packed. In the KCAC it's not even half full.

IUP would always sell out the Cal game back then. The typical Saturday night game would also draw well.

IUP games at Cal (Hamer) were nuts. It was a show. Gary Edwards was KR ... Bill Brown was in his prime.

... and Cal hated IUP back then as much as today. Basketball was their chance to beat IUP back then. Football was a joke series for 25 years.

Cal also was a basketball power. You never got to see that rivalry. You may soon, however. A few games in the late 90s at the Field House were just insane. I beleive it was in 1999 or 2000 that Edwards ran it up on Cal one night. It got real heated.

If you watch the Hammermill in the 80s ... pure insanity.

Clarion was pretty good in the 90s. I can't speak for other games but IUP played a couple games there in front of jam-packed crowds.

IUP teams were much different in that era under Edwards. Very physical. Arrogant. Mercenaries. They'd beat you and let you know it. They weren't popular ... put it that way.
Edwards was like KR on Red Bull.

They aren't popular now but for different reasons.

I hope that the VULCANS MBB can pick up their game enough that the WBB/MBB doubleheader will get this rivalry close to what it used to be. If I had any say the games would always be played at HAMER. IMO it's a far superior venue to the ANGELO DOME.