IUP Football 2021

[IUPNation]

Sure does. Powerhouse.

Nice gig. They play at Indiana Country Club.

It's the most dominant program in the PSAC this century -- any sport.

[IUPNation]

Somewhat related to that ... One thing I have never understood in my time around IUP and the PSAC is how involved and dedicated some parents are, and then when their son is done playing, they disappear. I've watched practice from the sideline with some dads, exchanged emails and phone calls with some moms, hell I've had many parents offer me a beer before and/or after the game. These parents live and die with the team. They educate themselves about the league and how D2 works. But then they're gone, and we never see or hear from them again.

Just unusual, but I have always wondered why that is.

IUPMonk, this isn't aimed at you ;)

It was always cute over the last 10-15 years to have parents ask me if I was IUPNation on the boards...I guess my big mouth gave me away at games.

[IUPNation]

IUP is a loyal and humble fan base. No idea why we get such a bad rap. Lol.

We are simply the best.

[iupgroundhog]

I'd probably rank WVU ahead of Temple (not in PA but a huge PA following).
.

In eastern PA, I'd rank Villanova ahead of Temple. I think I'd rank Widener ahead of Temple.

In fact, the last real Temple football fan was probably Bill Cosby.

[Fightingscot82]

WR Connor Chrisman to SRU

Jokes on him they're not having a class this year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

WR Connor Chrisman to SRU

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What IUPbigINDIANS said is correct. I'll also add that PSAC football (and really anything sub FBS) is really seen as irrelevant by most people even the schools' alumni. This is why so much of the PSAC is substandard to the dominant conferences: scholarship dollars, facilities, atmosphere, etc. In PA I'd say that the football hierarchy is:
1. Steelers
2. Penn State
3. Eagles
4. Pitt
5. High Schools
6. Temple
7. Villanova
8. All Other FCS through DIII

So parents will support their kids on the team, cheer squad, band, etc. I've noticed that football parents are more likely to travel than band & cheer - and WAY more likely to financially support the team. They play in the golf outings, buy gear, buy season tickets, etc. But then their kid moves on and the parents go back to supporting the local high school or can give more attention to Pitt or Penn State or Ohio State.

I'd probably rank WVU ahead of Temple (not in PA but a huge PA following).

We have an over-saturation problem for sure. Some of the national-level programs in D2 have no competition for hundreds of miles in any direction. Western PA has too many dang teams -- ranging from D1 to D3 (and of course the Holy Yinzers).

Consider the D3 PAC and the PSAC West ... that's a heck of a lot of teams in a somewhat small region. Add to it Pitt and the 1-AA's ... lot of football schools.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Bilal Weidler (DB / Susquehana Twp.) is Twitter Official.

[Fightingscot82]

Somewhat related to that ... One thing I have never understood in my time around IUP and the PSAC is how involved and dedicated some parents are, and then when their son is done playing, they disappear. I've watched practice from the sideline with some dads, exchanged emails and phone calls with some moms, hell I've had many parents offer me a beer before and/or after the game. These parents live and die with the team. They educate themselves about the league and how D2 works. But then they're gone, and we never see or hear from them again.

Just unusual, but I have always wondered why that is.

IUPMonk, this isn't aimed at you ;)

What IUPbigINDIANS said is correct. I'll also add that PSAC football (and really anything sub FBS) is really seen as irrelevant by most people even the schools' alumni. This is why so much of the PSAC is substandard to the dominant conferences: scholarship dollars, facilities, atmosphere, etc. In PA I'd say that the football hierarchy is:
1. Steelers
2. Penn State
3. Eagles
4. Pitt
5. High Schools
6. Temple
7. Villanova
8. All Other FCS through DIII

So parents will support their kids on the team, cheer squad, band, etc. I've noticed that football parents are more likely to travel than band & cheer - and WAY more likely to financially support the team. They play in the golf outings, buy gear, buy season tickets, etc. But then their kid moves on and the parents go back to supporting the local high school or can give more attention to Pitt or Penn State or Ohio State.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Somewhat related to that ... One thing I have never understood in my time around IUP and the PSAC is how involved and dedicated some parents are, and then when their son is done playing, they disappear. I've watched practice from the sideline with some dads, exchanged emails and phone calls with some moms, hell I've had many parents offer me a beer before and/or after the game. These parents live and die with the team. They educate themselves about the league and how D2 works. But then they're gone, and we never see or hear from them again.

Just unusual, but I have always wondered why that is.

IUPMonk, this isn't aimed at you ;)

I've met many over the years at football games. Lots of band parents, also.

I'd guess most of it is just simply their child is the only link to the school. Several I met over the years would drive 1-2 hours up here to each game. Take their kid out of the equation and that drive is no longer appealing. Being honest, IUP football game day isn't exactly a thrilling experience for the average fan. It was starting to get better. If you're driving 1-2 hours, plus the 3+ hours for the game and then driving another 1-2 hours back ... it's a long day -- especially if you no longer have a vested interest.

You're right that you certainly notice it over the years. The section in front of the pressbox stays pretty much the same but the rest of the home side is fairly revolving.

This board has obviously been subject to the same thing. Every season seems good for a few disgruntled parents joining us. And, soon enough, they are gone.

[Fightingscot82]

He hasn't announced a destination. Looks like he's just entering the portal to see what comes up. Certainly a depth loss and you hate to lose a grad transfer after investing a couple years in him. Wherever he ends up will be his third school (came to IUP from Bowie State).

But, you never know what brought this on. Perhaps a DL transfer came in and his role would be shrunk. Maybe he hits the portal and decides to stay. We'll see what happens.

Silver lining is that Shockley will have an IUP degree to hang in his home or office. Can't grad transfer without graduating.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That's too bad. But I guess ultimately you win some and you lose some. Where to?

He hasn't announced a destination. Looks like he's just entering the portal to see what comes up. Certainly a depth loss and you hate to lose a grad transfer after investing a couple years in him. Wherever he ends up will be his third school (came to IUP from Bowie State).

But, you never know what brought this on. Perhaps a DL transfer came in and his role would be shrunk. Maybe he hits the portal and decides to stay. We'll see what happens.

[iupgroundhog]

DT Ernest Shockley is leaving the program. Per Twitter he will grad transfer out.

That's too bad. But I guess ultimately you win some and you lose some. Where to?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

DT Ernest Shockley is leaving the program. Per Twitter he will grad transfer out.

[IUPMonk]

Do they do some Fall stockings down there or you mainly after the survivors and natives by then?

WV stocks the Opequon twice in October with the some real nice breeders. There are a lot of spring hangovers that seem to find there way into the pools all over the Opequon from just above the VA line all the way to the Potomac river just down stream from Shepherdstown.