THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I did too! My post elaborated on it.

They'll probably be playing at Indiana High once that press box finally collapses.

[IUPNation]

On Facebook and the website IUP is asking for advice and input on future camps facility improvements. You can always suggest improvements to Miller. I know I voiced my opinion on the matter, and I’m sure if enough people also comment on it, they’ll at least look at it a little further.

I did too! My post elaborated on it.

[IUsuallyPonder]

I read on the IUP website about a plan for the physical campus that talked about a space for the proposed medical school AND for outdoor athletic facilities. So, hopefully they have something in the works.

On Facebook and the website IUP is asking for advice and input on future camps facility improvements. You can always suggest improvements to Miller. I know I voiced my opinion on the matter, and I’m sure if enough people also comment on it, they’ll at least look at it a little further.

[iupgroundhog]

Well, there was a change at Miller this Spring. That big row of pine (type) trees behind the visitors' bleachers was all removed.

Now ... that big, ugly chain-link fence we all hate is even more visible.

I read on the IUP website about a plan for the physical campus that talked about a space for the proposed medical school AND for outdoor athletic facilities. So, hopefully they have something in the works.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

PA state system a travesty…way too many schools and have minimal aspirations regarding winning athletic programs and solid facilities. Compared to other D2 leagues and systems PA struggles. 3 Michigan GLIAC schools state run like the PSAC brood have updated beautiful facilities. I have been to GV, SV and FSU in the last 25 years and all have been improved for the better. I have been at every PSAC state school that plays football and literally every stadium is the same as I saw it in 1995…Unreal to say the least. some EXACTLY the same 27 years later. Presidents and State Board should be embarrassed.

Well, there was a change at Miller this Spring. That big row of pine (type) trees behind the visitors' bleachers was all removed.

Now ... that big, ugly chain-link fence we all hate is even more visible.

[Fightingscot82]

PA state system a travesty…way too many schools and have minimal aspirations regarding winning athletic programs and solid facilities. Compared to other D2 leagues and systems PA struggles. 3 Michigan GLIAC schools state run like the PSAC brood have updated beautiful facilities. I have been to GV, SV and FSU in the last 25 years and all have been improved for the better. I have been at every PSAC state school that plays football and literally every stadium is the same as I saw it in 1995…Unreal to say the least. some EXACTLY the same 27 years later. Presidents and State Board should be embarrassed.

Not necessarily. The state schools in Virginia and West Virginia fluctuate greatly and not necessarily any better facilities. WLU is an outlier - but only because they have a local sugar daddy with a really odd infatuation with the campus. Michigan specifically, Ferris and Saginaw have an IUP-like tradition of some success and support. GVSU only became its own animal when Brian Kelly became coach and they latched onto the Grand Rapids market. The school has flourished. But Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, and Wayne State are all publics in the GLIAC and they aren't special. Michigan also has greater stratification of state schools (2 P5 FBS, 3 G5 FBS, 1 D1 non-football, 6 D2 football, 1 D2 non-football, 1 NAIA, 1 no sports).

I don't think any one of the current or immediate past presidents in PASSHE or the PSAC see athletics (and specifically football) as much more than some combination of an extra 100 students, diversity driver, alumni engagement driver, student activity/entertainment, or necessary evil in academia. The PASSHE board sure as hell doesn't care about athletics.

[Iupgh]

1) the schools don't prioritize the stadiums when asking for state construction money

2) PASSHE can't/doesn't lobby the way privates and state-relates do.

Penn State can blast state funding in its alumni magazine and provide online ways to contact legislators to advocate for funding. They also have Penn State lobby days in Harrisburg. Same goes for Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln. Because state dollars to Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln are merely handouts there aren't strings on how they're used and can be used to lobby for more. PASSHE as a state entity can't lobby itself or criticize state government for not providing more funding. Yes, there is a state lobby day but their tone has to be MUCH different and the "advocacy days" have to be funded by the separate affiliate groups like SGA or the Alumni Association. Private schools (there are 93 in PA) each have their own lobby days when they send students to Harrisburg and ask for money...for private schools. Private schools can fund this but have to report it on their annual Form 990 tax filing. There is also a third party group, PICU, that represents private colleges and universities and lobbies on their behalf on top of the individual schools.

Everything in this state is backwards. The state higher ed financial aid program actually gives you MORE money if you attend a private school. It incentivizes students to NOT choose the schools the state funds.

PA state system a travesty…way too many schools and have minimal aspirations regarding winning athletic programs and solid facilities. Compared to other D2 leagues and systems PA struggles. 3 Michigan GLIAC schools state run like the PSAC brood have updated beautiful facilities. I have been to GV, SV and FSU in the last 25 years and all have been improved for the better. I have been at every PSAC state school that plays football and literally every stadium is the same as I saw it in 1995…Unreal to say the least. some EXACTLY the same 27 years later. Presidents and State Board should be embarrassed.

[jrshooter]

Yes, but no more stupid than playing in an empty Heinz Field (I forget the new name). It's more the thrill of the stadium for the players.

Not when the crowd is a mere ripple in that stadium. It isn't electric then. And I know. They tried it before.

Cumberland Valley is just fine for the football finals. Good capacity, good facilities. And I'll tell you what else would be a great venue for states: Christy Mathewson Stadium at Bucknell.

[IUPNation]

He gave them twice the increase as he gave PASSHE and his daughter goes to Pitt.

Ugh.

[Fightingscot82]

Can you somehow tell Josh Shapiro all of this? I can’t imagine he supports this nonsense. If he even knows it’s set up this way at all.

He gave them twice the increase as he gave PASSHE and his daughter goes to Pitt.

[Ship69]

Not saying I disagree with you but the mother ship in Creepy Valley pulls an awful lot of weight in PA politics.

Believe me I know. My brother and nephew are PSU alums. The Harrisburg TV stations sports segments are all Penn State all the time, despite the fact that several Ship alums have worked at the stations.

[IUPNation]

1) the schools don't prioritize the stadiums when asking for state construction money

2) PASSHE can't/doesn't lobby the way privates and state-relates do.

Penn State can blast state funding in its alumni magazine and provide online ways to contact legislators to advocate for funding. They also have Penn State lobby days in Harrisburg. Same goes for Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln. Because state dollars to Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln are merely handouts there aren't strings on how they're used and can be used to lobby for more. PASSHE as a state entity can't lobby itself or criticize state government for not providing more funding. Yes, there is a state lobby day but their tone has to be MUCH different and the "advocacy days" have to be funded by the separate affiliate groups like SGA or the Alumni Association. Private schools (there are 93 in PA) each have their own lobby days when they send students to Harrisburg and ask for money...for private schools. Private schools can fund this but have to report it on their annual Form 990 tax filing. There is also a third party group, PICU, that represents private colleges and universities and lobbies on their behalf on top of the individual schools.

Everything in this state is backwards. The state higher ed financial aid program actually gives you MORE money if you attend a private school. It incentivizes students to NOT choose the schools the state funds.

Can you somehow tell Josh Shapiro all of this? I can’t imagine he supports this nonsense. If he even knows it’s set up this way at all.

[Fightingscot82]

Not saying I disagree with you but the mother ship in Creepy Valley pulls an awful lot of weight in PA politics.

Yep. Those Michigan game box passes mysteriously dropped into a state legislator's mailbox tend to carry more weight than the annual Coal Boal tickets amongst us peons, even if the total cost to buy the IUP tickets is more than the Penn State tickets LOL

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Nah, the state that can't find $500 million for the entire PASSHE system doesn't need to be contributing to a $700 million football enterprise. They can use the money they get from television rights, overpriced season tickets, and the $20 parking fees they collect to park fans in cow pastures.

Not saying I disagree with you but the mother ship in Creepy Valley pulls an awful lot of weight in PA politics.

[Fightingscot82]

So why can’t they spend on our schools. Literally every stadium needs a major renovation.

1) the schools don't prioritize the stadiums when asking for state construction money

2) PASSHE can't/doesn't lobby the way privates and state-relates do.

Penn State can blast state funding in its alumni magazine and provide online ways to contact legislators to advocate for funding. They also have Penn State lobby days in Harrisburg. Same goes for Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln. Because state dollars to Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln are merely handouts there aren't strings on how they're used and can be used to lobby for more. PASSHE as a state entity can't lobby itself or criticize state government for not providing more funding. Yes, there is a state lobby day but their tone has to be MUCH different and the "advocacy days" have to be funded by the separate affiliate groups like SGA or the Alumni Association. Private schools (there are 93 in PA) each have their own lobby days when they send students to Harrisburg and ask for money...for private schools. Private schools can fund this but have to report it on their annual Form 990 tax filing. There is also a third party group, PICU, that represents private colleges and universities and lobbies on their behalf on top of the individual schools.

Everything in this state is backwards. The state higher ed financial aid program actually gives you MORE money if you attend a private school. It incentivizes students to NOT choose the schools the state funds.