Last game of the season live thread

[IUPalum]

I get that, but if you can build and maintain an arena for the basketball team I would think there's a little that can be siphoned for the football program along with some other sports, similar to what Brandon stated. I may be dated but I thought the sports bringing in the cheese sprinkles that cheese across the athletic dept.

IUP’s basketball arena is not owned by the University. That arena is used for many things other than IUP athletics. Most of the revenue brought in by the arena doesn’t even go to IUP.

[Fightingscot82]

IUP’s basketball arena is not owned by the University. That arena is used for many things other than IUP athletics. Most of the revenue brought in by the arena doesn’t even go to IUP.

IUP owns 100% of the KCAC. I believe what you're thinking of is that they have outsourced its management to a third party.

[Ship69]

IUP’s basketball arena is not owned by the University. That arena is used for many things other than IUP athletics. Most of the revenue brought in by the arena doesn’t even go to IUP.

IUP is a little more fortunate than some PASSHE schools as it's located in a fairly sizable town that is the county seat. They'd never build such an arena in Shippensburg with a population of about 5,500. It would be easier to sell in Chambersburg, about 12 miles down the road.

[Fightingscot82]

IUP is a little more fortunate than some PASSHE schools as it's located in a fairly sizable town that is the county seat. They'd never build such an arena in Shippensburg with a population of about 5,500. It would be easier to sell in Chambersburg, about 12 miles down the road.

There was some opportunism as well. Johnstown has an aging arena (of Slap Shot fame) that has a history of hosting second and third tier concerts and some minor conventions. Until a minor renovation about 20 years ago it wasn't even ADA compliant. IUP successfully pitched a modern comprehensive arena/convention center for this region. Part of the pitch was the IUP Foundation being the lead on a second/mid tier hotel.

What impresses me is that they were able to get the state development grant funding (to purchase the land) and a major state grant for construction (about 40% of the cost) in John Murtha's back yard.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There was some opportunism as well. Johnstown has an aging arena (of Slap Shot fame) that has a history of hosting second and third tier concerts and some minor conventions. Until a minor renovation about 20 years ago it wasn't even ADA compliant. IUP successfully pitched a modern comprehensive arena/convention center for this region. Part of the pitch was the IUP Foundation being the lead on a second/mid tier hotel.

What impresses me is that they were able to get the state development grant funding (to purchase the land) and a major state grant for construction (about 40% of the cost) in John Murtha's back yard.

The Angelo Dome is the one that is still so baffling it's hard to even slightly comprehend.

[Fightingscot82]

The Angelo Dome is the one that is still so baffling it's hard to even slightly comprehend.

There's no way in hell a state entity should be able to borrow that much money without a verified revenue source to repay the bond.

[The P in IUP]

There was some opportunism as well. Johnstown has an aging arena (of Slap Shot fame) that has a history of hosting second and third tier concerts and some minor conventions. Until a minor renovation about 20 years ago it wasn't even ADA compliant. IUP successfully pitched a modern comprehensive arena/convention center for this region. Part of the pitch was the IUP Foundation being the lead on a second/mid tier hotel.

What impresses me is that they were able to get the state development grant funding (to purchase the land) and a major state grant for construction (about 40% of the cost) in John Murtha's back yard.

Early on in the process there was also talk of the KCAC complex including a "department of homeland security" office as well. I also remember one of the IUP big wigs bragged "were are going to get rid of that dump" aka the scrap yard that was much bigger back in the day before IUP had you know officially secured the property.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There's no way in hell a state entity should be able to borrow that much money without a verified revenue source to repay the bond.

I go down once a year for the basketball game. That place is so massive. It makes the actual basketball arena portion of the KCAC look small.

I was there a couple years ago and the announced gate was like 225 but there couldn't have been more than 70 people in a 6,000 seat arena.

It's a great facility that many mid-major programs would love to have.

It's the perfect shrine to that era down there. Lot of irony.

[Fightingscot82]

Early on in the process there was also talk of the KCAC complex including a "department of homeland security" office as well. I also remember one of the IUP big wigs bragged "were are going to get rid of that dump" aka the scrap yard that was much bigger back in the day before IUP had you know officially secured the property.

Well that was a strategic goal for a LONG time. TBH, my memory of walking past that on my way to IUP-Edinboro football games was a factor in me not giving IUP much thought.

[Fightingscot82]

I go down once a year for the basketball game. That place is so massive. It makes the actual basketball arena portion of the KCAC look small.

I was there a couple years ago and the announced gate was like 225 but there couldn't have been more than 70 people in a 6,000 seat arena.

It's a great facility that many mid-major programs would love to have.

It's the perfect shrine to that era down there. Lot of irony.

They either started running out of money or its a short-sighted design, but that "dead" end of the arena floor is ugly. At least IUP added some bleacher seating and a big video board to disguise theirs.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well that was a strategic goal for a LONG time. TBH, my memory of walking past that on my way to IUP-Edinboro football games was a factor in me not giving IUP much thought.

Coming to campus from Wayne Ave used to be such an eye soar. It still is to an extent but nothing like it was in the 90s.

Of course, a lot of the 'dump' was removed and even more of it was somewhat hidden from the eye. However, that area still could use some house cleaning.

Ironically, they got that part of Wayne somewhat cleaned up but when they pretty much ran Frat Row off of 7th Street much of the party scene just shifted down to Wayne (where Uncle Sudzies once was). That strip there is primarily the new 'party block' of IUP. Total pain in the behind to drive near there at night.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They either started running out of money or its a short-sighted design, but that "dead" end of the arena floor is ugly. At least IUP added some bleacher seating and a big video board to disguise theirs.

That is certainly the eye soar of the Angelo Dome.

[iupgroundhog]

There was some opportunism as well. Johnstown has an aging arena (of Slap Shot fame) that has a history of hosting second and third tier concerts and some minor conventions. Until a minor renovation about 20 years ago it wasn't even ADA compliant. IUP successfully pitched a modern comprehensive arena/convention center for this region. Part of the pitch was the IUP Foundation being the lead on a second/mid tier hotel.

What impresses me is that they were able to get the state development grant funding (to purchase the land) and a major state grant for construction (about 40% of the cost) in John Murtha's back yard.

Murtha might have been on the IUP Board of Trustees, I can't remember for sure. But he did attend IUP and I think his kids went to IUP.

[IUPNation]

IUP’s basketball arena is not owned by the University. That arena is used for many things other than IUP athletics. Most of the revenue brought in by the arena doesn’t even go to IUP.

Who owns it? And why not?

[Fightingscot82]

Who owns it? And why not?

They own it. A third party company manages it.