2025 Non-Conference Games

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not sure why you need to start weekend games that late. Weekday games are obviously another matter.

From an atmosphere perspective, there's no worse slot than 12 p.m.

Our teams (the majority) generally draw terribly to begin with, and that early slot instantly cuts out much of the youth sports crowd.

Night games draw the best. In this league, it's generally no comparison.

This is also a league full of schools that could care less about making money, so many of them play the early games.

The nerds like us go regardless of the start time. Problem is, there's very few of us. To get the most students in the stadium -- and the most paying customers (families) the night games are the far better option. Our league does a horrible job attracting the casual fans.

[Ram040506]

From an atmosphere perspective, there's no worse slot than 12 p.m.

Our teams (the majority) generally draw terribly to begin with, and that early slot instantly cuts out much of the youth sports crowd.

Night games draw the best. In this league, it's generally no comparison.

This is also a league full of schools that could care less about making money, so many of them play the early games.

The nerds like us go regardless of the start time. Problem is, there's very few of us. To get the most students in the stadium -- and the most paying customers (families) the night games are the far better option. Our league does a horrible job attracting the casual fans.

Shepherd draws great at noon. I do wonder if they ever were able to get lighting if they'd have even larger crowds. WVU usually playing in the afternoon with their big 12 schedule would be tough to draw against.

[Fightingscot82]

Shepherd draws great at noon. I do wonder if they ever were able to get lighting if they'd have even larger crowds. WVU usually playing in the afternoon with their big 12 schedule would be tough to draw against.

Shepherd and Slippery Rock are largely the exceptions. For unknown reasons they've been able to build (and maintain) strong attendance. Everyone else doesn't even outdraw the local HS team.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Shepherd and Slippery Rock are largely the exceptions. For unknown reasons they've been able to build (and maintain) strong attendance. Everyone else doesn't even outdraw the local HS team.

Tort has quietly been drawing pretty well.

Since they finally ditched the 12 p.m. kickoffs, they've averaged 4,342 per game the last three seasons (regular season games).

2024 - 4,349
2023 - 3,750
2022 - 4,926

[Fightingscot82]

Tort has quietly been drawing pretty well.

Since they finally ditched the 12 p.m. kickoffs, they've averaged 4,342 per game the last three seasons (regular season games).

2024 - 4,349
2023 - 3,750
2022 - 4,926

You know, I thought about that after I posted. 2022 would have been even better had they scheduled a Week 1 home game.

[Ship69]

From an atmosphere perspective, there's no worse slot than 12 p.m.

Our teams (the majority) generally draw terribly to begin with, and that early slot instantly cuts out much of the youth sports crowd.

Night games draw the best. In this league, it's generally no comparison.

This is also a league full of schools that could care less about making money, so many of them play the early games.

The nerds like us go regardless of the start time. Problem is, there's very few of us. To get the most students in the stadium -- and the most paying customers (families) the night games are the far better option. Our league does a horrible job attracting the casual fans.

We've gotten some nice crowds at Ship with 1 p.m. starting times over the years. The biggest problem now is the lack of a top product on the field the past couple of years. We're in a small town and people have to drive a bit to attend a Ship game, so you're not going to draw toward the latter part of the season if you're going 3-8 or 2-9. In 2021, probably the last successful season we've had, Ship drew an average of 4,700 that included three crowds of 5,000 or more. Last year's 2-9 squad drew about 3,700 a game. Even last year, attendance at the first two home games was good with 4,128 for Clarion and 5,761 for the Slippery Rock game. Ship attendance is largely driven by the team's performance and who we're playing. Teams such as Gannon typically don't draw a lot of people to Ship.

[TheBigCat2192]

From an atmosphere perspective, there's no worse slot than 12 p.m.

Our teams (the majority) generally draw terribly to begin with, and that early slot instantly cuts out much of the youth sports crowd.

Night games draw the best. In this league, it's generally no comparison.

This is also a league full of schools that could care less about making money, so many of them play the early games.

The nerds like us go regardless of the start time. Problem is, there's very few of us. To get the most students in the stadium -- and the most paying customers (families) the night games are the far better option. Our league does a horrible job attracting the casual fans.

What casual fans?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What casual fans?

At most schools, I'd guess 70% falls under the 'casual fans'.

Next time you're at a game, ask 4 or 5 random people to name you the teams in the PSAC East. Most couldn't name half of them. Those are casual fans. That said, the 'something to do' crowd spends money.

As a whole, our schools need to provide a more entertaining game-day experience. Most find our games to be boring. If people have a good time they'll come back and perhaps get financially invested in the program.

I went to a game up at Clarion a couple years ago and thought I was at a funeral. Worst atmosphere I'd ever seen (and I've seen about 200 games at Miller Stadium).

[Tdobson]

Why doesn’t shep have lights on the football field. It’s a beautiful stadium and I bet night games would be awesome.

[RocknTheSnackBar]

Why doesn’t shep have lights on the football field. It’s a beautiful stadium and I bet night games would be awesome.

Shep and the Limelights could perform at halftime

[IUPNation]

Noon games are too early. 3pm is pretty good.

Im not sure I want to be at a night game in late October or November.

[Ram040506]

Why doesn’t shep have lights on the football field. It’s a beautiful stadium and I bet night games would be awesome.

$$ most likely is the factor. For a while the thought was the down wouldn't allow it, but that was debunked by someone.

[WarriorVoice]

From an atmosphere perspective, there's no worse slot than 12 p.m.

Our teams (the majority) generally draw terribly to begin with, and that early slot instantly cuts out much of the youth sports crowd.

Night games draw the best. In this league, it's generally no comparison.

This is also a league full of schools that could care less about making money, so many of them play the early games.

The nerds like us go regardless of the start time. Problem is, there's very few of us. To get the most students in the stadium -- and the most paying customers (families) the night games are the far better option. Our league does a horrible job attracting the casual fans.

I can't count the number of posts I see about starting basketball games later, but Football must be played at 1pm? Balderdash!! Look it up kids, it's a real word...

[WarriorVoice]

Noon games are too early. 3pm is pretty good.

Im not sure I want to be at a night game in late October or November.

Bundle up snowflake...

[Fightingscot82]

I think we've lost the casual fans. Casual fans see an IUP or West Chester football game as something to do. Decades ago our games were one of just a handful of things for locals to do on Saturdays. Our casual alumni fans mostly live within a 2 hour radius. There are no real diehards. You get the engaged locals who feel connected to coaches or the school. Most of the attendees are students, parents of students playing/cheering/banding, and engaged alumni/community/staff. Most of those groups get in for free. I've noticed at many of the games I go to (home and away) that the bulk of tailgating are player parents.

Like I said, the exceptions are IUP, Shepherd, and Slippery Rock. There is a much higher level of interest from the community and students.