THE IUP Football Thread

[Fightingscot82]

Most of the outfits that own newspapers now are just stripping them for their assets. I used to work for three newspapers in my area. Gannett controls all three, has cut the staffs to a skeletal level, and the headquarters buildings of all three have either been sold or are for lease. The last paper I worked for which probably had at least 15 combined news, lifestyle, and sports reporters at one time, is now down to one beat reporter and two sports guys. If you're looking for good local newspaper coverage these days, you probably ain't gonna find it. The funny thing is the number of people that used to hate on the local papers when I worked now tell me they miss them. As Joni Mitchell said, "Don't it always seem as though, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."

Pittsburgh's favorite newspaper scion owns the papers in WashPA, Lock Haven, Uniontown, and Williamsport as well as Shepherdstown.

[Fightingscot82]

This is the stadium worthy of IUP's stature and tradition:

https://www.ewingcole.com/portfolio_page/kessler-field/

[iupgroundhog]

This is the stadium worthy of IUP's stature and tradition:

https://www.ewingcole.com/portfolio_page/kessler-field/

That's pretty impressive. Does Monmouth have the fanbase to support that?

[iupgroundhog]

Pittsburgh's favorite newspaper scion owns the papers in WashPA, Lock Haven, Uniontown, and Williamsport as well as Shepherdstown.

I will note this again because i would like to see better (or at least acceptable) sports coverage in Indiana.

Lock Haven's local media situation is very similar to Indiana's. The traditional print newspaper taken over by a corporate conglomerate that really doesn't care about the local coverage. The Record Online, an online publication, was introduced to provide locally-based coverage of news and sports ( https://therecord-online.com/site/

I access this online publication frequently since I grew up in that area. The local sports coverage is comprehensive and exceptional. They cover all the local HS, youth, and LHU sports in detail. They stream all HS athletic events. I mainly tune in to wrestling. In HS wrestling, they also stream district and regional championships which are viewed by fans from across the state as it is probably the best wrestling coverage anywhere. They also cover Bucktail HS/Renovo area since "The Record" was originally the Renovo Record as a print publication. They used to stream LHU events but LHU has a contract with a local radio station to stream those. Note the very excitable announcer you may have heard on football games.

This online publication is great and could be replicated in Indiana, PA. It's an alternative outlet and fills in the blanks that the traditional newspaper does not cover (or cover well).

How did it come to be? How has it survived? It might be considered a special situation. It was started by John Lipez, heir to the local media company that owned and operated the local radio station for about 75 years now. The publication is free to readers. It is advertising-supported. Lipez had all the local connections and business from the area business community and has sold advertising locally since he was a teenager. So, that type of support was critical. Funding is probably the key.

In addition to local sports they cover local general news. Note that they use a lot of syndicated Pennsylvania news sources, too.

Ironically, there is an article on there about Lipez having a local baseball venue named for him. John Lipez is in his 80's now and sold the outlet to a techy kind of guy. I hope the publication continues on.

My point is that Indiana faces the same kind of a media problem. I think this is a good example for the Indiana community.

[Tdobson]

That is pretty nice, can they support that?

I wish IUP would do something to spruce up Miller Stadium; it was bad when I was there.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That is pretty nice, can they support that?

I wish IUP would do something to spruce up Miller Stadium; it was bad when I was there.

Miller is unfortunately beyond the "spruce it up' stage. Some lipstick could be applied but overall it needs a major, major renovation (i.e. almost a full replacement - certainly on the home side).

If you ever wanted to see pretty pictures (that's what renderings are after all) there are some original proposed plans that would have put the new football facility in the Eberly parking lot (and actually connected to the KCAC). It was a cool concept.

Unfortunately, I don't see anything changing at Miller anytime soon (probably not in my lifetime). When the pressbox finally collapses (and hopefully doesn't injure or kill anybody) ... that's probably when it will be next addressed. It's actually hysterical how out of modern code it is. The home restrooms are a journey back to 1975.

If they ever do build a new stadium, I just pray it won't have a track. I hate track stadiums. Fans are too far off the field. The aesthetics are terrible, etc.

[Fightingscot82]

Miller is unfortunately beyond the "spruce it up' stage. Some lipstick could be applied but overall it needs a major, major renovation (i.e. almost a full replacement - certainly on the home side).

If you ever wanted to see pretty pictures (that's what renderings are after all) there are some original proposed plans that would have put the new football facility in the Eberly parking lot (and actually connected to the KCAC). It was a cool concept.

Unfortunately, I don't see anything changing at Miller anytime soon (probably not in my lifetime). When the pressbox finally collapses (and hopefully doesn't injure or kill anybody) ... that's probably when it will be next addressed. It's actually hysterical how out of modern code it is. The home restrooms are a journey back to 1975.

If they ever do build a new stadium, I just pray it won't have a track. I hate track stadiums. Fans are too far off the field. The aesthetics are terrible, etc.

There are some decent football stadiums with tracks. The problem is that 99% of them are a grandstand next to a track with a sports field inside of it. Monmouth's new stadium is an exception. So are Ferris, Central Missouri, Pitt State, and Northwest Missouri. I don't believe for a second that IUP folks including you would be upset if IUP announced a plan tomorrow that replicates any of those.

Monmouth plays in the CAA, one of the top FCS conferences, and they only draw about 2,800-2,900 per home game. Even when Villanova comes to town.

[Iupgh]

This is the stadium worthy of IUP's stature and tradition:

https://www.ewingcole.com/portfolio_page/kessler-field/

Yes that’s what new looks like. Still looks like a 6 or 5A HS stadium. Which would be fine in the PSAC.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yes that’s what new looks like. Still looks like a 6 or 5A HS stadium. Which would be fine in the PSAC.

Very similar to Pine-Richland.

And, yes, I'd take it in a second.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There are some decent football stadiums with tracks. The problem is that 99% of them are a grandstand next to a track with a sports field inside of it. Monmouth's new stadium is an exception. So are Ferris, Central Missouri, Pitt State, and Northwest Missouri. I don't believe for a second that IUP folks including you would be upset if IUP announced a plan tomorrow that replicates any of those.

Monmouth plays in the CAA, one of the top FCS conferences, and they only draw about 2,800-2,900 per home game. Even when Villanova comes to town.

Of all the D2 stadiums I've ever attended, Ashland is -- by far -- the nicest. It is a beautiful facility.

That is easily my favorite road trip. In the visiting section you are dang near on the team bench.

The knock, if there is one, is the concessions aren't great and there isn't a restroom on the visiting side (similar to Adamson).

I get why we don't have nice stadiums. You can count with 1-2 fingers how many stadiums in the PSAC are actually nice. The West doesn't have any. Adamson is probably the nicest (for the home fans). IUP and SRU have dinosaurs. Gannon has a hybrid kickball field. Edinboro and Clarion are PSAC average. Seton Hill has terrible facilities for the players but the (no track) view is great for the fans. Parking is a disaster (even with drawing 63 people).

[EyeoftheHawk]

Miller is unfortunately beyond the "spruce it up' stage. Some lipstick could be applied but overall it needs a major, major renovation (i.e. almost a full replacement - certainly on the home side).

If you ever wanted to see pretty pictures (that's what renderings are after all) there are some original proposed plans that would have put the new football facility in the Eberly parking lot (and actually connected to the KCAC). It was a cool concept.

Unfortunately, I don't see anything changing at Miller anytime soon (probably not in my lifetime). When the pressbox finally collapses (and hopefully doesn't injure or kill anybody) ... that's probably when it will be next addressed. It's actually hysterical how out of modern code it is. The home restrooms are a journey back to 1975.

If they ever do build a new stadium, I just pray it won't have a track. I hate track stadiums. Fans are too far off the field. The aesthetics are terrible, etc.

Beyond the football stadium, the campus in general looks like trash right now. Some areas haven’t even had the grass mowed for weeks. It’s embarrassing. I can confidently say it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it on campus. What in the heck is going on (or not) over there?

I think it’s time for major leadership change. Money is one thing but a lot of basic things come down to desire and leadership. Like my mother used to say, not having money has nothing to do with taking care of yourself and at least being clean. I’ve had enough of the Driscoll show.

[iupgroundhog]

Beyond the football stadium, the campus in general looks like trash right now. Some areas haven’t even had the grass mowed for weeks. It’s embarrassing. I can confidently say it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it on campus. What in the heck is going on (or not) over there?

I think it’s time for major leadership change. Money is one thing but a lot of basic things come down to desire and leadership. Like my mother used to say, not having money has nothing to do with taking care of yourself and at least being clean. I’ve had enough of the Driscoll show.

I had enough of the Driscoll show a long time ago.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Beyond the football stadium, the campus in general looks like trash right now. Some areas haven’t even had the grass mowed for weeks. It’s embarrassing. I can confidently say it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it on campus. What in the heck is going on (or not) over there?

I think it’s time for major leadership change. Money is one thing but a lot of basic things come down to desire and leadership. Like my mother used to say, not having money has nothing to do with taking care of yourself and at least being clean. I’ve had enough of the Driscoll show.

Not to mention the longest demolition project in history across from The Pizza House (whatever it is now).

[IUPNation]

Beyond the football stadium, the campus in general looks like trash right now. Some areas haven’t even had the grass mowed for weeks. It’s embarrassing. I can confidently say it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it on campus. What in the heck is going on (or not) over there?

I think it’s time for major leadership change. Money is one thing but a lot of basic things come down to desire and leadership. Like my mother used to say, not having money has nothing to do with taking care of yourself and at least being clean. I’ve had enough of the Driscoll show.

Cost cutting and the school probably got stiffed for the bill for Donnie Dotards’s Idiot Rally…but it was an exciting day.

[IUP24]

Miller is unfortunately beyond the "spruce it up' stage. Some lipstick could be applied but overall it needs a major, major renovation (i.e. almost a full replacement - certainly on the home side).

If you ever wanted to see pretty pictures (that's what renderings are after all) there are some original proposed plans that would have put the new football facility in the Eberly parking lot (and actually connected to the KCAC). It was a cool concept.

Unfortunately, I don't see anything changing at Miller anytime soon (probably not in my lifetime). When the pressbox finally collapses (and hopefully doesn't injure or kill anybody) ... that's probably when it will be next addressed. It's actually hysterical how out of modern code it is. The home restrooms are a journey back to 1975.

If they ever do build a new stadium, I just pray it won't have a track. I hate track stadiums. Fans are too far off the field. The aesthetics are terrible, etc.

Are those renderings available anywhere? If so, could you post?

I'd be very interested in looking at those. I never knew there was actually a legitimate proposed plan at any point.