THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Cher announcing Luther Vandross as the winner of Record of the Year

Classic

[iupgroundhog]

Wishing the best to all about to depart for Punxatauney.

It's going to be a cold night.

I went once ... back around 2000. It's a circus. Fun but crazy.

As the resident groundhog I predict 6 more weeks of goofy off-season conversations. At least.

[Matt Burglund]

This post does not require a subscription to read:

When Growth Became a Threat: Sixty Years Ago, IUP Was Kicked Out Of The PSAC — Because of Jealousy and Fear

[IUPbigINDIANS]

As the resident groundhog I predict 6 more weeks of goofy off-season conversations. At least.

Well, we are getting to the point in the off-season when you can talk about goofy topics or an "All-This and All-That" high school signing who will likely be "All-Portal" 10 months from now.

Signing Day is Wednesday.

Some of my favorite yearly comments:

1) "We got every kid we wanted" .... when you hear this statement you know the coach missed about half his actual targets

2) "We can't believe this kid dropped down to D2" .... largely because he was All-World in Class A against horrendous competition and is 5'10", 165 lbs.

3) "I'm 1,000 percent committed to the University of Slippery Rock College" .... already pi$$ed he's in D2 and planning his exit come next November to the SEC where Uncle Bobby says he belongs. 100, Trust, and all that other happy horse $hit.

4) "All Glory to God and Praise Jesus" .... gets arrested days later.

[Ship69]

According to page two of this PDF of 2022-2026 host sites from the NCAA, Clarion University of Pennsylvania is hosting something titled the "Basketball Festival" for both the men's and women's basketball tournaments at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse (Duquesne). It's not clear if that's the Elite Eight for both sports. Page thirteen of this 2027-2028 Championship Site Selection Process PDF claims that the Men's Elite Eight will be in Pittsburgh as part of a "Basketball Festival," but unfortunately it's not clear if that means the Elite Eight in March of 2026 or the Elite Eight for the 2026 season (so March of 2027).

Yeah, I saw that "basketball festival" bit. It's nuts. I haven't been able to locate a single site that simply says, "The 2026 Division II men's Elite 8 will be held at (fill in the place)." It's almost as if they want to keep it a secret.

[iupgroundhog]

This post does not require a subscription to read:

When Growth Became a Threat: Sixty Years Ago, IUP Was Kicked Out Of The PSAC — Because of Jealousy and Fear

I read this on the blog. It's a fascinating story.

West Chester was out of the conference around the same time. I think their departure was later and their return was later than for IUP. Was WCU's independent period voluntary?

[iupgroundhog]

Well, we are getting to the point in the off-season when you can talk about goofy topics or an "All-This and All-That" high school signing who will likely be "All-Portal" 10 months from now.

Signing Day is Wednesday.

Some of my favorite yearly comments:

1) "We got every kid we wanted" .... when you hear this statement you know the coach missed about half his actual targets

2) "We can't believe this kid dropped down to D2" .... largely because he was All-World in Class A against horrendous competition and is 5'10", 165 lbs.

3) "I'm 1,000 percent committed to the University of Slippery Rock College" .... already pi$$ed he's in D2 and planning his exit come next November to the SEC where Uncle Bobby says he belongs. 100, Trust, and all that other happy horse $hit.

4) "All Glory to God and Praise Jesus" .... gets arrested days later.

It's now the 2nd semester. I am assuming IUP did not bring in transfers who would be able to participate in spring drills as in previous years. Is that correct?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It's now the 2nd semester. I am assuming IUP did not bring in transfers who would be able to participate in spring drills as in previous years. Is that correct?

They offered a lot back in December. However, it's been kept incredibly quiet. There are a couple here for sure (from what I've been told). But, obviously there hasn't been any formal annoucements.

Hell, if not, they'd hardly have enough players for Spring Ball.

[Matt Burglund]

West Chester was out of the conference around the same time. I think their departure was later and their return was later than for IUP. Was WCU's independent period voluntary?

Yes.

Back in the 1950s and 60s, West Chester dominated the PSCAC, particularly in football and basketball. At the time the PSCAC did not have a rule that banned schools from competing in two different conferences, and WC joined the Middle Atlantic Conference and stopped participating in most PSCAC postseason tournaments (but stayed in the league for its regular season schedules). The league got mad and over a period of years passed legislation that said if you have a sport and the conference offers a championship in that sport, you have to participate. The league also banned spring football practice, which also rankled the West Chester administration.

So, WC withdrew from the league in 1977 and became a D1 school in all sports except for football. After 3 tough years, it asked to come back to the PSAC, and it was approved.

[Chuck Norris]

Yeah, I saw that "basketball festival" bit. It's nuts. I haven't been able to locate a single site that simply says, "The 2026 Division II men's Elite 8 will be held at (fill in the place)." It's almost as if they want to keep it a secret.

It appears the first two rounds of the Elite 8 are being held in Pittsburgh starting on March 24, but the championship game is being played on April 5th in Indianapolis which is the Sunday between the D1 Final Four and National Championship game. Seems to be an attempt to get the championship game more exposure.

[Fightingscot82]

Yes.

Back in the 1950s and 60s, West Chester dominated the PSCAC, particularly in football and basketball. At the time the PSCAC did not have a rule that banned schools from competing in two different conferences, and WC joined the Middle Atlantic Conference and stopped participating in most PSCAC postseason tournaments (but stayed in the league for its regular season schedules). The league got mad and over a period of years passed legislation that said if you have a sport and the conference offers a championship in that sport, you have to participate. The league also banned spring football practice, which also rankled the West Chester administration.

So, WC withdrew from the league in 1977 and became a D1 school in all sports except for football. After 3 tough years, it asked to come back to the PSAC, and it was approved.

Yes. West Chester was IUP before IUP was IUP. In the first 15 State Games, West Chester played in 11 of them and won 6.

[TheBigCat2192]

Yeah, I saw that "basketball festival" bit. It's nuts. I haven't been able to locate a single site that simply says, "The 2026 Division II men's Elite 8 will be held at (fill in the place)." It's almost as if they want to keep it a secret.

Yeah, it’s shockingly hard to get a straight answer on where the men's Elite Eight is going to be this year, as the D2 bracket on the NCAA website doesn't bother printing locations for the quarterfinals (Elite Eight), semifinals (Final Four), or championship. I can understand not listing all sites, since the bracket has not been selected and early rounds are played on-campus, but the neutral sites are being picked well in advance and the homepage for D2 basketball clearly specifies where the championship game is being played (Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis). There's no good reason NOT to have all the neutral sites listed on the bracket or elsewhere on the site.

[IUPalum]

Frank Cignetti Jr is heading to the Steelers.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Frank Cignetti Jr is heading to the Steelers.

Do I get to toot my own horn now?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'd be nervous as you know what about IUP keeping the QB from EF based on the Frank Jr. news.

They best send the cavalry and guard the house until he can officially sign Wednesday. The sharks will see that blood in the water.