Lackawanna is officially the 18th member

[Tech Boys]

I would think the three-year process would start in 2026-2027, hence the full membership by 2029-2030.

In the Tribune article linked above it says: "So in all likelihood, we could be looking at 2030 before we could be a full-fledged member of the NCAA and be eligible to compete for championships in the PSAC."

The timeline for the reclassification is unclear. I read it as the first year of full membership being 2030-31.

[Bart]

When they play Bloomsburg they should plow open a field in Centralia and have the game there. Call it the “Silent Hill Showdown” or something.

Murray said it is the 35th largest media market in the United States so maybe some old miners will watch the game.

[iupgroundhog]

Murray said it is the 35th largest media market in the United States so maybe some old miners will watch the game.

He might have meant 53rd. If so, it looks like S-WB has slipped a few notches since he last checked. I see it as #58 in Nielsen.

[ctrabs74]

Murray said it is the 35th largest media market in the United States so maybe some old miners will watch the game.

The "35th largest media market in the US"? Nielsen puts SWB as 59th largest market, just behind Little Rock and just ahead of Knoxville.

For comparison, Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York is 42nd (and Harrisburg is one spot behind Jacksonville, FWIW).

Nielsen also has Nashville (26th) surpassing Pittsburgh (27th); Philly is 5th, behind Dallas (4th) but slightly ahead of Houston (6th).

[ESU Warrior]

The "35th largest media market in the US"? Nielsen puts SWB as 59th largest market, just behind Little Rock and just ahead of Knoxville.

For comparison, Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York is 42nd (and Harrisburg is one spot behind Jacksonville, FWIW).

Nielsen also has Nashville (26th) surpassing Pittsburgh (27th); Philly is 5th, behind Dallas (4th) but slightly ahead of Houston (6th).

As a Scrantonian we are not the 35th. Mid 50s is more accurate from what we hear and that is Scranton/wilkes-Barre.

[RocknTheSnackBar]

I'm sure Steve is using what we in the 570 call "our area". This is now four teams in that footprint. Scranton Times will give good coverage if they still have local writers by then and there may be a local TV package. Little interest in Wilkes-Barre for this though the many alums in and around Scranton will go to see their schools (unless conflicts with either of the teams from last year's Orange Bowl)

[Bart]

As a Scrantonian we are not the 35th. Mid 50s is more accurate from what we hear and that is Scranton/wilkes-Barre.

WNEP reportedly covers one of the largest geographical areas east of the Mississippi, so those of us living in the mountains can watch it.

[IUPNation]

WNEP reportedly covers one of the largest geographical areas east of the Mississippi, so those of us living in the mountains can watch it.

Do they get Philly or New York channels in Scranton?

[RocknTheSnackBar]

Do they get Philly or New York channels in Scranton?

Just the RSNs

[Bart]

Do they get Philly or New York channels in Scranton?

I have basic cable, but some channels are available.

[Ship69]

I'm sure Steve is using what we in the 570 call "our area". This is now four teams in that footprint. Scranton Times will give good coverage if they still have local writers by then and there may be a local TV package. Little interest in Wilkes-Barre for this though the many alums in and around Scranton will go to see their schools (unless conflicts with either of the teams from last year's Orange Bowl)

Well, if they get any PSAC newspaper coverage it'll be more than the schools located in the midstate area get. Harrisburg media outlets basically ignore us.

[IUPNation]

I have basic cable, but some channels are available.

So Scranton has all network stations? I thought 6abc in Philly went all the way up there.

[TheBigCat2192]

The "35th largest media market in the US"? Nielsen puts SWB as 59th largest market, just behind Little Rock and just ahead of Knoxville.

For comparison, Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York is 42nd (and Harrisburg is one spot behind Jacksonville, FWIW).

Nielsen also has Nashville (26th) surpassing Pittsburgh (27th); Philly is 5th, behind Dallas (4th) but slightly ahead of Houston (6th).

This isn’t the Big Ten and we aren’t angling to get PSAC games carried on a specific tier of cable package. I don’t really see that the size of the “media market” matters if the invited school ends up sucking. I struggle to see the appeal of adding Lackawanna from both an on-field view and a stability view. They’re still a glorified community college trying to increase their student base by buying up a failing private school elsewhere in the state and their student body and alumni base will likely support an average crowd of about 50 people at home games. I’m hopeful that I’m wrong and the board knows what it is doing but I’m not a fan of the move.

[iupgroundhog]

This isn’t the Big Ten and we aren’t angling to get PSAC games carried on a specific tier of cable package. I don’t really see that the size of the “media market” matters if the invited school ends up sucking. I struggle to see the appeal of adding Lackawanna from both an on-field view and a stability view. They’re still a glorified community college trying to increase their student base by buying up a failing private school elsewhere in the state and their student body and alumni base will likely support an average crowd of about 50 people at home games. I’m hopeful that I’m wrong and the board knows what it is doing but I’m not a fan of the move.

You might be right but I think in this case it all depends on what Lackawanna becomes, not what it is or has been. We will know if it was a good move or a bad move by what happens in the future i.e. the next 3-5 years.

I think the part of it that makes the most sense is actually Football. The imbalanced divisions don't work. There was probably no other school available. Lackawanna has a football reputation, albeit in JUCO.

[Fightingscot82]

You might be right but I think in this case it all depends on what Lackawanna becomes, not what it is or has been. We will know if it was a good move or a bad move by what happens in the future i.e. the next 3-5 years.

I think the part of it that makes the most sense is actually Football. The imbalanced divisions don't work. There was probably no other school available. Lackawanna has a football reputation, albeit in JUCO.

Fair analysis. I looked at their stats from this past season. They only reported attendance for one home game and it was 353.