The Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks, commonly known as the IUP Crimson Hawks and formerly called the IUP Indians, are the varsity athletic teams that represent Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The university and all of its intercollegiate sports teams compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) within the NCAA Division II. The university sponsors 19 different teams, including eight teams for men and eleven teams for women: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, women's field hockey, football, men's golf, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming, women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's volleyball.

IUP Crimson Hawks
Logo
UniversityIndiana University of Pennsylvania
ConferencePennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)
NCAADivision II
Athletic directorTodd Garzarelli
LocationIndiana, Pennsylvania
Varsity teams19
Football stadiumGeorge P. Miller Stadium
Basketball arenaKovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex
Baseball stadiumOwen Dougherty Field
Soccer stadiumSouth Campus Soccer Field
Other venuesPodbielski Field (softball)
S&T Bank Arena
Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex
MascotNorm
NicknameCrimson Hawks
Fight songCrimson Express
Hail IUP
ColorsCrimson and gray[1]
   
Websitewww.iupathletics.com

Mascot edit

 
IUP bear logo

IUP originally dubbed its sports teams the "Indians", in reference to the town and school's name, and used a costumed student as a mascot. Following movements to eliminate Native American-related mascots, the university eliminated the Indian mascot in 1991, replacing it with an American black bear named Cherokee - deriving from the name of the university's fight song, though it retained the Indian nickname.[2]

In the early 2000s, the university actively moved to change the nickname as well. A campus poll in 2002 indicated the students favored the "Fighting Squirrels" as a nickname.[3] In May 2006, the NCAA ruled that IUP would be prohibited from hosting postseason championship games and using the Indian nickname in postseason events, a year after the university was placed on a list of 18 schools whose mascots were non-compliant with NCAA policies.[4] Suggestions following the NCAA ruling included hellbenders, "Ridge runners", and mining-related nicknames, all relevant to the university's location in Western Pennsylvania.[5]

In December 2006, the Council of Trustees adopted the "Crimson Hawk"[6] The mascot was introduced during the 2007 season-opening football game against Cheyney. In 2008, the hawk was named "Norm", in reference to the university's former name as the Indiana Normal School.[7]

With the change of the mascot, it was for the best that IUP would change its fight song, "Cherokee", as well since it makes references to a Native American tribe. In 2007, Dr. David Martynuik, director of the marching band, composed "Crimson Xpress", the new fight song that would replace "Cherokee" and would bring in a whole new era to IUP athletics.

When a local sportswriter researched what a "Crimson Hawk" was, it was discovered that the domain name crimsonhawk.com was the site of an adult cartoon character named "Crimson Hawk". Some criticized the university's lack of research prior to making the decision. The site owner moved his content to a different domain name without the university asking or the issue being brought to court.[8] Today, IUP remains the IUP Crimson Hawks in all of their sports and club competitions.

Facilities edit

University athletic facilities are roughly divided into two sections. On campus near the Eberly College of Business is Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium, a 6,500-seat artificial turf stadium that serves as the venue for football, field hockey, and track & field. Adjacent to Miller Stadium is the Memorial Field House, which used to be the host to men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball, and additionally houses athletic department offices. Also inside the Field House is the Pidgeon Natatorium, which is used by the men's and women's swimming team.[9] The South Campus Athletic Complex holds other sports venues: Owen Dougherty Field, home of the baseball team, Podbielski Field for the softball team, a soccer field and a rugby pitch.

Beginning in 1999, a construction project for a university convocation center was authorized by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. Construction began near Miller Stadium in late 2008 for the 150,000-square-foot (14,000 m2) complex that will hold a 6,000-seat arena. The Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, which opened in the fall of 2011, is the current home of the men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball, replacing the Memorial Field House as these teams primary venues.[10]

Men's sports edit

Football edit

The university's football program dates back to the 1890s when the team competed against regional athletic clubs and other universities. In the early years, the team featured John Brallier, who would become the first paid football player. Official records by the university begin with the tenure of George Miller in 1927. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference was formed in 1951 by the members of the Pennsylvania state university system, and the university has been a member since then, winning 17 West Division titles through 2010. In 1968 the team competed and lost to heavily favored Delaware in the Boardwalk Bowl. Under Frank Cignetti Sr., the Crimson Hawks regularly appeared in NCAA post-season competition, including two appearances in the NCAA Division II National Football Championship in 1990 and 1993. In 2012, under Curt Cignetti, the Crimson Hawks earned the PSAC title and another appearance in the NCAA Division II National Football Championship. They ultimately lost to the top seed in Super Region One, Winston-Salem State University. In 2017, under first-year head coach Paul Tortorella, the Crimson Hawks finished regular season with a perfect 11–0 record winning the PSAC Championship and earning an appearance in the NCAA Division II National Football Championship.

Golf edit

  • Conference championships: 1957, 1964, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004 (spring), 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022[11]
  • Team national championship:
  • Individual national champions:
    • 1968 – Rick Hrip (NAIA)[13]
    • 2009 – Gavin Smith[14]

Baseball edit

  • Conference championships: 1960, 1973, 1980, 1988, 1990.[15]
  • NCAA Tournament appearances: 1988, 1990.[16]
  • NAIA District 18 Champions: 1971, 1977.[16]
  • NAIA District 30 Champions: 1960, 1964.[16]
  • NAIA Area 8 Champions: 1960, 1971.[16]
  • NAIA Baseball World Series appearances: 1960, 1971 (third place).[16]

Men's basketball edit

Through 2010, the men's basketball team has made nine appearances in the NCAA tournament. In the first in 1994 the team advanced to the Elite Eight, after winning their regional competition. In total, the team has advanced to the Elite Eight five times, the Final Four three times, and their first national championship game in 2010, where they were defeated by the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos. In 2010, Joe Lombardi was named the Basketball Times Division II Coach of the Year, following the team's finish as national runner-up. In the 2017–18 season, the team went to the PSAC Quarter Finals. [17]

Women's sports edit

Women's basketball edit

The IUP Women's basketball team won the Atlantic Regional Championships Elite Eight Division II in March 2018. The team has also gone to the PSAC Semifinals and Division II Final Four Semifinals in 2018 and 2019. Their coach, Tom McConnell has led them to many victories over the past few years.

  • Conference championships: 1988, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017[20]
  • NCAA playoff appearances: 1988, 1998 (Elite Eight), 2000, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Final Four and 2019 Final Four[21]

Field hockey edit

  • Conference championships: 2007.[22]
  • NCAA tournament appearances: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006 (National semifinals), 2007 (National semifinals), 2008.[23][24]

Soccer edit

Softball edit

The women's softball team began play in 1979. Beginning in 2009, they compete in the Central Division of the PSAC. They have made appearances in the NCAA tournament in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2010.[26]

Volleyball edit

  • Conference championships: 2002.[27]

Lacrosse edit

The women's lacrosse program began play in 1999, and achieved their first winning season in 2001 with an 8–7 record.[28]

Tennis edit

In the 2010–2011 season, the women's tennis team defeated Slippery Rock placing 2nd in their division just behind California University of Pennsylvania. The team lost in the first round to Armstrong Atlantic 5–0. The women also had the most wins ever in a season (21–8).

  • Conference championships: 2017
  • NCAA playoff appearances: 2002, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
  • NCAA Sweet 16 appearances: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Co-ed sports edit

Cross country edit

  • Men's conference championships: 1972, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1996.[29]
  • Women's conference championships: 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1967, 1987, 1990.[30]
  • Women's individual championships: 1986, 1987, 1991, 1991, 2001, 2002, 2003.[31]

Swimming edit

  • Women's conference championships: 1999.[32]

Track & field edit

The PSAC offers both indoor winter and outdoor spring track & field seasons.

  • Women's conference championships: 1988
  • Individual national champions[33]
    • 2011 – Nafee Harris, long jump (indoor)
    • 2010 – Nafee Harris, long jump (outdoor)
    • 2010 – Nafee Harris, long jump (indoor)
    • 2009 – Nafee Harris, long jump (outdoor)
    • 2008 – Sean Strauman, 800 metres
    • 2002 – Mark Bridge, javelin
    • 2001 – Amber Plowden, 100 meters
    • 2001 – Derek Brinkley, 400 meter hurdles
    • 1993 – Bob Vranich, javelin
    • 1992 – Alan Pugh, discus
    • 1990 – Bob Babiak, decathlon
    • 1990 – Jeffrey Neral, javelin
    • 1987 – Dave Maudie, javelin
    • 1986 – Tammy Donnelly, 10,000 meters
    • 1973 – John Elliot, javelin (NAIA)

Club sports edit

The university offers many club sports that compete intercollegiately but are not sponsored by the athletic department include:[34]

The IUP orienteering team won three intercollegiate national championships (1973, 1975, 1976). In 1999, Samantha Zipp of IUP was the women's individual orienteering national champion.[40]

Notable alumni edit

 
John Brallier played for Indiana Normal School in 1893 and 1894 before becoming the first professional football player.

Notable alumni that have played for IUP teams include:

References edit

  1. ^ "Colors - Core IUP Elements". Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  2. ^ Simonich, Milan (4 March 2001). "Students, others want IUP Indians team names changed". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
  3. ^ Cregan, Amanda. "SC petitions to change mascot from Native American reference" The Penn, 25 November 2002.
  4. ^ Scifo, Dan (5 May 2006). "NCAA deems IUP nickname too hostile". Blairsville Dispatch. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
  5. ^ Fontana, Erica (26 September 2006). "IUP holds forum to discuss nickname change". The Penn. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
  6. ^ Fryling, Michelle. "Council of Trustees Approves Graphic Image of Mascot," IUP Office of Media Relations, 9 March 2007.
  7. ^ "The Hawk Gets a Name!" Indiana University of Pennsylvania Press Release, 3 March 2008.
  8. ^ "Mascots, Indians and Adults-Only Cartoons". Inside Higher Ed. 27 December 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  9. ^ "Pidgeo Natatorim". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  10. ^ "About the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  11. ^ "Men's Golf Year-By-Year PSAC Champions". PSAC. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  12. ^ "NAIA 2009 Spring Media Guide, p. 36" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  13. ^ "Rick Hrip '68". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  14. ^ "Gavin Smith Wins National Championship on First Playoff Hole at NCAA Tournament". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  15. ^ "Baseball Year-By-Year PSAC Champions". PSAC. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Year-by-Year Team Records". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  17. ^ "Joe Lombardi Named Basketball Times Division II Coach of the Year after Historic 2009-10 Season". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 8 May 2010. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  18. ^ "PSAC Men's Basketball History" (PDF). PSAC. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  19. ^ "All-Time Scores". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  20. ^ "Women's Basketball Year-By-Year PSAC Champions". PSAC. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  21. ^ "IUP Yearly Scores". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  22. ^ "Field Hockey Year-by-Year PSAC Champions". PSAC. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  23. ^ "IUP Earns Fourth Consecutive Trip to the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament and Receives First Round Bye". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 29 October 2007. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  24. ^ "IUP Set to Host Shippensburg in Opening Round of NCAA Field Hockey Tournament". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 4 November 2008. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  25. ^ a b c "Year-by-Year Team Records". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  26. ^ "Year-by-Year Team Records". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  27. ^ "Volleyball Year-by-Year PSAC Champions". PSAC. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  28. ^ http://iupathletics.com/documents/2010/7/14/laxyearbyyearrecords.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  29. ^ "Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men's Cross Country History". Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  30. ^ "Women's Cross Country Year-by-Year PSAC Champions". PSAC. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  31. ^ "Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women's Cross Country History - Women's Individual Champions". Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  32. ^ "Women's Swimming Year-by-Year PSAC Champions". PSAC. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  33. ^ "IUP Track & Field All-Americans" (PDF). Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  34. ^ "Athletics and Sports Clubs". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  35. ^ II, Ed Major (2020-03-01). "IUP beats Pitt, 4-1 to claim CHMA title". Pittsburgh Hockey Digest. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  36. ^ "UHL History". University Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  37. ^ "Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Division II | DVCHC Women's Hockey | DVCHC Women's". Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  38. ^ "Keystone Division". National College Lacrosse League. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  39. ^ "Home -". Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  40. ^ "US Intercollegiate Orienteering Champions". Retrieved 3 September 2009.[dead link]