Cal U hosts IUP at 6 p.m. Sept. 29.
The 10th annual Coal Bowl will take place Saturday, Sept. 29, when the Cal U Vulcans football team hosts Indiana University of Pennsylvania at Adamson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
The Coal Bowl began in 2009, when Cal U alumnus Bob Lippencott ’66 and his brother Barry, a 1967 graduate of IUP, established football scholarships at their respective alma maters. As part of their initiatives, the families donated a “coal pail” trophy that is presented to the winner of the rivalry between the two PSAC-West teams.
Originally from Brownsville, Pa., the Lippencott family has a long history of working in the coal industry. The brothers felt this game would be an excellent platform for honoring their families, their respective universities and the coal industry.
“Coal miners do dangerous, difficult work every day underground,” said Bob Lippencott, a 2002 Cal U Hall of Fame inductee. “This trophy is to honor them.”
Both brothers credit the universities for playing a major role in their personal and professional lives.
“Our education and the strong work ethic we learned from football and working in the coal mining area significantly impacted us,” Bob Lippencott added. “We also enjoy supporting our student-athlete football players.”
The Vulcans have been victorious in six of the previous nine Coal Bowl matchups, including a 31-28 victory in 2016, the last time the game was contested at Adamson Stadium.
“The Lippencott brothers have created a wonderful tradition that both football programs are proud to be a pat of,” said Gary Dunn, Cal U’s third-year head coach.
“We hope to raise the trophy on Saturday night.”
Students, faculty and staff with valid CalCards are admitted free to all home football games, along with children ages 12 and younger. The Coal Bowl can be viewed live at calvulcans.com and on the CUTVSports1 channel at YouTube.com.