A Legacy of Crimson and Gray: The History of IUP Football

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a public research university located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, boasts a rich history dating back to its founding as Indiana Normal School in 1875. While the university has evolved significantly since its early days, one constant has been the presence of a competitive athletic program, with football holding a prominent position. The IUP Crimson Hawks football program has a long and storied history, marked by periods of success, dedicated coaches, and talented players. From its humble beginnings in the late 19th century to its national prominence in the late 20th century, IUP football has become an integral part of the university's identity.

Early Gridiron Days (1890-1927)

In 1871, Indiana County investors initiated the Indiana Normal School, which was first chartered. Created under the Normal School Act of 1875, it opened its doors in 1875, enrolling 225 students and following the mold of the French École Normale. While official university records begin in 1927, organized football games were played at the Indiana Normal School as early as 1890. One of the earliest documented games was a 6-6 tie against the Greensburg Athletic Association.

During these early years, the Normal School faced off against a variety of opponents. These included established institutions like Washington & Jefferson and West Virginia University, as well as club teams like the Greensburg Athletic Association and the Latrobe Athletic Association. Notably, the Latrobe Athletic Association holds the distinction of being the first professional football team.

John Brallier, a Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania native, holds a unique place in football history. After playing for the West Indiana Public School team, Brallier enrolled at the Normal School in 1893 at the age of 17. His goal was to join the football team. The 1893 team, which included Alex Stewart (father of actor Jimmy Stewart), achieved a record of three wins out of four games. In 1894, the team faced tougher competition, including colleges and teams composed of former college players, resulting in only two wins out of five games. One notable game was a 28-0 loss to Washington & Jefferson. However, Brallier's talent was evident, as Washington & Jefferson coach E. Gard Edwards encouraged him to attend the university. More significantly, Brallier became the first professional football player in 1895 following his time at the Normal School.

Building a Program (1927-1985)

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania assumed control and ownership of the institution in 1920. In 1927, the Pennsylvania General Assembly granted it the status of State Teachers College at Indiana, empowering it to award degrees. University records begin with the tenure of George Miller in 1927. In that initial season, the Indiana State College team competed against regional schools such as California State Normal School and Saint Vincent College, as well as opponents further afield like Muskingum College and Kent State Normal College. Miller served as head coach for 20 seasons, laying the foundation for the program's future.

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Beginning in 1934, a group of sportswriters began recognizing the best team amongst Pennsylvania's State Teachers Colleges. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) was formed in 1951, with the members of the state system participating. From that time until 1960, a point system determined the champion.

The Klausing and Cignetti Eras (1986-2010)

Under Chuck Klausing, a future College Football Hall of Fame member, the team made their first appearances in the PSAC Championship game as the best team in the West Division. Frank Cignetti took over in 1986, and won the PSAC Championships that year, and again in 1987. In 1987, IUP made their first NCAA playoff appearance, playing the UCF Golden Nights in the Citrus Bowl, which is a DI bowl game, and lost.

Frank Cignetti's tenure marked a period of significant success for the program. In 1986 and 1987, his teams captured the PSAC Championships. 1987 also saw IUP's first appearance in the NCAA playoffs.

The IUP football team reached the pinnacle of Division II football in both 1990 and 1993, making it to the NCAA Division II national title game. However, in both instances, the Crimson Hawks fell just short of the championship, finishing as the runner-up.

Recent Years (2011-Present)

Lou Tepper, who had previously coached at Illinois and Edinboro, took over in 2006. He became IUP's third coach, behind Bill Neal and Cignetti, that had served under Dave Hart at Pittsburgh. In the first season under Tepper, the Crimson Hawks won the PSAC West.

Curt Cignetti was introduced as IUP's head coach on January 21, 2011, replacing Lou Tepper. Cignetti, then 49, wanted more. After 28 seasons as an assistant coach at seven schools, he wanted the opportunity to be a head coach. It took some gumption on his part to go from the game’s highest level to Division II, but Cignetti viewed it as a chance to bet on himself. He accepted the job, the same one his father, Frank, held from 1986 to 2005, and began the second chapter of his career-the one that 14 years later has him coaching the No. In six seasons, Cignetti led IUP to a 53-17 record, three NCAA Division II playoff berths, and one Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship. He left for Elon University in 2017 and, after two seasons, took a job at James Madison University.

The Crimson Hawks' current head coach is Paul Tortorella, who was named acting head coach for the 2017 season after Curt Cignetti resigned to take the head coach position at Elon University.

While Division II teams rarely appear on television, IUP has appeared on regional telecasts in 1968 at the Boardwalk Bowl and 2006 against California University of PA. The team has also been on national TV while playing in those Division II national title games from 1990 and 1993. On November 2, 2006, a game against Slippery Rock was nationally televised on the TV channel, CSTV.

Notable Figures

Several individuals associated with IUP football have achieved recognition for their contributions to the sport and beyond.

Coaches

Frank Cignetti: Led IUP to two PSAC Championships and an NCAA playoff appearance.
Curt Cignetti: Achieved a 53-17 record, three NCAA Division II playoff berths, and one PSAC championship in six seasons.

Players

John Brallier: Became the first professional football player in 1895.
Dan Radakovich: A tight end for IUP, Radakovich has had a long and successful career in athletic administration, including a stint as the director of athletics at University of Miami. At LSU, he helped guide the Tigers to a national football championship in 2003.
Dondrea Tillman: Signed with the Denver Broncos in 2024 and made his NFL debut that season.

Assistant Coaches

Bryant Haines: Cignetti brought in 29-year-old Bryant Haines to be his defensive line coach in 2014. Except for a one-year stint at California-Davis in 2016, the Piqua, Ohio, native has been on Cignetti’s staff ever since.
Mike Shanahan: In 2016, Cignetti hired 26-year-old Mike Shanahan, a former player at Pitt, to be his wide receivers coach. The son of 1982 IUP graduate Michael Shanahan, he has risen to become Cignetti’s offensive coordinator, and he won the footballscoop.com Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2024.

The Legacy Continues

The IUP Crimson Hawks football program continues to be a source of pride for the university and its alumni. With a dedicated coaching staff and talented players, the program strives to build upon its rich history and achieve continued success on the field. The Crimson Hawks play their home games at George P. Miller Stadium, named after the coach who led the program for two decades.

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IUP annually produces teams and individuals that compete for championships on the conference, regional and national levels. The program's commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, ensures that the legacy of IUP football will endure for years to come.

PSAC Championship Game Appearances

The following table summarizes IUP's appearances in the PSAC Championship Game:

Year	Opponent	Location
1968	vs.	New Haven
1999	at Slippery Rock
2017	West Chester

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