This week is a monumental week for Mercyhurst. The Lakers play their first game against an FCS opponent when they travel to the Nation's Capital to play Howard. The Lakers' FCS debut had little fanfare since they traveled to Division II Wheeling on a Thursday night. In short, a matchup against a program of Howard's stature is unprecedented for the program.
While the Lakers do not have a return game hosting the Bison scheduled, a visit from the Bison can be a remarkable event. The Lakers play at tiny Saxon Stadium, which seats only 2,300 fans, one of the smallest capacities in the FCS. Should the Lakers host the Bison, a move to the ballpark would be more beneficial.
Howard's Showtime Marching Band would drive a move to a larger venue in Erie. The Erie Seawolves of the Eastern League play at 6,000-seat UPMC Park. The ballpark can accommodate over double the fans that Saxon Stadium can. More importantly, Howard's Marching Band. While HBCU football is more than just the bands, the bands are undoubtedly one of the first things people associate with HBCUs. Should the game stay at Saxon Stadium, it is difficult to imagine the Showtime Marching Band making the trip. Howard's Marching Band would make up an estimated 5% of Saxon Stadium's capacity alone. Moving the game to UPMC Park allows more people to see Howard's band. With the lone football-playing HBCU in Pennsylvania, Lincoln, being over 300 miles away, Howard traveling to Mercyhurst is a rare opportunity for fans in the Erie area to experience the pageantry of Black College Football. Holding the game at Saxon Stadium would simply be a waste.
Furthermore, a move to the ballpark makes the game feel like a special occasion. Recently, moves to local ballparks have given Holy Cross and North Alabama games a unique flair. A move to UPMC Park would do the same. The Northeast Conference lacks the exposure of the FCS' other leagues. The league's national footprint declined this year with the omission of the league's Thursday #NECatNite games on CBS Sports Network. A move to the ballpark in 2025 makes some effort to catch the NEC up to other leagues.
Solid attendance in a ballpark game could convince other nearby powers like Villanova and Youngstown State to make the trip to Erie, PA. Visiting the 2,300-seat Saxon Stadium discourages nearby tradition-rich programs from visiting Mercyhurst due to the limited capacity to sell ticket allotments to their fans. Moving to UPMC Park allows visiting schools to recoup some travel money and pitch a distinct game day experience to their fans.
While holding games on campus is ideal for Mercyhurst, an opponent of Howard’s stature deserves a larger venue. Holding a potential 2025 return game against the Bison at UPMC Park optimizes the experience of watching one of Black College Football’s most well-known brands.
