CALIFORNIA (Oct. 27) – More than pride will be riding on the game; as a Coal Miner's Pail will not be the only thing at stake on Saturday, Oct. 30, when the No. 12 California University of Pennsylvania football team plays host to rival Indiana University of Pennsylvania at Adamson Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff in the second-annual Coal Bowl presented by the Pennsylvania Coal Association. Last season in the inaugural game played at IUP, the Vulcans took home the Miner's pail with a 41-28 victory.

As part of the pre-game festivities, Chris Higbee (formerly of the Poverty Neck Hillbillies) will perform a concert in the parking lot at Adamson Stadium from 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. courtesy of the Common Sense movement. Also as part of the event, the first 500 students who attend the concert will receive a voucher for a free hot dog and soft drink. Additionally, an iPad and Pittsburgh Penguins merchandise will be raffled off to students in attendance courtesy of Common Sense.

The background and genesis of the Coal Bowl began when Cal U alumnus and Hall of Famer Bob Lippencott ('66) and his brother Barry, a graduate of IUP ('67), established endowed football scholarships in the amount of $10,000 to each of their respective universities in 2009. As part of their initiatives, the families have donated a “Coal Pail” trophy, which is presented annually to the winner of the rivalry between the two PSAC member institutions. This traveling trophy signifies the winner each year of the Coal Bowl game. Originally from Brownsville, Pa., the Lippencott family has a long history of working in the coal industry and felt this game would be an excellent platform in which to honor their families, respective universities, and the coal industry.

“This trophy is to honor the coal miner,” said the Lippencott brothers. “Coal miners are a special breed; every day they face danger, routine hardships and difficult work. They work underground in a dangerous environment doing a job that many do not envy.”

“In creating these scholarships, we wanted to recognize and offer a thank you to the universities that have played a major role in the successes we've had in our personal and professional lives. The work ethic reinforced in the football programs, combined with the work ethic we gained working in the coal mining area, certainly carried over into our lives” added the Lippencotts.

The Pennsylvania Coal Association will once again be the Presenting Sponsor of the Game, with Alpha Natural Resources, CONSOL Energy, F.O.R.C.E. (Families for PA Coal), Joy Mining, P & N Coal, Roberts & Schaefer, United Mine Workers of America District 2, and Washington Reprographics joining the event as Participating Sponsors.

“The Pennsylvania Coal Association, whose members produce over 80 percent of the bituminous coal mined each year in Western Pennsylvania that is used to generate affordable and reliable electricity, is honored to once again sponsor the Coal Bowl between two of the Commonwealth's finest universities which are located in the heart of the coalfields,” said Pennsylvania Coal Association President George Ellis.

Following the game, the winning team will receive the Lippencott Brothers Coal Miner's Pail Trophy which will be presented by the Lippencott brothers along with George Ellis of the Pennsylvania Coal Association to the winning University President and Football Coach. Additionally, Joy Mining will present an award to the Most Valuable Player of the Game.

“This trophy with the miner's lunch pail is a tribute to the men and women of the coal mining industry both past and present for their strong work ethic and dedication to family,” said Bob Lippencott.

The two Universities first competed in 1918 with IUP holding a 55-20-1 lead in the series. Since 2005, Cal U has emerged victorious in four of the last five meetings, including three-straight. Since 2000, these two teams have either won or shared the PSAC West divisional title, in addition to Cal U reaching the NCAA Division II National Semifinals each of the last three seasons.