Turning the Lights Back On: First Night Football Game to Be Played in Mansfield, PA Since 1892
Mansfield, PA (PRWEB) July 25, 2013 -- When John L. Cummings and the General Electric Company first brought electricity to Mansfield, PA in 1892, it sparked an idea amongst a group of students who had played on Mansfield Normal School’s first football team in 1891. These students wanted to showcase their skills in front of the crowds at the Great Mansfield Fair, and what better way to do so than to play football under the “electric light” on the evening of September 28, 1892. Although this game ended in a 0-0 tie, it would forever be known as the first night football game in the history of the sport and would later be immortalized in General Electric’s 1992 commercial "Night Football." Most recently, Mansfield’s feat was mentioned in their letter of encouragement to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the power went out during Super Bowl XLVII. Their newest entry into the history books, however, will incorporate all of these aspects (well, hopefully not the last one...)
Mansfield University will once again be making history on September 14, 2013 when its sprint football team hosts Princeton University on its newly-renovated Karl Van-Norman Field. The field, which now features AstroTurf, also received four light standards to illuminate the new playing surface—a first for the 156-year-old institution—making this game the second to be played under the lights by Mansfield. Another historical aspect added to this game is that Mansfield’s opponent, Princeton, played in the first ever collegiate football game in 1869.
But the surprises don’t end there.
In a July 1 article posted on Mansfield's Athletics Website, it was announced that Mansfield University has teamed up with SPORTSfever Television Network to broadcast the September 14 home opener on national, regional and local networks. These market areas include Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio, and the game will be available nationally via satellite. A listing of networks in Pennsylvania that will air the game can be found here.
"We are pleased to invite the world to Mansfield on September 14 for this historic event,” President General Fran Hendricks stated in the article. Hendricks, a 1979 graduate of Mansfield, recently assumed the Presidency at Mansfield. "Princeton, which played the first football game in America, will face Mansfield, which in 1892 hosted the world's first night football game,” he continued. “After a 121-year absence, night football returns to Mansfield and history will be made again."
If you can’t make it to the September 14 event, visit Mansfield during Fabulous 1890's Weekend on September 27 and 28. This event celebrates the first night football game with a reenactment which, ironically, will be played on the night of September 28. The reenactment is complete with authentic uniforms, 1890’s rules and “humorously accurate game-play.” A parade, hot-air balloon rides and fireworks will also be part of the weekend celebration.
Allison Senchur, Tioga County Visitors Bureau, http://www.visittiogapa.com, (570) 724-0635, [email protected]
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