Shippensburg University Athletics

ChampionSHIP FAMILY

SETH GROVE STADIUM

Seth Grove Stadium opened Sept. 9, 1972 and has been the home for the football team for nearly 40 years. 

In 2020, a brand new Astroturf surface was installed – marking the first upgrade to the playing surface since artificial turf replaced the original grass surface in 2011. Renovations to the bleachers were also completed in 2020.

GAMEDAY ATMOSPHERE

The football team plays before capacity crowds at Seth Grove Stadium in a gameday atmosphere that includes the marching band, cheerleaders, and a whole lot of loud and loyal fans.

Three hours before the game, the practice fields behind the stadium are opened up for fans to arrive and tailgate. Crowds of loyal fans add to the outstanding atmosphere on gamedays.

Shippensburg also consistently ranks among the top teams in the PSAC in total attendance. SU has consistently averaged at least 4,000 fans per home game in a season during the last decade.

STATE-OF-THE-ART LOCKER ROOM FACILITY

On Homecoming Weekend in 2019, Shippensburg University announced a gift of $2 million for the construction of a new Shippensburg University football locker room. Construction began in 2020, and was completed in time for the 2021 season.

The state-of-the-art facility features 111 modern lockers equipped with LED lighting, USB charging ports, and a digital lock. Includes contemporary sound system, TVs, and a lounge area. Structurally, it is connected to Seth Grove Stadium by an extended tunnel that adjoins Student Association Field.

RAIDERS ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE CENTER

As a member of the team, you will have access to a first-class strength and conditioning facility with state-of-the-art equipment that is EXCLUSIVE to Shippensburg University student-athletes. 

The Raiders Athletic Performance Center is located on the bottom floor of Heiges Field House. Newly renovated in 2020, it features updated weightlifting equipment, turf for agility drills, and a modern sound system.

The team has the opportunity to work with a full-time head strength & conditioning coach, Dennis Kerstetter, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Kerstetter oversees the facility, which serves approximately 450 student-athletes at Shippensburg University. 

Coach K played football at IUP and has assisted multiple NCAA Division I programs with their strength & conditioning efforts. 

KATHRYN HUGHES SEABER RAIDERS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES

Shippensburg University provides many special services to assist student-athletes with academic support in order to balance the role of student and athlete. Shippensburg University Academic Support Services provides information and informed advice about academic matters to all student-athletes.

The Kathryn Hughes Seaber Raiders Academic Center is exclusive to SU student-athletes and features study areas, computers, lounge and modern technology. Housed inside the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, the Seaber RAC is a one-stop shop for information about academic matters to all student-athletes. 

The office of Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes and the Seaber RAC is directed by Trejon Dinkins, who was an All-PSAC safety and two-year captain as a football player at Millersville.

SPORTS MEDICINE AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE

The Department of Sports Medicine is a comprehensive collection of allied health care professionals working in collaboration to provide the best possible health care to the student-athletes at Shippensburg University. A major emphasis by the Department of Sports Medicine is the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and student-athlete education of various sports related injuries and medical conditions.

The sports medicine staff includes four licensed athletic trainers, an intern and numerous work study students. These individuals operate three athletic training facilities located throughout Shippensburg's athletic venues as well as an on campus rehabilitation center located inside Heiges Field House.

Becky Fitz, associate director of sports medicine, is in her 15th year at Shippensburg University and has served as the head athletic trainer for football since 2011. 

TOP-OF-THE-LINE EQUIPMENT, GEAR, AND APPAREL FROM BSN SPORTS/NIKE

The Shippensburg University Athletic Department is in a multi-year partnership with Nike through BSN SPORTS. 

SU Athletic teams are outfitted with Nike equipment, footwear and apparel for team jerseys, gameday, and practices. 

According to director of athletics Jeff Michaels, "Our goal is to make sure that our student-athletes have the best available apparel and equipment, and we feel that occurs with BSN and Nike."

RAIDERS IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NFL)

Raiders in the NFL

Shippensburg University has had five different athletes play in a National Football League (NFL) regular season game and more than 20 others have competed for an NFL team in a preseason, exhibition or tryout.

The most famous Raider alums to play in the NFL are: New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn, a two-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowl pick, and defensive back Brent Grimes, a four-time NFL Pro Bowler and 10-year veteran with more than 30 career interceptions. Grimes played for Atlanta, Miami and Tampa Bay.

Jake Metz, the 2016 Arena Football Defensive Lineman of the Year for the AFL Champion Philadelphia Soul, signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills and spent the 2017 preseason with the Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.

Trevor Harman, the PSAC record holder for receiving touchdowns (61), spent the 2015 NFL preseason with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Others to receive pro workouts in recent years include Zach Zulli, the 2012 Harlon Hill winner as NCAA Division II’s Most Valuable Player, who attended a camp with the Seattle Seahawks.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS

Head Coach Drew Gallardy (Offensive Line): https://twitter.com/CoachGallardy

Assistant Coach Mike Burket (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers): https://twitter.com/MCBDCLB

Assistant Coach Pete Lee (Tight Ends/Kickers): https://twitter.com/pjleeol

Assistant Coach Brayden Long (Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers): https://twitter.com/@Coach_Long12

Assistant Coach Josh Finafrock (Wide Receivers): https://twitter.com/CoachFin10

Assistant Coach Tony Johnson (Special Teams): https://twitter.com/TonyTj03

Assistant Coach Todd Ryan (Defensive Line): https://twitter.com/shipfootball

Assistant Coach Ron Kerr (Defensive Line): https://twitter.com/CoachKerr1

Assistant Coach Evan Brandes (Offensive Line): https://twitter.com/Coach_Brandes

Assistant Coach David Cook (Running Backs):

Graduate Assistant Tasir Money (Defensive Backs): https://twitter.com/CoachTMoney32

AWARD-WINNING SUCCESS

CONTACT INFORMATION / UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

For more information on Shippensburg University Football, email RaidersFootball@ship.edu.