Game, graduation have SR ready for business
SLIPPERY ROCK — Put 'em in coach, businesses in the borough are ready for action Saturday.
Slippery Rock University will have its commencement ceremony back-to-back with its NCAA Division II semifinal game against undefeated Minnesota State University.
While graduation comes every year, the semifinal football game is something new and unexpected for local businesses.
“People are excited,” said Donna Mokel, an employee at Camelot Restaurant.
Mokel said traffic will be rough with both events nearly coinciding, but it brings much-needed business before commerce drops off in town.
“Once the kids leave, it's the slowest period,” she said. “It helps to have these few weeks.”
Mokel said she plans to go to the game with her grandson, who plays football for Slippery Rock Area School District. She said she's confident in this SRU team.
“I think they're going to go the whole way,” she said. “Go Rock!”
Mayor Jondavid Longo said the police department is prepared for the extra traffic. He said the department has added and trained new officers over the past couple of years and is possibly as strong as it ever has been.
“Our police department as a whole is reliable,” said Longo, an SRU alumnus.
Longo said he and borough council have been encouraging strong partnerships with local businesses to provide an environment where they can thrive during events like this weekend's.
“This is what we're shooting for,” he said. “These are the types of scenarios we want to find ourselves in.”
Alan Strezeski, an owner of the Troy-Alan car dealership, has had a great relationship with SRU's football program since joining the Slippery Rock community in 1993.
“My heart is with them,” Strezeski said. “It's definitely something special.”
Strezeski said Saturday is a prime example of sports growing a region. He said Slippery Rock has been developing on its own, so the growth from sports compounds the effect.
“We're just glad it's happening in Slippery Rock,” he said. “I've watched the borough grow. I see things happening, and it's been positive.”North Country Brew Pub is usually bustling, but the restaurant's general manager, Gabby Rizzi, said they have room to expand for this weekend.“We have an upstairs dining room and a bar upstairs too,” she said. “People are surprised that we have that.”Rizzi said the business is prepared for the extra customers. She said it has a new beer list and also has liquor and wine available.The pub will be playing the game on its TVs by the bar. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 3.Rizzi said the staff hopes to provide a warm place for people who want to have a few drinks while watching the game. She said the restaurant has stepped up its food game lately, too, hiring a new culinary-trained executive chef.“We're prepared for (this weekend),” Rizzi said. “We have the staff and the inventory for it.”Audrianna Bly, president of the Slippery Rock Business Association, said outside of the game and graduation, families will find a nice place to peruse merchandise and shops.“It's a small-town feel. Main Street in Slippery Rock is beautiful, so it'll be a good experience,” she said. “It's a great place to walk down the street and experience some of the local shops and things you're not going to find other places.”Some businesses like Back to the Vape are offering sales over the weekend.John Cooney, the shop's owner, said having the added foot traffic will be a boost for the local economy.“The increased revenue is quite nice,” Cooney said.Cooney said he plans to have sales and specials at his store, and if weather permits, he may do glass blowing demonstrations outside the business.He said an event like this allows the town to showcase not only its wares but its people.“Definitely, it brings more attention not just from the students but from families of the students, to the town and to how the town acts,” Cooney said.Rameen Mamoozadeh, owner Slippery Rock Hardware, said this weekend's events on campus coincide with his business's Christmas Open House, which includes a visit from Santa.“This weekend will be good. There'll be a lot of people in town. Folks are moving out, so they'll need some supplies for that,” Mamoozadeh said. “We're expecting a pretty big weekend.”
WHAT: Slippery Rock University's football team hosts undefeated Minnesota State University in the Division II semifinal gameWHEN: 12:30 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Mihalik-Thompson StadiumTICKETS: Call 724-738-2021WHAT: Slippery Rock University's winter commencementWHEN: 11 a.m. SaturdayWHERE: Morrow Field HouseNOTE: The university will award 426 undergraduate degrees, 100 master's degrees and three doctoral degrees.
