For the first time in 50 years, Norwin will host a Friday night homecoming football game.

At their Monday night meeting, a majority of Norwin School Board members granted the request to move the game from its Saturday slot. Members of the football team and boosters had come before the board several times to ask for the change.

Proponents of a Friday night game argued that the Saturday game posed a health and safety risk to players and other students. The daytime game created the possibility of dangerously high temperatures, particularly for players on the field, and forced students to rush home afterward to prepare for the dance.

Those in favor of the change also pointed out that without a game to rush off to, people attending the Saturday homecoming parade would be more likely to stay in downtown Irwin and shop, benefiting local merchants.

Board President Robert Perkins said board members discussed the issue for several months, and the time had come to make a decision. He said he personally could go either way, but public opinion seemed to lean toward a Friday night game.

"There hasn't been a big outcry not to change it," he said.

Board member Thomas Strum suggested an earlier Saturday game would give players and students more time after the game to get ready for the homecoming dance.

Del Nolfi pointed out that would conflict with the parade, and Donald Rhodes added that an earlier game could conflict with SAT testing held in the morning.

Norwin Superintendent John Boylan said the district had tried to have a slightly earlier game this past fall, but the opposing school, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, had SATs that morning and the game time had to be later.

Board members Ronald Giuliana and Rebecca Gediminskas expressed their support for the change. Perkins said the board did not have to hold a formal vote, because the decision was an administrative matter, but asked for a show of hands.

A majority of the board indicated they supported a Friday night game, and Boylan said he would make the change. Boylan said the new game day would not be the only difference this year, as the district hoped to expand the traditional celebration.

"This being our 50th anniversary, we'll try to make it a special year," he said.

Although Boylan did not have a final time for the game, he said he expected it would start at 7:30 p.m., the same time as other Friday night games.