Norwin's 50th anniversary as a school district will include a break with tradition -- for at least one year.

School directors Monday night approved the switch of the Knights' homecoming football game against McKeesport Area from Oct. 11, a Saturday afternoon, to the previous night, as originally scheduled by the WPIAL.

Norwin homecoming games had always been played on a Saturday afternoon, following a morning parade through downtown Irwin.

Norwin, a merger of Irwin and North Huntingdon in 1958, will be a Class AAAA Foothills Conference rival with McKeesport for at least the next two football seasons. The WPIAL, in its biennial realignment, moved the Tigers out of the Great Southern Conference.

They will face Norwin in an afternoon homecoming that may not become a tradition.

"We've talked about this for four months," said board President Robert Perkins. "Sentiment in the community and among alumni is mixed. Let's try it for a year."

"We'll call it a 'pilot' homecoming," suggested Director Jeff Rutkowski.

"I think that's a great way of looking at it," Director Rebecca Gediminskas agreed.

Director Donald Rhodes said: "The Saturday game conflicts with SAT scheduling. Playing the game on Friday night will ease students' concerns."

The Saturday morning parade and homecoming dance that night will not be affected.

The change to Friday night will allow Norwin football players to participate in the parade for the first time.

Director Del Dolphi Jr. said the Irwin Business and Professional Association supports the change to a Friday night game.

"The organization plans to sponsor events to coincide with the homecoming celebration," he added.

The Norwin Football Boosters and varsity team members requested the game day change to protect the public safety of players, students and fans.

Parents strongly support the change. More than 40 showed up at a board meeting to express that sentiment this year.

"Last season, the Saturday homecoming game against Pittsburgh Central Catholic was played in extremely hot temperatures," said boosters club President Larry Dominick.

"The heat index on the field was over 100 degrees. Our concession stands sold out of bottled water early in the second quarter. We ran out and bought more. That supply sold out, too.

"The community would benefit from the Friday night game. Alumni, parents and students could linger in Irwin following the parade to shop and eat."