Discussion with App alums

[97APP]

i would love to know the correlation between those who aren't in favor of the move and dollars donated and games attended.

My money is on the figure being at least 75% don't give a penny or buy season tickets. Think if they make it to one game a year they are big supporters. IMO, they have little or no say in the matter. If you aren't investing in the program keep your trap shut.

So we're back to, "the ones who give a lot should have contol over he gets hired and who gets fired."

I take it as those who aren't vested in App State athletics. Being vested, IMO, can be purely emotional although for many it will be accompanied by multiple game tickets or season tickets and if able, a Yosef donation. Nearly all the negative posts I've seen (on other boards) regarding our move to the Sun Belt have been made by people who claim to be App alums but clearly pull for their favorite ACC school in baby blue or red.

These are the "fans" that come to homecoming occasionally, sit on their hands for the first half, leave after the king and queen are announced and then resume their regularly scheduled ACC fanship.

These are the "fans" I envision the OP is saying should keep their trap shut and if so, I agree.

[3rd]

What about the students who have only missed 6 home games in their life? Or the ones that tailgate at 10 in the morning in stadium lot then go into the game 2 1/2 hours before it starts...yea your right they don't deserve a say. The students will always support no matter what devision. As long as we put a good product on the field the student will be their (and pay students fees) they have no choice but to pay. I would also question the whole students are narrow minded the vibe from students on campus is this. We don't really care, can Aug. 31 get here soon enough. <---that's the right mind set to have.

[Gonzo]

I think another question along this line is how many students support this move.

As guy who is only 2 years removed from undergrad, I feel like the general consensus among students that actually care about ASU athletics is very positive about the SBC move.

You're going to have students that resist just like in any other population sample, but from those that actually matter (those going to every home game and those that will eventually donate money), the institutional progress we are currently experiencing has been well received. As with any issue, those that feel very strongly on either side of the issue are the most vocal (ie the moron with the keep App FCS petition/website), but I feel like most of the less vocal people lean pretty heavily toward supporting the move.

Not to mention, when these kids see the new stadium and see ECU on a home schedule, they're going to jump for joy.

[JTApps1]

Has anyone run into an App alum that asked you your thoughts on the Sun Belt move.

Had my first one today.

I was wearing an App shirt t the park with the kids. An alum starts talking and asks me the question. My response was, I'll miss the playoffs, but with the changes to college football this is the right long term decision for the university.

His response was I like where we are and we'll just be playing teams we used to play, Troy, WKU, Marshall were named. I respected that answer and responded I didn't want to be in the SoCon as GSU, ODU, and UNCC moved to the FBS. He just shrugged it off.

Anyone care to guess what kind of hat he was wearing?

It all comes back to the Gonzo, three-pronged list of characteristics, at least one of which is displayed by every single anti-progress App fan remaining.

1. Secondary allegiance to another FBS school.
2. General ignorance about conference realignment and the current state of the FCS.
3. Selfish reasons ie. not wanting to pay more for a stadium spot or travel farther.

Hopefully he jumps off the bandwagon. We don't need that kind of secondary support. His breed (the Tar Hole/App fan) is an endangered species now-a-days. Let's hope for a full extinction eventually.

I still believe we have a group of fans with the mentality that App can never be successful at a level above the SoCon. Like you said they have an allegiance to some ACC school, and always view ASU as a lesser school that while a good place to go would never be on "that" level. I guarantee you these same people will say something along the lines of "I never thought App could win at this level" when we win a bowl or beat some of their favorite schools.

[3rd]

Most of the students I have talked to that don't agree with the move are the same kids tht went to a 1A or 2A high school won a state championship and believed they were the best team in the state

[9Steelman]

42 = Whatever your opinion is about this subject you will feel a whole lot better once you have seen the MOVIE "42". One of the best if not the best movie I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saw it last night - Makes all the other stuff seem incidential. Every American should be required to watch this!!

[ASUMountaineer]

42 = Whatever your opinion is about this subject you will feel a whole lot better once you have seen the MOVIE "42". One of the best if not the best movie I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saw it last night - Makes all the other stuff seem incidential. Every American should be required to watch this!!

That was random.

[SpeedkingATL]

I was at Augusta National yesterday wearing an App golf shirt and hat and as I exit my car in the parking lot a guy walks up and say "App is my second favorite team". He was a Michigan State grad and he starting asking me about the move to the Sun Belt. I was amazed that anyone from Michigan would know or even care. He also knew that App was coming to Michigan in 2014 and said he planned to be there.

In the long run the move to the Belt will work in App's favor; we just have to work it and give it time.

I also had a Wofford fan thank me for App leaving the SoCon...go figure. Kind of neat that I must have had a dozen people make positive comments about App.

[Goapps15]

If I own stock in a company I get a vote. The more stock I own the more votes I get....If I don't own any.....all I get to do is complain. And with all due respect to the students do you think they are in a position (experience) to know what is best for the program? A student's perspective as many of you might remember from your days in school is narrower and not yet shaped until you get out in the real world. School gave me the critical tools, and life let me apply them.

Rekdiver,

I usually agree with your posts and this statement could be said for some of our student body. However, this could not be said about me. I am very excited for the move-up and all the potential growth it allows for in this university.

I am a current student that has wanted this move ever since I was old enough to know any better. All my friends always ask me who "my team" is. I tell them Appalachian State, and they go no who is your favorite real team. It has irked me for the past 5-6 years when I get that response. Now I get to say that my school is playing with the big boys and get to compete with higher competition. I have traveled to games all over the place from Richmond, JMU, LSU, WKU, Troy, Montana (twice), Wyoming, and many others. This is my school and I take pride in everything Appalachian. I attended 11 of 12 games last year with the exception being WCU.

I will plan to attend as many games as possible once I graduate college (home and away.) If I have to pay a little bit more $$$$ for my tickets and parking so be it. Every Saturday that I get to watch my Mountaineers play is an amazing day given to me by the Lord above. Its a day full of family, friendship and football. Sorry if I ruffle some feathers with this post, I just love where I go to school at and feel blessed to be apart of the Appalachian family.

[AppinVA]

If I own stock in a company I get a vote. The more stock I own the more votes I get....If I don't own any.....all I get to do is complain. And with all due respect to the students do you think they are in a position (experience) to know what is best for the program? A student's perspective as many of you might remember from your days in school is narrower and not yet shaped until you get out in the real world. School gave me the critical tools, and life let me apply them.

Rekdiver,

I usually agree with your posts and this statement could be said for some of our student body. However, this could not be said about me. I am very excited for the move-up and all the potential growth it allows for in this university.

I am a current student that has wanted this move ever since I was old enough to know any better. All my friends always ask me who "my team" is. I tell them Appalachian State, and they go no who is your favorite real team. It has irked me for the past 5-6 years when I get that response. Now I get to say that my school is playing with the big boys and get to compete with higher competition. I have traveled to games all over the place from Richmond, JMU, LSU, WKU, Troy, Montana (twice), Wyoming, and many others. This is my school and I take pride in everything Appalachian. I attended 11 of 12 games last year with the exception being WCU.

I will plan to attend as many games as possible once I graduate college (home and away.) If I have to pay a little bit more $$$$ for my tickets and parking so be it. Every Saturday that I get to watch my Mountaineers play is an amazing day given to me by the Lord above. Its a day full of family, friendship and football. Sorry if I ruffle some feathers with this post, I just love where I go to school at and feel blessed to be apart of the Appalachian family.

Not sure what feathers you would ruffle with this post. Well-done.

[rbarthle17]

Has anyone run into an App alum that asked you your thoughts on the Sun Belt move.

In talking to about a dozen of my ASU friends (none of whom are message board participants), they were all 100% against this move. Now not all of them are sports fans, but they all thought this was a bad move for ASU, that it will cost too much and there are no gains to be had.

I think this is a lot more common a sentiment than some people here want to believe. I thought this before, but had no desire to fight with the 1-A or Bust crowd on it, but I believe the combined total of people that don't like the move and those who literally don't care one way or another far outstrips those excited by the move. The vocal minority won out in this case.

[Gonzo]

In talking to about a dozen of my ASU friends (none of whom are message board participants), they were all 100% against this move. Now not all of them are sports fans, but they all thought this was a bad move for ASU, that it will cost too much and there are no gains to be ha

1. Secondary allegiance to another FBS school.
2. General ignorance about conference realignment and the current state of the FCS.
3. Selfish reasons ie. not wanting to pay more for a stadium spot or travel farther.

[Saint3333]

Rob of these dozen friends, how many have season tickets? How many are Yosef Club members?

[PhillyApp1]

Has anyone run into an App alum that asked you your thoughts on the Sun Belt move.

In talking to about a dozen of my ASU friends (none of whom are message board participants), they were all 100% against this move. Now not all of them are sports fans, but they all thought this was a bad move for ASU, that it will cost too much and there are no gains to be had.

I think this is a lot more common a sentiment than some people here want to believe. I thought this before, but had no desire to fight with the 1-A or Bust crowd on it, but I believe the combined total of people that don't like the move and those who literally don't care one way or another far outstrips those excited by the move. The vocal minority won out in this case.

I believe asking people who may not be FULLY informed on the data and changes happening in college football is a mistake. When I inform them of the changes and the POSITIVE results of our change along with the possible changes in the SoCon, the answer is better received.
Also, some people just hate change and we can't do much about it. If a person understands running a business, they understand this. Stay doing the same thing in this world will KILL your business. Change is a must. IMHO

[hapapp]

Has anyone run into an App alum that asked you your thoughts on the Sun Belt move.

In talking to about a dozen of my ASU friends (none of whom are message board participants), they were all 100% against this move. Now not all of them are sports fans, but they all thought this was a bad move for ASU, that it will cost too much and there are no gains to be had.

I think this is a lot more common a sentiment than some people here want to believe. I thought this before, but had no desire to fight with the 1-A or Bust crowd on it, but I believe the combined total of people that don't like the move and those who literally don't care one way or another far outstrips those excited by the move. The vocal minority won out in this case.

I believe asking people who may not be FULLY informed on the data and changes happening in college football is a mistake. When I inform them of the changes and the POSITIVE results of our change along with the possible changes in the SoCon, the answer is better received.
Also, some people just hate change and we can't do much about it. If a person understands running a business, they understand this. Stay doing the same thing in this world will KILL your business. Change is a must. IMHO

I agree that once people are given more information about the "why this was done", they begin to at least understand that it can serve the long term interests of the ASU. However, I think Rob is right. There is a sizable number of alums and supporters who are either indifferent or opposed to the move. I think we over generalize those who are opposed as not being true fans. We live in a bit of a bubble on this board and many don't have that much contact outside of the folks who are here. There will be an adjustment period for many of our fans, but I think they will eventually see the benefits of the move.

[Rekdiver]

Goapps 15

No ruffled feathers here. Very good post. As a '75 grad and one that has missed few games in my life, has invested emotionally and financially in both athletics and academics, and studied the issue of the move I can tell you nothing is undertaken without risks. Most people seem to focus on the risk of moving up rather that the risks of staying put. What did we have to gain by staying? What could we lose by staying? When you look at the landscape of college football regionally and nationally we were at risk of falling behind. We've moved up from AAA to the Bigs. And rbarthlee17 I think the combined total of those that are excited about the move plus those who don't care one way or another far outstrip those that were against the move..............I'd say the vocal minority lost.

[appst89]

There's obviously no empirical evidence to draw from, but I think Rob is probably right. My experience thus far has been most people are moderately to extremely unfavorable to this move until I explain the reasons for it.

[Gonzo]

Birds of a feather flock together, people. No surprise that all your buddies share your point of view.

I will simplify it even more and go as far to say is that there is a strong correlation between knowledge of the situation and approval of the move. You have the most knowledgable people of all, Cobb and Peacock, as your strongest supporters. On the other side of the line graph, you've got comment posters on Appfan.com. They don't know their own arse from a hole in the ground and their opinion of our institutional progress is very negative.

[vegattk]

I was at the DMV the other day and was wearing an App shirt. The officer behind the desk started up a conversation about App (he is currently trying to earn an MBA from ASU) and finally asked me what I thought about moving to the Sun Belt.

Of course you guys know my opinion on the matter but what was interesting is that he said that he had asked many App fans what they thought and the people were either gun-ho for it, or very against it. Very little middle-of-the-ground feelings from people...

[appgrad]

I think another question along this line is how many students support this move.

To be perfectly frank...why should it matter what the current quadrant of students think? They're all going to be gone in 4-5 years! Not that I don't value their contribution, but we all seem to view "students" as this monolithic group...but it literally turns over every 5 years. By the time we are fully FBS, 3 of the 4 classes (Seniors aside) will have no experience with FCS, SoCon, Playoffs, etc. They will know only Sun Belt & FBS football.