Hi everyone! My daughter is deciding between Penn State and Appalachian State. We live about 2 hours from PSU, but I am really pulling for her to chose App. We visited over the summer and really loved the area. We are flying in for the Texas State game, and staying Sunday and Monday. I just wanted to see if anyone has ideas for making her experience a good one. She wants to be in the band, so seeing them perform will be great, and we have absolutely no plans on Sunday, so any suggestions would be more than welcome.

Thanks for your help!
Sean Potts

Let me be the first to give you a (potential) welcome to the App family!

I am certain that you are going to receive invitations to tailgate from folks on this board. Please take them up on it. They genuinely want you to join them and experience the App family firsthand. You will be fed well and treated well, I promise.

As for what to do on Sunday, I'd suggest a stroll around the campus, and a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. That's a good way to get a feel for the area.

And lastly, don't hesitate to ask questions here. There are a lot of folks who would be happy to help.

For a great experience, rent a cabin for the weekend (Check out HomeAway.com). Stop by the any of the tailgates in any of the lots and introduce yourself as wanting and urging your daughter to come to App State.

Show her the area. Take her on top of Howard's knob, go for lunch at Canyons in Blowing Rock and then drive around the BRP for a bit. Take a stroll in downtown and take in the local shops and most importantly just take a walk around the campus...the place sells itself most times than not.

Ditto what all others have said, especially the Blue Ridge Parkway. As to the game, sit back and enjoy the experience. See the mountains from the stadium, smell the foods, enjoy the crisp air. A football game in Boone is an experience. I hope both You and your daughter enjoy the whole experience......and WELCOME!

WELCOME and if your daughter decides on App welcome to the family. Besides being an appsolutely fine academic school and sometimes very underated, you can not beat the genuine family feel and hospitality of the alumni, campus in general, staff, fans and students. Small mountain town charm is abundant in more ways than one as already attested. Ski slopes in winter, Grandfather Mt, Valle Crucis, Mast General Store, Linville Gorge, Horn in the West outdoor drama, Daniel Boone Inn restaurant, Tweetsie all points of interest nearby.

We take our football as serious as Penn State or Michigan or Alabama.....just on a much smaller scale. Only small college football program fan base on par with ours might be Montana.

Again welcome to Boone!

First, Welcome! To prospective band members, I would suggest visiting the Music Dept. (in advance of game day), if your dtr. hasn't already, and ask to shadow the band out into the tailgate areas about 3 hours before kickoff. Then, be SURE to be IN the stadium one hour before kickoff to watch the band's entrance. I was a music major (BS '83), and I NEVER tire of watching the band enter. (This year's band is the BEST ever; not only in terms of size, but quality of sound.) As many times as I have seen the game day entrance, it STILL makes me proud to be a Mountaineer! I don't know where your seats will be, but if you will go over to the WEST stands (the field house side) when they enter, the band will enter on the opposite side of the stadium and march all the way around the field until they get over to about the 50 yd line in front of the West side. Once the whole band finishes their entrance march, stay focused on the drum line, it's really good. And, in case you're wondering, the Appalachian fight song (nicknamed Hi-Hi-Yikas) is actually an old Bavarian drinking song. You can find the fight song on You Tube.

As for Sunday, Grandfather Mountain is worth your trip here, all by itself.

Finally, for the game, dress warmly & bring rain gear (no cotton) (no umbrellas allowed in stadium). On Nov. 5, it could be snowing, raining, or it could be sunny & 65 degrees. Some folks let the weather get in the way of football ... Real Mountaineers just bring lots of layers.

Enjoy the game, and I hope your daughter becomes a Marching Mountaineer!

The band also plays a few songs after the game as well.

You're more than welcome to join our tailgate group in the stadium lot if you like.

From both a parent's and business owner's point of view, I highly recommend Appalachian.

Safe travels.

It is a tradition that the band performs the Tennessee Waltz after the game.

NC band of distinction!

Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock is another suggestion.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a must. I will add, as others have not stated, go South instead of North on the Parkway. The views of the scenery are much better heading South, especially around Grandfather Mountain and the Linn Cove Viaduct.

Woodlands BBQ towards Blowing Rock is always great.

Yo Sean, this is PhillyApp.
21 year App fan. She will love it.
Reach out to me if you want too.

Hope you have a great time! Check out the Daniel Boone Inn to eat on Sunday. Agree, you have to go to the Parkway. Make sure you check out the Raley lot for tailgating. That's where the students tailgate, and me, and I think it's a better atmosphere. Have fun!

A big welcome on November 5 for you and your family. You cannot go wrong traveling around the Boone area. Take it all in and enjoy yourselves. Go Apps!

Can't go wrong with Grandfather Mountain, or the Blue Ridge Parkway. If your daughter likes skiing,snowboarding, tubing, or ice skating, there are several ski resorts very close by- They won't open until around Thanksgiving, but may be worth a drive-by. I believe a leisurely walk downtown and across campus on a lovely autumn day is hard to beat. Boone is truly an ideal college town. Regardless of her decision, best wishes for future success to her.

Wow! Thanks for all of the replies! My daughter and I both get a really good feeling about App State, and this message board definitely solidifies that feeling.

My wife and I are both WVU grads, but Cassady wants to have an experiences of her own. It is a bit funny that she could become a Mountaineer, just for App State!

We are arriving in Charlotte at 9:30am, so hopefully we can get to Boone in good time for a tailgate, depending on the game time. Should I buy advanced parking for the game?

pottswvu1988 wrote:Hi everyone! My daughter is deciding between Penn State and Appalachian State. We live about 2 hours from PSU, but I am really pulling for her to chose App. We visited over the summer and really loved the area. We are flying in for the Texas State game, and staying Sunday and Monday. I just wanted to see if anyone has ideas for making her experience a good one. She wants to be in the band, so seeing them perform will be great, and we have absolutely no plans on Sunday, so any suggestions would be more than welcome.

Thanks for your help!
Sean Potts

I've got two tickets and a parking pass for you if you haven't already purchased tickets. No charge. Consider it a gift. Send me a private message if interested.

Tickets are East-Side (Get some warmth before the sun sets) lower level 45 yard line

pottswvu1988 wrote:Hi everyone! My daughter is deciding between Penn State and Appalachian State. We live about 2 hours from PSU, but I am really pulling for her to chose App. We visited over the summer and really loved the area. We are flying in for the Texas State game, and staying Sunday and Monday. I just wanted to see if anyone has ideas for making her experience a good one. She wants to be in the band, so seeing them perform will be great, and we have absolutely no plans on Sunday, so any suggestions would be more than welcome.

Thanks for your help!
Sean Potts

Hello Sean,

My wife's family lives in Carlisle, PA, I believe that's about 2 hours from PSU too. My father-in-law is an Ohio State grad, therefore, he isn't too happy today. Anyway, I like that that area, always enjoy visiting there.

I'm about 45 minutes from Carlisle. Nice town. The PSU fans are so happy right now it is getting on my nerves! As a WVU grad, they used to hammer us on a routine basis, and when they are good, they let everyone know.

Doesn't APP play at PSU in a few years? That would be so much fun!