Moore Tribute

[appbio91]

How was the JM tribute? I saw that the official attendance was about 24k. Did they make it to their seats for the tribute? Also I have seen the comments about folks leaving early but overall how was the crowd. Sounded pretty flat on the radio. I heard them a few times but just did not sound very loud.

I don't want to turn this into a question the coach post but I am wondering if the take our lumps strategy could have long-term effects. By take our lumps I mean accepting that we are going to loose so let's hold back talent and build for the future. Again this might be the right approach I just think that if ticket prices and Yosef priority giving levels go up next year it is going to be a hard sell.

[luvyosef]

The Coach Moore tribute was very good. Prerecorded comments from folks such as Mark Speir, Coach Satt, Shawn Elliot, Paul Johnson, Bobby Lamb, Mike Ayers as well as former ASU players were shown on the video board and the band, at halftime, spelled out "Moore" on the field. It was nice and a fitting close to what I hope is the end of the whole CC/JM/App debacle and no there were still some empty seats for the opening ceremony.

Heck, when USA got up 20-0, some people started leaving. I stayed to the cold, bitter end and man, was it cold! Talked to some USA people after the game and they are looking forward to App getting back to their winning ways and us coming to Mobile in 2015.

[appbio91]

Thanks for posting dude. Sounds great I am glad we were able to pull that together for Coach. Like you said let's hope now we can move forward.

Can't wait until next week and the rest of the year!

[AppinATL]

How was the JM tribute? I saw that the official attendance was about 24k. Did they make it to their seats for the tribute? Also I have seen the comments about folks leaving early but overall how was the crowd. Sounded pretty flat on the radio. I heard them a few times but just did not sound very loud.

I don't want to turn this into a question the coach post but I am wondering if the take our lumps strategy could have long-term effects. By take our lumps I mean accepting that we are going to loose so let's hold back talent and build for the future. Again this might be the right approach I just think that if ticket prices and Yosef priority giving levels go up next year it is going to be a hard sell.

I'm worried about the effects of this also. I was very disappointed in the crowd last night. First home game in a month, first conference home game, Jerry Moore night, etc. That place should have been packed and I bet it would have been if we'd have beaten Southern Miss and at least played competitively with Southern. It does not help at all that Southern is making such a splash while we're doing a Three Stooges routine in our new conference. The less knowledgeable fans we have just don't have the patience. I think we'll be fine in the long run but its obvious its going to take us a couple more years before we start seeing the real benefits of our recruiting classes.

Like Brownie said post game last night, we are still paying for the failures of 3-4 years ago of not being able to recruit ANY OL players. If I remember right, that was the OL coach we sent packing who's name I don't remember, but as it has played out, that man did serious damage to our program. I don't think Satt was even here when that happened yet he's certainly feeling the pain of it.

[appst89]

How was the JM tribute? I saw that the official attendance was about 24k. Did they make it to their seats for the tribute? Also I have seen the comments about folks leaving early but overall how was the crowd. Sounded pretty flat on the radio. I heard them a few times but just did not sound very loud.

I don't want to turn this into a question the coach post but I am wondering if the take our lumps strategy could have long-term effects. By take our lumps I mean accepting that we are going to loose so let's hold back talent and build for the future. Again this might be the right approach I just think that if ticket prices and Yosef priority giving levels go up next year it is going to be a hard sell.

The tribute was very nice and very well done, I thought.

Crowd was terrible. Student section was the smallest I have seen in years. East side was barely half full. Don't know about the West side since I sit there, but there were sections of visible seats in my area at kickoff and folks bailed early. When they scored to make it 20-0, sections 204 & 205 cleared out.

There was never a play to get the fans involved. We went three and out on the first series and whatever enthusiasm existed in the stands was gone. We've already lost whatever of the remaining bandwagon fans we had. We're in danger of losing longer tenured supporters. The comments I could hear were not encouraging.

[luvyosef]

Speaking of comments, I heard several people "who wants my tickets", etc. I just stood is silence and shook my head. Man, how soon people forget. Looks like we are the Tennessee of the Sun Belt i.e. what have you done for me lately?

I won't be able to make Liberty or ULM but do have tix left for Ga State and Idaho. I will be cheering like heck for a win over both of them and they can be beat. Guys just need to come out loose. They look too uptight at times. Just me.

Go Apps!

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I was over at the stadium getting my will call ticket at 2 pm. I though there was a group there getting in early that was connected to youth football. There was a sign there, but that was also JM already signing posters. Though I did not realize this at the time.

I finally headed over there around 3:30 and was told the line was 90 min long and there was not guarantee I could get to JM before he had to leave. So I walked away. Then when I was about to go into the stadium 4:40ish I notice the crowd is all but gone but JM is still signing a few last posters. I think I was the last one in before an event staff closed on the entrance. Maybe two little kids got in after me not realizing why the guy in the red coat was standing there.

This actually gave me a minute to talk with JM and Margaret even a bit more than most got I think.

I did not expect anything less than JM trying to make everyone happy that wanted to meet him, but he was singing posters for hours, until basically anyone that wanted to shake his hand/autograph had a chance.

For some reason I was expecting a bit more in front of the stadium pre stadium opening. I am not sure what they would have been, and in hindsight I think was I was expecting before the stadium was open was unrealistic and not doable.

The pregame and half-time was very well done. Most everyone was on their feet out of respect, and though I was across the field from the USA fans it seemed that most all of them were also standing out of respect.

Hopefully they put the videos up on AppStateTV for everyone to see as non-premium content.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Speaking of comments, I heard several people "who wants my tickets", etc. I just stood is silence and shook my head. Man, how soon people forget. Looks like we are the Tennessee of the Sun Belt i.e. what have you done for me lately?

I won't be able to make Liberty or ULM but do have tix left for Ga State and Idaho. I will be cheering like heck for a win over both of them and they can be beat. Guys just need to come out loose. They look too uptight at times. Just me.

Go Apps!

I just can't afford to get to Boone for every home game. Part of that is ticket cost, but it is also gas and food. Gas is essentially the same whether I go by myself or the 4 non App students in my family go with me. But after we eat a meal, gas, tickets, we are out $180+. Heck as it is, I am getting guest tickets for $15 through my App student daughter and her friends that are not using their allotment of two guest tickets

However with that said, the next time someone offers tickets away tell them to contact me. I'll do what I can to feel that seat. There were some seats near me that had the upgraded comfy seats-empty the entire game. What a waste. I would imagine someone that has those seats are also in a financial situation that food and gas is not holding them back like it is for me. Maybe they had a family emergency. I try and not be too judgemental and maybe I am but dang get those seats used by someone.

I do hope to make Idaho and maybe one more game.

[App91]

How was the JM tribute? I saw that the official attendance was about 24k. Did they make it to their seats for the tribute? Also I have seen the comments about folks leaving early but overall how was the crowd. Sounded pretty flat on the radio. I heard them a few times but just did not sound very loud.

I don't want to turn this into a question the coach post but I am wondering if the take our lumps strategy could have long-term effects. By take our lumps I mean accepting that we are going to loose so let's hold back talent and build for the future. Again this might be the right approach I just think that if ticket prices and Yosef priority giving levels go up next year it is going to be a hard sell.

The tribute was very nice and very well done, I thought.

Crowd was terrible. Student section was the smallest I have seen in years. East side was barely half full. Don't know about the West side since I sit there, but there were sections of visible seats in my area at kickoff and folks bailed early. When they scored to make it 20-0, sections 204 & 205 cleared out.

There was never a play to get the fans involved. We went three and out on the first series and whatever enthusiasm existed in the stands was gone. We've already lost whatever of the remaining bandwagon fans we had. We're in danger of losing longer tenured supporters. The comments I could hear were not encouraging.

Obviously fans are voting with their feet or lack of presence. There was a faction of fans who did not want the move up and stated such, maybe that is who we are missing. Whatever the case, we cannot financially afford to have this few fans, regardless of reason. That is why winning was/is so important to do quickly. This is my only issue with the "plan"

[WVAPPeer]

I really think the start time of 6pm had a lot to do with the crowd - it is not feasible for us to make the trip up and back for a night game - I do believe a 3:30 start before it got "cold" would have brought out more fans --- It's part of the trade-off of being SunBelt as ESPN dictates start times - the good part is that all games are on ESPN ---

[Rekdiver]

6:00 games times hurt attendance. People want a day trip not to stay overnight and combine that with a cool evening and a bad team...well it makes for a less than enjoyable experience.

[luvyosef]

I left my house in SC at roughly 9:15, and thanks to a couple of pit stops and slow cars on 221, made it into Boone between 1-1:30, got to my car after the game at 10pm and opened the front door to my house at 1am so it CAN be done in one day.

[huskie3]

6:00 games times hurt attendance. People want a day trip not to stay overnight and combine that with a cool evening and a bad team...well it makes for a less than enjoyable experience.

APP was playing, I was in Boone, it was football weather. What was not to enjoy? Two hour drive up two hours back, I have 4 hours with my wife with few distractions, I am happy.

[NewApp]

I really think the start time of 6pm had a lot to do with the crowd - it is not feasible for us to make the trip up and back for a night game - I do believe a 3:30 start before it got "cold" would have brought out more fans --- It's part of the trade-off of being SunBelt as ESPN dictates start times - the good part is that all games are on ESPN ---

I agree, WVAPPeer, and add to that the cost of a motel room, before I sold my homecoming tickets, I was to pay over $225 a night each for two nights (two night minimum was required). It was to be well over $600 for the week end when including gas and food. The 6 PM start for last week end's game dictated a motel stay for many fans and there just aren't that many rooms in Boone available.

[WVAPPeer]

As JCline says - it is expensive to spend the night with the other option being driving round-trip --- It's not that some of us don't want to do the trip or can't do the trip - Geez, about 10 years ago my wife and I left the Triad area - drove to Boone and picked up our daughter and friend - then drove to Western for the entire game - then drove back to Boone dropped off our daughter and then drove back to the Triad - One day - I was in my 50s not 60s as now --- And our reasons now (as with many others I am sure) have nothing to do with not supporting APP State ---

[SpeedkingATL]

I drove up to the game from Atlanta and was happy to see Coach Moore again wearing the App colors and being honored as he should. I too was a little disappointed in the crowd and was expecting a much bigger turnout. The team again started poorly and gave the crowd nothing to get fired up about except the blocked FG in the first quarter and it kind of went downhill from there. It was damn cold as I expected it to be but I was still surprised to see people around me leaving before half time. I'm afraid our fan base is a little spoiled and disillusioned at this point. I've got to admit having watched the Apps since 73 this was one of the worst home performances I've ever witnessed. I just hope App can find that fire to turn things around starting with Liberty this weekend.