hapapp wrote:I think it unfair to characterize as stupid or naive those who hold a different view on the move up from most of us here. It is too simple to pass them off as people who want to be able to drive up 10 minutes before the game, get their spot in the stadium lot, and slip into their seats without a hassle. Or to suggest they aren't folks who give to Yosef. Or who don't care about ASU's future. While I disagree with them, it doesn't mean their opinion is necessarily irrational. We need to acknowledge that quite a few of our fellow fans and alums are not in favor of the move. I doubt we convince them of the soundness of the decision by denigrating them.
Good post, Jerry. As always, you're one of the mature and reasonable adults in the room.
I've spoken with a small handful of my peers, including former teammates and classmates from several" years gone by. It's a mixed bag with them. All want what's best for Appalachian; but differ somewhat in their opinions of what's going to be the best "station in life" for our alma mater. There's quite a bit of interest among these folks in continuing to schedule long-time, traditional opponents Davidson, WCU, ETSU, El Cid and Furman in non-conference games (in all sports).
I've been in Boone two or three days a week since last September participating in a cardiac rehab program associated with Watauga Med Center and ASU's Human Performance Lab. Being there so often has afforded me the opportunity talk with several undergrad and grad students; some older, retired App grads and more recent App grads who reside in either Boone or Blowing Rock; and several downtown merchants (especially in t-shirt shops and restaurants).
The feeling I get is that there's general acceptance of the move with an asterisk. Nearly everyone, myself included, would have liked to see us playing in a more geographically compact conference on the east coast or in the mid-Atlantic. Travel is going to be an issue. No one with whom I've spoken is confident about how well our fans will travel to Jonesboro, AR or Las Cruces, NM. On the other hand, in this era of realignment, it can't be completely ruled out that we'll be in a different conference before we ever play a Sunbelt contest.
Just about everyone laments the manner in which the administration handled the pursuit of a new conference home. Most spoke of the secrecy and lack of communication with students/fans/alumni that seemed to be the "modus operandi" of the AD and SID. That could have used some heavy tweaking to keep stakeholders from getting restless.
Then, there's a very small group of kooks in Boone who are convinced that this is yet more university encroachment on Boone's quiet, small town image and the forerunner of a huge increase in the local crime rate.
Methinks that's a wee bit over the top.
