App vs. Western: Will it continue?

[8993]

While creeping my head around the Catamount's forum, I noticed an entire thread dedicated to Appalachian State. In it, many WCU fans stated that they did not wish to play Appalachian State anymore, with a few even stating that they were boycotting this fall's football game.

It was also pointed out that Satterfield wishes to continue the rivalry with Western. So, my question to you is this: SHOULD we continue the "rivalry," or is it a lost cause?

When it comes down to it, Western will always hate us, because of the three mountain schools in North Carolina, we are by far the most successful. Many Catamount fans also claim that they do not care about Appalachian, nor what we do in the future. Though they may make this claim, I do not believe it, as I see this as a one-sided rivalry, with the Catamounts hating us, while we Mountaineers merely wish to play the game.

All in all, I wish Western the best of luck with whoever they play in the SoCon once App, GaSo, Elon, CofC, and Davidson are all gone. Who knows... Western might turn into a SoCon powerhouse within a few years of our departure.

[WataugaMan]

I hope they stay a bottom feeder for all time.

[appmandan]

I think this one's dead. It would be good to keep the tradition going, but at the same time Western hasn't been able to compete with us on the football field at all. Sure sprinkled throughout the past Western has wins against us, but the series has been so one-sided I don't see the point in continuing to play them when we have more scholarships.

[Gonzo]

It's been dead for 8 years. Now we can finally stop playing each other completely.

[ASUMountaineer]

I see no reason to continue with the games against WCU. It would not be of much benefit for App, as an FBS team, to have a "rivalry game" with an FCS team. It would undoubtedly be viewed as unfair to battle for the jug against a team with 22 less scholarships. I don't see a problem with playing them in football occasionally, but not annually. Now, sports other than football, I don't see why not.

[GoAppsGo92]

While creeping my head around the Catamount's forum, I noticed an entire thread dedicated to Appalachian State. In it, many WCU fans stated that they did not wish to play Appalachian State anymore, with a few even stating that they were boycotting this fall's football game.

It was also pointed out that Satterfield wishes to continue the rivalry with Western. So, my question to you is this: SHOULD we continue the "rivalry," or is it a lost cause?

When it comes down to it, Western will always hate us, because of the three mountain schools in North Carolina, we are by far the most successful. Many Catamount fans also claim that they do not care about Appalachian, nor what we do in the future. Though they may make this claim, I do not believe it, as I see this as a one-sided rivalry, with the Catamounts hating us, while we Mountaineers merely wish to play the game.

All in all, I wish Western the best of luck with whoever they play in the SoCon once App, GaSo, Elon, CofC, and Davidson are all gone. Who knows... Western might turn into a SoCon powerhouse within a few years of our departure.

Makes no sense to have a rivalry with a team from another division, and Western would not agree to be our annual cannon fodder game hosted in Boone at the beginning of each season in order to maintain it. The rivalry ends this season.

[Rekdiver]

I hate it but we've outgrown Westen and it no longer makes sense, at least in football to play them. I'd be okay with playing them is all other sports

[appst89]

It would suit me if we never played them again in anything, but I realize the proximity of the two schools makes basketball and baseball games a near certainty. I think football games will be few and far between.

[kiddbrewer]

Somewhat off topic, but still pertains to the success ASU has had in football and the lack of success WCU has had.

Yesterday, I was bored at work. So I decided to pester a buddy of mine (bh2oson) at work by emailing him. I mentioned I was bored, so he challenged me to find out who we beat in football 100 wins ago. I had to go back to our first victory in 2003 vs Morehead.

He then wondered how far back you would have to go to find who WCU beat 100 wins ago. I had to go all the back to their first victory in 1986 vs Newberry.

So, in my opinion, the rivalry is dead. It's been dead for years. No need to continue this for various reasons, some of which have been mentioned in this thread. We need to find a new rival and that new rival would probably have to come from the Sun Belt and by default, that would probably be Georgia Southern.

[IGgreer]

Nothing to gain by playing them.

Cobb is probably drawing up a home and home long term contract as we speak though...

[1ASU78]

Take the jug and cut it in half. Mount the halves on a plaque with win loss totals and a commemorative write up of the series. Present the halves at the last game and call it done.

[wb247]

At the spring game, someone in our group brought up the idea to make the western game an annual spring scrimmage.

It would get around playing at an FCS every other year. The game would be just as meaningful as it has been the last 15 years. Spring would be more interesting. The people who aren't ready to wholly move on would kinda get something they want. Most importantly, it doesn't force us to abandon our heritage in the name of "progress."

[ASU-FTW]

They say they don't care and get mad when App fans post on their site, yet they have three active threads on their forum about us. Go figure.

[bcoach]

I think the rivalry ended long ago but we should play them in the future just not every year. It would be a money game for them and they are a fellow NC school. We did our share of complaining about fellow NC schools that would not play us. No more jug just a chance for us to have a tune up (at least for now) and them to make some money and keep it in NC. If you look at the changes they have made they may be our replacement for FCS in NC in the not too distant future.

[kiddbrewer]

We did our share of complaining about fellow NC schools that would not play us.

Good point.

[wb247]

I think the rivalry ended long ago but we should play them in the future just not every year. It would be a money game for them and they are a fellow NC school. We did our share of complaining about fellow NC schools that would not play us. No more jug just a chance for us to have a tune up (at least for now) and them to make some money and keep it in NC. If you look at the changes they have made they may be our replacement for FCS in NC in the not too distant future.

The issue is the Mexican standoff that their fans don't want any part of an arrangement that doesn't take us to the 'wee and our fans don't want any part of an arrangement that takes us to the 'wee. Obviously, the fans aren't the ones making the budgetary decisions but it is still an issue. I would prefer to keep the money in the state and not be hypocritical about it, but that's just me. I also thought it was hypocritical to exercise the opt-out clause in the McNeese contract.

[bcoach]

I think the rivalry ended long ago but we should play them in the future just not every year. It would be a money game for them and they are a fellow NC school. We did our share of complaining about fellow NC schools that would not play us. No more jug just a chance for us to have a tune up (at least for now) and them to make some money and keep it in NC. If you look at the changes they have made they may be our replacement for FCS in NC in the not too distant future.

The issue is the Mexican standoff that their fans don't want any part of an arrangement that doesn't take us to the 'wee and our fans don't want any part of an arrangement that takes us to the 'wee. Obviously, the fans aren't the ones making the budgetary decisions but it is still an issue. I would prefer to keep the money in the state and not be hypocritical about it, but that's just me. I also thought it was hypocritical to exercise the opt-out clause in the McNeese contract.

Well things have changed. With us in FBS they would no longer expect us to go there. As far as them coming to the Rock that is their choice. We have never relied on any visitors to boost our gate. With that said I will bet that with the changes going on up there and us being in FBS they would come like never before.

[asumike83]

I don't think Western would ask for a game in Cullowhee, it would have been like us asking ECU come to Boone when we played in 2009/2012. I just don't think a football game will happen with any regularity because they can get bigger paydays elsewhere and we can get cheaper FCS games elsewhere.

I may be in the minority but I'd be disappointed if we didn't play them every year in baseball and basketball. Their baseball program is more than worthy of the rivalry and I don't think we're in a position to look down our nose at anyone in hoops. Replacing all the sub-DI competition with the likes of Western, Elon, Charleston, Furman, etc. would be a welcome sight to me.

[ASUMountaineer]

Somewhat off topic, but still pertains to the success ASU has had in football and the lack of success WCU has had.

Yesterday, I was bored at work. So I decided to pester a buddy of mine (bh2oson) at work by emailing him. I mentioned I was bored, so he challenged me to find out who we beat in football 100 wins ago. I had to go back to our first victory in 2003 vs Morehead.

He then wondered how far back you would have to go to find who WCU beat 100 wins ago. I had to go all the back to their first victory in 1986 vs Newberry.

So, in my opinion, the rivalry is dead. It's been dead for years. No need to continue this for various reasons, some of which have been mentioned in this thread. We need to find a new rival and that new rival would probably have to come from the Sun Belt and by default, that would probably be Georgia Southern.

I am stealing this to put on FB, just a fair warning. Thanks for the research!

[BeauFoster]

I also thought it was hypocritical to exercise the opt-out clause in the McNeese contract.

It has been widely reported that the SunBelt says its teams cannot play games away games at against an FCS opponent. Should we have put the whole move on hold so we could honor the contract?

As for Western, I could care less about ever playing them in anything again. It probably makes financial sense for non-revenue sports to continue playing once in a while, but I don't care if I ever see their "football" team in Boone again.