Home Season Moving Forward

[rbarthle17]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

[BambooRdApp]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

Some are not happy about students coming back next week....

[1997CLT]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

I reckon their perceptions/feelings are directly related to their source of income. Businesses that rely on tourism and/or the presence of students probably welcome it.

I'm sure there there are some who hate game days no matter what and will use this as an excuse to complain more.

Why do you say there will be no hotels available? Are most hotels shut down or are they booked to capacity with of support folks? Perhaps both? I have a family cabin in Todd so have never had to get a hotel room.

[appst89]

My normal two hour drive to Boone will now take me closer to four hours for the next few years. Not many people come from my direction, but I'm sure others will be faced with a similar dilemma.

[Saint3333]

I try to be pragmatic in decision making even when it's not popular.

I'd say host the games at KBS but limit attendance to students, university staff, and road team staff (100 max for them) only. Sounds drastic, but from a resource perspective the area doesn't need outsiders coming up there the next two months.

Playing at Wake or UNCC adds an unnecessary burden to staff and players at an attempt placate fans at a time like this.

I could see that happening but refunding 30,000 tickets, not to mention concession income is a heck of a hit on the budget to all sports which are primarily subsidized by football. I'm not agreeing with it or saying it's right, but I think it will come down to a business decision and not a resource/infrastructure/safety decision, but what do I know.

I know of eight tickets they won't need to refund. I buy single game tickets for a couple of families with students at App each year and both of them proactively asked me if they could donate the tickets back to the school. I'd say the majority of App Nation understands the magnitude of this crisis and will rise to meet the call.

[BambooRdApp]

I try to be pragmatic in decision making even when it's not popular.

I'd say host the games at KBS but limit attendance to students, university staff, and road team staff (100 max for them) only. Sounds drastic, but from a resource perspective the area doesn't need outsiders coming up there the next two months.

Playing at Wake or UNCC adds an unnecessary burden to staff and players at an attempt placate fans at a time like this.

I could see that happening but refunding 30,000 tickets, not to mention concession income is a heck of a hit on the budget to all sports which are primarily subsidized by football. I'm not agreeing with it or saying it's right, but I think it will come down to a business decision and not a resource/infrastructure/safety decision, but what do I know.

I know of eight tickets they won't need to refund. I buy single game tickets for a couple of families with students at App each year and both of them proactively asked me if they could donate the tickets back to the school. I'd say the majority of App Nation understands the magnitude of this crisis and will rise to meet the call.

If they moved games, I would pay for a ticket again..and they can keep the money from the original ticket...

[1997CLT]

I try to be pragmatic in decision making even when it's not popular.

I'd say host the games at KBS but limit attendance to students, university staff, and road team staff (100 max for them) only. Sounds drastic, but from a resource perspective the area doesn't need outsiders coming up there the next two months.

Playing at Wake or UNCC adds an unnecessary burden to staff and players at an attempt placate fans at a time like this.

I could see that happening but refunding 30,000 tickets, not to mention concession income is a heck of a hit on the budget to all sports which are primarily subsidized by football. I'm not agreeing with it or saying it's right, but I think it will come down to a business decision and not a resource/infrastructure/safety decision, but what do I know.

I know of eight tickets they won't need to refund. I buy single game tickets for a couple of families with students at App each year and both of them proactively asked me if they could donate the tickets back to the school. I'd say the majority of App Nation understands the magnitude of this crisis and will rise to meet the call.

If donating is an option, I'd prefer to donate to a cause and not back to the athletic department. I already donate a lot to the Yosef club and not nearly enough to local causes

[311neers]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

20k students coming back over the weekend for good is probably more of their concerns than having 10k come up for 4 hours and go back home.
You try to mitigate peak travel times and the non-need for a hotel with a mid day kickoff. 1-2pm. Gives travelers a 6am-1pm travel time window to get up the mountain creating less stress and impact on infrastructure. Game over by 530p so most wouldn't need a hotel that night and would all have ample time to get down the mountain.

[A2534]

I'm hoping for an early kick so we can make it back to Charlotte for the concert!

[biggie]

On a related note App Ski Mtn just posted a preseason sale and swap event for Oct 25-Nov 3rd on facebook. So they are looking to bring people in.

[1997CLT]

On a related note App Ski Mtn just posted a preseason sale and swap event for Oct 25-Nov 3rd on facebook. So they are looking to bring people in.

Boone Golf Club is open this weekend and Mountain Aire in WJ has been open since early last week. Obviously there is still (a lot of) work to do, but it sounds like things are slowing getting back to normal for some

[huskie3]

Was there any damage to the Christmas Tree farms, will they be able to operate?

[Bootsy]

Was there any damage to the Christmas Tree farms, will they be able to operate?

Most of the tree farms look to be in decent shape, so that’s good news!

[Yosef84]

So if 20k students can come back to Boone in a few days, does this mean we theoretically could host a game in 2.5 weeks? Not saying we will, or it’s the right or wrong decision, but seems like they could if they wanted to.
Could be cool to to see us limit capacity to the students, staff, faculty, locals and the first responders/essential services that so generously devoted their time, efforts and livelihoods to get WNC back on their feet and continue to do so. #mountainstrong

Agree.

Students returning primarily impacts the University infrastructure which was less severely impacted vs the town. Bringing fans in would be layered on top of that impact and would primarily impact the town, so i'm not sure the students returning is really an indicator that we are ready to host a game. Hotels are being used to house displaced people so I'm not sure all the hotel reservations could be honored. I'll be very surprised if the 10/26 game is held in Boone. It would be great but only if the infrastructure is in place to do it right.

To the point above, if attendance were limited (excluding regular ticket sales), the financial impact might be worse than playing it at Wake) I don't envy the people having to make these decisions.

[BTK2000]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

Some are not happy about students coming back next week....

Those are the same people that would bring beers , armchairs and cheer while watching the school if it burned. they are convinced App destroyed their charming little Mtn town

[BambooRdApp]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

Some are not happy about students coming back next week....

Those are the same people that would bring beers , armchairs and cheer while watching the school if it burned. they are convinced App destroyed their charming little Mtn town

Yes, some. But not all. I am in various local sites and student family sites.

[biggie]

Noticed this morning that a good number of downtown shops are pushing they are open on facebook. Seems like most of them want the tourism to return soon.

[AppDub]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

Some are not happy about students coming back next week....

The students bring a good deal of financial support to the local businesses and provide a lot of staffing for local restaurants and establishments. Seems to me the town needs the students back there. When you say some aren't happy about it, do you think they are the same ones who already complain about the traffic, the university and the impact the football games bring to town or are they people that just think the students are in the way while more clean up and safety assessments are done post Helene?

[Saint3333]

A subgroup of the locals are never happy about the students being there.

University has been there for 125 years, that isn't changing. Boone is App State.

[BambooRdApp]

I'm curious what people actually in the area that drive around Boone daily think of adding the influx that would come for a game, and take accounting that there will be no hotels available for people to stay so its an in and out deal.

Some are not happy about students coming back next week....

The students bring a good deal of financial support to the local businesses and provide a lot of staffing for local restaurants and establishments. Seems to me the town needs the students back there. When you say some aren't happy about it, do you think they are the same ones who already complain about the traffic, the university and the impact the football games bring to town or are they people that just think the students are in the way while more clean up and safety assessments are done post Helene?

Caveat prior to responding. I have a daughter currently at App. and I would like her back as soon as possible primarily as her senior year has been impacted by something beyond her and everyone else's control and the aftermath related to it.
You always have the constant complaining from some that do not have any affiliation to university...and sure some may be former disgruntled employees. However, I try to see it from both sides...as there have been some well thought out responses about the need to come back in comparison to infrastructure being ready (beyond App. St proper infrastructure). Some professors and other employees have lost housing and scrambling just like students to find housing..and personal preservation will come first and may impact the classroom and overall student life experience.
I do not have the answer on the right timing...my brief comment was more related to some responses that were properly discussed....and not the typical a$$hats that would rather App. St. never existed or was much smaller...that train left the station a long time ago and is not coming back.. however some will never let it go. I discount those responses...the others have had valid concerns on timing, etc. The university and town leaders have more information to make the appropriate decision on timing. I will leave that up to them.
Just from an economic standpoint, not having students back and the annual migration of leaf peepers, it does have a a significant bad impact on economy. However, there are other considerations besides short term economy.
I will trust in the university and town. With that said, this is definitely a significant decision needed to be made by Norris early in her role while leading the university. I, personally, am in the camp that the interim tag should be removed...