APP Should remain FCS

[hapapp]

Excellent point. Counter point; for every dollar the town on Boone spends on gameday prep such as police they receive 10 fold the revenue via hotel, gas, food, etc. spend.

As for student fees the real answer to this "problem" isn't solved by staying FCS or going FBS it is solved by alumni donating to the Yosef Club and other areas of the university. The more revenue that comes from those sources the less that has to come from student fees.

As a percentage of athletic funding App's student fees cover 55% of the expenses much lower than any SoCon school. Is that good enough, heck no we can do better.

Excellent response! That's how you counter arguments not by bashing the integrity of someone who holds a different view.

[MountainMan]

Everyone has a right to express an opinion. However, when he presents it as "research" in a public forum, he should expect that others have the right to call BS and critique his "work."

And there are those that have expressed some legitimate concern about the quality of the "research" that was used as the official document supporting an ASU move to FBS. I have to admit that ASU's study was one of the least professional looking and least well-documented ones that I have seen. Even some of our pretty significant supporters have said something to the effect of "yeah, I saw the pitch-book thing, but where is the full-blown study?"

[Yosef]

Excellent point. Counter point; for every dollar the town on Boone spends on gameday prep such as police they receive 10 fold the revenue via hotel, gas, food, etc. spend.

As for student fees the real answer to this "problem" isn't solved by staying FCS or going FBS it is solved by alumni donating to the Yosef Club and other areas of the university. The more revenue that comes from those sources the less that has to come from student fees.

As a percentage of athletic funding App's student fees cover 55% of the expenses much lower than any SoCon school. Is that good enough, heck no we can do better.

I'm not sure that's accurate. The TOWN OF BOONE spends the money. The people that get the revenues are the hotels, gas, food, etc. as you mentioned. They don't pay 100% taxes so yes the Town of Boone gets a bump but I'm not sure you can say it's 10-fold unless you have some sort of facts to back that up. Make no bones about it - it's GREAT for the Boone economy. Just make sure you understand the economics of it and that it could create the need to increase taxes if the Town of Boone foots a larger bill and the University doesn't help. I can't imagine that would be the case though.

[AppAttack]

Can't believe I even clicked on this pathetic link.

[Gonzo]

I found the Facebook group for his "cause." Created February 13 and it has a staggering 10 likes.

The movement has begun.....

[Saint3333]

Excellent point. Counter point; for every dollar the town on Boone spends on gameday prep such as police they receive 10 fold the revenue via hotel, gas, food, etc. spend.

As for student fees the real answer to this "problem" isn't solved by staying FCS or going FBS it is solved by alumni donating to the Yosef Club and other areas of the university. The more revenue that comes from those sources the less that has to come from student fees.

As a percentage of athletic funding App's student fees cover 55% of the expenses much lower than any SoCon school. Is that good enough, heck no we can do better.

I'm not sure that's accurate. The TOWN OF BOONE spends the money. The people that get the revenues are the hotels, gas, food, etc. as you mentioned. They don't pay 100% taxes so yes the Town of Boone gets a bump but I'm not sure you can say it's 10-fold unless you have some sort of facts to back that up. Make no bones about it - it's GREAT for the Boone economy. Just make sure you understand the economics of it and that it could create the need to increase taxes if the Town of Boone foots a larger bill and the University doesn't help. I can't imagine that would be the case though.

I understand the economics of it, I'm not sure the town does. Without the university the town of Boone would be less than 4,000. Anything that is good for ASU is good for the people of Boone, the locals that don't agree with that aren't leaving in the right mountain town for their wants and needs.

[AppinVA]

The one point he makes that I do like is that this jump in the football program will affect you whether you are a football fan or not. That is a pretty accurate statement and one not often mentioned on this board because everyone here is a football fan (or so it seems).

What will all the ramifications be on the students who are just there for an education and a social life, that don't give a rats behind about football? (Student fees etc...) What about the townsfolk and the city itself? Will more police be needed at football games with more stadium expansions? Is the city going to foot the bill for certain things?

Some of this has been brought up before but since you guys are on a path to tear this guy to shreds I thought I would point out something he said that I do agree with.

As a student, my student fees went to help flip the bill for certain organizations I, not only didn't care for, but went against my core beliefs. I grumbled about it under my breath, but I realized as much as I would like, I was not going to get the rest of the world to see things my way. These things just came with the "cost of membership", so to speak. During my five years at App, the number of those programs, and the amount of $$$ I was paying to keep them afloat, grew as well. I'm sure that since my graduation in 1997, the number hasn't gotten fewer, nor has the money budgeted to support them gone down. Paying for things you don't care to pay for is part of life, whether you're supporting football or some Subtitle Movie Week at IG Greer.

This is going to sound cold, but I refuse to apologize. The train has left the station. For those folks that are dead set against FBS, Western's ready when you are.

[appbio91]

The one point he makes that I do like is that this jump in the football program will affect you whether you are a football fan or not. That is a pretty accurate statement and one not often mentioned on this board because everyone here is a football fan (or so it seems).

What will all the ramifications be on the students who are just there for an education and a social life, that don't give a rats behind about football? (Student fees etc...) What about the townsfolk and the city itself? Will more police be needed at football games with more stadium expansions? Is the city going to foot the bill for certain things?

Some of this has been brought up before but since you guys are on a path to tear this guy to shreds I thought I would point out something he said that I do agree with.

This is a point that a lot of people on here miss. They believe that App State Football = Appalachian State University. I have a student at App so I can see both sides. The fact is we are ready to make a move and we will make it. But we all need to realize this is not just about our game day experience. The effects go way beyond saturday afternoons.

[Yosef]

One thing that I do find interesting is that a lot of times these types of expansions, etc. call for a student fee increase to fund x, y, or z. Once x, y, or z is paid off though, I have never seen a university (ours or any other) stop charging that fee. They simply use the dollars for something else and increase their budget. It'd be really interesting to see how many fees students pay now that are no longer being used for their intended purpose.

[vegattk]

I find it funny that the majority of the posts on here are "heaping" on this kid.

I, for one, want to give him props for doing something about what he believes in. Heck, even though he doesn't put a whole lot of facts in his argument, he does raise a good point about students having to pay more for worse seats...

Something tells me those guys on the 50 up front will be cheering no matter what division we're in.

[Gonzo]

he does raise a good point about students having to pay more for worse seats....

Nothing in the feasibility study, recently released athletics master plan or any comment Cobb or anyone else of importance has made indicates that student seating will no longer be free or will be relocated.

He gave one example of an FBS school with different/worse seating in ECU. I'm sure I could cherry pick an FCS school that has students piled in the endzone, but you get my point. It's speculation at best and judging by the rest of his "research" and points, there is absolutely no reason to put an ounce of stock in this lamen's speculation.

[3rd]

Yea i dont really understand why they would move student seating anyways the whole reason of putting the students there is the atmosphere, i believe i remember a while ago (maybe when i was touring the school) that the students get the best seats at football and basketball because they want them to be involved and into the game


and lets all be honest do we want people sitting behind our players to be sitting down not really bringing the energy? (i know i am gonna get railed for saying the students show up and bring energy, so just be easy)

[Saint3333]

I find it funny that the majority of the posts on here are "heaping" on this kid.

I, for one, want to give him props for doing something about what he believes in. Heck, even though he doesn't put a whole lot of facts in his argument, he does raise a good point about students having to pay more for worse seats...

Something tells me those guys on the 50 up front will be cheering no matter what division we're in.

I have no issue with the right to voice an opposing opinion, however the untruths and poor presentation is well open to criticism.

[vegattk]

I find it funny that the majority of the posts on here are "heaping" on this kid.

I, for one, want to give him props for doing something about what he believes in. Heck, even though he doesn't put a whole lot of facts in his argument, he does raise a good point about students having to pay more for worse seats...

Something tells me those guys on the 50 up front will be cheering no matter what division we're in.

I have no issue with the right to voice an opposing opinion, however the untruths and poor presentation is well open to criticism.

I certainly agree... But did this guy BRING this to the MMB, or did someone scrounge it in the intrawebs to bring it to the pro-fbs altar here on our new board?

It just seemed that there were a few on here that were openly hostile to this poor kid. IMHO I never remembered such open hostility/mocking/hatred expressed with the posters back on the old MMB...

[vegattk]

Yea i dont really understand why they would move student seating anyways the whole reason of putting the students there is the atmosphere, i believe i remember a while ago (maybe when i was touring the school) that the students get the best seats at football and basketball because they want them to be involved and into the game


and lets all be honest do we want people sitting behind our players to be sitting down not really bringing the energy? (i know i am gonna get railed for saying the students show up and bring energy, so just be easy)

Does anyone know an FBS team that has free student seating on the 50 up front? If so I'd like to know....

Seems to me we'd NEED that space to sell premium tickets to afford to be FBS in the first place.

[Saint3333]

Veg I disagree I have openly criticized you many times on the old board .

[3rd]

Yea i dont really understand why they would move student seating anyways the whole reason of putting the students there is the atmosphere, i believe i remember a while ago (maybe when i was touring the school) that the students get the best seats at football and basketball because they want them to be involved and into the game


and lets all be honest do we want people sitting behind our players to be sitting down not really bringing the energy? (i know i am gonna get railed for saying the students show up and bring energy, so just be easy)

Does anyone know an FBS team that has free student seating on the 50 up front? If so I'd like to know....

Seems to me we'd NEED that space to sell premium tickets to afford to be FBS in the first place.

i understand where your coming from but let me ask this if we do that (move students,make students pay even) what will be the difference between an NFL game and our games? Students make college football, the band and the cheerleaders. A lot of us on this board have played sports in the past, when you look into the stands do you want to see a bunch of "older" people right behind your bench or do you want to see 5-10,000 students who your live with, go to class with. I am all for an FBS move but if they move the student section i will just end up sitting 50 yard line with my dad right in front of the gold seats. When i grew up coming to App games i sat up there and watched the student section bring it every game take that away the i feel the atmosphere will suffer a bit

[vegattk]

Veg I disagree I have openly criticized you many times on the old board .

Yeah, but disagreeing and mocking are two entirely different things.

[Gonzo]

You know the anti-progress App fans are out of ammo when the only realistic dissent is "you guys are being too mean."

[vegattk]

You know the anti-progress App fans are out of ammo when the only realistic dissent is "you guys are being too mean."

It depends on what you would consider progress... Some believe FBS would not be "progress"

And folks like yourself aren't being "too mean" Just rude, boorish & downright obnoxious.

I have had many conversations with pro-fbsers and not once did it boil down to calling each other idiots. At least the folks I argue with know I'm arguing with them... This kid probably doesn't even know this thread exists..

Stay classy Gonzo....