Favorite App Football (non-game) Memory

[Gonzo]

I was a camera man for the football team video staff my last two years of undergrad. Now-a-days they have a staff of 15-20 and top of the line, professional equipment. Back then it was just a handful of us working with Jake. I was filming from a paint-covered scissor lift with a Sony Handicam every practice that season. Every break I would have to toss the cassette tape over the side for my colleague to catch and run back up to the video room to break down for the coaches.

One practice the team was working on PAT's. Jason Vitaris was the kicker. I was behind the endzone, 50' in the air. I had a suspicion that he tried to do this all the time, but this particular kick was tracking. It was right on line and was poised to hit me right in the face and/or destroy the camera. I reached out and without interrupting the footage caught the ball. The entire team went nuts. Players made jokes about offering me a scholarship. I never actually got a scholarship.

[Deano]

I was a camera man for the football team video staff my last two years of undergrad. Now-a-days they have a staff of 15-20 and top of the line, professional equipment. Back then it was just a handful of us working with Jake. I was filming from a paint-covered scissor lift with a Sony Handicam every practice that season. Every break I would have to toss the cassette tape over the side for my colleague to catch and run back up to the video room to break down for the coaches.

One practice the team was working on PAT's. Jason Vitaris was the kicker. I was behind the endzone, 50' in the air. I had a suspicion that he tried to do this all the time, but this particular kick was tracking. It was right on line and was poised to hit me right in the face and/or destroy the camera. I reached out and without interrupting the footage caught the ball. The entire team went nuts. Players made jokes about offering me a scholarship. I never actually got a scholarship.

Gonzo,
Don't know when you were there but great story, mine is similar. I was there from 91-95, I was a sideline cameraman for the Appalachian Sports Network. Back then we worked closely with Kevin Balling (professor) and Larry the Engineer along with Steve who later became the ticket Director. One game I was trying to get a great shot of the players coming out of the tunnel of Owens Field House pre-game. I crouched down to get a low angle shot of what I thought was a safe distance from the entrance of the tunnel right before the players rushed out. The only problem was this time right before they ran out of the tunnel a fog machine went off. The previous couple of home games this had not happened, but I was committed, I was not moving. As you could have guessed it after about the fifth lineman dodged me at the last minute because the fog was blocking their view, I was pancaked by someone, I don't know who, and you could hear an "OOOOH" sound come from the crowd as they had just witnessed me get trampled. I wasn't hurt, just my ego....good times.

[9Steelman]

May 2008, Lansing MI. Insurance (Auto Owners) conference. I was afternoon speaker, dinner speaker Tom Izzo at Lansing CC. Tom (MI State BB coach) found out I was at App @ Mi game 9-1-07. He called me out and said I was a part of history and proceeded to tell all us exactly what he was doing at around 3pm that day! Trying to speak at donor tent for Michigan State fans. They all left and went to back of tent to the ending of our game on. Big screen TV. He said that was the first time his audience left in the middle of one of his talk. Also said he is now an App fan and wanted my autograph after his talk. He did come back to me after and talk the game and APP STATE. Two weeks later got green/white MI St BB autograph by Tom. Still have it! He never did ask for my autograph ??? But what a memory in front of a large crowd!

[Yosefus]

Standing in check out line in Food Lion the day after we beat Furman in the 80's. Sparky Woods right in front of us also checking out. I asked him how much the goal posts cost to replace that we tore down. He replied he didn't care and that they could replace them every game we could beat Furman!

[ASU3432Mi]

Driving through Ohio on our way home from the Michigan game on 9/2/07 my wife and I found an Ohio sports talk radio station. They played our fight song on a continual loop in the background the whole time we listened.

[mountainman33]

I have several, but last year's game versus UNC was the best. I flew back from Texas and bought the alumni tailgate package for my dad and I. He wasn't feeling very well, but didn’t really know why. We found out a couple weeks later he had Stage 4 colon cancer.

The day itself was great, we arrived super early and walked around Chapel Hill and then enjoyed the nice meal the alumni center had secured. In the stadium, we had great seats from my friend who's a former UNC and App grad. We laughed and smiled, screamed, joked and had one of the best times I've ever had with my dad. We weren't close for a number of years and this time was very special to me. He passed away a few weeks ago, but never stopped talking about that game and how proud he was that I went to such a great school.

As a kid, he was sent to boarding school at Patterson down in Lenoir and made his way up to Boone regularly. He always loved the school even though it wasn't his, but was super proud I went there. He loved watching games with me the past few years and we grew a lot closer over those games. I'll treasure the memories of both watching in-person and on TV with him. He was amazed with the growth and dedication of the program and proudly wore an App State cap when he was out.

[Rekdiver]

Walking with Coach Moore at the St Jude Classic where he was playing in the ProAm.

[mikeyosef]

There are many but the one that came to mind when I read the question was something that happened after our win at the Big House. My flight home that night left the gate late and I was thinking the delay would cause me to miss Sport Center's coverage of the game. As I lamented my situation, the Captain came over the intercom welcoming all aboard especially those who were at the game. He apologized for the delayed departure then said not to worry if we had concerns about missing Sports Center; he then announced he was an Ohio State Grad and there was no way he was going to miss the highlights of our epic game...he put the pedal to the medal and we arrived into Greensboro early, 45 minutes before Sports Center. He came out of the cockpit to thank everyone wearing App gear as we departed the plane.

[Yosef84]

I've thought some about this and my personal non-game football memory isn't nearly as exciting or impressive as most on here. I've really enjoyed reading some of these memories! My personal favorite memory is taking my son (7 years old at the time I believe...2012) to the Fanfest at KBS. It was just a great father/son day with him wearing his App jersey and getting pictures made with Yosef and the cheerleaders. He discovered the blocking sleds and seem like he spent 20 or 30 minutes hitting those sleds and having a ball. Special day in my memory.

[Appst86]

Mine has to be 9/1 and 9/2/2007. It was 3 months before I retired from the Army and I was stationed in Annapolis, MD. I had pondered going to the game but the wife and I went to Sarasota, FL with friends for the weekend instead. Friday evening we went to a pizza place that was decorated in nothing but Ohio State gear. They had a sign that said "We have the Big 10 Network." I asked if they would have the game on Sat and they assured me they would and told me to come back. I told them I would be on the golf course and the guy said to call periodically and he would provide the score. The next day I called the restaurant as we were making the turn and was told the score was 28-14. I said "at least we're not getting smoked." The guy said No, the other team (meaning ASU) is winning! From this point on, after putting out on every hole, I would call my App State/Army buddy (Appstate88) who was at Ft. Monmouth, NJ listening on the internet. He provided updates and eventually I stopped playing and listened over the phone as we pulled off the greatest upset in history. The next day, I wore the only App State shirt I had at the time. As we were walking through the airport in Tampa, strangers were yelling and high-fiving. What a great day to be a Mountaineer!