MBB vs Charlotte, Thursday 11/18 6:30pm

[hapapp]

I listened to Coach presser. I am fine with it. He is being honest. He has expectations. They may not be reasonable for a weeknight game. However, they are his expectations. I like that he has high expectations.
It is going to take people that reside locally to increase attendance for weeknight games IMO

I've got no problem with him having the expectations but when you literally triple the crowd size from previous seasons twice in the same week, that seems unreasonable. I'm hopeful the crowds grow. I did make it for the ETSU game by coming to Boone a day early but its hard to make the three hour trip midweek, especially after spending two nights in Boone over the previous weekend.

[WVAPPeer]

I really wish they had their names on the back and please Saint spare me the "name on the front is what counts"

[Saint3333]

I really like Kerns and I'm fine calling out a fanbase that doesn't attend. There are many reasons why that is (I personally can't make non-Saturday games). I'm part of that "problem" and take no offense to him starting that conversation. We can debate how that's handled but the result is the same.

I believe he's thinking ahead and planting the seed that students should be moved to the sideline. Move all season ticket holders to behind the benches and give students the sections on the other sideline and I wouldn't wait for next season.

[Saint3333]

I really wish they had their names on the back and please Saint spare me the "name on the front is what counts" :D

But it's true. Team sport ;) .

[APPdiesel]

Kerns was obviously talking to non-students. And he’s right. There’s absolutely nothing else going on in Watauga county on Thursday night. No excuses and no reason we can’t achieve 5,000 on a Thursday night. Show up!

[WVAPPeer]

I really wish they had their names on the back and please Saint spare me the "name on the front is what counts"

But it's true. Team sport .

Then why does our Great football have their names on their back?

[Saint3333]

You'd have to ask Jerry Moore.

[WVAPPeer]

Or maybe you can suggest they remove them since it's the only the name on the front that matters

[appgrad95&97]

Kerns was obviously talking to non-students. And he’s right. There’s absolutely nothing else going on in Watauga county on Thursday night. No excuses and no reason we can’t achieve 5,000 on a Thursday night. Show up!

Coming off our first NCAA appearance in 21 years and second in 42, i am more than a bit surprised at how little marketing has been done to support the team this season. I guess it might be easier to question the fan's commitment than the AD's.

[APPdiesel]

I wouldn't even take Coach Kerns' statements as a slight. I would take it as a challenge. Right now our "great" crowds equal average crowds at other conference arenas.

[goapps93]

I was just checking out the ticket office website and noticed there is now way to choose seats for bball. They're just assigned when you purchase tickets. Does that make any sense?

[hapapp]

I wouldn't even take Coach Kerns' statements as a slight. I would take it as a challenge. Right now our "great" crowds equal average crowds at other conference arenas.

All true but within a week we had two crowds triple what we drew in the past. We, hopefully, will see the crowds continue to grow. But Friday and last night were steps in the right direction.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I listened to Coach presser. I am fine with it. He is being honest. He has expectations. They may not be reasonable for a weeknight game. However, they are his expectations. I like that he has high expectations.
It is going to take people that reside locally to increase attendance for weeknight games IMO

I've got no problem with him having the expectations but when you literally triple the crowd size from previous seasons twice in the same week, that seems unreasonable. I'm hopeful the crowds grow. I did make it for the ETSU game by coming to Boone a day early but its hard to make the three hour trip midweek, especially after spending two nights in Boone over the previous weekend.

I don't take great or small umbrage with a coach calling out a fan base. He can say what I thinks needs to be said and I don't take it personal

However driving a couple hours, getting a meal and driving back or getting a hotel does cost some money, along with the ticket, which is likely the cheapest part of all of this. My challenge to him to take some of his salary and pay off my daughter's loans that she acquired while attending App State. That will free up a good chunk of change each month and I will get season tickets AND pay for a few more tickets to hand out to locals.

[Saint3333]

Or maybe you can suggest they remove them since it's the only the name on the front that matters

Stop trying to pick fights…. I know you miss the beat downs, but it isn’t healthy for either of us.

[Saint3333]

I listened to Coach presser. I am fine with it. He is being honest. He has expectations. They may not be reasonable for a weeknight game. However, they are his expectations. I like that he has high expectations.
It is going to take people that reside locally to increase attendance for weeknight games IMO

I've got no problem with him having the expectations but when you literally triple the crowd size from previous seasons twice in the same week, that seems unreasonable. I'm hopeful the crowds grow. I did make it for the ETSU game by coming to Boone a day early but its hard to make the three hour trip midweek, especially after spending two nights in Boone over the previous weekend.

I don't take great or small umbrage with a coach calling out a fan base. He can say what I thinks needs to be said and I don't take it personal

However driving a couple hours, getting a meal and driving back or getting a hotel does cost some money, along with the ticket, which is likely the cheapest part of all of this. My challenge to him to take some of his salary and pay off my daughter's loans that she acquired while attending App State. That will free up a good chunk of change each month and I will get season tickets AND pay for a few more tickets to hand out to locals.

Would you like some cheese too?

[WASU 93]

I really like Kerns and I'm fine calling out a fanbase that doesn't attend. There are many reasons why that is (I personally can't make non-Saturday games). I'm part of that "problem" and take no offense to him starting that conversation. We can debate how that's handled but the result is the same.

I believe he's thinking ahead and planting the seed that students should be moved to the sideline. Move all season ticket holders to behind the benches and give students the sections on the other sideline and I wouldn't wait for next season.

There's no reason that this can't be done. We have plenty of room to make that happen. I worked my way up last Friday and enjoyed the ETSU game. The atmosphere was solid.

I think the Sun Belt missed the boat with league scheduling. I like the travel partners arrangement, but they switched from Friday/Sunday to Thursday/Saturday. If they stayed with Friday/Sunday, some of the working with flexible schedules could make it up the mountain for both games. There's also the marketing opportunity for two games along with a ski pass or tubing pass on Saturday that could be put together by a local hotel. If you had 100 families participate, it would add 400 more fans. Make it fun, with a special family section in the arena, set up a free hot dog bar/free sodas, souvenir cups, etc. Or partner with Tweetsie for tubing and a Tweetsie Christmas on Saturday. (They would have to expand their schedule)
These may not be the right ideas, but there are options to expand the format with the Friday/Sunday format.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I listened to Coach presser. I am fine with it. He is being honest. He has expectations. They may not be reasonable for a weeknight game. However, they are his expectations. I like that he has high expectations.
It is going to take people that reside locally to increase attendance for weeknight games IMO

I've got no problem with him having the expectations but when you literally triple the crowd size from previous seasons twice in the same week, that seems unreasonable. I'm hopeful the crowds grow. I did make it for the ETSU game by coming to Boone a day early but its hard to make the three hour trip midweek, especially after spending two nights in Boone over the previous weekend.

I don't take great or small umbrage with a coach calling out a fan base. He can say what I thinks needs to be said and I don't take it personal

However driving a couple hours, getting a meal and driving back or getting a hotel does cost some money, along with the ticket, which is likely the cheapest part of all of this. My challenge to him to take some of his salary and pay off my daughter's loans that she acquired while attending App State. That will free up a good chunk of change each month and I will get season tickets AND pay for a few more tickets to hand out to locals.

Would you like some cheese too?

No more than the coach wants it would seem. He has to realize attending games is not free, even if the ticket is free, and they are not. I am just pointing out the economic reality of some of the alumni. I am nearing retirement so I will start having time but I will still be paying off my part of my daughters loans. The question becomes will I have the money at that point in my life? I hope so but only time will tell.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I really like Kerns and I'm fine calling out a fanbase that doesn't attend. There are many reasons why that is (I personally can't make non-Saturday games). I'm part of that "problem" and take no offense to him starting that conversation. We can debate how that's handled but the result is the same.

I believe he's thinking ahead and planting the seed that students should be moved to the sideline. Move all season ticket holders to behind the benches and give students the sections on the other sideline and I wouldn't wait for next season.

There's no reason that this can't be done. We have plenty of room to make that happen. I worked my way up last Friday and enjoyed the ETSU game. The atmosphere was solid.

I think the Sun Belt missed the boat with league scheduling. I like the travel partners arrangement, but they switched from Friday/Sunday to Thursday/Saturday. If they stayed with Friday/Sunday, some of the working with flexible schedules could make it up the mountain for both games. There's also the marketing opportunity for two games along with a ski pass or tubing pass on Saturday that could be put together by a local hotel. If you had 100 families participate, it would add 400 more fans. Make it fun, with a special family section in the arena, set up a free hot dog bar/free sodas, souvenir cups, etc. Or partner with Tweetsie for tubing and a Tweetsie Christmas on Saturday. (They would have to expand their schedule)
These may not be the right ideas, but there are options to expand the format with the Friday/Sunday format.

These are good ideas. If it could be sold to area businesses that a reduced price for a package is not lost income but extra income that would not be there to begin with might could move a few businesses,

[WVAPPeer]

Why not have the students sit behind the benches so we can see them on tv?

[proasu89]

Why not have the students sit behind the benches so we can see them on tv?

There are a 1000 or so reasons not to put the students behind the benches, and I was one of those reasons 33 years ago. Opposite side of the floor is fine and where the majority of the students sat 3 or so years ago.