MBB vs Arkansas State, Thu 1/27 6:30pm

[BUTCH1991]

Per our online media guide, largest attendance for a game at Varsity Gym was 1/20/1990 vs ETSU packed with a raucous crowd of 8,564. We had a great rivalry with the Bucs back then and those matchups were can’t miss. We lost 96-94 in a wild one but it was as thrilling a game as I’ve ever attended.

It was a great game. Those games and the ones with Chatanooga were raucous.

[APPdiesel]

Varsity Gym was amazing. Great atmosphere and packed out. Attendance for many games was like 7,000 or more. Especially for ETSU, Davidson, Furman. Also non conference games like Nebraska, Georgia, Georgia Tech etc...
We are getting back to those types of crowds and atmosphere. I think Marshall, JMU, ODU will help.
Take the stairs.

55 miles, 97 miles (in state), 136 miles respectively -- examples of proximity building rivalry.

We need to keep scheduling ETSU, Chattanooga, Furman, Wofford, Winthrop, Charlotte, and ECU as much as we possibly can out of conference. Also need to start getting majors like Clemson, Wake, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech back to Boone. The goal should be to host a regional ACC or SEC every other year and get at least one or two of the mid-majors listed above on the schedule every year.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Per our online media guide, largest attendance for a game at Varsity Gym was 1/20/1990 vs ETSU packed with a raucous crowd of 8,564. We had a great rivalry with the Bucs back then and those matchups were can’t miss. We lost 96-94 in a wild one but it was as thrilling a game as I’ve ever attended.

This was a year later but still shows a nice size crowd in Varsity. I'm sure seeing a reminder of certain hair styles and clothing will make you chuckle just like when I see old circa 2000s photos of myself in baggy clothing with icicle sideburns.

[app97]

We had some packed houses in varsity in the late 90s as well. I remember a game or two against Davidson that felt like a mini Duke-unc game.

[app97]

Per our online media guide, largest attendance for a game at Varsity Gym was 1/20/1990 vs ETSU packed with a raucous crowd of 8,564. We had a great rivalry with the Bucs back then and those matchups were can’t miss. We lost 96-94 in a wild one but it was as thrilling a game as I’ve ever attended.

This was a year later but still shows a nice size crowd in Varsity. I'm sure seeing a reminder of certain hair styles and clothing will make you chuckle just like when I see old circa 2000s photos of myself in baggy clothing with icicle sideburns.

Looks like Tom Apke at least had some moderate success at App, however when I started at App in 95, the team was really bad. Ga Tech scored the first 18 points of the game when they came to Boone early that season. Buzz came in a year later and completely turned things around.

[Saint3333]

Where does Apke rank?

By Win Percentage:
Buzz
Cremins
Kerns
Light
Fancher
Apke
Cantwell
Capel
Fox
Press

[appfanjj]

Varsity Gym was amazing. Great atmosphere and packed out. Attendance for many games was like 7,000 or more. Especially for ETSU, Davidson, Furman. Also non conference games like Nebraska, Georgia, Georgia Tech etc...
We are getting back to those types of crowds and atmosphere. I think Marshall, JMU, ODU will help.
Take the stairs.

55 miles, 97 miles (in state), 136 miles respectively -- examples of proximity building rivalry.

We need to keep scheduling ETSU, Chattanooga, Furman, Wofford, Winthrop, Charlotte, and ECU as much as we possibly can out of conference. Also need to start getting majors like Clemson, Wake, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech back to Boone. The goal should be to host a regional ACC or SEC every other year and get at least one or two of the mid-majors listed above on the schedule every year.

Doesn't Auburn come to Boone next year?

[spacemonkey]

Varsity Gym was amazing. Great atmosphere and packed out. Attendance for many games was like 7,000 or more. Especially for ETSU, Davidson, Furman. Also non conference games like Nebraska, Georgia, Georgia Tech etc...
We are getting back to those types of crowds and atmosphere. I think Marshall, JMU, ODU will help.
Take the stairs.

55 miles, 97 miles (in state), 136 miles respectively -- examples of proximity building rivalry.

We need to keep scheduling ETSU, Chattanooga, Furman, Wofford, Winthrop, Charlotte, and ECU as much as we possibly can out of conference. Also need to start getting majors like Clemson, Wake, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech back to Boone. The goal should be to host a regional ACC or SEC every other year and get at least one or two of the mid-majors listed above on the schedule every year.

No need for ACC/SEC...post above says we had 7,000 for Davidson/Furman/ETSU. Winning is what will build the crowd. It is happening.

I am getting old and maybe the young kids like the NBA atmosphere but I miss the College atmosphere....where is the pep-band? The pep-band used to lead the students. It was fun and loud and we won often. I was at the game listed above for ETSU, It was much fun. I hope the students are starting to have some fun with Kerns.

[hapapp]

So will percentage points matter or will head-to-head be the tie breaker. Currently Troy is 4-3, UTA is 5-4, Troy is technically ahead in the standing but both are 1 game above .500 and Troy lost to UTA.

My understanding is winning % is the determinant.

[APPdiesel]

Varsity Gym was amazing. Great atmosphere and packed out. Attendance for many games was like 7,000 or more. Especially for ETSU, Davidson, Furman. Also non conference games like Nebraska, Georgia, Georgia Tech etc...
We are getting back to those types of crowds and atmosphere. I think Marshall, JMU, ODU will help.
Take the stairs.

55 miles, 97 miles (in state), 136 miles respectively -- examples of proximity building rivalry.

We need to keep scheduling ETSU, Chattanooga, Furman, Wofford, Winthrop, Charlotte, and ECU as much as we possibly can out of conference. Also need to start getting majors like Clemson, Wake, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech back to Boone. The goal should be to host a regional ACC or SEC every other year and get at least one or two of the mid-majors listed above on the schedule every year.

No need for ACC/SEC...post above says we had 7,000 for Davidson/Furman/ETSU. Winning is what will build the crowd. It is happening.

I am getting old and maybe the young kids like the NBA atmosphere but I miss the College atmosphere....where is the pep-band? The pep-band used to lead the students. It was fun and loud and we won often. I was at the game listed above for ETSU, It was much fun. I hope the students are starting to have some fun with Kerns.

I disagree that there’s no need for them. To say that is to say there’s no need to seek football home games against Miami, Wake, USC, and UNC. It helps drive attendance, excites fans, and tells skeptical alums and locals that App is serious about basketball.

Edit: to further my point Dustin Kerns himself wants these matchups:

"We want to elevate the profile of App State basketball and scheduling is one of those ways we will continue to do it," said head coach Dustin Kerns. "To have a multi-year agreement with a program like Auburn is big for us. Auburn played in the 2019 Final Four and is a nationally recognized basketball program and University. Bruce Pearl has proven he is one of the top coaches in the game and we give him credit for this series."

[appfanjj]

Would like to see at least home and away bball games against Davidson, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Wofford, Furman, ECU, along with UNCC, ETSU. No need to play the “big time” guys. Try to schedule games that would spark interest.

[ggasu]

I was at that game…ETSU brought 2000 fans, easy. Was the best atmosphere for a college game that I have been to,

outside of Davidson/ASU In 2007….we brought at least 2000 that day to their place, and heckled Curry non stop

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Varsity Gym was amazing. Great atmosphere and packed out. Attendance for many games was like 7,000 or more. Especially for ETSU, Davidson, Furman. Also non conference games like Nebraska, Georgia, Georgia Tech etc...
We are getting back to those types of crowds and atmosphere. I think Marshall, JMU, ODU will help.
Take the stairs.

55 miles, 97 miles (in state), 136 miles respectively -- examples of proximity building rivalry.

We need to keep scheduling ETSU, Chattanooga, Furman, Wofford, Winthrop, Charlotte, and ECU as much as we possibly can out of conference. Also need to start getting majors like Clemson, Wake, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech back to Boone. The goal should be to host a regional ACC or SEC every other year and get at least one or two of the mid-majors listed above on the schedule every year.

Doesn't Auburn come to Boone next year?

https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/11 ... ith-auburn

Unless something has changed it appears you're correct.

[Stonewall]

I remember Varsity being packed for VMI....

[BambooRdApp]

Varsity Gym was amazing. Great atmosphere and packed out. Attendance for many games was like 7,000 or more. Especially for ETSU, Davidson, Furman. Also non conference games like Nebraska, Georgia, Georgia Tech etc...
We are getting back to those types of crowds and atmosphere. I think Marshall, JMU, ODU will help.
Take the stairs.

55 miles, 97 miles (in state), 136 miles respectively -- examples of proximity building rivalry.

We need to keep scheduling ETSU, Chattanooga, Furman, Wofford, Winthrop, Charlotte, and ECU as much as we possibly can out of conference. Also need to start getting majors like Clemson, Wake, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech back to Boone. The goal should be to host a regional ACC or SEC every other year and get at least one or two of the mid-majors listed above on the schedule every year.

Doesn't Auburn come to Boone next year?

https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/11 ... ith-auburn

Unless something has changed it appears you're correct.

Let's add the undefeated in the CAA - UNC-Wilmington (7-0 and my undergrad alma mater) to the schedule - easy drive 421 and 40.

[WASU 93]

Per our online media guide, largest attendance for a game at Varsity Gym was 1/20/1990 vs ETSU packed with a raucous crowd of 8,564. We had a great rivalry with the Bucs back then and those matchups were can’t miss. We lost 96-94 in a wild one but it was as thrilling a game as I’ve ever attended.

That game was incredible. ETSU came out of the gates with dunks on their opening possessions. Great energy throughout. ETSU was a known entity thanks to ESPN and were an at large candidate if they didn't win the conference.

In regards to students in the 80's vs. now:
1. We did have fewer entertainment options (and no smartphones or internet)
2. The location of Varsity Gym certainly helped. Being between the Library and the Food Court, it was the center of campus. That even helped wrestling or volleyball, where we sometimes would be walking by, hear whistles and go in to check out the action.
3. The quality of our team for several classes of students had to affect attendance. You have to be intentional to go to a games at Holmes (walking or driving) and the program didn't inspire participation. Kerns is certainly turning the tide.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... edule.html

(If you page down you can see the attendance for that season)
Our Home Games in Varsity
12/2/89 Georgia State (out of conference) 3,712
12/4 UNCC 7,106
12/6 Lander 2,358
12/9 UNC-A 2,601
1/13/90 The Citadel 5,981
1/15 Furman 5,603
1/20 ETSU 8,564
1/22 Davidson 3,618
2/3 Western Carolina 4,190
2/5 Tenn-Chatt 3,213
2/14 (Valentine's Day) 1,976
2/24 VMI 2,323
2/26 Marshall 3.486

Home Average was 4,222 Student Population was 12,000

Our away games that season were East Carolina, NC State, Southern Mississippi (with Clarence Weatherspoon), Southwestern LA (Lafayette) and UNC-W. We also played in the Greater Youngstown Holiday Classic (Central Michigan and Nicholls State)