UConn leaving the AAC

[DontPlayWithYosef]

Another negative for us has always been that Boone is in the middle of nowhere.

After going to State College last year from Pittsburgh I will never believe that again.

Can’t wait for August 31st!

[hotrod2001]

Another negative for us has always been that Boone is in the middle of nowhere.

After going to State College last year from Pittsburgh I will never believe that again.

Can’t wait for August 31st!

If you want to split hairs and look at size and population, Boone's bigger than Clemson.

[AppDawg]

Another negative for us has always been that Boone is in the middle of nowhere.

After going to State College last year from Pittsburgh I will never believe that again.

Can’t wait for August 31st!

If you want to split hairs and look at size and population, Boone's bigger than Clemson.

And Clemson only has about 3,500 more students than us.

[hapapp]

Comparing Clemson or any the other small market P5 school to App is a false comparison. They are long time established programs who made their way to their current status long before markets mattered. Frankly, I doubt we were given serious consideration.

[ah59396]

Comparing Clemson or any the other small market P5 school to App is a false comparison. They are long time established programs who made their way to their current status long before markets mattered. Frankly, I doubt we were given serious consideration.

I share your opinion on this matter. It’s not the same and arguing any similarity between Boone and the likes of Clemson/State College/Oxford is no longer applicable.

It’d be like trying to justify an NFL team in Spokane Washington because Green Bay can support one.

[appstatealum]

All this being said, DG has to at least be on the phone right?

Someone on this board said he had a face-to-face with DG at an App event and he essentially said that DG told him that one of his goals was to get App into a different conference. Unless he was BSing, I would think DG has been working some phones. You've seen what he's done to the sports infrastructure, you can't deny the man has ambitions with the program.

I can confirm that DG has said this.

[Appstate88]

All this being said, DG has to at least be on the phone right?

Someone on this board said he had a face-to-face with DG at an App event and he essentially said that DG told him that one of his goals was to get App into a different conference. Unless he was BSing, I would think DG has been working some phones. You've seen what he's done to the sports infrastructure, you can't deny the man has ambitions with the program.

I can confirm that DG has said this.

I can confirm DG is the man. In DG we trust. #makeanimpact

[appstatealum]

Football is really the #1 thing that matters to these conferences. The academics and other sports come after. While App is not a National Research school, our overall student academics stack up to schools that are considered "bigger and better". All we have to do is continue to grow our support and continue our success on the field.... DG is working the back channels and he will do what's best for App.

[hotrod2001]

Comparing Clemson or any the other small market P5 school to App is a false comparison. They are long time established programs who made their way to their current status long before markets mattered. Frankly, I doubt we were given serious consideration.

I'm not trying compare our programs, but a lot of talking heads always make it out that Boone is this little tiny mountain town that you've got to take bush planes to get to. Clemson as a town is just this small place nestled between Lake Hartwell and Easley that happens to have a good-sized university with a monster following. I just don't like the argument that people use our town as something detrimental to our progression as a program. Clemson, Penn State and others are proof the size of your town doesn't matter.

I mean, what's more important? The size of the town or the amount of people you can draw into the town on a Saturday in the fall? As of last year, our attendance would have been better than Tulane, SMU, Tulsa and UConn. If we can get our average attendance into the 30k range consistently that would put us in 5th or 6th in the AAC. Which I don't think would be as much of a stretch because the likes of ECU, UCF, Navy and USF would be undoubtedly better draws than Texas State, Lousiana and Georgia State. Especially if we are competitive and flirting with national ranking annually.

Another example is Bristol, Tennessee. It's not exactly a metropolis, but twice a year it manages to become the fourth largest city in Tennessee whenever they host their NASCAR races. It's home to one of the most popular race tracks in the country despite being some rural border city in Appalachia.

[Rekdiver]

What’s important is are TVs watchingcwhen App plays? We do have a national brand now. People know who we are.

[Apple@chin1]

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/appalac ... ball-g5-d1

[appstatealum]

If we were playing against more relevant competition, the Charlotte Market will embrace us like they did when Miami came, and with a rivalry between us and ECU, the Triangle wouldn't be far behind. It's laughable to say Boone is not in the Charlotte Market..... Atlanta folks have no problem claiming Athens.

[APPdiesel]

Football is really the #1 thing that matters to these conferences. The academics and other sports come after. While App is not a National Research school, our overall student academics stack up to schools that are considered "bigger and better". All we have to do is continue to grow our support and continue our success on the field.... DG is working the back channels and he will do what's best for App.

Wasn't there talk a few years ago when Lance Armstrong had a house nearby of an athletic performance research program?

[appstatealum]

I do recall that. I can't remember what it involved...

[sixtoes9134]

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/appalac ... ball-g5-d1

Underdog Dynasty likes us. They have done a couple of articles now.

[APPdiesel]

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/appalac ... ball-g5-d1

Underdog Dynasty likes us. They have done a couple of articles now.

*our beat writer at underdog dynasty likes us. Its his job.

[kornegaylw]

If we were to join the AAC, we would definitely be the odd man out in several ways. We would be the smallest public football school (Wichita State is smaller, but obviously doesn't field a football team) in the smallest market. Our average home football attendance would also need to increase by 8-10k/game to be in line with the other publics in the conference.

All that said, it's not impossible. But basketball and baseball need to improve before anyone sees us as a viable option.

Also, if it can't be AAC, I'd rather stay in the SunBelt than jump to CUSA--unless there's some major geographical realignment.

So I get your logic in regards to public school size but I don't think its valid argument...App would be a comparable replacement for UCONN based on undergrad enrollment alone. You can't expect App to compete with UCF, it has the largest undergrad enrollment in the country. USF, Temple, Cincy and Houston all have larger market shares of students in their respective states and ECU simple has the space to house more students (not nearly as smart as Apps students though).

Appalachian --> 18K

1. UCF --> 70K
2. USF --> 37K
3. Temple --> 30K
4. Cincy --> 30K
5. Houston --> 35K
6. ECU --> 24K
7. UCONN --> 24K
8. Memphis --> 18K
9. Tulane --> 9K
10. SMU --> 7K
11. Navy --> 5K
12. Tulsa --> 4K

And for game attendance you really aren't comparing apples to apples here. Sure our total attendance numbers are lower but our attendance looks better on TV. Plus if we play better teams more people will come up the mountain. Once the new end zone is done and the construction is finished attendance will be better.

I live 2 blocks from SMU and have been to their games this past year and they do not reach close to the 95% mark. Neither does Tulsa, Tulane, UCONN or Memphis (that stadium is not in a great part of town). USF plays at Raymond James stadium which holds 75K and it looks like they draw between 25K and 35K for standard home games.

[Overcashed]

It's laughable to say Boone is not in the Charlotte Market..... Atlanta folks have no problem claiming Athens.

I see tons of block A stickers and license plates in Charlotte daily. I even saw a block A SC plate yesterday while in South Charlotte. We definitely have a strong presence in the Charlotte market.

[Woodstovegang]

I wish Watauga county would see past the next fiscal year and invest in small airport that would support the growth of the institution. As it is teams have to drive up the pass with equipment and staff to play. And most important for them promote year round industry. Only an idiot town manager would not be looking heavily at this as a MAJOR need. Build a Airport to support the in coming cash, it is not a big argument, all entities win.....

[NoLongerLurking]

I heard Wake Forest was going to join the AAC and Appalachian will join the ACC. Can't wait to beat up on Clemson at home.