App - ECU in Charlotte?

[appvette]

This is similar to App scheduling a home and home with McNeese State. Sure, we had higher attendance, national championships, Michigan win, better conference, etc. However, the bottom line was they are a good program and the same subdivision as us so we scheduled it. Most of us were very happy with the schedule too. If you don't see ECU fans as being arrogant to say it is beneath them to schedule an even series with us then you do have an inferiority complex. As mentioned before, we would probably be favored in a neutral site game this coming year and we average better attendance than many of their conference mates. I agree we need to expand but an agreement with ECU (along with Wake and Marshall) will give justification for expansion. These types of contracts give us a reasonable confidence that we can get 35k - 40k fans which will help fund the expansion.

[Saint3333]

I'm saying we shouldn't play any G5 opponent without a return trip to Boone.

I can find no example of it occurring at the G5 level.

If that means we can't sign them until expansion, so be it.

I do agree we need a bigger season ticket base to fund and prove expansion is warranted.

I'm fine with a one game series in Charlotte.

Why not schedule game in Charlotte 2018, Greenville 2019, Boone 2020.

Expansion will come and likely before 2020.

[Appsolutely]

Ok, I understand that position. However, we are in a transition period right now with regard to Kidd Brewer. The seating capacity doesn't match our aspirations. I think a game with ECU at BOA could do a great deal for our program in terms of exposure, especially with regard to the media. So, I would be in favor of playing a game in Greenville to get that to happen during this "transition period." Once expansion allows us to host the kind of teams (with fanbases who travel well) we would like to see in Boone, I would not be in favor of doing this kind of thing again. As far as there not being a precedent for this kind of arrangement, that doesn't concern me in the least. I couldn't care less about what has been done in the past with regard to scheduling.

[Saint3333]

Apples and oranges.

Before the terms P5 and G5 were introduced the line always existed.

This is a negotiation process, you hold the line as long as possible. Once that line is broken it is much more difficult to repair.

There are enough quality G5s willing to sign home and homes, ECU isn't that important to us, at least not to me to throw that leverage out the door.

We've already signed a "bigger" opponent with much more recent history with us in Wake to a home and home. I'd rather sign Wake to another home and home than ECU quite frankly.

[Appsolutely]

Wake is a "bigger" opponent than ECU? In football?
Ok...

Don't get me wrong...I'm overjoyed that Wake is coming...but...we have a little history with EZU, as well. I'm actually just as impressed with the Marshall series.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. See you in September, my friend...

[Saint3333]

In the last 35 years we've played Wake 20 times, ECU 2.

ECU has won two conference championships in 17 years, I'm not sure why people would hold them any higher than Marshall.

No worries, we can't always agree that would be boring, looking forward to seeing you soon as well.

[EastHallApp]

I just think Gillin is focused on growing the program by putting together the best schedule possible. I think he's making that the priority over trying to protect our egos by arguing that we're on level ground with any other G5, or worrying about setting some bad precedent (which I don't really think would be much of a factor anyway), or assuming we can only play the Akrons and UMasses of the world until we add 10,000 seats to the stadium that may or may not be warranted by demand.

His comments echoed Bobby Bowden's old philosophy of "play anyone, anywhere" when he was building the FSU program. He's trying to build our profile, and that might mean doing some things differently than they've been done in the past. Understandably not everyone will buy in, but for my part, I like what I'm seeing and hearing so far.

Of course, we're all debating hypotheticals right now. Hopefully App will announce a series with ECU in some form soon, and then we can have something concrete to argue about.

[mtnjax]

Please oh PLEASE let us play a game at BoA before UNCc does!

That's an odd thing to say. We are not looking to play in BoA. We didnt build an on campus stadium to then go play somewhere else. Be our guests please.

Besides it being a great recruiting tool, I also view as us showing we hold more clout in CLT than the Niners do. so yes, we will take that while you play in your little stadium in Harrisburg

[appchicago]

Stepping back from the argument about whether we should do home-and-homes with ECU vs 2-for-1s vs whatever else, don't you think a big part of the less-active App fans would be impressed by a game at BOA and look to get more involved? Grads in the Charlotte area would have it in their back yards and fans in the eastern part of the state would hear more about it because ECU was involved. As I said before, I can understand the ECU fans not being excited about a neutral site game against App, but it seems like a real opportunity to engage more App fans. The faithful will make the drive to Boone every home game, but our long term goals will be more attainable if we also keep an eye on mobilizing the more casual fans. I think a BOA game against an in-state foe would help with that.

[Appsolutely]

Stepping back from the argument about whether we should do home-and-homes with ECU vs 2-for-1s vs whatever else, don't you think a big part of the less-active App fans would be impressed by a game at BOA and look to get more involved? Grads in the Charlotte area would have it in their back yards and fans in the eastern part of the state would hear more about it because ECU was involved. As I said before, I can understand the ECU fans not being excited about a neutral site game against App, but it seems like a real opportunity to engage more App fans. The faithful will make the drive to Boone every home game, but our long term goals will be more attainable if we also keep an eye on mobilizing the more casual fans. I think a BOA game against an in-state foe would help with that.

Yes...I think we have some fans who are undervaluing what a game with ECU at BOA would do for our program in terms of exposure. And that exposure and media attention is, to me, more important than whether we have to play a game in Greenville to make it happen...at least until Kidd Brewer can accommodate a larger visiting fanbase. I understand the opposing point of view; I just don't happen to agree with it.

The best solution is probably one in Greenville, one at BOA, and the next one in Boone once we have adequate seating. But I have no idea what Gillin is thinking. We shall see.

[JTApps1]

In the last 35 years we've played Wake 20 times, ECU 2.

ECU has won two conference championships in 17 years, I'm not sure why people would hold them any higher than Marshall.

No worries, we can't always agree that would be boring, looking forward to seeing you soon as well.

I don't think the discussion should be about which of these 3 schools is the best, but rather how do we get the last of the 3 to come to Boone. I think most of our fans would agree that these are our top 3 non-conference "rivals" in FBS due to the history and close proximity we have with each. If we have to play 1 game in Charlotte to get 2 or 3 more including a home game with ECU then it is worth it.

As Appsolutely mentioned a game at BOA would get us a ton of recognition, and we have to be willing to give a touch with our current seating situation. That is assuming we play a game before we have expanded to 30,000+ seats. Anytime after that I'd say stick to our guns.

[Niner National]

Please oh PLEASE let us play a game at BoA before UNCc does!

That's an odd thing to say. We are not looking to play in BoA. We didnt build an on campus stadium to then go play somewhere else. Be our guests please.

Besides it being a great recruiting tool, I also view as us showing we hold more clout in CLT than the Niners do. so yes, we will take that while you play in your little stadium in Harrisburg

I agree that it is a great recruiting tool, but how does it mean you have more clout? We had an agreement to play UNC there next year, but they backed out after we'd made room on the schedule for them.

As for the actual topic at hand, I agree with all of the posters that are saying ECU doesn't deserve any special treatment. Anything less than a home and home or a 1-1-1 arrangement would be an insult to App.

[asutrnr81]

In the last 35 years we've played Wake 20 times, ECU 2.

ECU has won two conference championships in 17 years, I'm not sure why people would hold them any higher than Marshall.

No worries, we can't always agree that would be boring, looking forward to seeing you soon as well.

At least we have something to make an argument about.....we certainly aren't on the 49er site making an argument to them. I like the banter....and i hAPPen to agree...no 2 for 1's with other G5's. If we have to wait on ECU wait!

[APPdiesel]

Nobody respects us at this level because haven't won at this level yet. Maybe if we'd beaten ECU one of those two games in the past few years we'd have their respect. Maybe if we'd beaten Southern Miss last year (as we should have). Truth is...we are still newbs at this level. Throw all this "we have history, we have 3 national championships, we beat Michigan" stuff out of your head...because it doesn't matter anymore. We have to establish a reputation as a tough team at THIS level over the next 10 years.

I hope we do get a 1-1-1 series with ECU simply for the reason that it's a regional opponent, close enough for fans to drive, and it fills up stadiums. But we have to beat them. If we go 0-3 the series would do absolutely nothing more than solidify us, in THEIR minds, as an inferior program.

I think Doug Gillan is smart enough to know while putting a MAC school on the schedule is ok as a last-chance filler, regional games vs ECU, Charlotte, Marshall, Old Dominion, even Memphis and Middle Tennessee should be the priority. Playing Wyoming is essentially pointless.

[EastHallApp]

Nobody respects us at this level because haven't won at this level yet. Maybe if we'd beaten ECU one of those two games in the past few years we'd have their respect. Maybe if we'd beaten Southern Miss last year (as we should have). Truth is...we are still newbs at this level. Throw all this "we have history, we have 3 national championships, we beat Michigan" stuff out of your head...because it doesn't matter anymore. We have to establish a reputation as a tough team at THIS level over the next 10 years.

I hope we do get a 1-1-1 series with ECU simply for the reason that it's a regional opponent, close enough for fans to drive, and it fills up stadiums. But we have to beat them. If we go 0-3 the series would do absolutely nothing more than solidify us, in THEIR minds, as an inferior program.

I think Doug Gillan is smart enough to know while putting a MAC school on the schedule is ok as a last-chance filler, regional games vs ECU, Charlotte, Marshall, Old Dominion, even Memphis and Middle Tennessee should be the priority. Playing Wyoming is essentially pointless.

That, sir (or ma'am), is one solid first post. Welcome!

[APPdiesel]

[/quote]That, sir (or ma'am), is one solid first post. Welcome![/quote]

Thanks EastHallApp. Common sense and an Appalachian State education.

I understand and appreciate the confidence but not the arrogance that some of our fans exude. I've read the Marshall and ECU message boards and I see the same arrogance in them. They've both been climbing this ladder for years. ECU fans think they're on rung 10 but they're really on rung 8. Marshall thinks they're on rung 9 but they're really on rung 6. Many of our fans believe we're on rung 5 we're really still on rung 1. That's not to say we're not "good enough" or "don't belong here" in any way, shape, or form; it just means we're just now starting the climb.

And it's sir. @diesel933 (t)

[oasispirate]

Here is one pirate fan that doesn't mind playing App St H&H. Not sure if I have any interest in Charlotte, unless a big payday/TV is in the cards.

However, keep in mind we really don't schedule G5s OOC. BYU we have but they are a national power. Marshall will really be the first we have done in quite awhile. We also must have 6 home games. Our recent unbalanced schedules with Florida and South Carolina have forced us to play some FCS. Ie App St, Towson, NCCU, and next year Western Carolina.

So this isn't like UNC or NCSU where we are dodging anyone. It would be one thing if we had H&Hs with other Sun Belt of Mac teams we just don't . The preference is always going to be for P5s first, if those options have been exhausted I am ok with playing App St H &H.

Our future schedules, there may be another game against SC in there as well.

http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/aac/eas ... irates.php

[oasispirate]

thought I would get some feedback from this in the offseason. Thoughts?

[AppState89]

I agree with you about the Charlotte deal. Unless it's a HUGE $$$$ for both schools, I want a H&H too. I've posted this before. Playing in Charlotte doesn't help Boone or Greenville, it helps Charlotte ($$$$$$$). Area businesses need home games to generate $$$$. With my father and brother going to ECU, it makes the game between App and ECU that much more special for me.

[appst89]

thought I would get some feedback from this in the offseason. Thoughts?

Would love to see us play, but home-and-home is the only way I am for it.