Where's Sean & "Welcome to the Rock!" ?

[Boone Goon]

Did I miss the announcement on this? I haven't seen the intro video all season. Where did it go? And why?

In year's past there was a natural build up until Connery says, "Welcome to the Rock!", the fireworks go off and the players run onto the field. Now the fireworks seem to go off out of no where, and the fans aren't cheering.

What gives? Did we forget to pay our check to the Hollywood film society?

[biggie]

I had a few at tailgate, but thought I saw Sean.

[Boone Goon]

That's what I assumed in weeks prior, so I purposely watched this week...no Sean Connery.

[Saint3333]

Eric Church kidnapped him.

[mountaineerman]

It was there but it happened so fast and could not even hear it. The introduction for this team is horrible all you here is a bunch of mumble jumble then fireworks . Personally there was a few years when they were introduced by Yosef on a four wheeler and one year a yellow Harley I enjoyed those loud and proud.

[DaphneUrquhart]

Sean was and is there. The intro video is new - showing more current players and FBS games. The words spoken during the video seem to encourage honoring the past without living in it as well as focusing on the "now" and a very positive future. The whole video does get lost a bit in the shuffle of noise and excitement at the players' intro.

[ASU-FTW]

It was there but it happened so fast and could not even hear it. The introduction for this team is horrible all you here is a bunch of mumble jumble then fireworks . Personally there was a few years when they were introduced by Yosef on a four wheeler and one year a yellow Harley I enjoyed those loud and proud.

Agreed. Can't even understand what the players are saying. Either they dont enunciate or the sound system is garbage.

[bcoach]

We need help with in game audio video production period. It is a crowd killer. The entrance is high school quality and the canned music is something less. Great football surrounded by not so much.

[T-Dog]

Remember, the sound system is being upgraded before next season.

And Sean has welcomed everyone to the rock before every kickoff this season.

[bcoach]

Remember, the sound system is being upgraded before next season.

And Sean has welcomed everyone to the rock before every kickoff this season.

I don't see an upgrade as good news. I see eliminating in game caned music as good news.

[moonshine]

I have to agree with several others. Not to be a negative Nancy but the intro is lackluster and fails hard in building up any intensity with the crowd.

"Back in the old days" the crowd would crescendo as the players started rocking the helmet and erupt as Sean introduces everyone to the Rock, the fireworks go and the Mountaineers take the field. Now it seems like a bunch of noise with no solid build up by the fan base, helmet rocks, fireworks go off and team takes the field to a less than stellar welcoming by the crowd.

[APPRIDE]

I have to agree with several others. Not to be a negative Nancy but the intro is lackluster and fails hard in building up any intensity with the crowd.

"Back in the old days" the crowd would crescendo as the players started rocking the helmet and erupt as Sean introduces everyone to the Rock, the fireworks go and the Mountaineers take the field. Now it seems like a bunch of noise with no solid build up by the fan base, helmet rocks, fireworks go off and team takes the field to a less than stellar welcoming by the crowd.

"Back in the old days" the crowd would crescendo as the players started rocking the helmet

Why we ever dropped "Back in Black" at this crescendo moment is beyond me. It had become our identity and got the entire stadium pumped. Now it is played several minutes after the run out onto the field and only a shortened version if I am not mistaken.

[Appalachman]

Back in black went out with black saturdays and all black unis.

[scatman77]

For the record: EVERY Saturday should still be Black Saturday. The canned music was a bit less this past Saturday but it's still way over the top and too much. The BOD should be miked and playing every chance they can. The song chosen for the end of the 3rd quarter is just plain sophomoric.....yecch. The folks in charge of the game day atmosphere, the game management itself, and the music need to read up on Appalachian State history and traditions. Oh, and one more thing: bring back the student Yosef and his long rifle.

[AppRolls]

While there are improvements that need to be made, I thought this week's "production" was better than it has been. Was that our old PA announcer? He's great and is a pro. Much better than what we've had lately. Piped in music was bad.....but it wasn't as bad as its been and at least there was some recognizable music.

[PhillyApp1]

Why is DG being so obstinate on this issue. The game experience is getting worse and it's not rocket science to fix.
I bet if he try's to use the methods of the past, results will change quickly.
It's just not as fun during the game trying to yell over the canned music.
It's just stupid !!!!
Btw, how many App....State cheers this week 1.... maybe 2
I hate going home with a voice......seriously.

[SayYesToTheRock]

I like the Connery intro (it'll be much better with an improved sound system).

But I'd also support having an alum say "Welcome to the Rock!" at each home game. It could be a former player (Armanti), alumni (the fashion-forward Eric Church), or someone within the university that is well-known (Chancellor Peacock).

[T-Dog]

But I'd also support having an alum say "Welcome to the Rock!" at each home game. It could be a former player (Armanti), alumni (the fashion-forward Eric Church), or someone within the university that is well-known (Chancellor Peacock).

Already tried this. Didn't work.

[SayYesToTheRock]

Already tried this. Didn't work.

When was it tried, and what went wrong? I must've missed it.

I think something like this would only be worth doing once the new scoreboard and audio system are installed.

[T-Dog]

At the risk of starting another argument...

They had Eric Church say "Welcome to the Rock" starting during the 2013 season and made a big deal about it, Tweeting "move over Sean Connery!" and such. It was just him saying it with little emotion or fire. Fans, along with I, didn't like it and wanted Sean back. He was brought back by the fourth home game.

There were people in the athletics department resentful that a "vocal minority" of fans were against "an alum doing a favor". Some have said that it was fans angry about the losing taking their frustrations out on Eric Church. I don't want to go down the Eric Church rabbit hole again.

They tried something new, it didn't click and they went back to the original tradition. End of story.