Winning….

[Rekdiver]

I hate to lose. I hate when my team loses. Do I hate it more than the coaches and players? When I played did care what the fans thought? Nope, I shared the disappointment with my teammates.

I hate it for the kids because I know they try. I’ve been there and I need to remember that.

[CVAPP]

Winners know about losing. Pick Yosef up and move on. Please reply because I am worried, and care.

[kornegaylw]

I hate this as well...This site is so much fun but when we lose I avoid it like the plague.

I have faith we'll get better. App has better everything compared to the rest of the SB so I have faith we'll get back to being the big dawg....But right now I'm depressed. Please win Saturday

[Stonewall]

When we no longer hate to lose , I am out.

[Saint3333]

I’m not sure all the players hate the losses as much as ai do, just a different era.

[MrCraig]

I’m not sure all the players hate the losses as much as ai do, just a different era.

Maybe, but I have a feeling some of the players who don't hate to lose are no longer on the team.

[Bootsy]

Many programs go through peaks and valleys. As an App State fan, I recognize that we’ve been fortunate to see mostly peaks over the years. Just look back at the last 25 years of college football: you quickly realize that what App achieved was extremely uncommon. And that’s why it’s so difficult for us to see what’s been happening over the past few years.

This may sound silly or crazy to some of you, and it may get me banned from YC…but bear with me.

I’ve been a rabid App State fan from the first game I attended back in 1988. Depending on how the team performed, I experienced the higher highs and deep valleys, not realizing how exhausting it was to ride those highs and lows. Following that bitter home loss to JMU in 2022, I realized that I was too emotionally invested in the game. After all, it’s just a sport played by kids who run around and move a ball up and down a patch of grass, right?

More importantly, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. God was gracious to show me that I had allowed football to become an idol in my life. That may sound crazy to some of you, but idols still exist. They aren’t necessarily made out of stone or wood or gold anymore, but they look like other things…like a sports, sex, possessions, whatever. He showed me that my obsession with the game was having a negative impact on my life. But more so, He reminded me that He sent His Son to die for me that I wouldn’t have to be enslaved to it. I’m not perfect by any means, but I am very thankful God showed me this and forgave me as I let go of my attachment to the game. I still enjoy the games and like chatting about it with everyone (including you). And if I’m being honest, sometimes I still get frustrated about the program and have to remind myself how God has blessed me by putting the game in its proper place.

If you’ve read this far, thanks for listening. And apologies for the long missive here; just sharing what’s on my heart this morning.

[MrCraig]

Many programs go through peaks and valleys. As an App State fan, I recognize that we’ve been fortunate to see mostly peaks over the years. Just look back at the last 25 years of college football: you quickly realize that what App achieved was extremely uncommon. And that’s why it’s so difficult for us to see what’s been happening over the past few years.

This may sound silly or crazy to some of you, and it may get me banned from YC…but bear with me.

I’ve been a rabid App State fan from the first game I attended back in 1988. Depending on how the team performed, I experienced the higher highs and deep valleys, not realizing how exhausting it was to ride those highs and lows. Following that bitter home loss to JMU in 2022, I realized that I was too emotionally invested in the game. After all, it’s just a sport played by kids who run around and move a ball up and down a patch of grass, right?

More importantly, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. God was gracious to show me that I had allowed football to become an idol in my life. That may sound crazy to some of you, but idols still exist. They aren’t necessarily made out of stone or wood or gold anymore, but they look like other things…like a sports, sex, possessions, whatever. He showed me that my obsession with the game was having a negative impact on my life. But more so, He reminded me that He sent His Son to die for me that I wouldn’t have to be enslaved to it. I’m not perfect by any means, but I am very thankful God showed me this and forgave me as I let go of my attachment to the game. I still enjoy the games and like chatting about it with everyone (including you). And if I’m being honest, sometimes I still get frustrated about the program and have to remind myself how God has blessed me by putting the game in its proper place.

If you’ve read this far, thanks for listening. And apologies for the long missive here; just sharing what’s on my heart this morning.

Don't apologize. I actually had a very similar conversation with a close friend last weekend.
For me, the real eye opener was when one of my daughters asked why I watched sports so much. My answer was, "because it's fun." She just said, "ok," and went about her business, but my own answer stuck in my head. This is supposed to be fun. This is supposed to be entertainment. It is, quite literally, a game.
We can, and should!, care about our alma mater. We should be disappointed at the losses. We should have high expectations. We should NOT let it affect our lives, relationships, and spirits.
Just adding my two cents, I'll pass the plate down for anyone else who feels led.

[MDaniels]

Amen to brothers Bootsy and MrCraig! I have had the same awakening over the last several years. I used to let our wins elevate me too much and our losses caused me to be a bad person in my family's life. I wouldn't trade all of the years of making games in person at KBS for anything so don't get me wrong. However, I follow this team with a different perspective (but with no lost enthusiasm). God has been good to me and my family and, like Bootsy, has shown me that I was putting football above everything else in life for a few years. I'm relieved to be able to enthusiastically follow the Mountaineers on game days but not let the outcome ruin the rest of my week.
My wife has been on this journey with me for many of these years. She attended her first App State game vs Furman in 1989 and witnessed a 3 overtime victory for the Mountaineers. She was born in Greenville and was one of the only people rooting for App while sitting with the Furman folks. We've been married since 1993 and she has accompanied me to every App game that I have attended since then. We attended the 2007 National Championship game vs Delaware along with our son and attended App's first bowl game in Montgomery. We've probably attended north of 100 App games over the last several years. I even got my father in law (a Citadel grad of 1956) on the App train for the last 30 years or so.
Long story short, enjoy the wins and let yourself be disappointed during the lean times but remember why you watch the game to begin with. It's fun!

[AppDub]

Many programs go through peaks and valleys. As an App State fan, I recognize that we’ve been fortunate to see mostly peaks over the years. Just look back at the last 25 years of college football: you quickly realize that what App achieved was extremely uncommon. And that’s why it’s so difficult for us to see what’s been happening over the past few years.

This may sound silly or crazy to some of you, and it may get me banned from YC…but bear with me.

I’ve been a rabid App State fan from the first game I attended back in 1988. Depending on how the team performed, I experienced the higher highs and deep valleys, not realizing how exhausting it was to ride those highs and lows. Following that bitter home loss to JMU in 2022, I realized that I was too emotionally invested in the game. After all, it’s just a sport played by kids who run around and move a ball up and down a patch of grass, right?

More importantly, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. God was gracious to show me that I had allowed football to become an idol in my life. That may sound crazy to some of you, but idols still exist. They aren’t necessarily made out of stone or wood or gold anymore, but they look like other things…like a sports, sex, possessions, whatever. He showed me that my obsession with the game was having a negative impact on my life. But more so, He reminded me that He sent His Son to die for me that I wouldn’t have to be enslaved to it. I’m not perfect by any means, but I am very thankful God showed me this and forgave me as I let go of my attachment to the game. I still enjoy the games and like chatting about it with everyone (including you). And if I’m being honest, sometimes I still get frustrated about the program and have to remind myself how God has blessed me by putting the game in its proper place.

If you’ve read this far, thanks for listening. And apologies for the long missive here; just sharing what’s on my heart this morning.

No apology needed for this post. I had the same idol conversation with my daughter and her boyfriend the other day. They attended the game in my place and were filling me in before I had a chance to watch the whole thing back. They knew I would be disappointed and I was with the outcome, but I said to them I can't let it be an idol in my life. I can still care and support the team, but must always remember who I should be reflecting if I am who I say I am. Thanks for your post and the courage to post it. If you get kicked off Yosef's Cabin for it, I'm coming with you.

[rbarthle17]

When I was younger the reactions to wins and losses of the teams I supported were much more a part of the core of who I was. Time and experience have shown that there are a hell of a lot more important things to take up that space in me. I am disappointed when my teams lose. I am happy when they win. Neither emotion stays for long in me though. In the end it is just a game, one I am not a participant in. I extract whatever amount of entertainment I can from the games, and then move on.

[Rekdiver]

Winners know about losing. Pick Yosef up and move on. Please reply because I am worried, and care.

Seems I’m not alone CV.

[Stonewall]

Being involved and invested , I’m guilty. For better or worse, I have from time to time over the decades, been asked or volunteered to make a difference in the University, not exclusively the athletic program. It is part of who I am , everyone who knows me sees Appalachian in me. The highs are high and the lows are low. I thought age would mellow that but it really has not. Is it because I know there is more behind than ahead ? Or maybe I’m just stubborn.

[Bigdaddyg1]

It hasn’t been that long ago that if you didn’t go to our game you had to hope to find a radio broadcast, watch it on PBS (that was crazy) or by some chance see us play on ESPN2. Many of us, me included had people stop me for weeks after we beat Michigan to congratulate me (like I did something). We went to a school function and a teacher who happened to be an Ohio State fan stopped what he was saying to point me out in the back after he saw my App State shirt.

Many frown on the notion of a G5 playoff as it would be like being “relegated” to the FCS again. I’m not necessarily in favor of that but how quickly we forget the excitement of that 3 year run. We still talk about destroying Wofford on Halloween night. Now if we scheduled them some would scoff at the AD for that matchup. Those FCS championship games were epic even though I recall not even seeing them mentioned on the ESPN main football page. Those outside our world had no idea those games existed but damn they were fun.

I get that we moved on and moved up and there have been great and fun moments since we joined the Belt but frankly most of the fun and joy has been sucked out. I don’t know how we rekindle that feeling but if anyone can’t let a loss go and move on perhaps this isn’t for them. I agree with what others said, it’s a game.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

It hasn’t been that long ago that if you didn’t go to our game you had to hope to find a radio broadcast, watch it on PBS (that was crazy) or by some chance see us play on ESPN2. Many of us, me included had people stop me for weeks after we beat Michigan to congratulate me (like I did something). We went to a school function and a teacher who happened to be an Ohio State fan stopped what he was saying to point me out in the back after he saw my App State shirt.

Many frown on the notion of a G5 playoff as it would be like being “relegated” to the FCS again. I’m not necessarily in favor of that but how quickly we forget the excitement of that 3 year run. We still talk about destroying Wofford on Halloween night. Now if we scheduled them some would scoff at the AD for that matchup. Those FCS championship games were epic even though I recall not even seeing them mentioned on the ESPN main football page. Those outside our world had no idea those games existed but damn they were fun.

I get that we moved on and moved up and there have been great and fun moments since we joined the Belt but frankly most of the fun and joy has been sucked out. I don’t know how we rekindle that feeling but if anyone can’t let a loss go and move on perhaps this isn’t for them. I agree with what others said, it’s a game.

I wish that our 1 FCS game was always one of the following: Wofford, Furman, WCU, Elon, Richmond, Coastal Carolina or UNC Charlotte.

[BambooRdApp]

The late cancellation was only reason for Lindenwood

[mike87]

I like winning. I hate losing. When we lose, I write a check to Yosef. Makes me feel like I'm doing something about it. I've given more to Yosef in the past few years than I planned to give. Financially, we need to start winning again, for the good of the program and for the good of Mike.

[appfanjj]

I always try to remember that our university wasn't created to put a football team on the field but to educate people about what is taught in the classroom and educate them about themselves. Then send them out to help make our world a better place through what they have learned. Of course football is fun and we hope to win every game but it is not the most important thing that happens on our beautiful campus or in life.
Like many of you I have come to realize this over the past several years.
Proud to be a Mountaineer!

[rbarthle17]

It hasn’t been that long ago that if you didn’t go to our game you had to hope to find a radio broadcast, watch it on PBS (that was crazy) or by some chance see us play on ESPN2. Many of us, me included had people stop me for weeks after we beat Michigan to congratulate me (like I did something). We went to a school function and a teacher who happened to be an Ohio State fan stopped what he was saying to point me out in the back after he saw my App State shirt.

Many frown on the notion of a G5 playoff as it would be like being “relegated” to the FCS again. I’m not necessarily in favor of that but how quickly we forget the excitement of that 3 year run. We still talk about destroying Wofford on Halloween night. Now if we scheduled them some would scoff at the AD for that matchup. Those FCS championship games were epic even though I recall not even seeing them mentioned on the ESPN main football page. Those outside our world had no idea those games existed but damn they were fun.

I get that we moved on and moved up and there have been great and fun moments since we joined the Belt but frankly most of the fun and joy has been sucked out. I don’t know how we rekindle that feeling but if anyone can’t let a loss go and move on perhaps this isn’t for them. I agree with what others said, it’s a game.

I wish that our 1 FCS game was always one of the following: Wofford, Furman, WCU, Elon, Richmond, Coastal Carolina or UNC Charlotte.

I see what you did there. Well played.

[ncman071]

i just want to see us get back to prominence. We have great facilities, an amazing stadium...averaging well over 30k each game....and i think loggains is going to right this ship....probably not this season but next year and the year after. Unfortunately I get a little too emotionally invested....when we lose ...depending on who we lose to and...how...it literally will make me sick.....and pissed....but after about a day or so i put it behind....i used to be much worse...a loss like last weekend could linger for me personally for a week or more....this one last week just hurt so much because coastal is not good....and we could not stop them...thats four freaking straight losses to this team...but time moves on and there's still much football left