Just curious, did anyone attend Fanfest this past Saturday? What was your impression?

I thought it was well organized and letting the kids in early to have 30 minutes with the team was a great idea. I think turnout was lower than in the past and I'm guessing because there was no scrimmage to watch so that kept a few people home. Weather was absolutely perfect.

It was well organized, but the lack of a scrimmage hurt attendance big time. There was no hook for anyone without kids to go. MBB was there doing dribbling drills on the track and a couple other Olympic sports teams were there standing around.

Kind of what I expected. The lack of a scrimmage or other activities for those of us without small children surprised me. It is was kept me from making the 1 1/2 hour drive. Any idea why they didn't make the scrimmage a part of Fanfest? It appears that they held one before opening the gates.

The team can get a lot more work done in a typical scrimmage than what they normally get done during the Fan Fest scrimmages. I know fans enjoying seeing the guys on the field, but its mainly all show for the fans instead of a legit practice.

JTApps1 wrote:The team can get a lot more work done in a typical scrimmage than what they normally get done during the Fan Fest scrimmages. I know fans enjoying seeing the guys on the field, but its mainly all show for the fans instead of a legit practice.

"When will "It's better than what we had" no longer be good enough for App State?"

JT....I copied your signature to make a point.....I think we missed a great opportunity on one hand and pointed out a real issue that has to be addressed.

When will it not be good enough and we really start promoting the experience of coming and being in Boone, for a game, for a season. We really need to start addressing the promotion of ASU sports....

This was the first event as a Sun Belt athletic department and while I was not disappointed because I got to do what I wanted.....but the opportunity to make it an event was lost.

How many other programs have a Fall Camp fan event that includes an open scrimmage? Personally I think the fan event scrimmage should be limited to a Spring game. It has to be a distraction to the team for a large number of fans to be in attendance at a scrimmage. The final Fall scrimmage is very important because it is the last chance the coaching staff gets to do general evaluations of the players. From here on out it is all about game prep for the next game and both the offense and the defense will be performing against scout teams running the upcoming opponents general scheme. Fall camp is not a time for a showcase scrimmage for the fans, too much real work to do. I'm satisfied with a fan event that is a meet and greet with the players. I think that is what most other programs do. Of course I'm not close enough to go to Boone to go either way so my opinion may not count for much.

I was wondering why they were practicing around 1 pm when we drove by.
Now I know.
Scott

goapps93 wrote:How many other programs have a Fall Camp fan event that includes an open scrimmage? Personally I think the fan event scrimmage should be limited to a Spring game. It has to be a distraction to the team for a large number of fans to be in attendance at a scrimmage. The final Fall scrimmage is very important because it is the last chance the coaching staff gets to do general evaluations of the players. From here on out it is all about game prep for the next game and both the offense and the defense will be performing against scout teams running the upcoming opponents general scheme. Fall camp is not a time for a showcase scrimmage for the fans, too much real work to do. I'm satisfied with a fan event that is a meet and greet with the players. I think that is what most other programs do. Of course I'm not close enough to go to Boone to go either way so my opinion may not count for much.

I go for two reasons....1. Any reason to go to Boone. 2. To see my son.

I am just saying that we need to take every opportunity to promote App State Sports. The last exhibition for Soccer was Saturday, Volleyball was on the field, the Dance Team was there, the Cheerleaders were there, three mens Basketball players were there in a fan challenge. So I guess there were a number of teams present. But who knew. We need to find a way to make every event a hAPPening that we can. I was satisfied for what i was going to do Saturday.....but I saw very few of "us" there....and this is the closest we may ever have for the rest of the year to be near this team and show them support.

When "we" have a chance we need to build on the relationship that is App State. In every way we can.

I was there. I noticed Alex Gray was there giving autographs as his number #3. Any work on whether or not he will be back on the roster?

I did not go Saturday and to be honest I don't usually make it to Fan Fest.

Just brainstorming some ideas.

I can understand FB not wanting to have a scrimmage, for a couple of reasons, but maybe this would be a good time to get the other sports, especially the fall sports out in view.

Volleyball could put up a net and teach the younger kids serve and a few things about the game, and in a way that no one, kids or our players, get hurt. No diving for balls, just some simple stuff.

Basketball could have a free throw or 3 pt challenge with fans. Maybe even do this by selling tickets or just for no cost. Selling tickets may be a bit too much "County Fair" and cheesy but it could raise some funds. I would think free would be better since this is about celebrating App sports. The chances of pulling a hammy or twisting an ankle with set shots has to be low.

Soccer could play a few minutes. Maybe XX vs XY or mix up each team with both sexes on both teams. Play 15 min on a short field if not the entire field.

Field Hockey could play 15 min and explain their game and rules. Or let fans take shots on goal and appreciate the difficulty of this sport.

XC could have some younger fans run a short route up some hills and around. Short but something in a vein they do in their meets.

Basically get some exposure for these sports. It might just get a few fans out to a game. I am guessing Field Hockey is not a big draw and though I am glad they have a real FH field now, being off campus is not going to help attendance I would think.

If there would not be room for using the field for one sport then set up stations and one could walk around the track to visit each team that is there and they could confine whatever they were doing to their allocated space.

This would take some people power to move nets around and set things up. But the costs should not be that much. It would be more for younger fans, but that is not a bad target audience.

.

I like the idea of all fall sports being represented. I also think you can put some blocking sleds and tackle dummies out there with pads to fall on. Also bring out some of the shoulde pads and helmets so people can take pictures in them.

I also think there can be a student appreciation day, where you do a fanfest just for the students with no autograph lines so the players can come across as just students and not celebrities. Maybe even get the freshman to do a tunnel run with the band and video board as part of their orientation.

These are great ideas. Perhaps, like the FT/3PT contest suggested for basketball, we could have a skills competition for football. Remember when they used to do that for NFL QB's? See how far each kicker can drill a FG off a tee. Just some thoughts to go along with the other suggestions. This would be entertaining if no scrimmage, especially in a couple of years for my 2-year old boy.

asutrnr81 wrote:

JTApps1 wrote:The team can get a lot more work done in a typical scrimmage than what they normally get done during the Fan Fest scrimmages. I know fans enjoying seeing the guys on the field, but its mainly all show for the fans instead of a legit practice.

"When will "It's better than what we had" no longer be good enough for App State?"

JT....I copied your signature to make a point.....I think we missed a great opportunity on one hand and pointed out a real issue that has to be addressed.

When will it not be good enough and we really start promoting the experience of coming and being in Boone, for a game, for a season. We really need to start addressing the promotion of ASU sports....

This was the first event as a Sun Belt athletic department and while I was not disappointed because I got to do what I wanted.....but the opportunity to make it an event was lost.

81- I agree completely that we have done a poor job of promoting the Sun Belt's strengths and educating our fan base one the teams we will now face. There are a lot of fans that look at the teams and have no clue who they are which leads them to think this league is no better than the SoCon. Obviously that isn't the case, but the athletic department has to take some initiative to educate the fans. I don't think we needed a scrimmage to draw fans, but they could have had some coaches and players from the different sports speak to the crowd to give updates on their programs.

I like some of the other ideas thrown out here as well. Not sure if they did this or not, but the Yosef Club should also be out actively engaging fans to hopefully grab some new members.

JTApps said -
" There are a lot of fans that look at the teams and have no clue who they are which leads them to think this league is no better than the SoCon."

I'm not sure there really is anything the Admn can do about educating the average fan on the SunBelt. I think it is just going to take time for the fans to learn about the schools and the conference. Look, my wife is an above-average football fan (and I'm including male and female fans) and her first comment was, "I've never heard of half these teams" - She will continue to be as much an APP football fan as ever but it will take time for her, and others, to see this move put us into a different ballgame ---

Our AD was too busy to worry about such trifles. ......

WVAPPeer wrote:JTApps said -
" There are a lot of fans that look at the teams and have no clue who they are which leads them to think this league is no better than the SoCon."

I'm not sure there really is anything the Admn can do about educating the average fan on the SunBelt. I think it is just going to take time for the fans to learn about the schools and the conference. Look, my wife is an above-average football fan (and I'm including male and female fans) and her first comment was, "I've never heard of half these teams" - She will continue to be as much an APP football fan as ever but it will take time for her, and others, to see this move put us into a different ballgame ---

They could discuss the accomplishments of the Sun Belt members in any form of media. We've had plenty of exposure on TV, radio, and in newspapers the past few months. We could have sent out newsletters in print or email discussing our new conference mates and their accomplishments. There are ways to do it. Would we reach everyone? No, but we could get to many of our fans who could then talk to their friends when it came up.

JTApps1 wrote:

WVAPPeer wrote:JTApps said -
" There are a lot of fans that look at the teams and have no clue who they are which leads them to think this league is no better than the SoCon."

I'm not sure there really is anything the Admn can do about educating the average fan on the SunBelt. I think it is just going to take time for the fans to learn about the schools and the conference. Look, my wife is an above-average football fan (and I'm including male and female fans) and her first comment was, "I've never heard of half these teams" - She will continue to be as much an APP football fan as ever but it will take time for her, and others, to see this move put us into a different ballgame ---

They could discuss the accomplishments of the Sun Belt members in any form of media. We've had plenty of exposure on TV, radio, and in newspapers the past few months. We could have sent out newsletters in print or email discussing our new conference mates and their accomplishments. There are ways to do it. Would we reach everyone? No, but we could get to many of our fans who could then talk to their friends when it came up.

I agree - anything would have helped but I think it would have been marginal - it will just take time - there does seem like something could have been done ---

goapps93 wrote:How many other programs have a Fall Camp fan event that includes an open scrimmage?

Michigan did Saturday evening, offensive line looked horrid defense was impressive and swarming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t0ckkwxHtE

http://mgovideo.com/open-scrimmage/

lol @ all these complaints about fanfest.

It's freaking fanfest. Who cares?