UNCC sees recruiting boost

[YesAppCan]

49, I will not argue with what you have seen from App fans that are season ticket holders for football BUT, I have NEVER met an App football season ticket holder that is a Chapel Hill fan for basketball and I've been at this a very long time.

[NWA49]

49, I will not argue with what you have seen from App fans that are season ticket holders for football BUT, I have NEVER met an App football season ticket holder that is a Chapel Hill fan for basketball and I've been at this a very long time.

I will be happy to give you their seat #s at KBS so you can go give them an ear full. Hell I do! As a fan that pulls for all things related to my alma mater it really kills me when I see fans who don't do the same.

[firemoose]

49-Just want to make it clear that I really don't have hate towards UNCC. I stated that I think we would make a great rival to you once we move up, but only if Judy can look past her problems.

As for the comments I gotten I really don't understand why, outside of Panthers games. Those I know why. Elsewhere I'm just a normal looking 6' 2" 240 former LB. It's not like I have a long beard, corncob pipe, and a jug of shine under my arm. And it's not like it's everyday I'm there, except Panthers games. Not sure why myself. And I never say anything back. As I stated I really couldn't care less what someone says. I was just making the point that Charlotte isn't perfect either.

I'll end this discussion from my end by saying I hope we will one day be playing UNCC on a regular basis in many sports, whether as members of the same conference or of seperate FBS conferences because I think we all need rivals who are only a bus ride away. If the Big 4 (or 5, depending on what happens with Maryland v ACC) get their way all non AQ conferences are going to lose an even bigger piece of the money pie and everybody will be forming regional conferences to cut down on travel. They'll have to. It will be nice to have several schools within easy travel distance to save money for the longer trips. Outside of that, good luck to you and your school. I've got recruiting research to do so I'm out.

[cbarrier90]

As for being treated poorly wearing App gear in Charlotte that is pretty surprising. Even in this thread some of your posters are talking about how much Charlotte loves App fans and some of them have even claimed the Charlotte market as theirs (even though it quite clearly belongs to the ACC and Chapel Hill). I am friends with many App folks and have never heard of them being treated poorly. That's just odd since the majority of fans in Charlotte seem to be Chapel Hill fans and most Chapel Hill fans didn't really go there. Just odd. My wife grew up in Boone so I spend plenty of time up there, nice town and nice folks and only a few times have I had shit talked to me while wearing Charlotte gear up there and all of it after our football team was announced. In the early and mid 90s when I was going to some App games (basketball and football) no one ever said anything to me about wearing a Charlotte hat into the game. Now going to a Chapel Hill football game wearing a Charlotte hat in the mid to late 90s was a very different experience - I got yelled at by all kinds of fans and when I asked them where they went they said they had been a Tarheel all their life. My hatred of them really got started there.

The reality is that the "dual-fanship" in NC applies to every school in the state not named NC State, UNC, or Duke, particularly during basketball season.

That's why the conference dream of having ECU, Charlotte and App in the same conference would have been fantastic for exposure in the state. All three schools have their own niches unique to the state (ECU: Football, Charlotte: Soccer, App: Football) that have garnered attention in a crowded NC market. Each all have their dedicated fans who together make up a good chunk of the state population.

All three schools could draw considerable numbers at the "pro" facilities in Charlotte (BOA for football, TWC for basketball, the new Knights Stadium in Uptown once it's completed.)

Oh, what could have been. Instead, all three are still in seperate conferences and still fighting to get out of the shadow of the Triangle schools.

[YesAppCan]

49 says:

As a fan that pulls for all things related to my alma mater it really kills me when I see fans who don't do the same.

We agree 100% on this.

[WataugaMan]

"My main point was that some of your posters make the fact that you have 30K show up for your football as a sign that App has support far and away above Charlotte and other schools in the state."

NWA49:

The reason I stated this fact is because you were boasting that UNCC had 10,000 fans show up on occasion for basketball games. Then you concluded your statement by asking, do you? By that question and your comment above, it is easy to conclude that you are in fact the one boasting that Charlotte has support far and away above App's.

Yes, App Basketball attendance is very lame. However, with a more successful program (as is the case with football), the support will increase. With that said, as time passes and UNCC gets their football program going and starts seeing success, I'd say you too will see 30K fans on Saturday. To conclude, I'd like to see that happen. More specifically, Appalachian and UNCC in the same FBS conference would suit me fine. Why should UNC, Duke, and NC State be the only in-state FBS football rivalry, I'm ready for an Appalachian, East Carolina, UNCC rivalry myself.

[bcoach]

Here is the problem with APP basketball VS the other schools in NC that are or will be FBS schools. We are the only one who will have to rely on students for 90% of attendance. All the other schools are population centers. If you have been a Duke or State fan all your life how do you really get into APP BB if you can't get to a game or watch them on TV. It is hard to be a fan of a team you can't watch. All this talking smack about folks who watch ACC BB is just nuts. Should we watch no BB at all because we can't see APP play? Now granted if you watch the faded out blue team that may be a character flaw, but that is a seperate issue.(:

[WataugaMan]

Back in the late 70s when Bobby Cremins was coach App had no problem packing the house.

[AppAttack]

This thread is a waste of time and needs to be shut down. Honestly, 90% of App fans don't care one way or another about UNCC athletics. I'm just tired of seeing it in the Recent Topics list.

[NWA49]

49-Just want to make it clear that I really don't have hate towards UNCC.

I got ya! Nice to be able to talk with fans without all the insults.

[Appftw]

NWA49, you'e on an App State message board trying to convince yourself that UNCC is "at least" equal to App state, all the while making underhanded comments about our athletics and fan support (when in reality all you're doing is showing your ignorance), of course you're going to get brought back down to earth a little bit. All we have said is that Charlotte is a commuter school and it's easier to get into than App. Both are true statements so stop writing page long ramblings about how your mind rationalizes that you're equal to us.

Do you really think that you're gonna sell out your 15,000 stadium consistently with your schedule? You're about to be the new Georgia State.

[NWA49]

"My main point was that some of your posters make the fact that you have 30K show up for your football as a sign that App has support far and away above Charlotte and other schools in the state."

NWA49:

The reason I stated this fact is because you were boasting that UNCC had 10,000fans show up on occasion for basketball games. Then you concluded your statement by asking, do you? By that question and your comment above, it is easy to conclude that you are in fact the one boasting that Charlotte has support far and away above App's.

Yes, App Basketball attendance is very lame. However, with a more successful program (as is the case with football), the support will increase. With that said, as time passes and UNCC gets their football program going and starts seeing success, I'd say you too will see 30K fans on Saturday. To conclude, I'd like to see that happen. More specifically, Appalachian and UNCC in the same FBS conference would suit me fine. Why should UNC, Duke, and NC State be the only in-state FBS football rivalry, I'm ready for an Appalachian, East Carolina, UNCC rivalry myself.

Actually I was just making a point. App has shown great football support which stands to reason that you should be able to translate that support to other sports -mostly mens basketball, with some investments and winning I expect you could have a solid basketball program. Conversely Charlotte has shown solid basketball, soccer and baseball support so it only stands to reason that supporting the most popular sport in the nation is certainly possible. I wasn't saying that Charlotte has support passed that of App - just that some of the posters statements here that football is doomed to fail at Charlotte is way off.

[NWA49]

NWA49, you'e on an App State message board trying to convince yourself that UNCC is "at least" equal to App state, all the while making underhanded comments about our athletics and fan support (when in reality all you're doing is showing your ignorance), of course you're going to get brought back down to earth a little bit. All we have said is that Charlotte is a commuter school and it's easier to get into than App. Both are true statements so stop writing page long ramblings about how your mind rationalizes that you're equal to us.

Do you really think that you're gonna sell out your 15,000 stadium consistently with your schedule? You're about to be the new Georgia State.

I havent talked about academics because it is pointless. Two different schools, two different missions, teo different profiles, etc. I+ have countered the commuter school statements, you all just dont want to believe it.

And yes I fully expect to sell out the 15k. Again our alumni have too much money invested to not show up and given our size and student support for sports that are far less popular than football is would certainly be expected that we can have our students turn out.

The big difference between us and GSU is that support of our other sports is in the top 100 - so why wouldnt we support the most popular sport in the nation??

As for being ignorant - I have researched the App basketball numbers so I wouldn't say I was off base there. I also have been in Boone plenty and was going to games there before some of you set foot on campus in Boone.

[Gonzo]

As for being ignorant - I have researched the App basketball numbers so I wouldn't say I was off base there. I also have been in Boone plenty and was going to games there before some of you set foot on campus in Boone.

So you know how to use Google and you have an outdated perception of Appalachian. I defer to your infinite wisdom in all things App State.

[NWA49]

As for being ignorant - I have researched the App basketball numbers so I wouldn't say I was off base there. I also have been in Boone plenty and was going to games there before some of you set foot on campus in Boone.

So you know how to use Google and you have an outdated perception of Appalachian. I defer to your infinite wisdom in all things App State.

As I stated my wife grew up in Boone. We go up there on a regular basis. I have many of friends who are App grads and season ticket football holders. I have two friends whose parents are professors at App currently, one in English and one in accounting. I spent many summers in Boone doing work with an outreach ministry. I don't think I am as out of touch as you think. I would def say that I have a far better understanding of App than most of you have of Charlotte. I have hardly said anything negative about App beside not supporting some of your other sports (which most of you admit should improve), so I would hardly say I have been as full of hate as many of you have been.

I don't have the hate for App that you guys have for Charlotte. I was simply here to counter some of the things being said about Charlotte and in the process have met a few folks here that are logical and great fans to engage with.

[cbarrier90]

As for being ignorant - I have researched the App basketball numbers so I wouldn't say I was off base there. I also have been in Boone plenty and was going to games there before some of you set foot on campus in Boone.

So you know how to use Google and you have an outdated perception of Appalachian. I defer to your infinite wisdom in all things App State.

As I stated my wife grew up in Boone. We go up there on a regular basis. I have many of friends who are App grads and season ticket football holders. I have two friends whose parents are professors at App currently, one in English and one in accounting. I spent many summers in Boone doing work with an outreach ministry. I don't think I am as out of touch as you think. I would def say that I have a far better understanding of App than most of you have of Charlotte.

Yet when most App fans, many of whom either live or grew up in the Charlotte area, say Charlotte has the perception of being a "commuter school" or a "safety school," all of a sudden we are ignorant hicks who don't understand what Charlotte has to offer. It works both ways, bud.

I for one have enjoyed this thread and your presence on the board and really don't think you want to start anything (backhanded comments notwithstanding.) Our two schools have alot more in common than either side wants to admit...

[NWA49]

Yet when most App fans, many of whom either live or grew up in the Charlotte area, say Charlotte has the perception of being a "commuter school" or a "safety school," all of a sudden we are ignorant hicks who don't understand what Charlotte has to offer. It works both ways, bud.

I for one have enjoyed this thread and your presence on the board and really don't think you want to start anything (backhanded comments notwithstanding.) Our two schools have alot more in common than either side wants to admit...

I don't argue versus the perception - it was something that was there for many years. It is one of those things that take awhile to shake. When I graduated in 95 the commuter nature of the school was already shifting and is far less true today than it was 20 years ago and football will be yet another piece of shifting that. With that said we will never be like App because that isn't the mission of the school. We are serving a large metro area which by it's nature and by the mission of the school leads to more people living off campus. Again I wont argue the safety school and academic stuff. I got into Charlotte, UNCG, UNCW, App and State. I picked Charlotte for very specific reasons. I won't try to speak for or assume I know the motivation of other students.

I also have enjoyed hearing from some rational fans on an App board. Most of my App friends are a little concerned about us, but happy that our student body finally has that which so many other schools have had for so long. I do agree that we share some things - mostly the fight to be heard above all the ACC garbage that get pushed out by media and our proper share of state funding.

[ASUMountaineer]

As for being ignorant - I have researched the App basketball numbers so I wouldn't say I was off base there. I also have been in Boone plenty and was going to games there before some of you set foot on campus in Boone.

So you know how to use Google and you have an outdated perception of Appalachian. I defer to your infinite wisdom in all things App State.

I don't have the hate for App that you guys have for Charlotte. I was simply here to counter some of the things being said about Charlotte and in the process have met a few folks here that are logical and great fans to engage with.

I'm just curious, because I've never been there, does Niner Nation have a lot of App State fans going there to "counter" things said about App State, or to "set the record straight?" We've seen an influx of UNCC posters lately on the MMB. I'm just curious what caused you, and others, to feel you need to defend UNCC on the App State board to anonymous people?

With that said, now that you're here, I hope you stick around and enjoy posting here. Most of us are quality guys/gals, and all of us are passionate for App State. Many of us have a chip on our shoulder regarding our alma mater, and we like it that way.

[Gonzo]

I don't argue versus the perception - it was something that was there for many years. It is one of those things that take awhile to shake. When I graduated in 95 the commuter nature of the school was already shifting and is far less true today than it was 20 years ago and football will be yet another piece of shifting that. With that said we will never be like App because that isn't the mission of the school. We are serving a large metro area which by it's nature and by the mission of the school leads to more people living off campus. Again I wont argue the safety school and academic stuff. I got into Charlotte, UNCG, UNCW, App and State. I picked Charlotte for very specific reasons. I won't try to speak for or assume I know the motivation of other students.

I'm sure the culture has improved over time from when you were an undergraduate, but you have to understand that compared to schools like App State and UNC-Ch ect, it is still very much a commuter school atmosphere.

Look at the Boone/King Street area now-a-days. There are ~12 college bars within an 8-minute walk of campus. There are stores everywhere selling App State gear. Kids don't go home on the weekends at ASU, they stay in town. There is a bustle, a cohesiveness about the whole area. Students go massive house parties with multiple kegs.

Things like this happen at App State.

At UNCC, kids might be staying on campus more and supporting athletics more, and that's great, but there is NOTHING in the way of a college atmosphere at that campus. No college bars near campus at all (Franchises do not count so please don't embarrass yourself by listing off TGI Fridays ect), no stores selling gear, nothing beyond a campus apartment shindig as far as that goes. It just isn't the same. The atmosphere is still that of a trade school. UNCC students have to drive 15-20 minutes downtown to have a night out. (Like I said, I'm from Charlotte, had several friends in school over at UNCC, and have experienced it first hand pretty recently as I graduated from App in 2011.)

I think NC State, as an "urban school" would be a good model for you guys to follow. They are not located in the downtown area of Raleigh just like Charlotte (although they are closer), so kids still have to grab a taxi to hit the scene down there. State also has the Hillsboro street area, an area with everything a college atmosphere implies. They have the best of both worlds. With UNCC expanding so rapidly, and if the light rail/football team really does change the culture, you guys could really become something special if you did something like that.

As far as the current culture of UNCC though, it is still very much a commuter school.

[JCline0429]

I don't argue versus the perception - it was something that was there for many years. It is one of those things that take awhile to shake. When I graduated in 95 the commuter nature of the school was already shifting and is far less true today than it was 20 years ago and football will be yet another piece of shifting that. With that said we will never be like App because that isn't the mission of the school. We are serving a large metro area which by it's nature and by the mission of the school leads to more people living off campus. Again I wont argue the safety school and academic stuff. I got into Charlotte, UNCG, UNCW, App and State. I picked Charlotte for very specific reasons. I won't try to speak for or assume I know the motivation of other students.

I'm sure the culture has improved over time from when you were an undergraduate, but you have to understand that compared to schools like App State and UNC-Ch ect, it is still very much a commuter school atmosphere.

Look at the Boone/King Street area now-a-days. There are ~12 college bars within an 8-minute walk of campus. There are stores everywhere selling App State gear. Kids don't go home on the weekends at ASU, they stay in town. There is a bustle, a cohesiveness about the whole area. Students go massive house parties with multiple kegs.

Things like this happen at App State.

At UNCC, kids might be staying on campus more and supporting athletics more, and that's great, but there is NOTHING in the way of a college atmosphere at that campus. No college bars near campus at all (Franchises do not count so please don't embarrass yourself by listing off TGI Fridays ect), no stores selling gear, nothing beyond a campus apartment shindig as far as that goes. It just isn't the same. The atmosphere is still that of a trade school. UNCC students have to drive 15-20 minutes downtown to have a night out. (Like I said, I'm from Charlotte, had several friends in school over at UNCC, and have experienced it first hand pretty recently as I graduated from App in 2011.)

I think NC State, as an "urban school" would be a good model for you guys to follow. They are not located in the downtown area of Raleigh just like Charlotte (although they are closer), so kids still have to grab a taxi to hit the scene down there. State also has the Hillsboro street area, an area with everything a college atmosphere implies. They have the best of both worlds. With UNCC expanding so rapidly, and if the light rail/football team really does change the culture, you guys could really become something special if you did something like that.

As far as the current culture of UNCC though, it is still very much a commuter school.

I hope my grandsons don't pick ASU. or any other school for that matter, based on the number of bars in close proximity.
Also, if my grandkids choose a commuter type school, I don't care as long as they get a quality education that leads to a quality, well paying career.