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SEASON IN THE BOOKS

App State football wrapped up a 7-5 season in their first FBS campaign. Check out all of the numbers and specifics from a solid first season in the Sun Belt on page 9.

The Appalachian 12.04.14

Appalachian State University’s student news source since 1934

Vol. 89, No. 26

Counseling center faced with backup by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

This semester, the Appalachian State University Counseling Center has seen a sharp increase in patients, leading to a backup greater than most semesters. As of fall break, the counseling center had 17 more walk-ins looking for an assessment than they’d had at the same time last year. There was a 25 percent increase in the number of counseling sessions, with 191 more than there had been at the same time last semester. The center also had experienced a 32 percent increase in after-hours emergency phone calls. Dan Jones, the director of counseling and psychological services said as of Nov. 18, the counseling center had approximately 30 people on its waiting list who had yet to be seen. However, the length a student would have to wait varies depending on the severity of the student’s needs. “It would not just be some clear-cut answer as to how long the wait would be,” Jones said. “If you were suicidal, or homicidal, or you’d been raped – you’d be urgent. Those highest-level people would be seen within a few days.” Jones said despite the backup, everybody on the waiting list will have the chance to be seen at least once. The problem, Jones said, is that it’s difficult to see everyone as quickly as they’d like because they have to accommodate the students’ schedules as well as preference in therapists. One way the counseling center has been helping students get care quickly is by referring them to private practices, if possible. “Sometimes people come in [the counseling center] and we tell them it could take two weeks for us to get you to ongoing counseling, but we have a list of private providers in the community,” Jones said. “We tell them they can choose to wait two weeks to see a therapist here, or we can give you the name of a private therapist who might be able to see you within a few days.” The counseling center also holds group therapy sessions, which Jones said help alleviate the waiting list. “I think [group therapy sessions] do help the waiting list, because they allow you to see more students in a time-efficient way, but research supports the notion that group therapy is equal to the effects of individual therapy,” Jones said. The counseling center currently employs nine psychologists, one social worker who works as a referral coordinator, one post-doctoral fellow and three interns. “The university is being very generous in giving us staff, but the numbers of students coming to counseling centers tend to exceed the staff and resources in a lot of centers,” Jones said. “It’s a national trend.” However, Matt Dull, the vice chancellor of student development said the tuition committee approved a new counselor and a new case manager for the 20152016 school year. The counseling center and Psychological Services also hold suicide prevention training workshops. These workshops educate attendees on suicide statistics, what the warning signs are and what to do if you notice the warning signs in somebody.

n the 1970s, all of the fun for students in Boone was actually located in Blowing Rock. While the establishments surrounding the school were dry, a number of clubs, bars and dance halls just down the road attracted national recognition and regional attendance. Most notably was the live music at P.B. Scotts, one of seven popular bars at the time. Those bars closed in 1983, when the Town of Blowing Rock passed a new alcohol ordinance outlawing bars and limiting alcohol sales to package stores and full-service restaurants. This move was made partially to keep rowdy students out – and it worked. In the next year, over 700 students transferred to other universities. When the school tracked them down, they all had the same reason. “Over 90 percent said, ‘We love Appalachian, we love the faculty, the classes.’ They liked Boone, the change of seasons, all the reasons that people come here – but there wasn’t anything to do socially,” said David Robertson, director of special projects for Appalachian State University. Dino DiBernardi, assistant director of Complementary Education at the time, now the Student Development Center currently, recognized the importance of out-of-class learning, and saw an opportunity to create something new with the old Winn-Dixie property on campus that the university had recently purchased as storage. “Students who stay on campus and make a deep connection with the university do better academically and persist to graduation,” DiBernardi said. With some minor conversions, the site was reopened in 1985 as H’appy’s, a student nightclub open with live performances six days a week, which allowed for students to bring their own beer.

Current program advisor for student programs Randy Kelly came to Appalachian after booking shows at P.B. Scotts since 1976. He had relocated to Charlotte when Appalachian came asking about the types of acts that had attracted students to Blowing Rock before his business had been shut down. “I knew what every band was making, everywhere,” Kelly said. With his experience in the entertainment industry, he was able to get the same quality acts for much cheaper than they would usually charge for a university. “I am the only person in the country with my exact job,” Kelly said. “There is no other campus that has a 1,000 seat nightclub, run by students, that allows them to bring in their beer, and does regional and national acts every week. I’m it – I like that.” With Kelly’s industry connections, Robertson founded the Appalachian Popular Programming Society later that year, placing the decisions in the hands of students. In March of 1986, an unexpected move made H’appy’s more crucial than before, when the Town of Boone approved an ordinance allowing for the sale of beer, wine and spirits in the town. Students no longer had to make the trek to Blowing Rock to purchase their six-packs to tote to shows. “It was fun creating a new program,” DiBernardi said. “Student response was outstanding, we were packed every night.” He remembers turning faculty and staff away when the club reached capacity in its early days, reserving the space for students above all else. Once the 1 a.m. nights on top of his 8 a.m. job got to be too much, however, the student volunteers of APPS took on full control in staffing, advertising and brainstorming concerts. “Our role is to advise and support students in that process,” DiBernardi said. “When the university hired me, they asked me if I believed in working myself out of a job.” When money came around in 1988 in for carpeting over

SEE LEGENDS PAGE 7

Farmers market moves to King Street by Nicole Caporaso Senior News Reporter

The owners of Veggies, Fruit and More, have reopened their business, now at 362 W. King St., after being forced to out of their previous location earlier this year due to an impending chain restaurant addition to Boone. Allen Curtis and his wife Susan, whose business was formerly located on the extension of 105 next to Papa John’s, said the local produce shop chose their new spot in order to stay accessible to students – their target market. The store opened Nov. 17. “If I were not near the ASU students, I would not want go back in business,” Allen Curtis said. “I would’ve quit. The ASU students are my heart. Therefore, if students

SEE FRUIT & VEG PAGE 3

Sarah Weiffenbach

Veggies, Fruit and More owner Allen Curtis holds up a head of lettuce in his new store location on King Street. Allen Curtis and his wife Susan recently relocated from their 105 extension store.

Dance Marathon serves local non-profits for children Intern News Reporter

chian students. For many, the experience proves invaluable.

Every February for the past 11 years, Appalachian and the Community Together has hosted the Dance Marathon, a 15-hour event that fundraises money for local non-profit organizations. Last year, Dance Marathon raised a record-breaking $33,246.49. The proceeds were split evenly between Parent to Parent Family Support Network and Western Youth Network, both of which work with local children. As well as financially supporting P2P and WYN, Dance Marathon gives these families an opportunity to interact with each other and Appala-

Parent to Parent Family Support Network P2P is an organization that acts as a non-profit and provides information and support for families with children who have special needs. Special need, as defined by the P2P website, describes a child who has specialized medical, educational, and/or psychological care. In Watauga County, there are 775 children who fit this definition. This organization provides their services for eight counties in Western North Carolina – Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties.

by Clare McPherson

Dalton Kilby

Senior sociology major and Dance Marathon fundraising chair Melissa Lee sorts through props to prepare for Dance Marathon.

All of the services provided by P2P come at no cost to the families, therefore creating more costs for the organization itself. Last year, P2P received $16,623.24 from Dance Marathon. Karen Hayes, director and coordinator of P2P said without Dance Marathon, P2P would not survive financially. “It keeps our doors open,” Hayes said. “It’s a dream come true.” Hayes said Dance Marathon also assists them in other ways, such as providing an opportunity for the kids to break out of their shells and have fun. She said Appalachian stu-

SEE DANCE PAGE 3

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

BEST PHOTOS OF FALL 2014 Photos by Malik Rahili, Morgan Cook, Kelly Walker, Sarah Weiffenbach, Nicole Debartolo and Rachel Krauza

The fall semester is finally coming to an end, leaving us with more memories to add to the college experience. Before we move on to what the spring semester has in store, here are some of our favorite photos from the fall semester capturing just a few of those memories that were made in our community this semester.

NEWS

Thursday, December 4, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Mythbuster: Boone’s brothel law no longer in existence by Clare McPherson Intern News Reporter A common misconception on Appalachian State University’s campus is that more than four women may not live in a house or an apartment because Boone law considers this to be a brothel. This supposed brothel law has often been used to explain why sororities live in the Appalachian Panhellenic Hall rather than sorority houses, but

the law is only a myth. “I heard that it’s something like we can’t have more that three or so unrelated women living in the same house because it’s considered a brothel,” said Diane Scardino, freshman international business major and sister of Phi Mu. “That’s why we can’t have sorority houses.” Other Appalachian students shared similar views on the brothel law, including junior social

DANCE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 dents are great at encouraging the kids without being pushy. “By the end of the night, the kids don’t want to leave,” Hayes said. Western Youth Network Western Youth Network is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve children ages 6-17 in the community. They provide after-school, mentoring and summer camp programs. “We are a youth-serving organization that, in a nutshell, we provide tools for youth to succeed,” said Faith Motter, director of Development at WYN. “Growing up is hard, no matter what, and WYN is there to help you.” According to www. westernyouthnetwork.org, one of the main goals of the organization is to “reduce and delay the onset of early substance use and abuse.” Motter said the hours between 2:306 p.m., when parents are still at work, are the most high-risk time for teen pregnancies, underage drinking, and experimentation with drugs to occur. The after-school program aims to prevent these issues, “by keeping them in a program where they’re getting tutoring help – and they have free time where they can just play,” Motter said. Many of the families in the program don’t have cars, which makes transportation to programs impossible. WYN wants every child to be able to partake in the after

work major Megan Lord, who said she thought it was just another “crazy Boone thing” that she never questioned it. However, this myth does have some small truth in it. According to the Town of Boone website, “no more than two unrelated persons may live in a dwelling unit in a single family neighborhood.” These areas are labeled R1 and R1A on the Boone zoning map. In zones MH, R3, B3

“We are a youth-serving organization that, in a nutshell, we provide tools for youth to succeed. Growing up is hard, no matter what, and WYN is there to help you.” - Faith Motter, Director of Development at WYN school programs. In order to remedy this problem, WYN provides their own transportation to and from their program sites. “We pick children up at all the elementary schools in Watauga county, and drive them to two different after-school sites that we have,” Motter said. “We drive all of the children home to their door every single night.” Transportation accounts for a large portion of their costs. Last year, they drove over 50,000 miles transporting kids to and from programs. This makes fundraisers like the Dance Marathon integral to WYN. “Financially, it is the second largest fundraiser that we do every year,” Motter said. “We would not exist as an organization if it wasn’t for the support of the community. The ACT office has been amazing. It’s good for the kids too because they see young, educated, college-age students who are doing something fun and exciting and a little bit crazy to benefit them.”

and M1, up to four unrelated people may live in a home or an apartment. These zones cover most student off-campus housing. There is one zoning area in Boone that allows an unlimited number of occupants – U-1, the university. This allows for the large number of unrelated people who live in the residence halls, including the APH. According to Boone’s Unified Development

Ordinance, the town’s objective with these restrictions is to maintain a peaceful environment for families to live in. Section 159 of the ordinance states, “In order to preserve the family values, peace and quality of life in single family areas, the Town has adopted controls on the number of unrelated people that may live in residential units.” Some students said they feel these laws are

FRUITS & VEG

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 couldn’t get to me, I wouldn’t have done it.” The couple had been leasing land from an owner who is now leasing it for the addition of a Zaxby’s. “They tore our building down there to build y’all a new Zaxby’s restaurant, so we had to move,” Allen Curtis said. “The owners of that building were very good to us. We only had 18 months guaranteed there, but we stayed three years. So how could I fight when I stayed twice as long as what we were told we could stay?” Allen Curtis said a main factor in choosing the new location was finding a place that would prevent he and Susan from having to inflate prices. “We spent all summer on the side of the road, looking for a building,” he said. “Renting is expensive. We had to find somewhere where we thought we would be able to keep prices down and be profitable and be able to continue to grow and to be able to be an asset to the students.” Susan marvels at the relationship her husband has built with students over the years, several even bringing their parents to meet Allen on graduation day. “It’s a great relationship, however, we still want to draw the local market as well,” she said. “The honest truth is, if we benefit the students and we can stay here for them, we’re going to have to have support in order to do that.” Allen Curtis said he has received personal phone calls on his birthday and on Christmas from students he has built close relationships with, but

unfair and do not take into account Appalachian students, who make up approximately 35 percent of Boone’s population. “I think it sounds like a law that would have been acceptable in past times, but in today’s modern society I think it’s an outdated expected standard of living,” said Emma Dahlsten, junior English major. “Situations that arise that are pertinent to college life won’t always fit those laws.”

business for the Curtis’s has just been “OK.” “[Business] needs to be a lot better because we’re paying double the rent we paid somewhere else,” Allen said. “So it’s going to have to be a lot better than it is now.” The store carries a wide variety of products, including produce and dry goods from local sources. The fresh produce varies, but includes tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, kale, free-range eggs, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe and apples, depending on the season. Veggies, Fruit and More also typically carries various meats, but cannot offer those products to customers until renovating the building has been concluded. “We do a lot of Amish products, [a] lot of beef, hamburgers, chicken, pork, ribeye steaks, sausage with no chemicals and preservatives in it,” Allen Curtis said. “Until our walk-in coolers are up and running, we cannot carry many of those products.” The installation is dependent upon factors not in the hands of the owners. “That’s up to the people that are doing the work and up to the town of Boone to get everything passed and approved,” Allen Curtis said. “It’s a process and will probably not be operational until y’all come back after Christmas.” Veggies, Fruit and More will be open seven days a week and the couple hopes to have it fully operational as soon as possible, meaning the second floor of the building will also be set up. “Hopefully we’ll get the support we’re looking for,” Susan Curtis said. “This was attractive because of the proximity to the students.”

University Police warns of telephone scams by Mary Wood Intern News Reporter

Appalachian State University students and faculty received an email on Nov. 30 regarding telephone scams in several different states, including North Carolina, over the past couple of weeks. The email said college students have been the target of the telephone scams. The callers claim to be the IRS, local police departments and sheriff’s departments. They tell those who answer the phone calls that they owe money for different reasons. In the case of someone hanging up, the scammers call back under a false caller ID that identifies them as 911. The victim of this call is typically told that they have committed a minor crime, such as running a red light at a traffic camera, failing to appear as a jury member or failing to pay taxes. The victim is then directed to pay over the phone ranging from $500 to $2,500.

“Generally, they refer to these as telephone scams,” said University Police Captain Todd Corley. “They are calling people telling them they owe money and assign them a green dot card, which allows the scammer to transfer profit from the victim more easily. Corley said University Police wants people to know that no law enforcement agency is going to require you to pay for anything over the phone rather than in the mail. This is a known scam, and alerts have been issued by the FBI to the public. University Police urge that if you receive this type of call, tell the caller you know it is a scam and you are contacting the police. If you wish to report a call, please file a complaint through the Federal Trade Commission at ftccomplaintassistant. gov. If you have any other questions or information regarding these scams, all are urged to contact University Police at 828-262-2150.

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Thursday, December 4, 2014

App Submit Announcements App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu at least two weeks in advance. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/ time, location and cost, other pertinent information and a contact(s) (email, phone and/or URL). Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference will be given for events that are free or have a nominal cost. Call for nominations Nomations for the W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion will be accepted through Dec. 5. Nominations may be submitted at https://plemmonsmedallion.appstate.edu/info. The W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion, named in honor of Dr. William H. Plemmons who served as the second president of the University 1955-1969, was established by an action of the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees in 1996. The award was created to recognize the time, energy, skills and commitment of students, faculty, student development educators and staff who exceed their peers in providing leadership that enriches the quality of student life and advances the education of students. Students and university employees are invited to nominate a student or university employee for this award. Nominations may be made in the following categories: 1. A student leader who has provided distinguished leadership above that of other student leaders. 2. A Student Development Educator within the Division of Student Development for meritorious leadership in his or her work to enrich the quality of student life and learning. 3. A member of the faculty who has provided meritorious leadership through his or her work with student clubs or organizations, or work that enriches the quality of student life and learning outside the classroom. 4. An employee of Appalachian State University who

has provided meritorious leadership that has significantly enriched the quality of student life and learning outside of the classroom. For information, contact Dino DiBernardi, chair of the W. H. Plemmons Medallion Committee, at 828-262-2060 or visit http://plemmonsmedallion.appstate.edu. Who’s Who nominations Nominations for the 20142015 Who’s Who are extended through Dec. 4. Each year, Appalachian State participates in the Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges Program. The program recognizes students for academic and leadership excellence. Students are selected based on the following criteria: scholarship abilities, participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities, citizenship and service to the community and App State, and potential for future achievement. Currently enrolled undergraduate students who have earned at least 75 semester hours prior to fall semester, 2014; have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50; and have not been previously elected to Who’s Who are eligible for nomination. Students may nominate themselves. The nomination packet may be downloaded from www. studentdev.appstate.edu by choosing Leadership and Service Awards, and then selecting Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. All nominations must be submitted electronically. Food drive Student Health Service, along with the Wellness Center, is collecting non-perishable items, especially cereal, peanut butter, canned meats, and breakfast items for the pantry at the Hunger Coalition. Bring items in by Dec. 11. Collection boxes are located in the main waiting area, immunizations, pharmacy and the Wellness Center. Band fundraiser Dewey’s Bakery, based in Winston-Salem, has opened up a holiday shop at 149 Meadoview Drive in Boone. The shop will be open 11 a.m.-

News 6 p.m. through Dec. 23 (except Thanksgiving). The bakery, known for its sweets, is operating the Boone holiday shop in order to raise money for the Watauga High School band. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Open to all faculty, staff and students. Extra credit slips will be made available. Learn suicide statistics, myths and facts about suicide, what to look for, how to talk to someone in distress, and where and how to refer for more help. • 4-6 p.m. Dec. 4, Three Top Mountain, PSU Go to preventsuicide.appstate.edu or email cavallaroe@ appstate.edu. Find Yosef A Holiday The interactive fair will be held 5-7 p.m. Dec. 4, Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU. The event provides fun ways to learn about international holidays such as Guadalupe day, Magpie Festival, Apokrias, Chinese New Year, Guy Fawkes Day, Ramadan, Diwali, Canivale di Venezia, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Irish St Stephen’s Day, Christmas, Moravian Love Feast, Boxing Day, Egyptian Coptic Christmas, Kwanzaa, Leonard Peltier Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, Day of Chango and New Year’s. Participants both young and young at heart will experience images, sounds, foods, and activities that represent these holidays. Bonfire & fireworks A campus-wide event to celebrate the last day of classes, “At Semesters End: A Bonfire Blast,” will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 5, Duck Pond Field. All members of the campus community and families are invited to join for hot chocolate, a warm fire and fireworks! .Sponsored by SGA, Residence Hall Association, APPS and Student Programs. Study abroad opportunity “Paris: Tales of a City” will examine the culture and intellectual history of Paris. Students will explore monuments and museums, attend musical and theatrical performances, and venture off the beaten path to discover local points of interest. Pre-departure readings and

films will prepare participants to get the most out of the experience. The travel dates are May 1125, 2015, and the cost is $3795 (includes airfare). Upon completion of this program, students will receive General Education credit for LLC 2025 in the Aesthetic Perspective, “How We Tell Stories” theme. For more information, email gardnerdl1@appstate.edu and fournierj@appstate.edu. Oudoor Education Certifications The certifications begin in September. • Dec. 5-7, American Mountain Guide Association, Climbing Wall Instructor • Dec. 14-22 and March 7-15, Wilderness First Responder • Feb. 5, Epinephrine Administration • Feb. 21-22, Wilderness First Aid • April 10-12, Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification • Leave No Trace Master Educator, Aug. 10-14, 2015 National Anthem performers Appalachian State Athletics is looking for national anthem performers for home athletic events. singers and instruments of all types, as well as soloists and groups are all welcome. To be considered for performing the anthem at an athletic event, send a recording of you or your group performing the anthem to primosquirehm@ appstate.edu along with your contact information: name and/or group name, email, and cellphone number. Those selected based on the recordings sent in will be invited to perform at many types of home athletic events. Due to the timing of athletic events, the length of the anthem should stay under 2 minutes. For more information, call the Promotions & Fan Engagement Office at 828-262-8649 or email primosquirehm@appstate.edu. Master of Public Administration Program Appalachian State offers the Master of Public Administration Degree Program (MPA), for students looking to become

leaders in public and nonprofit organizations. Three distinct concentrations allow students to craft their own programs of study: • Town, City, and County Management • Administration of Justice / Criminal Justice • Not-For-Profit Management For information, email bradburymd@appstate.edu or visit http://mpa.appstate.edu. Educational Media Master’s Degree or Certificate Appalachian State offers an Educational Media Master’s Degree and Certificate programs. The program is entirely online and includes a range of courses involving media and technology. Students develop the technical, aesthetic, and intellectual expertise and perspectives needed to analyze and develop online environments using new media and online networks. Go to http://edtech.appstate. edu/. Broadstone facility info The Broadstone facility is now run through University Recreation. Broadstone can be reserved at a nominal fee for all types of groups on campus. It’s available for retreats, meetings, workshops, trainings, cookouts/picnic, celebrations and kickoff/end of the year events. For information, go to http:// broadstone.appstate.edu/. Suicide prevention training In this game-based simulation, learn how to determine when someone needs help, how to talk to them, and where to turn to for help. To access the course, visit kognitocampus.com/login and create a new account. Students should enter the enrollment key: appstate828 and employees should enter the enrollment key: appstate592. Free for App State students and employees. Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition The exhibition will be installed at the Turchin Center in and will run March 6-June 5. Email campbllrh@appstate. edu or call 828-262-2475.

December

sunday

monday 30

tuesday 1

wednesday 3

friday

thursday

4 Find Yosef A Holiday!, 5-7 p.m., Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU, free Alexis Stegman Student Voice Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall, free “Her” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

saturday

Last day of formal class meeting pattern, fall semester Do you want to make a snow globe or decorate a cookie?, noon-4 p.m., PSU, free

6 Fall 2014 Reading Day “Her” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

Holiday Scholarship Concert, 7:30 p.m., Schaefer Center, $10 “Hook” (1991) screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1 “Her” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

8 Final exams

9 Final exams Exam Break: Cookies & Cider, 2-4 p.m., Rivers Street Cafe in the Roess Dining Hall and Park Place in Trivette Hall, free while supplies last

Final exams

11 Final exams

Final exams Reception for fall 2014 BFA senior studio exhibition, 5-6:30 p.m., Smith Gallery, Schaefer Center, free

13 Fall commencement ceremonies

Opinion Thursday, December 4, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Staff Opinion

Why are tuition and fees increasing again? Hannah Malcolm Opinion Writer

Many students here at Appalachian State University, like countless other university students across the nation, are relying on student loans to pay for tuition and fees, though to various extents. But it seems that the Board of Trustees is either ignorant of or apathetic to this fact. They are meeting with the Student Government Association to discuss an increase in fees, something that has become somewhat of a yearly tradition. Their choice of a meeting date? Dec. 12, the last day of exam week, when many students will have already gone home or be taking their last final exams. It is unknown whether the board intentionally scheduled the meeting to fall on an exam

day. Regardless, it certainly symbolizes a disregard for the general student body, since most students will be unable to attend the meeting. Perhaps some of the blame falls on students, given that there has traditionally been a lack of questioning over the issue of tuition and fee increases. A few gripes, perhaps, or a question of what exactly the fees are covering, but nothing more. As Zachary Kopkin, a senior anthropology major points out, the main question that needs to be asked is whether or not these increases are actually necessary. He said his main question is, “If the university is growing and bringing in more students, why are fees still rising?” Where exactly is our money going? The predatory nature of yearly hikes in tuition and fees brings into question the real role of students in the university system. Are we really here to learn? Or are we just funding the system? Since the General Assembly has cut funding to public universities, the burden has fallen

more and more to students. That burden will continue to increase unless students start questioning and protesting against it. Students have a voice in these matters. Kopkin alluded to the success students had in reclaiming the on-campus early voting site. When our on-campus voting site was taken away, people protested. It was re-instated. If students can make a change about that, they can change the outcome of other decisions that affect them. The matter of tuition and fees is a small part of a bigger battle for faculty and student control over the university. When the on-campus voting site was removed, people knew about it. People talked about it. The worst thing about the Board of Trustees meeting being on an exam day is that most people don’t know. In order to make a difference, we must first identify the issue. But the meeting, despite being technically open to students, is not listed online or anywhere else where students could reasonably find it. Furthermore, although SGA

held a meeting with students last week about the tuition increases, it was not well advertised and thus had a low turnout. Students should not have to go out of their way in order for their voices to be heard on such a crucial issue. Unfortunately, that is currently the case at Appalachian. Finding out information about this issue should not be hard, but it is. Currently, it is unnecessarily difficult to find a copy of the university’s budget, and nowhere is there an answer to the question of whether or not these increases in tuition and fees are necessary. Students need to be informed about these issues in order to participate in the discussion, but the necessary information is not being made readily available. The university needs higher levels of transparency about such issues. Students’ voices need to be heard and ought to be listened to.

The increasing number of reported sexual assaults is dominating discussions on college campuses around the country. Prevention strategies and how to avoid potentially dangerous situations have been the talking points. But these don’t take the discussion far enough to make a difference at the root of the problem: the offenders. Most people know the statistics: one in four women and 3 percent of men are sexually assaulted during the course of their college experience. According to the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network, 60 percent of assaults go unreported. From those reported, few lead to an arrest. But in recent years, college campuses have seen an in-

Opinion Writer

Griffin, a junior journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.

University not addressing crucial element of sexual assault

Opinion Writer

Kevin Griffin

Mullis, a senior criminal justice major from Wallburg, is an opinion writer.

Staff Opinion

Dewey Mullis

Graduate students need voice

Revealing statistics are sometimes overlooked. These statistics, according to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, show that the reality is victims of sexual violence are three times more likely to suffer from depression, 13 times more likely to abuse drugs, 26 times more likely to abuse alcohol, and four times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or actions. Furthermore, proactive attempts at prevention are more successful when both victims and offenders have the opportunity to mentor others, according to a study in the Journal of Criminology. The stage has been set, the numbers are out there, and awareness is on the rise. The discussion must expand to instill the realities of victimization into the public to have a better chance of reaching those who may offend in the future.

Malcolm, a junior history major from Walkertown, is an opinion writer.

Bridget Mundy | The Appalachian

enforcing proactive measures. For victims, this can be daunting and intimidating. But victim-offender mediation has been proven effective for both parties – victim and offender. Offenders, past or to-be, are or will be systematically sanctioned by a system of deprivations that one can evolve to withstand. What they miss is the punishment of reality that comes with hearing the victim speak directly to them – a dose of reality often missing from a system of justice that is neither swift nor certain. According to a study published by The Prison Journal, offenders that participate in victim-offender mediation programs are less likely to further victimize after incarceration. Even victims that participated in mediation programs showed higher levels of satisfaction following mediation. This isn’t to say that the offender’s side of the story needs to be heard. The intent is to provide a sense of reality of what the aftermath of sexual violence actually involves.

Staff Opinion

Throughout the semester, we have seen a number of movements and events emerging around campus for the purpose of raising awareness about issues and groups that typically are not examined nearly enough. In this positive campus spirit of self-examination, it is important to consider one group around campus that does deserve more recognition: graduate students. Certainly, Appalachian State University is a primarily undergraduate institution, but graduate students do make notable contributions to the university. Through their research and teacher assistant work, graduate students help to further the core university goals of research and education. Graduate School Dean Max Poole spoke of the important contribution to intellectual advancement that graduate students offer, adding that strong graduate programs raise the profile of universities and help in recruiting quality faculty. Yet, there are graduate students who feel they do not receive proper recognition. Zach Hottel, the parliamentarian for the Graduate Student Association Senate, said that while he believes the administration does make some efforts to help graduate students, there needs to be a cultural change at the university toward incorporating the interests of graduate students into broader university plans. On this basis, we can all come together to address the problems of the university. Despite differences in the campus experience of undergraduate and graduate students, there are certain issues that all students can get behind. Among those issues are strengthening the focus on academics rather than athletics and amenities, as well as working to address the broader problem of diminishing resources for higher education, which affects all students. Hottel probably wants more than anything to educate people on campus – from undergraduates to members of departments – to better understand the contributions. There are a number of things that can be done to achieve this goal. For example, Hottel suggests organization of programs and events where graduate and undergraduate students may interact directly. This would be helpful not just for graduate students, but also the undergraduates who would have the opportunity to learn more about an important group on campus they likely do not know enough about. More broadly, we as undergraduates involved in university life should use what power we have to see that the needs of graduate students are addressed when having discussions about the direction the university should take. As we undertake this process of critically examining the university culture around us, it is important to listen to groups who could have a more prominent voice on campus, and graduate students certainly fit into that category.

Editorial Cartoon

crease in reporting. This isn’t to suggest that the number of incidences is changing. It reveals an increased awareness of the importance of reporting. Interventions addressing sexual assault have included learning avoidance of dangerous situations, support groups to address the needs of victims, demonstrations to educate the student body and a panel discussion on men’s role in sexual violence culture. All of these initiatives have enabled a more open discussion about sexual assault, but fail to address the issue at its core. Strategies to avoid dangerous situations are useful, but they don’t affect those who have culpability. The individuals who commit or will commit these crimes in the future don’t always hear the message. The next step in furthering the conversation might be to, in some way, bring those responsible into the discussion. Being reactive to issues is far easier than establishing and

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Thursday, December 4 , 2014

CRIME LOG Dec. 2 CAMPUS

Dec. 2 10:27 p.m. | Possession of Marijuana East Hall An arrest was made for possession of marijuana.

The Appalachian 217 Plemmons Student Union, Boone, N.C. 28608 828 • 262-6149

Dec. 2 9 p.m. | Larceny College Street Bus Stop The incident is under further investigation.

4:11 p.m. | Vandalism College Street Parking Deck The investigation has been closed due to exhausted leads. Dec. 1 8:40 p.m. | Drunk and disruptive Cannon Hall PVA An arrest was made for being drunk and disruptive.

Dec. 1 1:50 p.m. | Vandalism Durham Park The investigation has been closed due to exhausted leads. Dec. 1 10:25 a.m. | Smoking policy violation Outside Library Information Commons A student referral was given for a violation of the smoking policy.

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A&E

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Events

Speakeasy, ‘Boone’s tattoo shop’ for the past 6 years

wanted to be here and be a part of the community and I wanted to be Boone’s tattoo shop.” As a result he designed countless T-shirts and business cards as favors for other small businesses. Being a part of the Boone community means helping your neighbor and doing charity work, he said. “It’s a small town – if you’re not helping out, people are going to know,” Kinnamon said. He expanded to his new studio almost as a result of those connections. After flooding and an increase in clients at his original location necessitated more space, the hairstylist downstairs alerted him to the open spot. So far, it has worked out better than he could have imagined, he said. Colin Weathers, owner of the Hidden Hand, a piercing shop located near Speakeasy’s first location, met Kinnamon after he began getting tattooed at Speakeasy several years ago.

Their client-tattooer relationship quickly became a friendship and was one major influence for Weathers in starting Hidden Hand nearby. “Greg puts himself in a league of his own by pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a tattooer and an illustrator,” Weathers said. “With Greg and the Speakeasy Tattoo Co. artists, the experience is more than just about a quality tattoo.” At his new location, also his personal studio, Kinnamon has the time and space to work on his paintings – which he keeps very fluid – alongside his clearlined tattoos. Micro-managing is a skill he has had on his side since the beginning, something he has used to his advantage in hiring and coaching the ever-shifting group of young tattoo artists he hires. Kinnamon said the art is like being a young chef or hairstylist, and the more creative people an artist works with, the better they will be in the long run. Along the way, many artists have gone on to bigger cities, although he recently hired a more clientele-based group of tattooers looking to settle down, like himself. He stresses that the job is more commercial than artistic. The difference, he noted, is that you can always give up on a painting if you get frustrated. “If you show the client and the tattoo, the respect, it will come back to you,” Kinnamon said. “If you really respect what you do, then you are never going to short change someone.” He said he often forwards clients to other artists in the state if he feels that they are better at a style than he would be. Although he originally expected the college crowd to change each year, instead he has found himself faced with repeat customers, many of whom

are students who seek him out even after moving away. Freshman music therapy major Holly Miller first heard about Speakeasy this summer, before coming to Appalachian, when she and a friend decided to check it out on a whim. Although they didn’t end up getting inked that day, the impression was enough for her to come back as a walk-in to get the word “ataraxia,” which means emotional tranquility and calmness, or peace of mind in Greek, tattooed on her wrist by Speakeasy artist Derek Lilly. “When I came back, we talked for about 10 minutes about what I wanted and then he drew it up a couple different ways before I truly loved it,” Miller said. He was very patient with me and didn’t make me feel pressured into making a decision right away.” She calls it her favorite of her four tattoos, and plans on getting more work done there in December for her birthday. “With Greg and the Speakeasy Tattoo Co. artists, the experience is more than just about a quality tattoo. It is that, of course, but it’s also about cultivating lasting relationships with clients, other businesses, and the rest of the town of Boone,” Weathers said. “I am personally honored to be able to wear his art as I am sure he was honored to tattoo me, and it’s that respect and professionalism that really sets him apart.” On Dec. 4, Kinnamon will have been tattooing professionally for 15 years after his traditional apprenticeship, but he said his time in Boone doesn’t feel significant enough yet. After traveling the world and raising a daughter about to go off to college, Speakeasy and his new location are still something he is figuring out. “Until we have been here for 10 years, we haven’t really done anything.”

nationwide, and I’m getting emails every day from bands that want to play there because they’re in Chicago and they want to stop here on their way to Florida and they’ve heard about us.” That said, Kelly and APPS make a point to only book acts their fellow students have heard of, and try to book bands for cheap before they explode onto the popular music scene. One eventful month in 1994, artists Dave Matthews, Hootie and the Blowfish and Widespread Panic played Legends three weekends consecutively, with each show selling out to make the most successful run of shows in recent history. The only advertising for Hootie, Kelly said, was a paper sign saying “Hootie tickets on sale Monday” displayed while stu-

dents waited in a line wrapped around the student union for Dave Matthews tickets. Robertson notes that the usual show averages 300-400 attendees and a handful of 1,000seat sell outs each year, which is possible mainly due to the fact that APPS does not need to make a profit off of shows – student activity fees, collected from every student’s tuition, help keep prices low without scaring away big name acts. “We are programming for college students, we aren’t programming for $65,000 a year yuppies who have lots of discretionary money,” Robertson said. This year, a handful of acts have still sold out, notably Cherub in September, which sold 1,000 tickets weeks before the show, and Robertson said

he is still amazed by the sheer force of APPS students as he prepares to retire at the end of this semester. All organizers stress that students recognize the importance of their unique position – as the only college campus with a setup like this, students coming out to shows are crucial to its continued survival in the fickle entertainment industry. “I think it was a successful experiment that worked as much because of the timing of it as because of the idea,” DiBernardi said. “Its emergence happened during a perfect storm. You look for that big wave when everything comes together and you have to be in the right place at the right time. This was one of those things that made the big wave of Appalachian’s success.”

Halle Keighton

Greg Kinammon working on a painting in his new tattoo studio, part of Speakeasy Tattoo Co. on Friday afternoon. His new stuido is located on Kings Street near Capones.

by Lovey Cooper

Senior A&E Reporter

Tattoo artist Greg Kinnamon recently celebrated the end of his 6th year at Speakeasy Tattoo Company in Boone with the annual beard and mustache competition at Boone Saloon and with the opening of his own personal studio, located just across the street from the bar. Though the party marks each year’s passing, Kinnamon notes that he often passes by people with tattoos he remembers as recent, only to be reminded that they were completed years ago. He refers to Boone as his “first retirement,” having settled on the area after much deliberation as a quiet college town in the mountains. “I was ready to build a life for myself that wasn’t just a suitcase and a crazy city tattoo shop,” Kinnamon said. Before Boone he was traveling the world, learning his trade

and honing his skills. The years with Speakeasy have gone by quickly, Kinnamon said, something he didn’t expect when the shop first opened – which happened while he was traveling Europe. He had left his business partner with some plans on a napkin, in the height of the financial crisis. “We were sweating bullets in the beginning for sure because we just didn’t know,” Kinnamon said. “We invested everything we had and hoped it was a go, and I wasn’t even here to nitpick. My world is small details, tattoos are small details. I don’t overlook much.” Kinnamon’s first business move once in Boone, before he reached any success, was to introduce himself to the town. “I wanted people to know that I wasn’t here to get rich. I wasn’t moving here to make a million dollars to try to capitalize on something,” Kinnamon said. “I was moving here because I

In History

Courtesy of David L. Robertson

Legends was originally constructed in 1985 and named H’appy’s.

LEGENDS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the original grocery store linoleum, as well as raised seating and a front of house and DJ mixing area, APPS also decided

to change the name to Legends, solidifying the club as its own entity and shooting its popularity through the roof. “We made it a first class club, and that’s the difference,” Kelly said. “Legends is now famous

Events

Student artists showcase a more complex side to comics

by Lovey Cooper Senior A&E Reporter

Students from Vicki Grube’s graphic novel drawing class presented their personal comics for others to view and discuss at a mini-con this Wednesday. The group also unveiled a collaborative zine that all of the students in the class took part in, which will be for sale. Rachel VanHoy, a junior studio art major, said the course was offered due to the high demand for it among students. Senior art education major Lindsey Atwell took the class this semester for a second time after first taking it in the summer of 2013, for fun, and said that she was initially interested in the subject due to her personal memories surrounding it. “Memories that range from me being 8 hanging with my 18-year-old cousin listening to

Metallica and looking at X-Men comics, to ex-boyfriends collecting comics based off video games like Mass Effect and Tomb Raider, to my mom buying my brothers a Sonic the Hedgehog comic at the drugstore where she used to buy my grandma’s scratch-off tickets located in Daytona Beach,” Atwell said. Others were motivated by professional goals. “I was interested in taking this class because making graphic novels is ultimately what I really want to do when I get out of college,” VanHoy said. “I really gained a sense of how important it is to meet deadlines and stay on top of your work and to make it meaningful and worthwhile.” She will be sharing a longer graphic novel she is currently working on, but it is not near finishing, as well as two short comic zines that she made dur-

ing this semester. She describes her own art style as “cartoony,” based on her experience in reading manga throughout her childhood and today. That said, her own distinct work comes out of her attention to detail. She generally plans two pages at a time, including layout and text, drawing everything in pencil first, then in pen, then traced onto better quality paper with a red colored pencil before outlining in pen without erasing the colored pencil. She then adds ink washes and light red watercolor. John Morse, senior studio art major, shares the same narrative artistic vision, but with a much less structured process. “I like to make images that sort of comment on the human condition, and to work with stream of consciousness sort of idea forming so that strange

associations can be made and truly original characters can be invented,” Morse said. Atwell, on the other hand, describes her usual artistic style as very gestural, fast and a little chaotic, although the graphic novel format has forced her to slow down. She often uses the light box to trace old photos or landmarks and objects, composing the layout with regards to the size of the page and the message she wants to portray. “I want my work to reflect how much it means to me and how I can look back and remember the memories made,” Atwell, said. Her graphic revolves around her tumultuous life in Boone sharing her home with her mother, who has returned to school the same time that she herself entered. “One day I may not have my mom or the people who influence myself.” Students say they would like

to continue this style of work in the future. “I love graphic novels and any sort of narrative artwork and I love drawing more than anything,” Morse said. He said that there is not really a story to his comics, and he instead favors a stream of consciousness style of ideas that are poured into his sketchbook and then transferred to pages. “I was struggling with making a linear story with a full plot line and all that, or even a personal story so I just made eight pages, three of narratives in a paneled format and the rest as narrative drawings that are essentially just one big panel,” Morse said. Atwell saw the course as an experience she will be able to bring into the classroom as an educator, and continue in her later years as an artist. “I’ve gained a sense of being and documenting,” Atwell said.

Sports 8

Thursday, December 4, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Rachel Krauza

Paul Heckert

(Left) Wide receiver Shaedon Meadors runs against the Liberty University Flames at the homecoming football game at Kidd Brewer Stadium. (Right) Wide receiver Isaiah Lewis doges the Campbell University Camels during the first football game of the season at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Lewis, Meadors finish freshman seasons, continue to mature by Bryant Barbery Sports Reporter

Second-year head coach Scott Satterfield’s recruiting success has started to take shape in the form of two wide receivers who just finished their freshman seasons. Isaiah Lewis and Shaedon Meadors, who both hail from South Carolina, helped the Mountaineers this season by combining for 379 yards and four touchdowns. Lewis – who caught 13 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown while appearing in all 12 of App State’s games this season – said adjusting to life as a college receiver comes with its fair share of nervous feelings. “Coming in as a freshman, I just wanted to prove to the coaches that I could play and to show them what I could do,” Lewis said. ”I have definitely gotten more comfortable after each game. When I ran my first route at Michigan, I was a little shaky because I didn’t know what to expect.” Former App State wide receivers coach Justin Stepp, a native of Pelion, South Carolina, played an important role in recruiting Lewis and Meadors out of high school. Stepp said the young receivers are exactly the type of weapons that can make a difference on the field.

“They are both learning the offense and both are bringing an explosiveness and speed factor that we haven’t had here in a while which makes them very good players,” Stepp said. “They were both highly recruited out of high school – they are major division one players and we are very lucky to have them here.” Lewis came to App State rated as a two-star prospect by www.247Sports.com and www.Rivals.com. However, Meadors came to App State as a three-star prospect, according to the same entities. Lewis played his high school ball at Hillcrest High School while Meadors played his prep ball at Byrnes High School. Both players led their respective teams deep in South Carolina’s high school playoffs. Meadors led Byrnes to the 4A state championship game as a senior after amassing 1,864 yards with 33 touchdowns on 85 catches. Lewis led Hillcrest to the 4A state quarterfinals during his senior year while catching 38 passes for 528 yards and eight touchdowns. Both players knew each other during their high school athletic careers as they both were selected to participate in the 2013 Shrine Bowl for South Carolina. Before Lewis’ high school switched con-

ferences, his junior varsity basketball team played against Byrnes, which also featured Meadors. “We both played seven-on-seven against each other and played together in the Shrine Bowl so we have a history of playing together,” Meadors said. “[Lewis] was the only one who could guard me or try to guard me on that team. We’re close.” Lewis’ one receiving touchdown on the season came in App State’s 47-21 loss at home to South Alabama in October. Meadors’ first touchdown came in the first game he played in a close 55-48 home loss to Liberty. The second for Meadors came in a dramatic win against three-time Sun Belt Conference defending champion Arkansas State. After sophomore running back Marcus Cox fumbled in the end zone the Mountaineers found themselves down 20-6. On their next offensive possession with four seconds left before halftime freshman quarterback Taylor Lamb connected on a 24-yard pass to Meadors who went up for a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch to start App State’s 31-point run en route to their fifth victory of the season. Lewis said the chemistry he and Meadors share is comparable to former App State receivers Tony

Washington and Andrew Peacock. “It kind of makes me think of Tony Washington and Andrew Peacock as to how they were playing and how we are,” Lewis said. “We are close enough to where we can talk to each other and help each other during play. The first time I met Shaedon is when we played basketball against each other in ninth grade and we talked junk to each other.” One of Meadors’ season highlights came with a jaw-dropping one-handed catch in App State’s 31-29 home win against ULM. The catch was initially ruled a touchdown but was later reviewed and reversed as Meadors knee was down at the one-yard line. The aerobatic catch was number three on ESPN’s SportsCenter “Top 10 plays of the day”. Meadors said he knew he had a chance to snag the ball when he saw it coming. “I practice a little bit with one hand,” Meadors said. “I knew that there was a possibility that I could catch the ball. It just stuck.” Stepp said after solid freshman campaigns, the receivers can now start working on fine-tuning other aspects of their games as they mature as players. “They are still learning how to play the game at this level,” Stepp said. “It takes a lot more than run-

Senior defensive back leaves legacy of speed, perseverance by Colin Tate Intern Sports Reporter

With 39 total tackles and three interceptions – good for second best on the team – senior defensive back Joel Ross made the most of every opportunity he had at the college level and during his final season at App State. “They say it goes by fast, your senior year, but honestly, I’m just trying to enjoy every moment of it,” Ross said before the season’s end. “Every game, I’m just trying to soak everything in.” Ross, who saw many highs and lows during his 30 career starts for the Mountaineers, said the game atmosphere is what he will miss the most. “I love the crowd noise, how energized it is, how everybody’s interactive with each other,” Ross said. “That brings the best out of me.” As a teammate, Ross brought the best out of those around him in order to make his final campaign a successful one. “He’s just been a playmaker,” said junior defensive back Doug Middleton, who led the team with four interceptions. “He sets the tone every day. He comes out here and practices hard and the guys follow him.” Ross also rubbed off on his

coaches, especially cornerbacks coach Bryan Brown, who said without Ross, the secondary won’t quite be the same. “He’s a different cat,” Brown said. “He’s very unique in his own self, but he’s an outstanding player. I love coaching him each and every day. His personality is outstanding. I love him and I’m gonna miss him.” The journey for Ross wasn’t

easy, though. Ross said that it took him a good portion of his four years at App State to become the person his teammates and coaches describe him as today. “Freshman year, I didn’t adjust well to college,” Ross said. “I kind of felt homesick and I didn’t really want to go to class. But school brought the maturity out of me. It really expanded my knowledge

on everything – about society, about life, about everything like that. That just made me grow as a person.” With App State finishing the season 7-5 after a 45-28 win against Idaho on senior day Nov. 29, Ross said he hopes that his teammates will remember what he always preaches: play fast. “Play 110 miles per hour,” Ross said. “That’s what I try

to emphasize with myself, and I try to feed off of these guys and play fast to the ball. When everybody swarms to the ball, anything can happen.” Ross is hoping to play at the professional level if he gets the opportunity and Brown said he believes that Ross has a good chance. “A lot of scouts have come to me and talked to me about him,” Brown said. “He could have a shot at the next level. He can run well. And that’s what those guys want. They want guys that can run and can cover, and he can do that. He’s physical as well.” While Ross may have a future in professional football, he is also prepared to fall back on his college education in law enforcement. “It’s something that’s been instilled in me since I was a little kid running around and playing cops and robbers,” Ross said. What started off as a children’s game has turned into a real passion for Ross. “As soon as I get a K-9 job, I’ll be the happiest man in the world,” Ross said. Whether it is running after criminals or opposing wide receivers, Ross loves the chase more than anything else. “That’s all I want to do is chase people,” Ross said. “I guess it comes natural.”

WR P UP

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Five takeaways from the App State football season

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

2 01 4 M O U N T A I N E E R W R A P - U P

by Cory Spiers Sports Editor

The Mountaineers won six straight to close out their first season in the FBS, finishing third in the Sun Belt Conference despite a 1-5 start. We learned a lot about head coach Scott Satterfield and his team, but here are five key things to remember from this season. Taylor Lamb is a reliable starting quarterback Lamb started the last 10 games of the season for the Mountaineers and despite some early growing pains, the young quarterback capped off a great season with six straight wins as a starter. The redshirt freshman threw for 2,281 yards and 17 touchdowns with just nine interceptions in 295 attempts. Lamb’s completion percentage for the year was 61.4 percent and he seemed to gain more confidence with each win. Lamb was a large part of App State’s offensive success, but he was backed up by a great running game, which leads us to discussing sophomore running back, Marcus Cox. Cox is a special player Cox ran for more than 100 yards in six of his last seven games and eight games total on the season. Part of a three-pronged ground attack, Cox was easily the biggest threat to opposing defenses as he torched the Sun Belt and other opponents for 1,415 yards on the season, good for the 16th best rushing total in the FBS according to www. espn.com. Cox also found the end zone a team-high 19 times. Cox had a great season as a freshman, too, so the future is certainly bright for the explosive rising junior running back. There is no quit in this team At 1-5 in the team’s first season in the FBS, it would have been very easy to phone in the season. The Mountaineers didn’t, however, and that speaks volumes to the team’s character and coaching. In fact, the Mountaineers didn’t just refuse to give up; they thrived, finishing third in the Sun Belt with a 6-2 conference record. Depth is a strength The Mountaineers are a talented team, but also a deep team. App State is fortunate to have three running backs that played major roles this season. Backing up Cox, redshirt freshman Terrence Upshaw and junior Ricky Fergerson both ran for more than 300 yards and combined for seven touchdowns. At wide receiver, juniors Simms McElfresh and Malachi Jones who compiled 484 and 585 yards, respectively, led the Mountaineers. But behind them, two other receivers amassed more than 200 yards and freshman receiver Shaedon Meadors helped with three touchdowns. The wealth was spread on defense, too, as three members of the secondary intercepted two or more passes. The future is bright The six-game winning streak gives this App State team a lot of confidence heading into next season. With the emergence of Lamb and the continued success of the running game, App State’s offense should be set for next season. Defensively, App State will lose some pieces, but young faces like sophomore linebacker John Law should keep the unit competitive. The NCAA denied App State’s bowl waiver this year, but they will be bowl-eligible next season. As the Mountaineers look to keep trending upward, a bowl could be a very real possibility next season.

(Top) Paul Heckert

Final Record: 7-5, 6-2 Sun Belt KEY POINTS

Third place First ever Six straight wins finish in Sun Belt FBS season to close the year BY THE NUMBERS SEASON AVERAGES OPPONENT AVERAGES

35.7 PPG.

27.3 PPG.

461.5

YPG.

347.5

YPG.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

#14 RB MARCUS COX

1,415 19 5.5 YARDS

YPC

Graphics by Malik Rahili

Infographic by Malik Rahili

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