Are you alumni of Appalachian State University? If so what year did you graduate?
"Ben is a 1999 graduate, and Laura is 1998 and 2000."
What made you become an Appalachian State Mountaineer fan?
"We became App State fans while in college. Ben played linebacker for the Mountaineers from 1994-1999, and Laura was a student athletic trainer during her years at Appalachian. Our involvement in the athletic program has led to our entire family being avid App State fans."
What is your favorite memory of Appalachian State Athletics?
Ben: "Being a part of the team that beat Marshall in 1995 in Huntington, West Virginia."
Laura: "Ben and I were unable to attend the Camellia Bowl, so my dad and daughter took a road trip to the Camellia Bowl. Seeing several shots of them cheering together on television is a memory I will never forget."
In your opinion, what is the best part of a home football game at Appalachian State on a fall Saturday?
"With such a busy life, it is great to know that home football Saturdays are reserved for our family the majority of the time. We look forward to the trip up the mountain with our girls and my dad and the afternoon we get to spend cheering on the Mountaineers with our long-time friends in Section 203. Saturday afternoons are like a family reunion, and we are so thankful for all of the friends we have made who have watched our girls grow up and treat them like they are their own family."
What makes you most proud of Appalachian State?
"We love the small town, family atmosphere at Appalachian. We appreciate that our student-athletes and coaches focus on the importance of academics - not just athletics. We are proud of the loyal fans who believe it is great to be a Mountaineer, no matter what the outcome of the game. We appreciate the culture of our football program that honors our history while adapting to the changes necessary to help us stay competitive during a period of change in college football."
What made you decide to start supporting the education of current Appalachian State student-athletes through the Yosef Club?Â
"After graduation, it was immediately important for us to give back to Appalachian Athletics. Ben was a walk-on, and Coach Moore found more and more money each year to pay for Ben's education. We both feel it is important to help fund the next generation of student-athletes because we are thankful for the gift of education that was given to Ben because of football. Although there was no scholarship money for Athletic Training (something we see beginning to change), Laura feels extremely thankful for the opportunity she had to learn through hands-on experience caring for student-athletes, and that motivates her to give back as well."
What advice would you give to other members of the App State family who are wondering what they can do to help the Yosef Club and Appalachian State athletics as a whole?Â
A: Support ALL student-athletes by attending their games when you can. We have recently become Appalachian Volleyball fans because our daughter now plays the sport, and we love attending their games. All student-athletes need our support.
B: Support the Yosef Club financially - no contribution is too small.
C: Stay positive about our teams, even if we aren't winning. Remember they are just college kids, and they want to win as much as we do!
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