App Family,
I hope this email finds you all well and staying healthy and safe. Thank you all for your continued and generous support of App State Athletics.
The university has been working closely with state and local public health, the UNC System and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to monitor the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and prepare for its effects on our campus. A dedicated website shares the latest updates and serves as the definitive resource for the university's response to the Coronavirus:
www.appstate.edu/coronavirus.
The university has transitioned from in-person instruction to a system of alternative course delivery, and our coaches are doing an amazing job of continuing to virtually engage with our students.
With our top priority being the health and well-being of our student-athletes, we are continuing to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, state and local public health, university leadership and the Sun Belt Conference in all of our decision-making.
It is hard to believe it has been less than two weeks since we were informed that the NCAA would be canceling all winter and spring championships. Last week saw many conference calls with the NCAA, Sun Belt and LEAD1 athletics directors (which comprises all FBS football-playing universities). When the Sun Belt Conference initially suspended all activity until further notice, we immediately asked the four programs who were traveling to return to Boone. Last Monday, as a conference, we made the decision to cancel all competition, practice and organized group activity for the remainder of the semester. Recruiting remains in a dead period for all until at least April 15, as mandated by the NCAA.
The NCAA is working expeditiously to make their decisions and the rules associated with eligibility. I am encouraged by the communication coming from the NCAA regarding eligibility restoration for all spring sport athletes. While this decision will not be without financial impact to our athletics department, as we will incur additional scholarship costs, I believe it would be in the best interest of our student-athletes.
Despite the difficult circumstances, there is good news. The Yosef Club is over 50 percent of the way to our goal this year. To date, we have seen an increase of over $200,000 from Yosef Club members that have increased their support. North End Zone ticket sales are over 55 percent of capacity. Football season ticket sales are pacing ahead of last year.
Thank you all for your continued support of App State Athletics and everything you do to help keep us successful. We are continuing to work every day to keep your athletics program moving forward. Our goal is to come out of this better and more focused on being the absolute best comprehensive, excellent athletics program in the country.
We will continue to communicate as we learn about further developments.
Go App!
