App State fans and supporters can reach out to Director of Athletics
Doug Gillin with questions regarding App State Athletics. Please submit questions via email at
AskTheAD@appstate.edu.
JULY 2020 – ASK THE A.D.
Q: What is the latest update on the new turf at Kidd Brewer Stadium?
The old turf has been removed. For about two weeks, work was done on both the underground drainage system and prep for the new turf. Last week, AstroTurf began laying the new synthetic turf and it has come together quickly. The project should be complete by the end of July. Along with the turf, Miller Hill is being regraded so that it extends closer to the field, and the walkway above the hill is being expanded to provide better flow of foot traffic at the south end of the stadium. That is expected to be completed in August.
While exploring a variety of options for selling commemorative pieces of the old Kidd Brewer Stadium turf, we were made aware of a company called Game Played Turf (GPT) that had worked with AstroTurf to collect the sections of turf that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. We are working on an agreement with GPT in which they would sell authenticated portions of the turf while sharing the proceeds with App State Athletics. We are expecting that deal to be done very soon.
Q: I understand the budgetary impact COVID has had on athletics departments. Can you explain why cutting men's indoor track and field was one of the responses?
Discontinuing three sports was the most difficult decision I've had to make in my career in college athletics. This crisis has dramatically changed the landscape of college athletics around the country and has forced us to cut our budgets and rethink operating models that have been in place for a long time in order to sustain operations. This is not a direct indication of the value of any particular sport program. Moving forward, we will focus our resources on pursuing excellence in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's outdoor track & field, and women's indoor track & field.
Q: Can you update us on where things stand with the construction of a new track and other facilities at the Appalachian 105 complex?
We are completing the architectural design process for the new track with state design and construction. That should be finalized very soon, and then the project can be bid out for construction.
Q: There are so many unknowns for the fall. Knowing things are changing constantly, can you give insight into the current discussions about whether football will be played and what it would look like?
There are still many unknowns. We have been planning and will continue to plan for football to kick off Sept. 5. The health and safety of our student-athletes and spectators is the most important aspect of our decisions. Procedures will be guided by federal, state, local public health and university guidelines.
We are modeling various scenarios for seating capacity, including what 50 percent capacity would look like. Our priority from a seating standpoint will be App State students and our season ticket holders. Some of the game day experience that will be affected by public health protocols could include concessions options; restroom protocols; social distancing in the stands; concourses and premium areas; and limited sideline access. We want to play sports this fall. Please follow the latest CDC guidelines when you're in public by wearing a face covering, washing your hands and keeping a safe distance from others.
Q: With recent decisions by the Big Ten and MEAC, who will replace Wisconsin and Morgan State on the football schedule?
Everyone who has had or will have an opening for those dates is a candidate. We have had conversations with several schools about a number of different scenarios. We are working to best position our football program for the upcoming season and will update when any agreements are finalized.
