Brett and Wendy Hoge Donate Generous Gift to App State Athletics

BOONE, N.C. – Brett and Wendy Hoge are both Appalachian State University alums, Class of 1999. App State holds a special place in their hearts, as well as the hearts of their two daughters.
 
Ahead of their recent generous gift in support of App State Athletics, they spent more time than usual talking to each other about the opportunity because of how much the University and Athletics missions mean to them. They also have more than proven their commitment to the university and High Country in their leadership relief efforts since Hurricane Helene.
 
"We needed to do this together because we're both involved in this," said Brett, who works as a financial advisor for The Hoge-Barrett Group of Truist Investment Services, Inc. "You see the connections made when both partners are involved. It's a big deal, and we want our kids to know that we're both behind this. Fast forward 20 years, my hope is our kids will want to do the same stuff because they want to help people and want to make a difference."
 
Wendy grew up in Asheboro and was a first-generation college student who felt at home in the High Country. For Brett, who grew up in Boone, it was home.
 
Brett and his twin brother, Josh, both attended App State. They decided not to room together initially, but that lasted all of one semester. Brett and Wendy met shortly thereafter, during the second semester of their freshman years.
 
When they reflect back on their college years, they immediately think about the people that made an impact and still make an impact on their lives. And the scenery remains hard to beat.
 
"There's no more beautiful day than a beautiful day in Boone," Wendy said. "Whether it's going out to the parkway or just enjoying a beautiful day, it's just the best. There's nothing better. Nothing better."
 
The Hoges, who have raised funds for ALS research and been honored for their work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, among other causes, have reconnected on an even deeper level with their alma mater within the last decade.
 
Part of that is the respect they have for App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin, with Brett calling it "inspiring" how Gillin won't ask someone for assistance without putting forth the same kind of effort or commitment toward the cause.
 
Some things in Boone look the same to the Hoges, whether it's familiar parts of King Street, an apartment building where Wendy used to live or a lot where she used to park. Progress is evident in other areas, maybe in a spot where one dorm has been replaced by a newer one. The generosity of donors and alums, such as the Hoge family, enables App State Athletics to both provide a world-class experience to student-athletes and continue the pursuit of competitive excellence in the ever-changing world of college sports.
 
Brett and Wendy went from attending a few games a year to developing friendships that make for plenty of do-not-miss events or moments on the mountain.
 
"You start hanging out a lot and doing lots of things together, playing golf, and that draws you in where you don't want to miss it and don't want to be on that text string with somebody asking why you're somewhere else," Brett said with a laugh.
 
There's been a personal connection, whether it's first-hand, second-hand or beyond, behind so many of the causes or projects to which Brett and Wendy have devoted their time and resources. With that deeper connection to App State and the people in the Athletics orbit, what has become an extended family continues to grow.
 
Brett and Wendy aspire to help current student-athletes in the same way they care for one of their daughters.
 
"We've been blessed with a lot of great schools in North Carolina, but I want somebody who wants it more," Brett said. "At App State, there's a different culture, and that's massive to me. We want to show our kids that they're not going just to work to save money, but that they've got to make a difference and do things that impact other people."