App Family,
As spring arrives in the High Country, we look ahead with excitement and anticipation toward the opportunities on the horizon in the months to come.
It was great to see so many of you last weekend at the "Battle at The Rock" spring game. Our fall sports seasons will be here before we know it!
Every day, I see our football program working hard to prepare for the 2026 season and beyond – on the practice field, in the classroom, in the weight room and on the recruiting trail.
With the football season ticket renewal deadline now behind us, please reach out to the ticket office or complete the form to be added to our season ticket waitlist. Single-game tickets will go on sale this summer. App Nation has set the top five attendance records in Sun Belt Conference history over the past five years, and we expect another great turnout this fall!
We also remain actively engaged with national conversations shaping the future of college athletics. There is growing momentum toward developing standards that will support the long-term sustainability of our industry. While the landscape continues to evolve, I am confident App State is well positioned to be a leader for decades to come because of our brand, our ingenuity, our grit, the relentless commitment of our hardworking coaches and staff, and passionate fans, friends, and family like all of you.
Spring Sports Update
There's no better time or place to enjoy a baseball or softball game than springtime in Boone! Last weekend was especially exciting, with both programs earning series wins against JMU. As they give their all down the final stretch of their regular season schedules, we would love to see App Nation show up in full force at the ballparks. Baseball has remaining home series against Georgia Southern (April 24-26) and Louisiana (May 8-10), while softball hosts their final home games against Texas State (April 30-May 2).
Savannah Dada-Mascoll continues to make history every time she steps on the tennis court. The 12th-ranked women's singles player in the NCAA, she has won a program-record five Sun Belt Singles Player of the Week honors this season and remains undefeated since the January 17 opener at UNC. It's a privilege to witness one of the nation's best compete right here on the mountain. This week's Sun Belt Championships will provide another big stage for Sav and our team to represent App State and compete for trophies.
Our outdoor track & field programs seem to break another record (or more) at every meet. Matthew Gray is a top 10 pole vaulter in the nation, and both the men's and women's programs are gearing up for a strong showing heading into their championship season next month.
Men's and women's golf have taken significant steps forward under head coaches John Michael Cole and Chan Metts. With conference championships underway, we're excited to see both programs compete at a high level in the weeks ahead.
Mountaineer Spring Tour
One of our favorite times every year is when we get on the road to visit our passionate fans where you live. Beginning April 28, the Mountaineer Spring Tour will make stops in Atlanta (April 28), Charlotte (April 30), Greensboro (May 20), Winston-Salem (May 21), Boone (May 22), Raleigh/Durham (May 26), Hickory (June 1) and Asheville (June 4).
Make sure you register ahead of time for these free events before they fill up. You'll hear from our head coaches, administrators and Alumni Association staff while enjoying food and drinks with your fellow Mountaineers. You'll also have the opportunity to renew or upgrade your Yosef Club membership, purchase 2026 football season tickets and learn about ways to get more involved with your local Alumni chapter. See you soon!
Summer Events in Boone
We've got a great lineup of events in Boone this summer. It's the perfect opportunity to visit the High Country, take a break from the summer heat, connect with fellow Mountaineers and support App State Athletics as we continue to raise resources to invest in championship programs and exceptional student-athlete experiences.
May 28 & 29 – Football Golf & Auction
June 18 – Niko Moon Concert with Adam Church and Midlife Trip (all proceeds benefit App State Athletics)
Save the Dates:
July 20 – Yosef Club Golf Tournament
July 25 – Kidd Brewer Stadium Concert (to be announced … all proceeds benefit App State Athletics)
August 14 – Mountaineer Laughs Comedy Show
August 15 – FanFest
Facilities Progress
App State is alive with construction as we build for an exciting future.
The roof was recently installed atop the new Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility, which is on schedule to be completed in phases, starting with the new turf field in August. Not only will our athletic programs have a first-class new training facility, the community will benefit from its large event space and public-private health care collaborations.
The Mildred Southern Indoor Tennis Facility at App 105 is also progressing well. Scheduled for completion this summer, the facility will be the new home of App State Tennis and will give us the opportunity to further engage the High Country community with select memberships.
Momentum remains high as we continue advanced planning for the Kidd Brewer Stadium East Tower project. It will be a signature part of one of the best stadiums in the country when it opens. If you are interested in premium seat options in this future facility, contact a member of our development staff at mountaineersathleticfund@appstate.edu.
2026 Football Game Themes
Themes for our fall home games at The Rock were recently announced, and we're looking forward to another exciting season in Boone.
After you Wear Gold to the Sept. 5 season opener, we'll celebrate Black Saturday under the lights on Sept. 19 against Charlotte (kickoff time to be announced).
Homecoming is set for October 10 as we host Old Dominion, followed by a nationally televised Thursday night game against James Madison on October 22 to kick off a full weekend of family weekend activities on campus.
We'll honor our heroes on Heroes Day, November 7 vs. Georgia State, before closing out the home schedule with Senior Day on November 21 against ULM.
We can't wait to see App Nation back at The Rock, creating one of college football's most electric atmospheres.
It's Great to be a Mountaineer!
Go App!
Doug Gillin
Director of Athletics
