App Family,
What a great start to our 2026-27 seasons.
Under head coach
Dowell Loggains, our football program is 3-0 for the first time since 2019. We're gearing up for another in-state showdown at NC State. We're excited to see all the Black and Gold in Raleigh this weekend.
Thank you to everyone who has bought tickets and supported the Mountaineers so far – including the fans and students who stayed with us through last weekend's lengthy weather delays. Your commitment fuels our success.
Our fall programs are thriving across the board.
Soccer, led by head coach
Aimee Haywood, is unbeaten in nine straight matches – a program record – and is 2-0 in conference play.
Men's Cross Country, under the direction of
Brad Herbster, has already knocked off nationally ranked Georgia, along with programs such as Georgia Tech, Clemson and Auburn. Both the men and women are competing at a high level against strong early-season fields.
We encourage all of App Nation to keep showing up, keep wearing Black and Gold and keep supporting our programs. Every action counts.
Economic Impact of Home Football Games
Each fall, our home football games create six (or seven) powerful opportunities to impact our university and region. These weekends bring thousands of visitors to Boone, driving significant economic activity across western North Carolina. Hotels, restaurants, shops and local attractions all benefit from your support and enthusiasm.
The passion of App Nation is unmatched. We've had
17 sellouts in the last 19 home games, and we average
10,000 students at The Rock! There is truly no better atmosphere in college football.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to The Rock for
Homecoming on Oct. 10 vs. Old Dominion. Limited tickets remain for that game and for our
nationally televised Thursday night matchup vs. JMU on Oct. 22. Get your tickets now, and
visit these partners when you're in town.
Continued Football Investment
As a department, we remain committed to investing in football as its impacts extend far beyond The Rock on Saturdays. A strong football program increases national visibility, supports enrollment growth, drives regional economic impact, strengthens engagement with alumni and fans, and has countless benefits for our great university.
You're already seeing the benefits with a 3-0 start after signing the
highest-rated recruiting class in Sun Belt history. We've also prioritized student-athlete nutrition, facility upgrades, and providing resources to hire and retain high-quality coaches and staff.
The landscape of college athletics is evolving rapidly, and costs continue to rise. We need continued investment to stay competitive. That investment is made possible by the passion and commitment of App Nation. Every time you fill The Rock, wear Black and Gold, engage with our programs online, support the
Yosef Club or
sport-specific funds, and participate in initiatives like
Donate The Score and
Pledge Per Win, you are investing in the future of App State Football and all Mountaineer sport programs – helping to position them for continued success.
Record Fundraising
While expenses continue to rise, the 2026 fiscal year produced
historic results across Yosef Club donations, capital commitments and sport-specific giving – more than $16 million raised for our student-athletes.
This fall's Legends Gala raised more than half a million dollars alone – another record for our premier annual fundraiser and celebration of App State Athletics.
Your generosity makes a lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who believes in our mission and supports App State Athletics at record-setting levels.
Facility Updates
Our commitment to championship-caliber facilities continues to elevate the student-athlete experience while creating new opportunities to engage App Nation.
The 100+ yard turf field at the new
Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility is open and being used by several athletics teams and university partners. The rest of the facility (large event space and public-private health care collaborations) remains on schedule to open in early 2027.
The
Mildred F. Southern Indoor Tennis Facility at App 105 is complete and ready to serve as the new home of App State Tennis. It will also offer special opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community engagement.
Momentum continues for the
East Tower project at The Rock. If you are interested in premium seating options, contact our development staff at
mountaineersathleticfund@appstate.edu.
Planned renovations to
Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium will further enhance one of the most beautiful baseball venues in the country.
A True Mountaineer
As we close this letter, we also pause to remember Shawn Clark. Many of us continue to feel the loss of a true Mountaineer, whose passing one year ago still weighs heavily on our hearts. We will always miss Shawn, and we remain grateful for the legacy he left as a husband, father, player and coach.
In Shawn's memory, I encourage everyone to support the
Shawn Clark Legacy Foundation and its mission to prioritize and improve the physical and mental health of the coaching community.
Go App,
Doug Gillin
Director of Athletics
