Photos courtesy of Appalachian State, The Appalachian photo desk
NEWS EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER A&C SPORTSEDITOREDITOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND PR JENNA GUZMAN CHLOE LINEMANASHER DAVIDSON DAN DAVIDSON COLIN AUBREYEDITOR-IN-CHIEFBROSSSMITHMANAGING EDITOR CHIEF COPY EDITOR GABRIELLEJADETROUTMANOGLEEDITORIALBUSINESS OPINION EDITOR ELLA ADAMSbusiness@theappalachianonline.comadviser@theappalachianonline.comADVISEReditor@theappalachianonline.comALLISONBENNETTDYCHEMULTIMEDIAENTERPRISEEDITORVISUAL MANAGING EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR GRAPHICS EDITOR WILL HOFMANN CAMERON BURNETT EVAN BATES MCNEIL outreach@theappalachianonline.comJOHNSTON Aug. 17, 2022
Participation in The Appalachian is open to all current full-time students at the university. For more information about joining, email outreach@theappalachianonline.com.
I am so excited to serve as your Editor-in-Chief of The Appalachian for the 2022-23 academic year. It is truly an honor. For nearly nine decades, our publication has been an active voice in the App State and Boone community, striving to provide “fair and accurate news” for our readers. And though times may change, our mission to inform, entertain and be a champion for student, faculty, staff and community interests will never falter.
The Appalachian is the award-winning, independent student-run news organization at Appalachian State University, published since 1934. The student staff maintains all editorial discretion, and there is no prior review by university faculty, staff or administrators. The Appalachian strives for accuracy in newsgathering and reporting. If you think we have made an error, editor@theappalachianonline.com.email
Last year, our staff worked hard to revive our print publication, which had been previously halted in 2020 due to COVID-19. Throughout the 202122 academic year, we published nine print editions total — one new print issue on our newsstands across campus every month. We also had the opportunity to publish our seventh annual reader’s choice issue, Best of Boone, along with the introduction of our Black History Month section in our February edition and a graduation themed edition in April. The Appalachian also ramped up our weekly, staff curated newsletter, delivering our freshest and most notable content for the week straight into our readers’ inboxes. But enough about last year — I’m happy to announce that The Appalachian will continue to print monthly throughout the 2022-23 academic year, while also continuing our weekly newsletter and publishing new content to our website daily.
Letter from the Editor
The opinions pages of The Appalachian are an open public forum. Contributions are welcomed via email to editor@theappaalchianonline.com. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the news organization overall. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Appalachian editorial board. One copy of The Appalachian per person. Additional copies can be purchased from the newsroom for $1 each.
All that being said, I owe you a thank you, reader. The Appalachian wouldn’t exist without you — the students, faculty, staff and community members who pick up copies of our paper, who read, or skim, our articles, who like our social media posts, or who even just acknowledge our existence. Your support is the reason The Appalachian is still alive. Thank you.
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W elcome back, Mountaineers! It’s great to see you again.
Since 1934, our publication has always been run by students for students, and this will never stop. The Appalachian doesn’t just belong to the reporters, photographers and contributors on our staff, but it belongs to you and the entire student body as well — all over 20,000 of you. This is your newspaper, too. So, if you have a concern, an idea or a question, stop by the newsroom. Send us an email. Come say hi. Our door is always open, and we’re here and ready to listen. Roll ‘neers, and have a great year. Thank you for picking up our first print edition of the year! Aubrey Smith 2022-23 editor@theappalachianonline.comEditor-in-Chief
Aher Davidson Position: Arts & Culture Editor Major: Journalism, media studies Minor Favorite thing about App? The beauty of the outdoors in Boone. Whether I am hiking, biking or camping Boone has everything for me to enjoy.
Major: Commercial photography, entrepreneurship minor Favorite thing about App? The people that live here. Everybody I have met has been extremely kind and welcom ing, and everywhere go whether I am meeting a student or a local of Boone always feel right at home.
dine Jallal Position: Associate Opinion Editor Major: Secondary English education Favorite thing about App? The abundance of active clubs and organizations that make it easy to do the things I love and make myself at home on campus.
D
Position:Davidson
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Aug. 17, 2022
Position: Visual Managing Editor
Opinion Editor
Major: Anthropology Favorite thing about App? How easy it is to get outside. There is so much great hiking, camping and other outdoor activities all over Boone.
lin Bross Position: Director of Marketing and PR Major: Marketing Favorite thing about App? I love the sense of community App State and Boone provide. When attending App State, there is a sense of closeness with the students, staff and the local community.
ia Woodring
3 WillHofman Meet your 2022-23 editorial board G
Position: Editor-in-Chief
Position: Associate News Editor Major: Journalism, minor in ASL Favorite thing about App? Being in a small town with places to “escape” to and really feel nature. I also love game days; tailgates, the energy, people coming together to bond over one thing, it’s so much fun.
brielle Trout n
Position: Managing Editor
Position: Associate Director of Marketing and PR Major: Interdisciplinary studies, nonprofit organizations minor Favorite thing about App? The sense of community and the abundance of resources available at our fingertips.
ubrey Smith
Major: Journalism, photography minor Favorite thing about App? I love the beautiful Boone area and love how friendly App State students are; I have never met anyone unfriendly or someone unwilling to help you even if you’re a total stranger.
Position: Associate Photo Editor
Major: Journalism, media studies minor Favorite thing about App? All the oppor tunities it offers for students along with all the awesome people I have met so far.
Position:eOgle
Position:laAdams
Major: English: concentration in rhetoric and composition Favorite thing about App? The people of all kinds who have helped me grow into a more capable student and person, and the accessibility to nature we have.
na Guzman
Neil Johnsto Position: Graphics Editor Major: Graphic communications management, digital marketing minor Favorite thing about App? App State is full of beautiful people, places and things; all part of what makes the High Country so magical … It’s so hard to choose a favorite!
Major: Journalism and public relations, photography minor Favorite thing about App? The location. love that we are located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and that the Blue Ridge Parkway is just a short distance from campus.
Chief Copy Editor
Major: Electronic media/broadcastig, general Business minor Favorite thing about App? The welcoming community. From football games to just walking down King Street, always feel at home with the people of Boone.
H llie Moore
C meron Burnett
Major: Journalism, recreation management minor Favorite thing about App? The location and natural beauty... I love the personal experience App State has provided and the many ways I’ve been challenged and have grown through classes, the paper and the people I’ve met.
Position: Enterprise Editor Major: Journalism and political science Favorite thing about App? The ability to walk or drive to some of the most beautiful views in the world within minutes, and the free-spirited Mountaineer atmosphere. an Bates Position: Photo Editor Major: Commercial photography, documentary studies minor Favorite thing about App? All the amazing people you get to meet, and the way that the surrounding environ ment shapes our lives, brings us together and builds us up.
Position: News Editor
tt Ellis
Sports Editor
The 2021-22 academic year was full of huge stories. So many, in fact, one might not have been able to keep track. Students have led marches against abortion bans, held a vigil for the war in Ukraine and even participated in the unionization of a Starbucks. Here are some big stories that one might’ve missed last year: App State announces Hickory Campus, other new developments In November 2021, Chancellor Sheri Everts announced a future App State campus location; one that is not in Boone. A new 225,800 square foot Hickory location was purchased for $1,017,293.64 and aims to increase
Students and faculty took to Sanford Mall on March 17 to hold a candlelight vigil in support of Ukraine. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Andres Tellez, assistant professor of Applied Design, organized the vigil. Appalachian Advocates, Office of International Taylor Ward Max Correa Chancellor Sheri Everts and others break ground on the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research. The Conservatory will be the first building of the university’s Innovation District. March 25, 2022.
Will Hoffman | Enterprise Editor
Students embrace at the candlelight vigil for the crisis in Ukraine Thursday, March 17, 2022.
Aug. 17, 2022
4 Activism, Announcements, Acknowledgements:
the number of rural and first generation students who attend App State, according to an App State press release. This new location will serve the largest metropolitan area in North Carolina currently without a major public university campus. Earlier this year, construction started on the first building in the Innovation District. The Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research has the aim of understanding the natural history and economic importance of our region and gaining a heightened appreciation of research and creative endeavors happening at App State, according to App State’s website. Finally, the university board of trustees approved a new parking deck next to Holmes Convocation Center, designed to provide 600 new parking spaces to faculty, staff and students. Boone Starbucks is first to unionize In April, Boone Starbucks employees voted 32-2 to unionize, becoming the first legally unionized Starbucks location in the Carolinas. In December 2021, a Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, voted to fully unionize; becoming the first in the country to do so, according to NPR. The effort to unionize followed this development, and started after employees from the location submitted a plan to Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz declaring their plan. Employees of the Boone Starbucks aim to “initiate a positive change for ourselves and our fellow partners, to provide encouragement for partners at other stores, to strengthen the unionizing movement and to secure a positive and safe working environment for all of the partners who will succeed us” according to a press release from Starbucks United Boone’s Twitter account. App State holds candlelight vigil for war in Ukraine
Stories you may have missed during the 2021-22 school year
Stick Boy Co. employee Reed Conner serves local patrons Abby Schmidt, Mariah Watson and Alexis Riccio on July 21, 2022.. Located right across from Durham Park, customers enjoy all that Stick Boy has to offer like pastries, coffee and more. Hollie Moore | Associate News Editor Aldo Sarabia Education and Development, International Appalachian and International Business Student Association were also a part of its creation, which gathered around 5060 attendees.TanyaMolodtsova, an economics professor from Ukraine spoke during the event. “The heart of every Ukrainian in the world, whether they are in Ukraine or outside, is broken right now. Just watching how your country is being destroyed every day by the aggressor,” Molodtsova said. Locals and students react to the Boone housing crisis An April story from The Appalachian shows as Boone rent remains high, students and locals have struggled to find their feet. According to the 2021 NC Growth Housing and Business Resiliency in Boone report, the median home value in Boone is 50% higher than those in neighboring counties, while the median household income remains the lowest in the High Country. One local, Angel Jackson, shared her story of her apartment flooding with sewage while she was giving birth to her child. A student shared their experiences of having mold grow under their floors and on clothes and furniture. In April, Town Council member Dalton George told The Appalachian about the disparity between household income and home values to thousands of students populating Boone, while Town Council member Todd Carter told The Appalachian poor rental experiences are due to Watauga County’s lack of substandard housing regulations. “They live in substandard places that have black mold and should not be inhabitable,” Carter said. The Council of the Boone Starbucks stand in victory stances holding up their aprons April 30, 2022. Health Services. Apple Music and Spotify provide 50% discounts for college students. All they require is your university information and proof you’re enrolled. Spotify also includes a subscription to Hulu and Showtime when you purchase a student premium account. SGA has partnered with certain businesses in Boone to provide students with various discounts. Places in Boone where you can receive a discount as a student include Stick Boy Bread Co., Makoto’s, Best Buy and more. Moving to campus secrets, printers are located in most academic buildings and in Plemmons Student Union on campus, not only the library. The library provides instructions on how to use campus printers, each printed page being between $0.03-$0.50. For the days you bring your lunch to campus or want to rejuvenate that late morning meal, microwaves are located in Leon Levine Hall and Cascades. Outside of campus, Boone has a couple hidden gems made to aid students. A prime example being Boone Student Beeper, both an app for your phone called Ride Beep App and a Facebook group. Beeper was created to make sure Boone members, primarily students, were able to always have a cheap and safe way home, as they list in their Facebook information. It’s also been a way for students and residents to make a few extra bucks byAnotherdriving. Facebook group heavily used by students and alum is Appalachian Classifieds. Members are able to sell items, inquire about Boone or the university, meet new friends or find roommates.
Cutting corners: college budget edition
Boone is also home to AppalCart, a free bus service going throughout Boone for students and residents. The buses can be tracked on an app called TransLoc, seeing where you are and how long until the next bus will arrive closest to your location. For those thinking about studying abroad or taking a vacation outside the U.S., the campus post office is equipped for full passport application processes; you can order a passport without leaving campus.
Photo Courtesy of Olivia Lewis Aug. 17, 2022
5 Beginning college is a mix of emotions and a boatload of information at one time, with hope that nothing is missed. There are a few things the university just might overlook at orientation this year that may save you extra cash or time. Health Services has an on-campus pharmacy where students are able to buy over-the-counter medications at less than half the price as buying them at the CVS and Walgreens off campus. This can include generic brands for pain relief, allergies or flu and cold medicines. For example, an offbrand allergy relief of Zyrtec is $5 at the campus pharmacy comparable to the $22.79 Zyrtec at CVS. Birth control is also offered for $10 dollars through the university after prescribed at Student Health Services. Emergency contraceptives are also available in the pharmacy. Students also receive a $50 Amazon gift card for getting the COVID-19 vaccine at Student
BSA has an office where students can come in during the day located in room 215 in Plemmons Student Union. The club also has weekly meetings every Monday at 7 p.m. in MacRae Peak, room 137B of the StudentPeytonUnion.Joyner, president of BSA, said the club offers Black students an opportunity to gain resources, make friends and connections, learn and more.
Black Student Association Founded in 1974, the Black Student Association is a club where Black students can come together to Jenna Guzman | News Editor connect, support each other, promote and uplift their identities, and is “committed to promoting a positive image at Appalachian of the AfricanAmerican community at large,” according to their mission statement.
Multicultural Center Located in Plemmons Student Union room 112 and created in 1995, the Multicultural Center is a place where students can embrace, learn and respect each other’s cultures.According to their website, the center “provides a bridge that connects and promotes the uniqueness of various multicultural groups.”
6 Get connected: Social spots, resources on campus
The Asian Student Association is a club dedicated to exploring the identities, leadership and personal development of students within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community as well as being a safe space for students according to their website.ASAallows for students both within and outside of the AAPI community to connect, embrace, support and learn from each other and each other’s cultures. In addition to this, ASA is a “safe space” where students can raise concerns and build community, according to their Instagram account. Julia Murray, a sophomore sustainable development major and the Finance Chair for ASA, wrote in an email that the club has weekly meetings every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Linville Falls, Plemmons Student Union room 226. According to their website, ASA hosts social and educational events in honor of bringing awareness to and learning about different cultures such as Asian Fest, a celebration of Asian cultures with performances, food, games and fashion shows; the Holi Festival; Charity Gala; potlucks and more. Students can find what events are planned through ASA’s Engage or through their Instagram account, @asaatasu.
Henderson Springs LGBTQ Center Henderson Springs LGBTQ Center, located in Plemmons Student Union room 106, down International Hallway, is a space where students both within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community can gather for a number of different reasons, such as to wind down between or after classes, have conversations with people who have similar interests and beliefs, search for personal and educational opportunities and more, said Cody Henderson, Assistant Director of Intercultural Student Affairs.. Henderson, who oversees the LGBTQ Center, describes the center as a community and a safe space for students. Henderson said the center aims to “empower, educate and affirm.”Thecenter plans and hosts different events and involvement opportunities such as Queer Prom; the Trans Day of Silence; Pride Among the Pines, an LGBTQ+ book club in collaboration with Foggy Pine; InQueeries; the Queer Love art club; Lavender Graduation and more.
Arriving in a new town and a new school may be overwhelming to some, and finding one’s place in a different environment may take some time. However, the university offers social resources that allow students of all identities to not only adjust to campus life, but to also connect. Here are some of the social resources the university has to offer:
Different resources are offered at the center for those who enter such as snacks, menstrual products, career building workshops and connecting students with counseling and psychological services if needed.
Latin Hispanic Alliance
BSA hosts events and activities throughout the school year such as Black History Month events; Kwanzaa Fest; Black Arts, a variety show; informational panels; Homecoming events; community service and more. Joyner describes BSA as a “support system” and “uplifting and impactful.”
“We’re just kind of trying to provide any assistance that a Black student would need at a PWI through our club,” said Joyner, a sophomore English major.
The center hosts and plans different events, exhibits, programs and activities to spread awareness and encourage respect of cultures, cultural histories and more. Some events and programs the Multicultural Center has hosted include the Latin Hispanic Heritage Festival, Kwanzaa Fest, Misogynoir: A Discussion on the Experiences of Women of Color, mental health workshop series and clothing swaps. The Multicultural Center also collaborates with other multicultural Pascale Bouchard, the new LGBTQ Center graduate assistant, stands in the entrance to the Henderson Springs LGBTQ Center in Plemmons Student Union Aug. 2, 2022.
Aug. 17, 2022
Samuel Cooke
Students can keep up to date with scheduled events and meetings through BSA’s Engage or Instagram account, @appstate_bsa.
The Latin Hispanic Alliance is a club where students of Latin or Hispanic descent and those who appreciate the cultures can come together to connect, learn about and celebrate each other’s cultures and identities, share similarities, promote awareness of the Hispanic community and get involved on campus, according to their Carloswebsite.Ruiz,vice president of LHA, describes the alliance as a “safe space” for all Latinx students, regardless of where they’re from. LHA meets every week on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Linville Falls, Plemmons Student Union room 226. However, they host many events both on and off campus in different locations. Members of LHA can keep track of where they are meeting through their Engage or their Instagram account, @lhaappstate.
The center is open five days a week and hours are based on volunteer availability. Students can apply to volunteer at the LGBTQ Center through their website and stay informed with what the center is doing through their Instagram account, @ lgtbcenter_appstate.
Asian Student Association
Some of the events and activities LHA has hosted are the Latin Hispanic Heritage Festival, a festival in honor of Latin Hispanic Heritage Month that featured dancing, food, panelists and games; Noche de Euforia, a “Euphoria” themed dance; arts and crafts days; potlucks; bowling, destress days and more. LHA also offers different resources to members such as financial aid services in Spanish, Latinx financial aid advisors, community service opportunities, food and more. “It’s una gran familia,” Ruiz said. “It’s connecting, it’s a safe space, and it’s an opportunity to learn and grow.”
Downtown Edition
Downtown Boone has welcomed several new stores within the past few
Women’s Center
The Women’s Center, located in Plemmons Student Union room 110 and created in September 1998, is the only fully volunteer-run Women’s Center in North Carolina according to their website. Henderson, who also oversees the Women’s Center, said the center is committed to educating others, promoting body positivity, spreading awareness about women’s health and women’s health issues, eliminating gender discrimation, promoting equity and providing both community and campus resources.Henderson describes the center as “empowering” and a “safe place” to discuss certain topics and to Christian Martin and Will Sheppard pictured by an Intercultural Student Affairs diagram July 26, 2022.. Martin, pictured on the left, is a student coordinator for the center, and Sheppard, pictured on the right, is theAssociate Director of Intercultural Student Affairs. embrace who you are. The Women’s Center offers those who come in multiple resources such as menstrual products, a lactation space, contraceptives, psychological and counseling services, connections to those who can help with domestic abuse or sexual harrasment, snacks and more which can be found on their website or by visiting the center.
The center has also hosted a number of events, workshops and fundraisers such as Femme Fatales, a variety show; Take Back the Night, an event where guests can bring awareness to sexual violence by telling their stories; fundraisers for OASIS; clothing swaps and more.
Practical Magic, located between Alumni Hall and Common Good, opened its doors to the public in June, said employee Jacqueline Leblanc.
Hammad Chaudhry, president of MSA, said the organization is “very welcoming” and is a place where Muslim students can find each other and connect, as well as a place where members of different groups can learn to acknowledge and respect each other. “Coexist, that’s the whole thing we’re about,” said Chaudhry, a junior art history major. Chaudhry said MSA tends to collaborate with other Muslim groups in Boone and provides resources to members of the Muslim community and to Afghan refugees located in Boone. MSA hosts Friday prayer days, where students congregate to pray, and the association has also hosted events such as the MSA Community Iftar, a dinner “celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr,” according to their website. MSA has no scheduled meeting times, but those interested can check out their Engage page to stay updated on when and where they meet and what events are planned.
APP STATE ROTC Take the one hour classroom course (MSL 1001 or MSL 1002) to see what it is all about. The course does not require commitment to the Army or ROTC. Many students discover opportunities and leadership skills. Search for “App State ROTC” online or Call 828 262 2994 Maggie Busch Aug. 17, 2022
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Created and managed by sisters Carly and Nellie McDonah, the business originated as an online store in 2016, later opening the first of its stores in Wilmington, North Carolina. Leblanc, a junior, said while the Wilmington location is the business’s primary location, the recent opening of their store in Boone has been Leblanc“exciting.”saidthestore offers metaphysical and spiritual goods, including stones, candles, herbs and crystals. “If you want to get into your spirituality, this is a cool place to start,” Leblanc said. “There’s a little bit of everything here for everybody.” Leblanc also said the store harbors no expectations from its customers and does not “discriminate against any practices or preach any practices.”
metaphysical store; Venture, a coffee and chocolate lounge; and a second Appalachian Nails & Co. location. All businesses are located close to campus, and each store offers the public and university students many new things.
Davis said he hopes their store invites a different take on the stereotypical Sam Byrd college bar, hoping for a “more elevated experience” where customers can partake and discover the world and various cultures through their products. Davis also said the exploration of various tastes and flavors is how the idea for the store name came about. “Beyond the product, it’s a beautiful space,” Davis said. Davis said another store goal was to introduce college students to wine, calling it a “big world” full of “beautiful flavors.” Davis said he hopes students will come to learn and sample those things in their Appalachianshop.Nails & Co., originally located on Highway 105, has opened a second location on Howard Street.
Lily Nguyen, an employee and part owner of the business, said the store opened May 2 and called the day “a day in the making of several months and a combined effort from our staff and family.” Nguyen said those who aided in the shop’s opening made efforts toward a “modern and comforting” approach to the shop’s design and other details throughout the shop. clubs and organizations on campus. This center is student-led and volunteer based.
Baristo Leon pouring whole espresso beans, preparing to be ground July 20, 2022. Venture offers hot espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, as well as cold drinks like their cacao cold brew. Both drinks, along with others, are served at the chocolate lounge on the ground level floor.
The Muslim Student Association is an organization where Muslims and non-Muslims from both on and off campus can come together to meet, build unity, support and “promote a better understanding of Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims,” according to their Engage.
Muslim Student Association
months bringing new flavors, goods and designs to those who visit. Three new additions joined King Street, Boone’s hub for shops and restaurants. Practical Magic, a
The second of King Street’s newest additions is Venture, a coffee and chocolate lounge owned by Josiah Davis and his wife, Meredith, who also own another local espresso bar, Local Lion. Located between Appalachian Sportswear and Highway Robbery, Davis said the upstairs portion of the shop, featuring a lounge in addition to the coffee and chocolate bar, opened to the public in June. Davis said the wine cellar in the lower portion of the shop opened to the public July 22 and the entire shop’s grand opening was Aug. 13.
What you missed over the summer: Zoey Sigmon | Reporter
Welcome to App State:
Here’s who you should know
Directly underneath Everts is the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris. Norris previously served as the dean of Walker College of Business from 2016-20 until she was named interim provost and vice chancellor in February 2020, earning the permanent title in May 2021.
Aubrey Smith | Editor-in-Chief Hollie Moore | Associate News Editor
Jamie Parson
Jamie Parson is App State’s chief diversity officer. Parson “serves as the lead implementer for the university’s strategic diversity plan,” according to her staff page. The upcoming academic year will be her first year in this position, after serving as interim chief diversity officer from May 2021-May 2022. Parson’s responsibilities as chief diversity officer include advising the chancellor on “strategic diversity matters,” liaising with “students, faculty and staff regarding diversity, equity and inclusion matters,” leading App State’s Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team and more according to her staff page.
Judy Haas is the dean of students, overseeing all student affairs and student conduct. The Office of the Dean of Students deals with case management, off-campus student services, parent and family services, student conduct, student veteran services and the student legal clinic. The office’s mission is to “engage students and families through a culture of care, using education, advocacy, support and accountability, as they navigate the transformational Appalachian experience.” Haas has previously worked in university housing and student conduct at App State.
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Photo Courtesy of Anna Oakes, CommunicationsUniversity
Photo Courtesy of Anna Oakes, CommunicationsUniversity
Judy Haas
Photo Courtesy of Anna Oakes, CommunicationsUniversity
HeatherNorrisHulburt
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BarretoPhotoCourtesy
Coach Shawn Clark urges his players against Marshall on Sept. 23, 2021. The Mountaineers beat Marshall at home, 30-31. Photo by Hiatt EllisPhoto Courtesy of Appalachian State
As chancellor, Sheri Everts holds the highest position at the university and has been since July 2014. Some of Everts’ priorities for App State are to increase the “diversity of the university’s student, faculty and staff populations,” support faculty and staff, improve the “wellness, health and safety for the campus community” and more, according to the Office of the Chancellor biography.
Chancellor Sheri Everts Board of trustees Quson Brown and Alejandro Barreto Shawn Clark Alejandro and Quson: Left to Right: Student Body Vice President and President, Alejandro Barreto and Quson Brown Photo Courtesy of Alejandro of Anna Oakes, CommunicationsUniversity
App State’s 2022-23 student body president is Quson Brown alongside vice president Alejandro Barreto. As part of SGA, they work with the organization to serve the student body and to “enact change through legislation, advocacy, awareness and representation on the Board of Trustees,” according to SGA’s website. Brown and Barreto were elected as president and vice president in February. App State’s board of trustees is responsible for serving as “advisor to the chancellor concerning the management and development of Appalachian,” as well as serving as advisor to the UNC board of governors on “matters pertaining to the university,” according to the Office of the Chancellor. Members of the BOT are appointed and serve four year terms, aside from App State’s student body president who receives a voting member position on the board.
Shawn Clark is App State’s head football coach. An alumnus of App State, Clark was an offensive lineman for the Mountaineers from 1994-98 and has been involved in coaching the Mountaineers since 2016 before being named head coach in 2019, according to App State Sports. Clark is the Black and Gold’s 22nd head football coach.
Transports students to and from the Cottages of Boone back into campus as well as the Hospitality House... The Green Route also has stops at New Market Boulevard, Forest Hill Drive, King Street and Farthing Street, Wood Circle and King Street and Hillside Drive where multiple student housing complexes are located.
Courtesy of AppalCART Aug. 17, 2022
10 BrookshirePark Appalachian State University GreenwayTrail IndustrialWataugaCountyFields HighWataugaSchool Durham Park KidStadiumBrewer Daniel Boone Native Gardens AfterGreen6pm AppalCART System Map ROUTES NC 105 Lot ShuttleASU NC 105 Lot 1 ASU NC 105 Lot 2 DogwoodASUHallASU Mountaineer Hall ASU Trivette Hall Pop WellnessStateSilverRedPurple105FarmDistrictPOPPRSSFWGRGBEOPK PinkOrangeGreenGoldExpressBlue If the stop name is on the right, the bus stops on the right side of the road If the stop name is on the left, the bus stops on the left side of the road How to Read the RouteMapDirection If there is a circle, the bus stops. Multiple circles indicate that multiple routes serve the bus stop ASUStCollegeStation ASU Peacock Tra c CircleASUPeacockTracLightSkywalkASU ASU Dogwood Hall &RegionalChartersSunwayBusStop GarwoodASUHall ConvocationASUCenterHighlandAve ASU AppalachianHeights LotGreenwood Top (down)Bodenheimerof ASU CenterLearningLiving(up) ASU CenterLearningLiving(down)ASUSRC SchaeferASUCenter BooneDan’lInn King St / N Depot St South Lot / Baseball Stadium ASU Mountaineer Hall Watauga Ram’sCourthouseCountyRackHighlandGroveOakEdgecliCountryHighPinnacleServicesHumanCenterMillerIndustriesDrCondosLnRdHallRd Long Builder’sSt Plaza CCC&TI OakWhiteRd Westhaven ForrestEdgeCottages of Boone 3 Cottages of Boone 1 Cottages of Boone 2 KangarooLaurelASUExpressMountainHall(MLH) McDonald’s BooneMall Postal St Blowing/RockRd Pride WalmartDr 2 Drop-o & Pick-up For Rural Routes Walmart 1MeadowviewPlaceCollege Dr Greenway Rd Greenway Rd Parking LotOpportunitiesWataugaGreenwayBusinessParkGreenwayCommonsWinklersVetMeadowClinicon Wilson Dr Wilson Dr HospitalityHouse Brookhollow Rd BambooBambooRd Rd / US 421 Bamboo Rd Kangaroo Express Old 421 US 421 Hardin CrosswalkSt Blue TouristRidgeCourtHighWataugaSchoolTurtleCreek Old Delmar421St Village MeadowviewAt Howard St / Hardin St King St / Hillside Dr WoodCircle HillForestDr King St Old 421 ParkBrookshireRdWataugaMedicalCenterASU FarmStateLot/Greenway ASU College of Health Sciences Parks & Rec Boone Heights 1 Boone Heights 2 MountaineerVillage1 MountaineerVillage2YosefDr/KingSt New Market King St / Farthing St Kingswood Casa Rustica NC Crosswalk105PoplarHillDrHeritageCourt University Highlands USBypassNCHodgesGapRd105/421 King DepotStSt CommonsHighland MountainSnaggyBlvd ASU NC 105 Lot 1 ASU NC 105 Lot 2 Jimmy Smith Park NCMLHHornAveASU/105Ext Azalea BeverlyDrHeights Ave Quail Drive George Wilson Rd Vet Hospital 2 George Wilson Rd / Vet Hospital 1 East VillageMeadowhillEstates Poplar Grove Rd / NC 105 Water St King St IndustrialPark BavarianVillage The FinmoreHallUniversityDrIvyTerrace 610 FarmStateRd Horn In The ParkingWestLot HighlandCrossing AppalCART HallWalkerASU/Boden-heimerDr US 421 Meadowview Dr / Madison Ave Watauga CenterEnforcementLaw(byrequest)GraggvilleRd WaterlooOld Top Bodenheimerof(up) StudioWest EarthFare Meadowview Dr / US 321 ASU Child DevelopmentCenter Feids Way University Hall SouthAppPSI KensingtonTrail AppalCART King St RiversSt Poplar Grove Rd EXT105NC StHardin RdBamboo State Farm Rd Meadowview Dr State Farm Rd ShadowlineDr DrMeadowviewNC 105 NC105 NC105Byp US321 Pop 105 After 6 pm BooneHeightsDr An Appal a day: Andrew Rice | Reporter Guide to Boone’s public transportation system Red Route Express Route Orange Route Pink Route Purple Route Silver Route State Farm Route Wellness District Route Service to Wal-Mart, Mountain Laurel Hall and Watauga Medical Center with a campus stop at College Street Station; the roundabout between the college bookstore and campus library. Stops on campus along this route include College Street Station, as well as nearby campus stops including Earth Fare, King Street and Hillside Drive and the Dan’l Boone Inn. For students needing weekly transportation from student housing in The Finmore, Mountain Laurel Hall or on University Drive, the pink route utilizes campus pick up and drop off services at the Peacock Traffic Circle, Garwood Hall, ASU Skywalk and Holmes Convocation Center. For students needing transportation to Watauga Medical Center or Beaver College of Health Sciences, the wellness district route pick up and drop off spots [are] Boone Heights and the State Farm Lot. For residents of the Village at Meadowview, or anywhere along Meadowview Drive, the purple route runs Monday through Friday with campus stops in the Peacock Traffic Circle, Garwood Hall, the ASU Skywalk and Holmes Convocation Center. Able to accommodate students living in Studio West, Mountain Laurel Hall, off Graggville Road, Highland Hall Road, Edgecliff Lane and Pinnacle Drive, as well as the recent addition of stops at the NC 105 lot. With campus stops at the Peacock Traffic Light and the ASU Skywalk For students parked in the State Farm Lot, the state farm route provides service to campus Monday through Friday. Stops on campus include the Peacock Traffic Light, Garwood Hall and ASU Skywalk. For those needing transportation to M.S. Shook Student Health Service, the express route runs Monday through Friday with pickup and drop off for students at Mountain Laurel Hall and Peacock Hall. Green Route Transportation to the Appalachian 105 Lot, where students can pick up their off-campus vehicles, and University Highlands Student Apartments. Pop 105 picks up from stops at Garwood Hall, the Schaefer Center and Holmes Convocation Center
Pop 105 Route Blue and Gold Routes For students in the Living Learning Center, Mountaineer Hall and Appalachian Heights, the blue and gold routes provide transportation to main campus destinations like Peacock Hall, the Student Recreation Center and Dogwood Hall.
Appalachian 105 Lot
Grabbing a bite to eat is a great way to connect with new people, start a new fling and even spend quality time with old friends and family. The array of restaurants and eateries on campus and around town can seem endless, but with practice and a few tips and tricks, navigating everything for a pizza, hankering for Southern style wings with dipping sauce, or are looking to get a refuel with some intown coffee, Boone has a restaurant or hangout for everyone. Mornings come quick and the best way to wake up for a long day of classes is with a piping hot cup o’ joe. A go-to favorite is Local Lion. Located at 791 Blowing Rock Road, this quaint coffee shop serves up coffee that can jump start any sleepy mind. Local Lion has a rustic atmosphere with java for all times of the day and all occasions.
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DiningOn-Campus
Boone Bagelry, open from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. serves up hot breakfast bagels. Located at 516 West King St. eaters can sit inside with a colorful mural of the Appalachian skyline or outside under different colored umbrellas with an assortment of flowers at each table. Lucky students that can find the time to go and catch a mid-day meal should try FARM Cafe at 617 West King St. The mission of this restaurant is to “Feed All Regardless of Means” and is a great option for students who find themselves in the very familiar position of being short on cash. FARM Cafe allows its customers to pay what they can and all meals are made from locally sourced ingredients and are vegetarian friendly. Students with a little bit more free time can help FARM Cafe with their mission to feed the community by volunteering to help cook meals. Wild Craft Eatery offers locally farmed ingredients and has plenty of vegetarian options for a wide variety of earters. They are located at 506 West King St. and currently only have their patio open as they work on a recreation of their bar and dining room. Fun dinners and game day festivities are always provided by the Rivers Street Ale House, at 957 Rivers St. provides fans an outdoor space for games and your best victory dances. The award winning wings at Ale House are offered in 16 different styles for a delicious victory dance in your mouth. For an artisan pizza and a cold pint, go to 130 North Depot St. to find Boone’s very own Lost Province Brewing Co. Lost Province has a wide selection of tasty brewskis along with an extravagant menu of unique pizzas.These restaurants will get you started on a food tour of Boone. However, there are plenty others around the town that are just a short walking distance away.Aug. 2022
Asher Davidson | Arts & Culture Editor
Where to EAT in
Off-Campus Dining Boone’s dining scene provides a wide variety of meal options. Eating at dining halls can be repetitive and can sometimes fall short in fulfilling certain cravings. Whether looking
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The main dining hall on the East Side of campus is Roess Dining Hall. The first thing you need to know about Roess Dining Hall is to always call it “Central,” never “Roess.” To returning students this is not new information. However, if you are new to the university this little mistake is a dead give away. When visiting Central, it’s important to remember there are two sections of the dining hall — upper and lower. Lower serves hungry students lunch and dinner from places like The Carving Board and Chick-fil-A. Upper serves a variety of breakfast and lunch meals and is known mostly for its tasty breakfasts. For residents living on West Campus, Trivette Dining Hall is the spot for all three meals and a place to go for a spur of the moment shopping trip for anything from fruits to sugar filled powdered doughnuts. Trivette offers food for early risers with its hashbrown casserole and waffle makers that create waffles stamped with the university’s signature “A.” For lunch, Trivette serves residents a variety of stir fry dishes from the live action stir fry station. Dinner at Trivette is served early with the dining hall closing at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on weekends. Dinner options Trivette Dining Hall houses Park Place at the Pond. Students can choose from stir-fry, salad and deli bar and a pasta bar. They also offer all day breakfast and have vegetation, gluten free and vegan options. Many students eat inside, but some choose to take their food outside to enjoy the scenery and the ducks. Photo taken on Jul 20, 2022. Aldo Sarabia range from seared flank steak to taco nights. The party doesn’t stop there — Trivette Hall Market , open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1 - 9 p.m., is a place to stop in with friends for a late night ice cream snack or to pick up any forgotten groceries. Campus is littered with tasty cafes all in different buildings. Some fan favorites are Cascades and Crossroads , both located in Plemmons Student Union. Cascades provides students with healthy smoothies and various sandwiches, and Crossroads fuels students with their array of coffee. Continue discovering favorite on campus spots by exploring the campus and trying all the food options. Keep in mind Campus Dining changed the way meal plans are structured.
Take a bite:
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Located 43 minutes from Boone near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, Compression Falls, also known as Twisting Falls, has multiple swimming holes to plunge into. There’s a steep three-quarter mile hike to get to the base of the falls that is considered challenging to inexperienced hikers. However, once the base of the falls is visible you can slide or jump into the water hole below or continue venturing upstream. Compression Falls features several waterfalls ranging from 10 to 20 feet tall, and is a remarkable sight for those looking for a grandiose fall and seeking a mountain escapade. Gragg Prong / Hunt Fish Falls Gragg Prong Falls offers multiple river spots and camping spots with endless routes to explore. Gragg Prong Falls is located 43 minutes from Boone off of Roseboro Road, a gravel road leading from Linville to the parking area where a bridge crosses over Gragg Prong Creek.
Trash Can Falls
Compression Falls
DIVE
At the top of Compression Falls, swimmers prepare to jump off the commonly known jumping spot at the top, accessible by climbing up the right bank of the river when facing the waterfall, July 17, 2022. River goers soak up the sun at Laurel Creek Falls, commonly referred to as Trash Can Falls, July 25, 2022. The 15-foot tall falls are nestled in by layered rock and stepping stones, or in this case, natural launch-pads for those who wish to enter the water with a splash.
There are many hidden hangouts along the Blue Ridge Parkway and multiple falls in neighboring counties that make for infinite adventures and memories. When venturing to new locations, always remember to take caution on rocks and to consider river depths before jumping in, and keep in mind that these spots are only a fraction of what Appalachia has to offer. With those words of reckoning in mind, have fun and stay safe chasing these falls.
Winklers Creek If you’re looking for a quick cool off then the Winklers Creek swimming hole is the perfect spot. Located a half mile down Winklers Creek Road, there are gravel spots on the right shoulder to park before hiking down to the spot. The trail begins on the left of Winklers Creek Road, and is a short hike to the swimming hole. Upon arrival, a garden of rocks are nestled at different angles with individual cascades and a large open swimming hole. There’s even a rope swing that makes for a fun water entry.
One of Boone’s most popular river destinations is Laurel Creek Falls, commonly referred to as Trash Can Falls. The falls are located roughly eight miles outside of Boone off of Highway 321 with a narrow hike to the falls. Trash Can Falls is the location to take it easy and bask in the sun alongside the stream, or for an adrenaline rush jumping into the water alongside the falls at heights ranging from 15 to 30 feet. Snake Pit Across the road from Trash Can Falls, river goers can venture down a knotted rope ladder to reach Snake Pit. While the intimidating name may lend itself to descending into a scene out of “Indiana Jones,” hikers are greeted with a large swimming hole and various spots to relax on. To locate both Trash Can Falls and Snake Pit, follow Highway 421 toward Tennessee and make a left at the old Skate World roller skating rink. Visitors continue down this road over the Old Watauga Bridge before seeing areas to pull off on the left side of the road.
Brionna Dallara |
Reporter
Evan Bates
The multiple trailheads on arrival may be confusing. The correct trail following Gragg Prong downstream is indicated by a blue marker labeling the Lost Cove Trail, which runs alongside the Mountains to Sea Trail indicated by the white marker for a portion of the hike. Gragg Prong has an upper and lower falls, with an additional waterfall and swimming hole located about half a mile in. From the upper Gragg Prong Falls you can take an additional 45 minute trek to Hunt Fish Falls, which is home to another natural pool.
Brionna Dallara Aug. 17, 2022
Boone’s best river spotsIN:
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Appalachian Theatre was built in 1938 and, despite its complex history, is a staple of King Street.
5 Legends
Park Aug. 17, 2022
A family home built by one of the first physicians in Boone in 1908, The Jones House is used as a cultural and community center, “owned and run by the town of Boone and houses the Cultural Resources Department for the town,” said Brandon Holder, the cultural resources coordinator for the town of Boone. This center organizes fun and friendly events such as Boone Boo and the Boonerang Music and Arts Festival. Summer concerts are held on the front porch and in the Mazie Jones Gallery there is a different visual artist featured every month, said Holder. Throughout the year, The Jones House hosts Old Time Jam Sessions and also offers lessons. “There is a rich cultural heritage to this area and we try to present some of The Schaefer Center is home to campus and community events throughout the school year. Offering a dynamic arts menu such as art, film and dance, it provides a space to engage in the arts and culture of this mountain town. It is home to BANFF film festivals and productions from the Hayes School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance. It is also responsible for APPlause, a K-12 program every season. According to their website “students experience everything from high-energy acrobatics and Appalachian music to international dance and literary classics brought to life through theatrical productions.” Located on campus, Legends is the local spot for live music and entertainment. There are other clubs in Boone, but Legends is a “full fledge night club” that is regionally famous and a perfect spot for artists to come through for a sold out show on their way to a larger venue, said Assistant Director of Campus Activities Craig Lutz. Once a WinnDixie grocery store, Legends has hosted a wide variety of artists including Doja Cat in 2019. Legends requires an ID for all attendees to show they are 18+ and Legends is a BYOB venue. Named in 1988 Legends continues to create an atmosphere of music around Boone and App State. of the Country Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Whether a local in Boone or just an upcoming student, there are many ways to get into the art scene of this quaint mountain town. Checking out art galleries or music venues is one of the easiest ways to get into that scene, some are even a minute walk from campus.Opened in 2003, the Turchin Center has been a big spot for art in Boone. Turchin’s “most valuable role to students is offering free access to world class art through a variety of constantly rotating visual arts exhibitions, visiting artist engagements and hands-on arts experiences,” said Christy Chenausky, director of arts education and outreach at the Turchin Center. Visitors and students can go on tours, attend workshops and participate in Art Talks and Lunch and Learn.
Stick Boy Kitchen Plemmons Student Union
KingSt. RiversSt. Red
At a glance: Denise Casalez | Reporter Asher Davidson | Arts & Culture Editor High Country art scene
Turchin Center employs students to work at the front reception area with the goal of providing “valuable experience” to students of different majors and backgrounds before entering their professional careers, said Lynn ReesJones, the marketing director for the Turchin Center. “Students can expect an art experience that is committed to bringing art outside of the Boone area,” said Elle Green, director of the Visitor Center. They added that students can participate in the Arts Corridor that is opening in September as it connects through campus with the unveiling of new sculptures from North Carolina artists. King St. Onion Durham
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The Jones House 4 Schaefer Center for The Performing Arts
“Different iterations of this building have existed and being able to represent those today is something that we are really striving to be,” said Suzanne Livsay, the executive director for the Appalachian Theatre. After being burned down in the 1950s, this theater still serves the public with a range of events from film festivals, live music and plays. Appalachian Theatre is home to Boone Docs Film Festival which celebrates the life of local residents living in the area. “We are hoping to be considered the High Country’s living room,” Livsay said.
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Old-Time Jams at the Jones House
Boone on a budget
The Watauga County Farmers’ Market, located at 591 Horn in the West Drive, is open to the public with free entrance. The market is open every Saturday, April to October, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. and in November from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. According to the market website, the market is home to over 70 vendors each week, and products range from produce to art, plants and plenty of things sure to please all shoppers.
Torri Marshall | Reporter Fall semester event calendar August September 28&272625 3 1185
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Mindful RailroadMomentHeritage Weekend at Tweetsie Railroad
Working Title Farm presents Antlers & Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival. This is a festival where songwriters come to be with like minds and maybe even find some inspiration. From 6 - 11 p.m., explore King and Howard Street to dive into the world of songwriters and music.
Whether a musician or just there for a good jam session, head to The Jones House on King Street. This event is hosted every Thursday from 7-10 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The James Center for Student Success and Advising will host a Mindful Moment meditation session every Friday at 8:30 a.m. Join Mindful Moment to relieve some stress and bring yourself peace of mind through these calming sessions. Head over to Tweetsie Railroad to celebrate Railroad Heritage Weekend. Seeing the historic steam engines at Tweetsie will be a blast from the past and an oldtimey adventure for the weekend. The park will be open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. allowing a full day of fun.
2 Tales at the Hill First Friday Art Crawl App State Football vs. UNC Chapel Hill Antlers and Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festval App State University Women’s Soccier vs. ETSU Blowing Rock Concerts in the Park
Grandfather Mountain Grandfather Mountain State Park is home to several hiking trails, a restaurant and a mile high swinging suspension bridge. The swinging bridge offers views of the surrounding mountains in all directions. The park will celebrate the bridge’s 70th anniversary in September. Grandfather Mountain is one of the pricier items on the list, sitting at $24 per person. Aldo Sarabia
Sunrise Mountain Mini Golf Located on Highway 105 as a part of Sunrise Grill is Sunrise Mountain Mini Golf. This 18-hole mini golf course costs $10 per person. Operating hours are Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. The course is on a hillside outside of Sunrise Grill and because of this, hours are subject to change based on weather conditions. Picnic at Thunder Hill Another way to appreciate the beauty of Boone without having to hike a summit is driving to Thunder Hill Overlook, found at milepost 290.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thunder Hill Overlook offers a panoramic view of the mountains and has a spacious parking lot backed right up to the edge of the overlook. Take advantage of this view by ordering food to-go, grabbing a few friends and heading to the overlook for an evening picnic.
breathtaking lookout where many people take the iconic Rough Ridge picture. A more strenuous hike than Rough Ridge is the Summit Trailat Elk Knob State Park. The 4-mile round trip hike is not for the faint of heart, however it offers incredible views at the summit. A less strenuous, but still lengthy hike is the Flat Top Tower Trail. It is a 5.3 mile out-and-back trail for easy hiking. The trail leads to the summit of Flat Top Mountain where there is a fire tower offering panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Watauga County Farmers’ Market
Every first Friday of the month Mystery Hill holds Tales at the Hill. An event for story lovers of folklore and more. Head over to the Dougherty House at Mystery Hill from 2 - 4 p.m. to hear stories that have been passed down for generations.
Every first Friday of the month from February through December First Friday Art Crawl will be presented by Downtown Boone Development Association. Head on over to the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on King Street or the Mazie Jones Gallery in the Jones House Cultural & Community Center from 5 - 8 p.m. to feast your eyes on the art pieces on display. It’s game day. Try and snag a ticket and head to Kidd Brewer Stadium at noon to support the Mountaineers. Head over to the Appalachian Soccer Stadium at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex to support the Mountaineers who will be playing against ETSU. Join friends, neighbors and locals for an evening at Memorial Park in Blowing Rock. From 4 - 6 p.m. there will be a variety of music and entertainment suitable for friends and family of all ages to enjoy their time.
Briley Turpin | Reporter
For many students, the end of summer may signify the end of fun. But returning to the hustle and bustle of school work each academic year doesn’t mean completely trading in adventures for books and free time for studying. It’s important to get out and do something fun, so why not take advantage of everything Boone has to offer before the eternal winter sets in? Here are five of the best things to do in Boone without breaking the bank. __ Hiking Boone is home to countless hiking trails that can provide hours of free entertainment for visitors and residents of Boone alike. It is easy to get overwhelmed trying to choose which trail to take when there are so many to choose from. There’s a hike for everyone’s skill level. A common place to start is Rough Ridge, a 1.5 mile round trip hike located at milepost 302.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This trail takes hikers to a The Watauga County Farmers’ Market hosted at Horn in the West July 30, 2022. The market has been open since 1974 and offers a variety of snacks, produce and artisan crafts from locals. Currently, tomato season is in full swing.
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The Mountaineers have added players on both sides of the ball as they prepare for another run at the Sun Belt title after losing the 2021 trophy to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. In addition to the freshmen joining the team, several transfer players with veteran experience have committed ahead of next season.
Burger from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, who threw for 6,474 yards and 70 touchdowns during his high school career. Former Texas State quarterback Brady McBride transferred after passing for 3,432 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, finishing with a 4-8 record. The university also added freshman running back Kanye Roberts, who was number one in the nation with 3,511 rushing yards in his senior season. a verbal commitment from a player usually indicates where that player will sign, they are still able to decommit.
INSIDE THE HUDDLE Class of Incoming2022PlayersOmariPhilyaw-FreshmanCBRyanBurger-FreshmanQBBrodrickGooch-FreshmanLBChaseTillman-FreshmanOTDerrellFarrar-FreshmanLBEthanJohnson-FreshmanCBKanyeRoberts-FreshmanLBSantanaHopper-FreshmanDLDonovanSpellman-FreshmanDEDJBurks-FreshmanATHJamesEdwards-FreshmanCBMarkusClark-FreshmanDLKanenHamlett-FreshmanATHJosiahWyatt-FreshmanDLKevinAbrams-Verwayne-FreshmanDEZionKeith-TransferCB(WakeForestUniversity)AhmaniMarshall-TransferRB(WakeForestUniversity)TylerPage-TransferWR(SouthernMethodistUniversity)AndrewParker-TransferLB(UniversityofArkansas)BradyMcBride-TransferQB(TexasStateUniversity)MarcusHaskins-TransferCB(LibertyUniversity)KaedinRobinson-TransferWR(UniversityofCentralFlorida)BuckyWilliams-TransferOL(AustinPeayStateUniversity)
Mountaineers welcome 23 new recruits to the football team
The recruiting class is headlined by defensive lineman Santana Hopper from Shelby, North Carolina. Hopper boasts a .8826 rating on 247Sports, the highest-rated recruit in program history. Former Wake Forest cornerback Zion Keith announced his transfer in December, a move that will increase the veteran experience of the corners on the roster. Three-star defensive end Donovan Spellman from Clayton, North Carolina, is another important addition to the defensive unit, which has added over a dozen new players ahead of the 2022 season. On the offensive side, the Mountaineers added incoming freshman quarterback Ryan
Farewell to ‘22 Players not returning this season Shaun Jolly - DB Donte Small - DB Jahmir Smith - RB Demetrius Taylor - DL Tim Frizzell - OLB Jalen Virgil - WR Madison Cone - DB Kaiden Smith - DB Malik Williams - WR T.D. Roof - ILB Mike Evans - TE Austyn Chestnut - WR Ryan Huff - DB Xavier Subotsch - Punter Gabe Montgomery - RB Baer Hunter - OL D’Marco Jackson - ILB Gage Blackston - OLB Corey Sutton - WR Jacob Huesman - QB Tommy Dawkins Jr. - DL Caleb Spurlin - DL Chandler Staton - Kicker Thomas Hennigan - WR
James Parker | Reporter N early two dozen players have signed or verbally committed to football as a part of the 2022 class of recruits. With several key players such as D’Marco Jackson and Thomas Hennigan departing for the NFL, head coach Shawn Clark and his recruiting staff have recruited a plethora of players for next season.
Although
The university will likely split carries between Noel and Peoples, much like the 2020 season that proved successful for its running game. Harrington will likely receive a higher workload as well should he remain healthy, a feat he has yet to accomplish in his college career due to injuries. Marshall will likely be used to relieve some of Peoples’ workload due to his similar size, and Castle should expect to be used as a utility to the team, taking both offensive and special teams snaps. The university has options with Roberts. The freshman could split second-team snaps with Harrington but the Mountaineers also have the option to redshirt Roberts to save his talent and develop while still maintaining a deep running back room.
W hile many positions are seeing an overhaul, the quarterback position is one of the few similarities to the 2021 team. Redshirt senior quarterback Chase Brice is back to lead the way in his second and final season as a Mountaineer. The Clemson and Duke transfer posted career highs in passing yards and touchdowns with 3,337 yards and 30 total touchdowns. While Brice will maintain the starting role, there’s another transfer coming in to play.
Cameron Burnett | Visual Managing Editor Max Correa Max Correa Courtesy of App State Athletics Aug. 17, 2022
Redshirt freshman wide receivers Coen Sutton, Da’Shawn Brown and Dalton Stroman who haven’t taken the field for the Mountaineers, might get their chance this season.
17 INSIDE THE HUDDLE
Ethan Smith | Reporter
Zach Smith | Reporter Redshirt junior running back Cam Peoples celebrates a touchdown during a 44-10 victory against Elon Sept. 18, 2021. Peoples finished the 2021 season with a team-leading 14 rushing touchdowns.
Redshirt junior quarterback Brady McBride transferred after three years at Texas State University. The Texas native posted 3,423 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over his last two years as a Bobcat. McBride figures to be the backup to Brice for this season and will likely take over the starting spot for the 2023 season. Behind those two are four underclassmen, including a pair of true freshmen in Connor Barry and Ryan Burger. This group will likely be waiting to see the field for a couple years, but the Mountaineers have a deep group of talent at quarterback to develop over the coming years. Redshirt senior quarterback Chase Brice calls for a snap during a 44-10 win over Elon Sept. 18, 2021. Brice finished his first season as a Mountaineer with 3,337 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Christian Wells pulls in a touchdown grab during a 42-7 win over East Tennessee State Aug. 31, 2019. Wells has corralled seven touchdowns over three seasons as a Mountaineer.
Joining the Mountaineers this season is a pair of transfer wide receivers who look to make an immediate impact. Redshirt sophomore Jacoby Pinckney transferred to the High Country in 2020 from Virginia Tech and did not see the field last season. Redshirt sophomore receiver Kaedin Robinson transferred from the University of Central Florida after appearing in two games last season for the Knights. Due to the inexperience of the receiving core, some younger receivers might get some early playing time.
WideRecieversandTightEnds
Offense has traditionally been characterized as a run-first scheme and that could carry over into the 2022 season as new faces join, adding depth to a running back room that features top stars. The Mountaineers return third-year sophomore Nate Noel, 2021 Sun Belt leading rusher, and fifth-year redshirt junior Camerun Peoples, who scored 13 touchdowns in the 2021 campaign, good for joint-lead in the conference. Also returning is a major veteran presence in sixth-year running back Daetrich Harrington, who rushed for over 1,400 yards in his injury-ridden college career. Hometown product Anderson Castle also returns, entering his third season. New additions for the already strong running back room include Kanye Roberts, a freshman from Teachey, Wake Forest transfer Ahmani Marshall and walk-on Bradley Davis.
Despite only being rated a two-star recruit, Roberts dominated in high school. The Wallace Rose-Hill High School product tallied over 7,000 rushing yards in his four-year varsity career, anchored by a 3,500-yard senior campaign.Marshall joins the Mountaineers after two seasons with Wake Forest. The East Forsyth alum rushed for 667 yards in his senior year, capping a 2,200-yard high school career. Marshall earned a three-star rating for his impressive performance.
Sutton is the younger brother of former wide receiver CoreyLeadingSutton.the returning tight ends, senior Henry Pearson enters 2022 after starting in all 11 games last season. Sophomore tight end Eli Wilson and redshirt junior Miller Gibbs round out the main unit. Due to heavy emphasis on running the football, the tight ends will be more utilized as blockers rather than receivers.
RunningQuarterbacksBacks
W ith the departure of four super seniors, the 2022 edition of the Mountaineer receiving core will feature a lot of fresh faces as well as intrigue in who leads this young unit. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Christian Wells leads all returning players in receptions and receiving yards from last season. Wells will likely be the early go-to guy for redshirt senior quarterback Chase Brice. Redshirt sophomore wide receivers Dashaun Davis and Milan Tucker and sophomore receiver Christian Horn look to expand their production with an increase in on-field snaps.
The left guard position is likely to go to another player that started all 14 games for the Mountaineers last year in redshirt junior Damion Daley. Daley is from Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina, and joined the Mountaineers in 2020 where he transferred from Georgia Military College. Daley only allowed one sack in 698 plays last year. The center position is the largest question mark on the offensive line as former captain Baer Hunter finished up his playing career last year, a season in which he was rewarded with first team All-Sun Belt recognition. The position this year is likely to go to redshirt freshman Troy Everett, a former three-star recruit ranked number one offensive guard in the state of Virginia according to 247Sports. Everett appeared in three games for the Mountaineers last year, against Elon, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Louisiana Monroe. For the right guard position, junior Isaiah Helms will likely get the start. Helms, a former transfer from Western Carolina University, played his first minutes with the Mountaineers last year. Helms appeared in 13 games last year and did not allow a single sack. And lastly, the right tackle position should be locked up by redshirt junior Cooper Hodges. Hodges, a former two-star recruit from Baker County High School, has been awarded two second team All-Sun Belt recognitions in 2019 and 2020, and a first team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2021. Hodges started all 14 games for the Mountaineers last season.
Offensive Linemen
18 inside the huddle
Junior linebacker Brendan Harrington points up to the sky in a 27-3 rivalry win November 27, 2021. Harrington finished with 31 tackles and three sacks in his sophomore season.
While the university added a lot of players from the transfer portal and from high school recruiting, the Mountaineer offensive line remains one of the most experienced position groups on the team. Fourteen of the 17 offensive linemen on the roster were a part of last year’s team, and all five of the projected starters were on last year’s roster. The university was a semi-finalist for the Joe Moore Award last season, which annually recognizes the nation’s most outstanding offensive line unit. The award ultimately went to the University of Michigan.
Defensive Line Max Correa Courtesy of App State Athletics Hiatt Ellis Aug. 17, 2022
After losing 2021-22 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and team captain D’Marco Jackson to the NFL Draft, the university returned nine of 14 linebackers on their roster.
Cameron Burnett | Visual Managing Editor
The Mountaineers also retained two key starters from last year, with Nick Hampton returning for his redshirt junior year and Trey Cobb returning for his senior year.
Kurt Zottl | Reporter since he first arrived. Cobb, originally from Ware County High School in Waycross, Georgia, started every game for the Mountaineers in 2020 and 2021, and will start in the 2022 season as well. Cobb was the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2021 to tally at least 75 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and seven passes defended. The inside linebacker position, which was played by D’Marco Jackson last year, is one vacancy that will need to be filled this upcoming season. Senior Tyler Bird will likely start at the position, but Arkansas transfer and redshirt junior Andrew Parker could potentially start as well. Bird, a senior from North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia, has played in 53 career games for the Mountaineers since 2018 and has 62 tackles in that time. A staple on special teams, Bird looks to take the next step for the Mountaineers this year. Parker, originally from Sophie B. Wright High School in New Orleans, was a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2018 to 2021, and has two years of eligibility left. Parker produced 24 tackles for the Razorbacks in his four-year career with the university.
The left tackle position will likely go to redshirt junior Anderson Hardy. Hardy, originally from Sanderson High School in Raleigh, started all 14 games for the Mountaineers last year and was named to the All-Sun Belt third team.
Line Backers
Kurt Zottl | Reporter Junior offensive lineman Isaiah Helms pulls right to block in a 33-19 win over ECU Sept. 2, 2021. Helms started at right guard in 13 appearances during his first season at App State.
Defensive linemen Hansky Paillant and Deandre Dingle-Prince celebrate a takeaway with teammates Trey Cobb and Jalen McLeod in a 31-7 victory over South Alabama Nov 13, 2021.
T he 2022 season will bring a lot of new faces to the trenches for the Mountaineers. Redshirt junior defensive tackle Jordon Earle is the veteran of the group, coming off an All-Sun Belt honorable mention. A pair of sophomores in DeAndre Dingle-Prince and Deshawn McKnight are expected to take a big step for the group after appearing in 14 and 10 games respectively. Redshirt junior Hansky Paillant played as a reserve defensive end in 2021 and finished with 24 tackles. He and others will be expected to lead a defensive line by committee with players like Demetrius Taylor and Caleb Spurlin graduating last spring. The university’s two best recruits of all time according to 247Sports will be freshmen on the defensive line this season. Santana Hopper totaled 84 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 38 tackles for loss as a senior at Shelby High School. Donovan Spellman also had an astounding senior season with 73 tackles, 15 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. As highly-touted recruits, Hopper and Spellman could be playmakers for defensive coordinator Dale Jones to mix in early as Mountaineers.
Hampton is originally from Anderson, South Carolina, and has been a member of the team since 2018, where he appeared in two games that season. Since then, Hampton has played many games for the Mountaineers and was rewarded with third team All-Sun Belt last year. Hampton has totaled 19.5 sacks throughout his career in Boone, which is the most out of any player in the Sun Belt and 12th all-time in university history. Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy wrote on Twitter that Hampton is his “top-graded Sun Belt defender for 2023.” Cobb has been a Mountaineer since 2018, where he appeared in 12 games.
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Hiatt Ellis Courtesy of
Sophomore kicker Michael Hughes executes an onside kick that turned the tides in a 30-27 win over No. 14 Coastal Carolina Oct. 20, 2021. Hughes takes over the place kicking role for 2022.
Ben Gosey | Reporter
Redshirt senior cornerback Steven Jones Jr. low fives teammate Nick Hampton in a 31-7 win over South Alabama Nov. 13, 2021. Jones Jr. leads the secondary after an All-Sun Belt first team season in 2021.
redshirt
S pecial teams will have a revamped look for the 2022 edition of Mountaineer football with some newer faces leading the way on thePastfield.teams have thrived on special teams, and this group looks to be no different. After Chandler Staton’s near-perfect season kicking the football, sophomore Michael Hughes will step into the full-time kicker responsibility after handling kickoffs last season. His most notable moment from last season came during the Mountaineers 30-27 win against Coastal Carolina after he kicked a successful onside kick to help get back in the game. Hughes ranked second in touchbacks in the Sun Belt last season, and the Mountaineers ranked 24th in kickoff efficiency. Redshirt senior Clayton Howell along with redshirt sophomore Conner Maynard will compete for handling punting duties this season, taking over for Xavier Subotsch who started the past three seasons. As the university continues to prepare for the season opener, the defensive backs prepare to once again shut the Sun Belt down. With returning veterans and new young talent, the Mountaineers are ready to follow up their dominant 2021 season. The Mountaineers defense backfield will be led by returning senior Steven Jones Jr. Last season, Jones led the Sun Belt with five interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. Jones was also added to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list, which is awarded to the nation's best Returningcornerback.withJonesis
inside the huddle
Ethan Smith | Reporter
sophomore Milan Tucker. Tucker began last season as a wide receiver before changing to defensive back after injuries riddled the secondary. Tucker has made some waves at the position during spring workouts, getting praise from head coach Shawn Clark early on.
Special Teams
Defensive Backs
The Mountaineers also added a ton of talent, signing transfer Dexter Lawson Jr. The transfer cornerback from Central Connecticut State snagged eight interceptions, 74 tackles and 13 pass breakups for CCSU before moving down the mountain. Both Lawson and Jones were named among the players to watch to make the East-West Shrine Bowl this season. The Mountaineers also signed junior DJ VanHook. VanHook previously played at Long Beach City College in California where he intercepted two passes, had five pass breakups, while totaling 22 tackles. The university added some young impressive defensive talent, with multiple three-star recruits to the program. Among those are freshman Omari Philyaw and Ethan Johnson, who have received early praise for their defensive efforts in spring training after coming to Boone through early enrollment. The Mountaineers are looking to replace some big shoes with Shaun Jolly departing from the program last season. Jolly earned first team All-Sun Belt honors all three seasons, totaling six interceptions, 25 pass breakups, 112 tackles and two forced fumbles with the Mountaineers. The Cleveland Browns signed Jolly as an undrafted free agent where he is now fighting for a roster spot as NFL training camps begin. The Mountaineers defensive backs hope to continue their dominance against new opponents in 2022. They will be tested early in the season against power five schools in North Carolina and Texas A&M, before facing the newest Sun Belt additions James Madison, Marshall and Old Dominion. Subotch helped the university rank in the top 25 for punt yards return. Howell appeared in all 14 games last season as the primary holder on kicks and delivered the first punt in a 59-38 loss against Western Kentucky in last season’s Boca Raton Bowl. Maynard has not appeared yet for the Mountaineers. The past few seasons, Mountaineer fans saw former receiver Jalen Virgil amaze on special teams often returning kicks to good starting field position or even all the way to the endzone. Opponents even began kicking away from him to avoid a devastating play. Last season, Virgil returned two kicks for a score against Miami and on senior day versus rival Georgia Southern. This season will likely feature redshirt sophomore Milan Tucker taking over as the primary kick returner. Last season, he was second with seven returns totaling 149 yards. Tucker may also see time at punt returner. App
State Athletics Aug. 17, 2022
Mountaineers host Tar Heels for football season opener
T he university kicks off its 2022 football season against North Carolina in Kidd Brewer Stadium Sept. 3. The Mountaineers and Tar Heels have met twice before, splitting the two matchups. North Carolina won 56-6 in 1940, while the university secured a 34-31 victory in 2019. The Sept. 3 matchup will be the Tar Heels’ first ever trip to Boone. Both teams begin the 2022 season with uncertainty at positions that were occupied by school record-setters for the past several years. The wide receiver position will be the largest question mark heading into the coming year for the Mountaineers after four long-time receivers departed the program following 2021. Former Mountaineers Thomas Hennigan, Corey Sutton, Jalen Virgil and Malik Williams accounted for 188 receptions and 21 receiving App State football head coach Shawn Clark leads his team into Kidd Brewer Stadium for the first time during his second season in the role Sept. 18, 2021. Clark opens his third season as the Mountaineer head coach in 2022 against North Carolina. Dan Davidson | Sports Editor touchdowns last season. In terms of production, the Black and Gold return just 58 receptions and six receiving touchdowns from last year’s squad. Sophomore receivers Dashaun Davis, Christian Horn and Christian Wells will likely lead the effort in replacing the lost production in the receiving game. Senior tight end Henry Pearson, junior tight end Miller Gibbs and sophomore tight end Eli Wilson will also provide targets for Brice in 2022. The trio of tight ends combined for 22 receptions and three touchdowns last season.Theuniversity returns redshirt senior quarterback Chase Brice, redshirt junior running back Camerun Peoples and sophomore running back Nate Noel, a trio that accounted for 48 of 55 touchdowns scored on the offensive end in 2021. Four of five starters on the offensive line also return to Boone for the 2022 season. On the defensive end, the Mountaineers welcome back 14 players that finished the 2021 season with double-digit total tackles. Senior linebacker Trey Cobb racked up 75 total tackles in 14 games in 2021, also picking off three passes. The Georgia native ranked second on the team in total tackles and interceptions. First on the team in interceptions was redshirt senior defensive back Steven Jones Jr., who returns for another season after coming away with five picks for three touchdowns last year. Returning redshirt junior linebacker Nick Hampton accumulated 69 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks, while junior linebacker Brendan Harrington finished with 31 tackles, including five tackles for loss in 13 games.Redshirt junior defensive lineman Jordon Earle will anchor the defensive line after the graduation of former Mountaineers Demetrius Taylor and Caleb Spurlin. Earle played in all 14 games last year, forcing five quarterback hurries and completing 21 tackles.
INSIDE THE HUDDLE 20 Max Correa Aug. 17, 2022
Shawn Clark enters his third year as the head coach of the Black and Gold, holding a 20-7 overall record since earning the job in late 2019. Clark’s contract was extended through the 2026 season after leading the Mountaineers to a 10-4 record in 2021. North Carolina enters the new season without former quarterback Sam Howell, who was drafted by the Washington Commanders after setting numerous school records in Chapel Hill. One of Jacolby Criswell or Drake Maye will likely replace Howell as the starting quarterback, neither of which saw major action in 2021. Both quarterbacks attempted a pass in just two games last season. Criswell finished with 13 completions on 21 attempts, good for 179 yards and one touchdown. Maye concluded the season with seven completions, 89 passing yards and one touchdown. The Tar Heels return one of the nation’s top receivers in Josh Downs. Downs set school records for catches and receiving yards in a season last year, finishing with 101 receptions and 1,335Northyards.Carolina struggled in many areas in 2021, racking up the most penalties and allowed sacks in the ACC, but the Tar Heels have the talent to improve in 2022. After hauling in three consecutive top-15 recruiting classes, North Carolina is loaded with young talent. Head coach Mack Brown also hired defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, who served as the defensive coordinator in Chapel Hill from 20152016 and was Brown’s co-defensive coordinator on the 2005 national champion Texas Longhorns team. The Tar Heels begin their season with a home contest against FCS opponent Florida A&M Aug. 27. The highly-anticipated Labor Day weekend matchup between the
INSIDE THE HUDDLE Photo courtesy of App
| Reporter Ben Brady | Reporter Kurt Zottl | ReporterKurtKK
F or 60 years, Kidd Brewer Stadium, also known as “The Rock,” has become one of the most intimidating venues for opposing football programs to compete in, with the Mountaineers compiling a 263-77-5 record, according to App State Sports. This includes victories in 109 of the team’s last 128 home games.Opened Sept. 15, 1962, in Boone and originally named Conrad Stadium, the stadium was previously named after former university trustee and R.J. Reynolds executive, William J. Conrad. It was originally designed with just 10,000 seats, according to App State Sports, but has increased massively in seats. The stadium has of 30,000 and has seated up to 35,126 people in 2017 when Wake Forest visited Boone, and 31,061 just this past season against Coastal Carolina. In 1979, Conrad Stadium was rebuilt, and in 1988, Conrad Stadium was renamed Kidd Brewer Stadium in honor of former coach and athletic director Kidd Brewer. An All-American quarterback at Duke before his hiring, Brewer began his coaching tenure in 1935 and remained head coach through the 1938 season, according to the Appalachian Football 2009 Media Guide. Serving as both coach and athletic director, Brewer established his legacy within the program in the 1937 season as his Mountaineers outscored their opponents 2060, finishing the regular season Over his four-year coaching stint, Brewer’s Mountaineers accumulated a 30-5-3 record, including postseason games.Brewer departed from coaching to enlist in the United States Navy during World War II and served as secretary and assistant to United States Senators Josiah Bailey and William B. Umstead. In the 1950’s, Brewer amassed wealth by owning land used for roads and urban development. Brewer began a political career in 1956, filing to run for lieutenant governor and finishing third in a field of five nominees. In 1963, Brewer was convicted of bid rigging for paying highway commision engineers to rig specifications in favor of the companies he worked for, according Brewer completed just four months of his sentence before his release and in 1964, he ran for governor unsuccessfully. His last attempt at politics came in 1968, when he ran unsuccessfully for the North Carolina Court of Appeals against Raymond Mallard, the judge who charged Brewer for bid rigging, according to the Star-News. Three years after the stadium was renamed in his honor, Brewer died of lung cancer at age 83. Many renovations have been made to this stadium, including the rebuilding of the stadium in 1979. In 1995, the stadium added 10,000 seats, which increased its overall capacity to 16,650.In2006, the former press box area was removed to build a 100,000 square foot stadium complex. The state of the art complex, which can be found on the north end zone side of the stadium, includes athletic training facilities, locker rooms, meeting spaces and more. In the fall of 2021, Kidd Brewer Stadium added a plaza and statue to honor former head coach Jerry Moore next to the stadium complex listed above. Moore led the Mountaineers to three straight national championships, winning all three of them, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Kidd Brewer Stadium has been the home of football games since 1962, and has hosted other events like a Luke Combs concert in 2021, a Dierks Bentley concert in 2012, a Mary Chapin Carpenter concert back in 1999, and more. State
Who is Kidd Brewer?
Kurt Zottl
Volleyball set to return with new look
A new era is upon the Mountaineers as the volleyball season opener closes in. The university is excited to kick off the new season after hiring Sarah Rumely Noble as its new head coach. “I want to build a culture of excellence,” Noble said. “We are going to chase great every day.” Noble comes in as a former assistant coach and recruiter, most recently at Louisiana State University, where she is credited in bringing in the programs top 25-ranked recruiting classes, along with speeding up offenses across the nation. Noble was just as talented as a player, becoming the University of Kentucky’s all time leading setter, leading the Wildcats to four straight NCAA Tournaments and being inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. “I think my journey at Kentucky has been a big reason that I am excited about this job,” Noble said. “Going to four NCAA Tournaments is a very, very Volleyball head coach Sarah Rumely Noble poses with Athletic Director Doug Gillin at her introductory press conference for App State Jan. 20, 2021. Courtesy of App State Athletics Ben Gosey
The Mountaineers have an actionpacked schedule, opening up the season with four tournaments, most notably the Mountaineer Classic. In the home opener, the team will welcome Texas A&M Commerce, Furman and Presbyterian for their first home games of the season Sept. 9-10. The Black and Gold follow up with conference play, opening against Sun Belt newcomer James Madison University before playing rival Coastal Carolina University. Later in the season, the Mountaineers host Sun Belt newcomers Marshall University before traveling to play Old Dominion University. The Mountaineers will close out the season with a stretch of home games against Georgia Southern and Louisiana University. “I am really excited,” Noble said. “I think the new teams coming into the Sun Belt … it is going to make it more competitive than it already is, and the expectations are high.”
I want to build
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The Mountaineers do have some challenges in front of them after losing a ton of talent with outside hitter Victoria Wilform and libero Emma Reilly graduating from the program. Noble has begun replacing them with two signings earlier in the year. Junior transfer outside hitter Cierra Huntley and true freshman libero Kenady Roper join the Mountaineers in 2022. Huntley transferred from Virginia Tech after appearing in 16 matches, starting seven. She recorded 18 kills, 18 aces and 95 digs. In high school, the North Carolina native was a four-time letterwinner, an all-state athlete and was named 2019 Foothills Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She is also joining her brother, CJ Huntley, Mountaineer basketball player. Roper joins the Mountaineers as a true freshman after a very impressive high school career, posting over 1,600 digs over her career. She earned four All-Conference selections, 2018 and 2021 Defensive MVP nods and 2021 Mountain Foothills and 2A Conference a culture Sarah Rumley Noble “
22 Player of the Year accolades. “I love to recruit athletes that I can continue to train into volleyball players,” Noble said. “Volleyball players that have their best volleyball in the future.”
The team is excited to hit the court and show fans what the Mountaineer team truly is. They want fans to pack the stands to see some high energy, competitive volleyball. “We are going to work hard to give them a product to be proud of,” Noble said. “That they want to be a part of as we build this and as we go.” quick turnaround that doesn’t happen very often in that way, and I am excited to work to build that here.”
The team announced their upcoming schedule for the 2022-23 season where the team looks to be competitive in the Sun Belt again after multiple losing seasons. “Year one I really want to push and be in that top half of the league and find ways to win,” Noble said. “The expectations are we are winning the league and getting into the NCAA Tournament.”
| Reporter
• COIN coming to Raleigh Sept. 30
• Lizzo coming to Charlotte Oct. 28
“Mark your calendars for these upcoming concerts this semester:”
• King Princess coming to Charlotte Sept. 28
23 Summer 2022 was jam-packed with new albums, binge-worthy TV, box office favorites and trends that didn’t disappoint, but don’t worry, there’s a lot to look forward to this fall. Whether you’re still playing “Harry’s House” by Harry Styles on repeat or pretending you never heard Drake’s “Honestly, Nevermind,” you can look forward to some speculated releases coming in the fall. Expect releases from Noah Cyrus, Tove Lo, Yungblud, The 1975 and more artists who have not yet announced their Nadine Jallal | Associate Opinion Editor Summer round-up upcoming releases. If you’re still loving the music released this summer, buy some concert tickets to see your favorite artists perform their new hits live during this fall semester. North Carolina is bustling with upcoming concerts in Raleigh, Charlotte and more cities a drive away from Boone. Mark your calendars for these upcoming concerts this semester: Giveon coming to Charlotte Aug. 28 Lil Durk & Friends coming to Greensboro Sept. 24 King Princess coming to Charlotte Sept. 28 COIN coming to Raleigh Sept. 30 Panic! At The Disco coming to Raleigh Oct. 2 Greta Van Fleet coming to Charlotte Oct. 28 Lizzo coming to Charlotte Oct. 28 This summer’s movie scene brought people back into theaters and revitalized the industry after the pandemic halted its success. Movies like “Top Gun: Maverick” saw huge success and ignited a frenzy over actor Miles Teller, who was all the rage in the early summer. “Elvis” entered theaters not long after “Top Gun: Maverick” and Austin Butler, who plays Elvis himself, replaced Teller as this summer’s favorite actor. “Elvis” gave us a new actor to rave about on TikTok as well as a catchy new Doja Cat song from the soundtrack called “Vegas.”Thesummer’s movie hits don’t stop there. “Minions: Rise of Gru” took the country by storm and broke the record for most successful July 4 movie opening of all time. The secret to the movie’s success was a trend pushed by Gen Z on social media to attend the movie in formal attire — as “gentleminions.” A lighthearted trend and inside joke among young people proved to be instrumental in the movie’s success. Another Gen Z-led trend is sure to take the entertainment industry by storm again in the fall season of new releases. Among those new releases is Olivia Wilde’s highly anticipated film, “Don’t Worry Darling.” The star-studded cast includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine and Olivia Wilde herself. The film is set to hit theaters Sept. 23. So while you may not be streaming Styles’ summer album this fall, he will surely still be on your screen as an actor instead. Streaming services pushed out several returning fan favorites this summer including season 4 of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” season 2 of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” and more. New shows made strong debuts this summer including Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Binge-worthy TV will continue to come out throughout the fall semester whenever a study break is needed. Look out for new seasons of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Abbott Elementary” and more. Not to mention, there are likely releases that have not been announced that are yet to come. A fall season of releases from the entertainment industry is sure to provide everything from the soundtrack to your fall semester to perfect shows and movies that will inspire binge-watching parties with friends.Aug. 17, 2022
HitDirtyNetflix,Records,ColumbiaShuttershock,ofcourtesyPhotos
• Giveon coming to Charlotte Aug. 28
• Greta Van Fleet coming to Charlotte Oct. 28
• Panic! At The Disco coming to Raleigh Oct. 2
• Lil Durk & Friends coming to Greensboro Sept. 24
The Appalachian Appalachian State University’s student-run news publication since 1934 or visit us online www.theappalachianonline.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter @TheAppalachian