1. Yosef
Yosef is the Appalachian State mascot who originally appeared in the school’s yearbook as a freshman in 1942. The name Yosef comes from the mountain speak word for “yourself.” He is a unique mix of scruffy and cuddly as he was created more in the vain of an Appalachian farmer than that of a pioneer like Daniel Boone. Keep an eye out for Yosef as you wouldn’t want to miss him during your trip to Boone.
2. Banners
You’ll find several banners hanging above the court at the Holmes Center. The banners celebrate all of the Mountaineers conference championships and their two NCAA Tournament appearances, so take them all in when attending an App State basketball game.
3. Appalachian State-Davidson Rivalry
The Davidson Wildcats are the Mountaineers biggest rivals. The rivalry stems from the proximity of the two schools, which are separated by less than 100 miles. The two schools have met over 70 times on the hardwood, so don’t miss your chance to see the Mountaineers take on the Wildcats.
4. Pep Band
The App State pep band keeps the energy high inside the Holmes Center with their tunes and is a big part of any Mountaineers basketball game. The band plays a variety of schools songs including “Hi Hi Yikas,” so enjoy their performance throughout the game.
5. Student Section
Unlike some schools that stick the student section at one end of the court, Appalachian State puts the loudest fans in attendance right at midcourt. The location of the student section makes them impossible to ignore, so enjoy the cheers and chants coming from the student section when attending a game at the Holmes Center.
6. Appalachian State-Georgia Southern Rivalry
Georgia Southern is Appalachian State’s biggest rival on the gridiron, and there is no love lost between these two on the hardwood either. The Mountaineers and Eagles flat out don’t like each other meaning you’ll be in for a good matchup whenever Appalachian State and Georgia Southern square off.
7. Cheerleaders
The App State cheerleaders get the crowd pumped up with their routines. If you’re an App State or neutral fan, then join in the cheers to get the most out of your visit to Boone.
8. Appalachian State-Western Carolina Rivalry
The Mountaineers and Catamounts met almost every year from 1928 to 2014. However, the rivalry remained dormant following the Mountaineers move to the Sun Belt. You’ll be in for a treat whenever these two former conference rivals clash, so make sure to get tickets when Western Carolina comes to Boone.
