Lack of class

[UNIAlum95]

Wow, I've rarely been embarrased by the actions of others, but the celebration by the ASU fans was really sad. I've never been flipped off by 40-50 year old men before. The whole display on the part of a minority of their fans was really sad and told me everything I need to know about them. We met and talked with plenty of nice folks here to support their team, but to watch 50+ people walk over to the UNI sideline and make incredibly obsence gestures was incredibly over the top. Also heard the purple pansies (original ) and other more obsene versions. Truely sad as it took a lot of the respect I had for the team's performance away. I hate to make generalizations but I have to say that EWU & TxSt fans are all class. It seems that the east coast schools (i.e. UNH & ASU) fans have no idea what class is about.

To end on a positive note, this team is all heart and I couldn't be more proud to be a panther.

[IssacBrock]

Don't let this become your opinion of Appalachian State. I GUARENTEE you that some of the UNI fans would have done the same thing had UNI won. It was an exciting moment and some people lose their heads. Let's not undermine UNI's tremendous effort this year by pointing fingers at other programs. I thought Appalachian State was a classy bunch, and what more could you expect from a branch of the Hayden Fry College Football Coaching Dominance Network.

Edit: That last sentence probably sounded wrong. What I meant was that Appalachian was classy. I didn't mean that Hayden Fry had no class or that Appalachian had no class. I basically intended to compliment Fry and Appalachian State.

[UNIAlum95]

First I stated this was a minority, but it does cause me to lose respect. I don't know any grown men that would behave in the manor I just witnessed. Others will back me up on this when they are able to get on line, it was both appalling and embarrassing. If I had my child with me during this display, I would have rushed her to the door. Every team has fans that don't represent well, but this was beyond that. It's called winning with CLASS and the ASU fans couldn't handle it.

[IssacBrock]

I still say they're a a class bunch. In any case, let's be classy losers and not point fingers at Appalachian State.

[Uncle TubaCat]

I also heard a variation of the Purple Pansies wich was worse to which I responded, "I'm sorry to hear you can't get any."

Also had a bunch of ASU students get in my face, I just offered my hand to congratulate them on the title and you could just see the air go right out of the balloon.

Still a great time in Chattannooga. But they really need to work on the PA system.

[trojans2176]

I also heard a variation of the Purple Pansies wich was worse to which I responded, "I'm sorry to hear you can't get any."

Also had a bunch of ASU students get in my face, I just offered my hand to congratulate them on the title and you could just see the air go right out of the balloon.

Still a great time in Chattannooga. But they really need to work on the PA system.

I am a parent of an ASU player. The vast majority of the ASU program which includes employees, coaches, players, students and fans are great people. I am sorry several of you had to experience some of the remainder.

Your post reminds me of how my father-in-law used to tell us the best way to handle problems/situations is "to kill them with kindness". I seems you did and you got the appropriete response.

Congratulations on a fine season, a fine school, a fine team and great fans.

[trojans2176]

First I stated this was a minority, but it does cause me to loose respect. I don't know any grown men that would behave in the manor I just witnessed. Others will back me up on this when they are able to get on line, it was both appalling and embarrassing. If I had my child with me during this display, I would have rushed her to the door. Every team has fans that don't represent well, but this was beyond that. It's called winning with CLASS and the ASU fans couldn't handle it.

I am sorry for your experience. It is just not "winning with CLASS" that we need to stress it is "ACTING WITH CLASS AT ALL TIMES". Some of the language I hear at every event is not "family rated". I don't know why a few are so inconsiderate of those in their surroundings...

My parents always told me that if I made my decisions based on how proud I was of them I wouldn't make many bad ones.

[5panthers]

Being part of this Panther 1st (of many to come) Championship game was a fantastic experience. There was a great excitement surround this game and was such a high to see so many Panther fans make the trip to Chattanooga!

Way to go Panther Nation!

As I reflected back (during our 12 hour ride home) on the game and the topic of class/sportsmanship I wanted to make comments about the fans in attendance at the game.

First, we met and sat with a lot of "impartial" Chattanooga folks...they were great people and very knowledgeable about 1-AA football and the two teams! At the end we had converted most to "Panther Fans" but they were very appreciative of the game, the two teams, and the fan support we had shown.

When APS made that last first down to end the Cats chances for its first national championship, it was that erie silence on our side. But we stayed...very few (if anyone that I saw) left that game. Even as the horn sounded and we watched APS celebrate...very few of the Panther fans left that stadium. Yes part of it was the disappointment of coming so close, but it was also a show of respect to our team and our effort, but also to the APS team for its victory and national championship. Like with the players staying on the field at the end...you win and lose with class.

I wanted to note that I too was initally dismayed by this show of tastless acts on the field toward the Panther fans...I would hope any celebration of a championship is WITH and FOR your team not AGAINST the other. I know that we stayed to watch a celebration...not be tauted by their fans. HOWEVER, I wanted to say that overall I had many positive interactions with the APS fans and their spirit for their team. Most every fan we came across in the Pavillion area was respectful to us and just enthusiastic for their team and accomplishments like they should be during this high energy/emotion game.

Congratulations to APS for their victory...and Panther Nation should be proud of this team for its run of victories and accomplishments on the field, as well as the way it represents the University of Northern Iowa.

This will not be the last and only time for the Cats in the National Championship...the FB team has set a tone that will last for many more years to come.

Now its time to start thinking about the BB game tonight at 7:00 in the Dome and looking forward to Championship success by Mac and his players!

[GoCats05]

My 2 cents worth--I was VERY impressed with the number of fans that were in Chattanooga! I knew people would come crawling out of the woodwork and jump on the Panther Bandwagon. That's OK!! Hopefully a few of those will continue to be Panther Fans. Between this football game and the number of students at the Iowa BB game, I think a lot of people have been converted. It's been a great month for Panther athletics. Now lets get both BB teams rockin' and rollin' and have each win the conference title for the regular season!!

[B.True]

the only app state chant that really ticked me off was one that went on in the 2nd half.....a large group was chanting "F@*K T.C." for about 30 seconds.....our mascot wasn't egging them on either, just standing and mascoting along with the cheer team......

[JCPanthers]

If I had my child with me during this display, I would have rushed her to the door. Every team has fans that don't represent well, but this was beyond that. It's called winning with CLASS and the ASU fans couldn't handle it.

I DID have my children there and when the idiot in the pink cow or pig costume came over to our crowd and swung his pig genitalia it made me sick. That was the worst display of sportsmanship or lack there of that I have ever seen. It's too bad that a few hundred or so of your loser fans had to ruin what App. State accomplished.

I hope that after we win the National Championship next year that our fans remember the lack of sportsmanship that a few of the App. State fans displayed and prove to some of the App St. posters that our fans would not act like the total losers that we witnessed last night and win with class.

What a ride we have had....I am so proud of this team and what they accomplished...it's a great day to be a Panther.

[JCPanthers]

Oh and another thing...I heard from a UNI fan that informed me that some of the App. State fans were arrested for cutting up some of the field turf after the game. They apparently wanted a souvenier...NICE!!!

[Blue42]

As is usually the case, I had mixed experience with Appy fans. Talked to a few before the game and they were friendly. But the section of student-aged fans on the east end zone of the UNI side carried on most the game like they were raised in a hog lot. They were yelling obsceneties and flipping the bird to the UNI fans across the aisle pretty much all night. The only thing that quieted them down was the fact that UNI held the lead most the game.

After the game there were a lot of student-aged Appy fans who came in front of the UNI crowd and taunted with obscene gestures and such. There were a lot of words and some foreign objects exchanged over the wall, and had some police officers not come over, it could have gotten out of hand. In fact, one UNI fan did finally get pissed enough to jump down and knock one Appy guy to the ground. Obviously that's not the right thing to do, but I have to say having been there I don't blame him. At that moment it was hard to hold back.

The UNI crowd was pretty keyed up before the game in the pavillion area, and there were probably a couple things that some Appy fans might have taken issue with. It was a big night and there was a lot of emotion and plenty of Bud Light. That said, I really don't think you would see that kind of taunting of the crowd by UNI fans. Fortunately last night it was eventually dispersed before things got worse.

[APPJackSparrow1]

I wanted to apologize for the lack of class that certain ASU fans showed last night.Most of us were excited for our team and celebrated with the players,but a few made fools of themselves.As a junior at App,its embarassing to be represented in this way by a few.I want to stress that the actions of a few should not be mistaken for our institution as a whole.As a whole,you guys were great.I talked to several of you guys and enjoyed it.There were a few UNI folks who showed a lack of class as well.One UNI fan blocked a band member of ours marching out of the pavilion and stood toe to toe taunting her with his friends laughing.I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and congrats on a great season guys.

[uni1988]

Congrats on the win AppJack. You have an outstanding football team. It's sad that a few bad apples, on both sides, have to cause trouble and bring shame to their schools.