Mountaineers loaded again, reflect on ESPY experience

Three-time defending champion Appalachian State had its football media day Saturday, and it quickly became apparent that despite the loss of a number of key seniors including wide receiver Dexter Jackson and defensive back Corey Lynch, the Mountaineers will be loaded again.
This was a relaxed day, though, and longtime coach Jerry Moore got to talking about the Appalachian State party’s recent trip to the ESPY Awards, where the Mountaineers were up for biggest upset of the year.
“First of all, I saw more little black dresses than I’ve ever seen in my life,” Moore said as laughter rippled through the room. “For a guy from a little town in east Texas, it was earth-shattering.”
Moore said he had a feeling the New York Giants would win the award for their Super Bowl upset when he saw “about 16 Giants in the audience.” And New York did win. “New York out-voted Boone.”
The TV suits had told the Mountaineers that dress for the event would be “California chic.”
“I took two suits, a tux…and went to buy another coat when I got there,” Moore said. “California chic; I didn’t know what that meant exactly. What it really amounts to is, you don’t button your shirt.”
Then Moore got serious.
“It was a great experience, it was a first-class presentation and a lot of fun,” he said. “I wish our whole football team—120 guys—could have walked down that red carpet with us.”

STAN OLSON