Paul Sherar - Chief Photographer

In an attempt to recreate the kind of excitement seen during last season’s men’s opener against the University of North Carolina, the ASU Athletics Department and SGA organized the First Annual Basketball Indoor Tailgate Extravaganza.

Basketball season begins with First Annual B.I.T.E.

Andy Morris - Sports Beat

The Appalachian State University Department of Athletics and the Student Government Association (SGA) are organizing an indoor, pre-game tailgate party to get students excited about Mountaineer basketball.

The two groups will host the party on Monday at 5 p.m. in Varsity Gymnasium.

The event will offer free hot dogs and hamburgers as well as appearances by the pep band and Mountaineer cheerleaders.

Students will be able to sign up for the Mountaineer Maniacs fan club and create posters to take to the men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. against East Carolina University in the George M. Holmes Convocation Center.

“We want to increase the excitement [of students toward Appalachian basketball] on campus,” said Marsha Moore, SGA director of external affairs. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to get more people to come to the game.”

Attendance at Appalachian basketball remains dismal, and Moore said she attributes part of the problem to the location of the games.

“The [Holmes] Center is on the other side of campus and when the games were in Varsity Gym, people could just walk by, hear the crowd and go watch the game,” she said. “But with the sign in front of the [Holmes] Center, I think more students are going to come to the games.”