How did CCU respond to App State football fans who threw trash after historic Chants win?
A Coastal Carolina University spokesperson responded to the actions of rowdy Appalachian State fans following the Chants win this week. The incident has gained national attention.
After a walk-off field goal sealed the win for the Chants against App State Tuesday, Oct. 13, social media users posted several videos of Mountaineers fans throwing objects and obscenities at CCU as they left the field.
“Everyone knows that this series has become a very intense and colorful rivalry,” CCU Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations for Football Rixon Lane said in a statement. “Unfortunately, sometimes the actions of individuals can go beyond the scope of a rivalry even one as intense as this. Ultimately, our student-athletes, coaches and staff were able to safely make their way to our locker room and celebrate a great victory.”
In a statement for App State Athletics, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications for Football Joey Jones said the lack of decorum at the end of the game by some Mountaineers fans was not ideal.
“App State Athletics takes pride in providing an exceptional experience for all visitors,” Jones said in a statement via email. “It’s unfortunate that the behavior of a few attendees is reflecting poorly on what overall was a fun and positive fan experience.”
CCU’s players also responded to the Mountaineers faithful while they left the field after the game.
CCU quarterback Grayson McCall waved bye to the crowd and taunted fans as they hurled trash and insults at him and his teammates.
Coastal offensive lineman Evan Jumper went viral for his reaction to some App State fans’ poor sportsmanship, as he took a victorious swig from a beverage thrown onto the field by a Mountaineer loyalist.
The original video has more than 223,000 views, and national publications like Sports Illustrated and Barstool Sports wrote about Jumper’s celebration.
CCU has dominated the rivalry since McCall became a full-time starting quarterback in 2020. In the previous four meetings, the Chants have won three times, Jumper’s drink serving as the final reminder of the state of the feud.
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 12:04 PM.
