If you’ve ever been to a football game at Appalachian, you’ve most likely seen this week’s celeb…he’s pretty hard to miss. Davis Inman, a senior Physical Education major, has become an icon at App State in his four years here for shaving the Appalachian “A” in to his back hair. We sat down with him to learn a little more about the face that belongs to the legendary back.
Q: When and why did you decide to shave the “A” in to your back?
A: I won the superlative “Most School Spirit” in high school after I shaved my football number in to my back for Homecoming and it was a hit with the crowd so its been a tradition ever since. Plus, the “A” logo is really easy to shave.
Q: What is a typical game day like for you?
A: I get my roommate to trim the “A” and make sure it looks nice and then go tailgate on Duck Pond. I usually go in to the games an hour and a half early to get my front seat at the 25 yard line…it’s prime Jumbotron positioning. I get a lot of people wanting to take pictures during the game too.
Q: What have been the best benefits of having the “A?”
A: Needtobreathe called me up on stage during their concert last year. That’s one of my favorite memories of college. I got to hug Bear Rinehart (the lead singer of Needtobreathe.) And then Corey Smith gave me a shoutout from stage during his concert two years ago and followed me on twitter (@asuhairyguy.) Once I got a giftcard to Mast General Store for wearing the “A” at a home basketball game.
Q: Your back has had a lot of media time. Where are some of the places you’ve been featured?
A: I’ve been on ESPN a couple times. I was ranked number one and featured as the thumbnail picture on SportsIllustrated.com for the Top 25 College Superfans list. I was the Geico “Fan of the Game” for FoxSports South too. I’m always on the Jumbotron and in pictures. I got to take pictures with Pat McRory and Chancellor Peacock. I even saw a car tailgating last week that had a huge banner with a picture of my back.
Q: Do people recognize you around campus?
A: Some people do. Not a lot of people know my face, just my back.
Q: How else are you involved on campus when you’re not at the games?
A: I go to Cru. I’m a Physical Education major so I’m involved with a lot of things through that like teaching PE to homeschooled kids.
Q: You’re a senior. Do you plan on passing down the tradition?
A: I would be glad to if I can find someone with the amount of back hair that I have. That’s a little hard to come by.
Q: Will you and the original “A” make any appearances at games after you graduate?
A: I want to, definitely Homecoming at least.
Q: Are you happy with the reputation you’ve gained at App?
A: Yes, absolutely. My motto is “if you’ve got it, you might as well use it.”