North Miami-Dade News

Ryan Fyffe goes to football games at his alma mater, Florida State, whenever he can or watches them on TV with other alumni. He would, however, value an enhanced virtual experience that an app could provide.

Optimal features – to make the app almost as good as being at the game or in front of a big screen – would be a combination of tailgate, games, Jumbotron views, highlight reels, photo-sharing and smack talking.

“All those would be really cool for the virtual fan experience,” said Fyffe, who lives in Miami and tries to catch games with fellow alums there and in Tallahassee whenever possible.

As noted by Louisiana State graduate student Theodore Greener in his 2011 master’s thesis on college sports enthusiasts and media consumption, fandom can resemble an occupation that people choose to pursue based on personality, interests, internal drive and external factors.

Although Florida State hasn’t been doing well this year (2-6 overall), Fyffe hasn’t wavered as a fan. With the COVID-19 pandemic curtailing in-person get-togethers, Fyffe says something akin to what the NBA did with late-season and playoff games would be a welcome addition to college game days, especially with bowl season fast approaching.

“Anything that is interactive – that would make you feel like you are part of the game – would be a great app feature,” Fyffe told North Miami-Dade News. “Also, running stats like on cable networks and different camera angles – something that would be a little more exclusive than what you are seeing on the TV screen itself.”

Fyffe noted that his college roommate, who lives in San Francisco, also would welcome an app that could provide the game-day experience.

“It’s rare that he can come to a game, and they have an alumni association out there but it’s not anywhere near what we have here,” Fyffe said. “Going forward, and not just because of the pandemic, just an interesting and one-of-a-kind type tech would be a great benefit to enhance the game day experience virtually.”