West Virginia Mountaineers | |
University | West Virginia University |
---|---|
Conference(s) | Big East |
NCAA | Division I |
Athletics director | Oliver Luck |
Location | Morgantown, WV |
Varsity teams | 17 |
Football stadium | Mountaineer Field |
Basketball arena | WVU Coliseum |
Baseball stadium | Hawley Field |
Mascot | The Mountaineer |
Nickname | Mountaineers |
Fight song | Hail, West Virginia (official) Take Me Home, Country Roads (unofficial) |
Colors | Gold and Blue [1]
|
Homepage | www.msnsportsnet.com |
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. The school's mascot is known as the Mountaineer. The two major sports at the university are football (played at the Mountaineer Field) and basketball (played at the WVU Coliseum), although many of the other sports have large followings as well. The West Virginia University athletic program also has the honor of being the only school in the nation in 2007 to win a BCS game, a NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game, and a NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament game.[2]
The fight song for the Mountaineers is "Hail, West Virginia". "Take Me Home, Country Roads", a popular song by John Denver which salutes the state of West Virginia, is also played at many athletic events, including all football and basketball games.
Baseball
- Playing Facility: Hawley Field (1,500)
- Head Coach: Greg Van Zant
- Most Victories: 40 in 1994
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 22
- Last NCAA Appearance: 1996
- All-Americans: 20
- Drafted Players: 63
- Players In The Majors: 62
Men's basketball
- Playing Facility: WVU Coliseum (14,000)
- Head Coach: Bob Huggins
- Most Victories: 31 in 2010
- Big East Conference Champion: 2010
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 23
- Last NCAA Appearance: 2010
- NCAA Final Four: 1959, 2010
- NIT Appearances: 15
- Last NIT Appearance: 2007
- NIT Championships: 2 (1942, 2007)
- All-Americans: 13
- Drafted Players: 28
- Players In The NBA: 11
Women's basketball
- Playing Facility: WVU Coliseum (14,000)
- Head Coach: Mike Carey
- Most Victories: 29 in 2010
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 6
- WNIT Appearances: 2
- Last NCAA Appearance: 2010
- All-Americans: 3
- Drafted Players: 2
- Players In The WNBA: 1
Cross country
- Head Coach: Sean Cleary
- BIG EAST Conference Champions: 2007
- NCAA Appearances: 4
- Last NCAA Appearance: 2008
- All-Americans: 6
Football
- Stadium: Mountaineer Field
- Head coach: Bill Stewart
- Conference: Big East
- All-time record: 691–453–45 (.600)
- Bowl record: 13-15
- Conference titles: 14 (8 Southern Conference, 6 Big East Conference)
- Consensus All-Americans: 13
- Highest final top 25 ranking: #5 (1988 & 2005)
Gymnastics
- Competition Facility: WVU Coliseum (14,000)
- Head Coach: Linda Burdette
- Most Victories: 26 in 1992
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 3
- AIAW Appearances: 1
- Last NCAA Appearance: 2000
- All-Americans: 4
Rifle
- Playing Facility: WVU Shell Building
- Head Coach: Jon Hammond
- Most Victories: 19 in 1964
- NCAA Appearances: 25
- NCAA Team Championships: 14
- National Individual Champions: 20
- NCAA All-Americans: 65
- Olympians: 13
Women's Rowing
- Playing Facility: WVU Boathouse
- Head Coach: Jimmy King
Men's Soccer
- Playing Facility: Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium (1,600)
- Head Coach: Marlon LeBlanc
- Most Victories: 15 in 2006
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 10
- Last NCAA Appearance: 2007
- All-Americans: 5
- Mountaineer Professionals: 12
Women's Soccer
- Playing Facility: Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium (1,600)
- Head Coach: Nikki Izzo-Brown
- Most Victories: 18 in 2002, 2007
- BIG EAST Conference Champions: 2007
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 10
- Last NCAA Appearance: 2009
- All-Americans: 3
- Academic All-American: 4
- Mountaineer Professionals: 2
Men's Swimming
- Playing Facility: WVU Natatorium (500)
- Head Coach: Vic Riggs
- Most Victories: 13 in 2007
- Big East Conference Champions: 2007
- NCAA Qualifiers: 19
- NCAA All-Americans: 2
- Olympians: 1
Women's Swimming
- Playing Facility: WVU Natatorium (500)
- Head Coach: Vic Riggs
- Most Victories: 9 in 1990
- NCAA Qualifiers: 14
- NCAA All-Americans: 4
- Olympians: 1
Women's Tennis
- Playing Facility: Mountaineer Tennis Courts
- Head Coach: Marc Walters
- Most Victories: 21 in 1990
Women's Track
- Playing Facility: Mountaineer Track, Shell Indoor Track
- Head Coach: Sean Cleary
- Assistants: Shellyann Galimore
- Olympians: 2
- NCAA National Champions: 2
- NCAA All-Americans: 13
Women's Volleyball
- Playing Facility: WVU Coliseum (14,000)
- Head Coach: Jill Kramer
- Most Victories: 35 in 1979
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0
- Last NCAA Appearance: NA
- NIT Appearances: 1
- All-Americans: 0
- All-East: 2
Wrestling
- Playing Facility: WVU Coliseum (14,000)
- Head Coach: Craig Turnbull
- Most Victories: 14 in 1976 and 1990
- NCAA Individual Appearances: 67
- Best NCAA Finish: 6th in 1991
- All-Americans: 16
- National Champions: 3
- EWL Champions: 18
Pageantry
Mascot
The Mountaineer was adopted in 1890 as the official school mascot and unofficially began appearing at sporting events in 1936.[3] A new Mountaineer is selected each year during the final two men's home basketball games, with the formal title "The Mountaineer of West Virginia University." The new Mountaineer receives a scholarship, a tailor-made buckskin suit with coonskin hat, and a period rifle and powder horn for discharging when appropriate and safe. The mascot travels with most sports teams throughout the academic year. While not required, male mascots traditionally grow a beard. As of 2010-2011, the Mountaineer mascot is portrayed by Brock Burwell.
Logos
The "Flying WV" is the most widely used logo in West Virginia athletics. It debuted in 1980 as a part of a football uniform redesign by Coach Don Nehlen, and was adopted as the official logo for the University in 1983.[4] While the "Flying WV" represents all university entities, unique logos are occasionally used for individual departments. Some examples include the script West Virginia logo for the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and the interlocking WV logo used in baseball.[5]
Songs
The official fight songs of West Virginia University are "Hail, West Virginia" and "Fight Mountaineers." However, the fan response to John Denver's "Country Roads" has made it the unofficial song of the university and the state of West Virginia. The West Virginia University Alma Mater was composed in 1937, and is sung before every home football game.
Colors
The upperclassmen of 1890 selected the official colors of "old gold and blue" from the West Virginia state seal.[3] While the official school colors are old gold and blue, a brighter gold is used in official university logos and merchandise. This change in color scheme is often cited for the lack of a universal standard for colors during 19th century when the university's colors were selected. Additionally, the brighter gold is argued to create a more intimidating environment for sporting events. The university accepts "gold and blue" for the color scheme, but states clearly that the colors are not "blue and gold", to distinguish West Virginia from its rival school the University of Pittsburgh.
Marching band
The West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band, nicknamed "The Pride of West Virginia," is the official marching band of WVU. The 390-member band performs at every home football game and makes several local and national appearances throughout the year. The band was the recipient of the prestigious Sudler Trophy in 1997.
Sports traditions
"Take Me Home, Country Roads"
The John Denver song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is traditionally played at all Mountaineer athletic events. In 1980, Denver helped dedicate the new Mountaineer Field, and performed the song as a sing-along with the crowd. It then became a tradition for fans to stay in the stands after every victory to sing Country Roads with the football team.[6]
Firing of the Rifle
The Mountaineer mascot carries a period rifle and powder horn for firing a shot to signal the opening of several athletic events. The Mountaineer points the gun into the air with one arm and fires a blank shot, a signal to the crowd to begin cheering at home football and basketball games. The Mountaineer also fires the rifle every time the team scores during football games.
Formation of the State
The Pride of West Virginia forms the outline of the state of West Virginia during the pregame show of all home Mountaineer football games. The outline of the state moves down the field during the playing of "Hail West Virginia", and the shape inverts to face the student side of the stadium when the crowd begins the "Let's Go...Mounaineers" chant.
Carpet roll
In 1955, Fred Schaus and Alex Mumford devised the idea of rolling out an elaborate gold and blue carpet for Mountaineer basketball players to use when taking the court for pre-game warm-ups. In addition, Mountaineer players warmed up with a special gold and blue basketball. The University continued this tradition until the late 1960s when it died out, but former Mountaineer player Gale Catlett reintroduced the carpet when he returned to West Virginia University in 1978 as head coach of the men's basketball team.
Cheers
The "Let's Go...Mountaineers" cheer originated at home football games as a competition between opposite sides of the stadium.[3] The student side of the stadium chants "Let's Go...", and the pressbox side responds "Mountaineers". The chant can continue for long periods of time, as each side of the stadium tries to keep the chant from fading. The cheer has spread to other athletic events including basketball and soccer. The "WVU First Down" cheer is used when fans are expecting a first down call during a football game. Prior to the announcement, fans put their arms in the air and yell while waiting for the call. After the announcement, the fans lower and raise their arms three times while simultaneously yelling the initials "WVU". Then, the fans clap and signal to the end zone while cheering "first down!"
Fanbase
In a state that lacks professional sports franchises, the citizens of West Virginia passionately support West Virginia University and its athletics teams.[7] West Virginia fans are nationally known for following their Mountaineers to bowl games and games throughout the country. West Virginia games also have received high TV ratings throughout the years. Men's basketball head coach Bob Huggins, a former Mountaineer basketball player who was born in Morgantown, stated that the "strong bond between the university and the people of West Virginia" is a relationship that is difficult for non-natives to understand.[8] Former basketball player Da'Sean Butler cited the fan support as a factor in his decision to play for WVU, saying "everybody loves our school to death" in reference to the fan base in West Virginia.[9]
West Virginia fans have also been recognized for their hospitality. In the first football game played by the University of Connecticut following the death of Jasper Howard, a banner displayed at Mountaineer Field in the Connecticut entrance tunnel read "Today we are all Huskies". Connecticut fans described the warmth of the environment as impressive, citing the number of WVU fans who offered condolences.[10] In a letter to WVU, then UConn head football coach Randy Edsall wrote:
"The response that you gave our team before and after the game was tremendous and greatly appreciated. The pregame moment of silence and team handshake was the most moving experience I have ever had in my 29 years of coaching football." [11]
Student Section
The Mountaineer Maniacs is the largest student-run organization on campus, and the official WVU student section for all athletic events. The group was founded to promote sportsmanship, increase athletic team awareness, and preserve Mountaineer traditions.[12]
Some WVU fans, primarily in the student sections, have developed a reputation for unruly behavior, being compared to "soccer hooligans" by GQ magazine.[13][14] At some events, there have been cases of objects thrown onto the field or at opposing teams.[15][16] There were previously also issues with small-scale fires, most notably of couches, being set after games; over 1,100 intentionally-ignited street fires were reported from 1997 to 2003.[13]
Notable Athletes
- John Barton - Head Football Coach of the Hollidaysburg Golden Tiger Football Team and winner of the District 6 Championship(1999,2006,2008)
- Joe Alexander - NBA player for the Chicago Bulls
- Terry Bowden - Yahoo Sports Analyst
- Tommy Bowden - Former Head Football Coach at Clemson University and Tulane University
- Marc Bulger - Baltimore Ravens Quarterback
- Gale Catlett - winningest coach in WVU basketball history
- Mike Compton - Former NFL Guard for the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars
- Robert Dennis - University’s first Male Big East Conference Track & Field champion
- Shawn Dorsey - Oldest player in WVU hockey history
- Mike Gansey - Basketball player in NBA Development League
- Major Harris - Quarterbacked for West Virginia in their 1988 undefeated season.
- Johannes "Joe" Herber - German international basketball player
- Chris Henry - Former NFL wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Jeff Hostetler - Former Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders & New York Giants Quarterback
- Chuck Howley - WVU Five Sport Letterman, NFL Linebacker and Super Bowl MVP with Dallas Cowboys
- Sam Huff - NFL Linebacker, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
- Rodney Clark (Hot Rod) Hundley - First pick in the 1957 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals.
- James Jett - All-American sprinter and wide receiver for Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders.
- Adam "Pacman" Jones - Former cornerback for the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys
- Brian Jozwiak - Former lineman, Kansas City Chiefs.
- Ken Kendrick - owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball
- Owen Schmitt - Fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Devin Ebanks - NBA basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers
- Da'Sean Butler - NBA basketball player for the Miami Heat
- Steve Kline - Major League Baseball Pitcher
- Pat McAfee - NFL punter for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Adrian Murrell - Former running back for NY Jets.
- Dan Mozes - First Team All American Center, won the Rimington Trophy in his senior year
- Kevin Pittsnogle - Former WVU basketball star
- Bob Huggins - Former WVU basketball player. Current Head Basketball Coach of the WVU Men's Basketball Team. One of only 4 active Division I coaches with 600+ career victories.
- Jerry Porter - Former NFL Wide Receiver for the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars
- Rich Rodriguez - Former head football coach at West Virginia University and the University of Michigan
- Todd Sauerbrun - NFL punter, Went to the Pro Bowl in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
- Floyd B. "Ben" Schwartzwalder - Former head coach of the 1959 National Championship Syracuse University football team
- Steve Slaton - Current NFL running back for the Houston Texas
- Darryl Talley - WVU all-time team member and former NFL Linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
- Rod Thorn - Former WVU basketball player and current President of the New Jersey Nets
- John Thornton - defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Mike Vanderjagt - former Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys placekicker
- Jerome Alan "Jerry" West - WVU & NBA basketball player, Model for NBA Logo
- Pat White (American football) - NFL quarterback for the Miami Dolphins
- Amos Zereoue - Former NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, & New England Patriots
- Andrew Wright - Current Defender/Midfielder for Scunthorpe United F.C.
- Oliver Luck - Former NFL player and president and current athletic director at West Virginia University
References
- ^ "WVU Communications Guide" (PDF). West Virginia University. 2009. p. 10. http://creativeservices.wvu.edu/r/download/10258.
- ^ Blue&Gold News
- ^ a b c "Living Here: WVU Traditions". West Virginia University. http://welcometo.wvu.edu/living_here/wvu_traditions. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
- ^ Forinash, Danny (2005-08-04). "A Mark to Remember: Flying WV". WTRF-TV. http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=4362. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "Branding and Communications at WVU". West Virginia University. http://creativeservices.wvu.edu/r/download/10258. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
- ^ Sports Illustrated (month n.a., 2006): "102 More Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate"
- ^ Vaccaro, Mike (April 3, 2010). "For WVU fans, it's all about Mountaineers". NY Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/the_only_show_in_town_QX0PCMvZK8fPpjeidBxB9H. Retrieved Aug 2, 2010.
- ^ Mike, Vaccaro (April 3, 2010). "For WVU fans, it's all about Mountaineers". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/the_only_show_in_town_QX0PCMvZK8fPpjeidBxB9H. Retrieved Oct 3, 2010.
- ^ Dunlap, Colin (March 19, 2010). "Love affair with state drives West Virginia". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10078/1044042-144.stm. Retrieved Aug 2, 2010.
- ^ "Howard honored with moment of silence". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4590724. Retrieved Aug 2, 2010.
- ^ "UConn coach thanks WVU, fans for support". The Charleston Gazette. http://wvgazette.com/Sports/200910281164. Retrieved Aug 2, 2010.
- ^ "Maniacs FAQ". West Virginia University. http://maniacs.wvu.edu/faq. Retrieved Aug 2, 2010.
- ^ a b GQ Names the Top Ten Worst College Sports Fans. http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-15-2005/0003196512&EDATE.
- ^ Rowdy West Virginia student section under fire . http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35205635/ns/sports-college_basketball.
- ^ Miami Coach suing West Virginia . http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19980402&id=oxUSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FOsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4757,287633.
- ^ WVU Fans Like to Throw Things on the Court . http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2010/02/04/wvu-fans-like-to-throw-things-on-court/.
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