WVU Coliseum
This clam shell-esque building is a 14,500-seat sports arena that buzzes with excitement during home games for men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s gymnastics and men’s wrestling. WVU competes in the NCAA’s Division 1 and is a member of the Big 12 Conference. In 2021, the men’s basketball team made its 30th appearance in the NCAA tournament. Men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins is one of only six Division 1 coaches with 900 career victories and is a former WVU basketball player himself. In their 2016-17 season. Women’s basketball Coach Mike Carey was named Big 12 Coach of the Year after the Mountaineers captured the conference regular-season title. Outside of sports, students share a sacred moment in the Coliseum at the end of their WVU adventure because the building Coliseum also hosts Commencement ceremonies.
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Traditions
🌟 Student Life
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💛 Traditions
Since our founding in 1867, West Virginia University has grounded itself as an institution that cares deeply about the preservation of tradition. The heart of WVU truly lies in the people themselves, both within our campus and the communities in which we reside. The pride we share in our state drives us to work harder to best serve our institution, our community, and the greater state of WV.
Take Me Home, Country Roads
The fan favorite theme song of West Virginia University, “Take Me Home Country Roads,” has been performed at every home football pregame show since 1972. The song is also played after every home win and fans are encouraged to stay in the stands and join in singing “Country Roads.”
In 1980, John Denver performed his hit song during pregame festivities to a sold-out crowd of Mountaineer fans. His performance of “Country Roads” marked the dedication of Mountaineer Field and the first game for head coach Don Nehlen.
Mountaineer Mascot
Wearing the heavy custom buckskins and real coonskin cap, the Mountaineer carries not just the weight of the uniform, but the weight of West Virginia on his/her shoulders. The tradition began more than 90 years ago and while the uniform looks nearly the same, the responsibilities of the position have certainly increased.
The Mountaineer attends NCAA football, basketball, and baseball, games, as well as gymnastics, soccer, volleyball and wrestling matches, cheering on the Mountaineers in all venues. He/she also makes appearances at other sporting events, including WVU Club Sports. Today, the Mountaineer attends more than 250 events per year outside the realm of athletic functions, appearing at schools, hospitals, civic organizations and more. A constant objective of this University is to increase the pride of West Virginians in themselves and in our Mountain State. We are constantly reminded of the strength and courage of the people in our state and how the Mountaineer has preserved this tradition for future generations.
The Mountaineer is a WVU student chosen annually by the Mountaineer Selection Committee, which is made up of students, faculty and staff from across the University.
Throughout the rigid selection process, the applicants are asked to complete a written application along with essays, take part in an interview and then participate in the “cheer-off” at a men’s basketball game.
Then, based on these scores, along with outstanding character and enthusiasm, the Mountaineer is announced at the last home men’s basketball game of the season. The Mountaineer officially begins his/her term at the Gold-Blue Spring Football Game held in April.
Roll Out the Carpet
One of college basketball’s great traditions was introduced by Fred Schaus at West Virginia University in 1955. It was during that time that Schaus and Mountaineer supporter Alex Mumford came up with the idea of rolling out an elaborate gold and blue carpet for the Mountaineer players to run out on during pregame warm ups. In addition, Mountaineer players warmed up with a special gold and blue painted basketball. This tradition has since become the highlight of pregame introductions at the WVU Coliseum.
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