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Mountaineers Natalie - West Virginia Traditions:
A One of the most beloved of all West Virginia traditions, the
Mountaineer mascot first appeared informally at WVU sporting events around 1927. The first formally
selected Mountaineer was Lawson Hill (shown below), selected in 1934. The Mountaineer is chosen each
year by Mountain Honorary, WVU’s senior honorary. The Mountaineer’s costume is tailored to fit each
winner, and male Mountaineers customarily grow beards during their tenure to go along with the coonskin
cap and rifle. The idea for a Mountaineer Mascot Statue appeared in 1950, but it wasn’t until 1971 that
the bronze statue in front of the Mountainlair was dedicated.
Backyard Brawl:
West Virginia’s annual football and basketball games
with Pitt are referred to as “The Backyard Brawl” because of the close proximity of the two
schools. West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh have been playing football
games for 94 straight years, reperesenting the nation’s 14th oldest football rivalry. The two
basketball teams have played 163 times since 1904.
West Virginia Football:
West Virginia has had 2 undefeated regular seasons; they went 11-0 in 1988 and 1993. However, West Virginia
lost both bowl games, 34–21 to Notre Dame, and 41–7 to Florida. Both undefeated regular seasons were under their coach Don Nehlen.
Back in 1922 WVU had their only completely undefeated season; they went 10-0-1, beating Gonzaga in the inaugural East-West Bowl.
WVU's worst season was in 1960, which was a winless record against ten opponents.
WVU has been conference champions 14 times (8 in the Southern Conference, 6 in the Big East Conference). West Virginia's
highest-ever poll ranking is #1 (in the Coaches Poll following Week 13 of the 2007 season). WVU has participated in 29 bowl
games; their record stands at 13–16. Major bowls include the Sugar Bowl (3 times), Peach Bowl (4 times), Fiesta Bowl (2 times),
and the Gator Bowl (6 times). The Mountaineers are 2–0 in BCS bowl games, both wins under quarterback Pat White.
The 2005 season and the 2006 season produced the first consecutive 11-win seasons in school history.[5] In the 2007 season, the
Mountaineers started the season as the #3-ranked team, the highest preseason ranking in school history. That team eventually was
ranked #1 in the Coaches Poll, and finished the season with a third consecutive 11-win season after their Fiesta Bowl
victory.
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