Mountaineers Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Neal Brown

Team Mascot: The Mountaineer

Year Opened: 1980

Capacity: 60000

City / State: Morgantown / West Virginia

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

The Backyard Brawl

Rival Team: Pitt Panthers

The Backyard Brawl is the highly anticipated rivalry game between West Virginia Mountaineers and the hated Pitt Panthers. The rivalry gets its name from the schools’ proximity to each other. The rivalry is a big part of football and basketball at WVU with both teams playing each other 99 times since the rivalry started. If you can make it to Milan Puskar Stadium for The Backyard Brawl, then you’re in for a treat as it is one of the most intense rivalries in all of college football.

Mountaineers Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

West Virginia doesn’t have any professional sports franchises, so the fan base for the West Virginia Mountaineers is huge and shows a lot of pride and support for the Mountaineers. As a result, you’ll find people from all over West Virginia at a Mountaineers game. The strong support from all around the state means you’ll make friends quickly as Mountaineers fandom creates a strong bond between fellow fans.

West Virginia fans like to go hard when it comes to  tailgating, which can especially be seen in The Pit where the wilder fans like to hang out before games. Fans outside of The Pit like to party as well but in a bit more relaxed fashion. No matter where you tailgate though you’ll see a sea of blue and gold on game day as fans come decked out head to toe in Mountaineers colors. Make sure to put on your best blue and gold before the game to fit in with your fellow Mountaineers fans.

Mountaineers fans prepare a variety of different foods for their pregame parties, which vary from week to week depending on the opponent. Lots of fans here like to prepare different cuisine depending on the opponent. For example, if the Mountaineers are playing the Longhorns lots of fans will create Texas themed dishes.

Finally, the Mountaineer Mantrip is a great pregame tradition that you should definitely take a part in when visiting Morgantown. During the Mantrip the Mountaineer players and coaching staff walk along the pathway dividing the parking lot outside of Mountaineer Field. They are accompanied by The Mountaineer, the Pride of West Virginia Marching Band, and the Mountaineer cheerleaders. WVU students and fans line the path to creating a tunnel-like effect for the passing team members, providing for an interactive and enthusiastic environment. Get to the Mantrip early, so you can get a good spot and see the players and coaches up close.

Traditions

Couch Burning

One of the most famous traditions at West Virginia is fans burning couches after the Mountaineers win a big game. The tradition has come under some pressure recently as authorities have been cracking down on couch burning, but fans still take part in this one of a kind tradition.

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PRT Cram

One of the unique traditions of West Virginia University is that of the PRT Cram. A PRT can comfortably hold sixteen people but during Mountaineer Week at WVU, the student body tries to cram as many people into a PRT as possible. The current record was made in 2000 in which a whopping 97 students crammed into the PRT.

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Mountaineer Mantrip

Instituted during the 2011 season by head coach Dana Holgorsen, the Mountaineer Mantrip is a recent addition to WVU's gameday traditions. During the Mantrip the Mountaineer players and coaching staff walk along the pathway dividing the parking lot outside of Mountaineer Field. They are accompanied by The Mountaineer, the Pride of West Virginia Marching Band, and the Mountaineer cheerleaders.

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High Street

Post game in Morgantown can be a lot of fun, especially after victories and when fans head to High Street. Reminiscent of Bourbon Street, High Street is filled with local bars and favorite hot spots for fans to continue the party after the game is over. Stop by High Street after the game to continue the festivities with fellow Mountaineers fans.

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Where to tailgate

Mountaineers Stadium Guide

In Game

The Pride of West Virginia gets the game started off on the right foot with their tremendous pregame performance. Their signature formation is the state outline of West Virginia, which they take during the playing “Hail West Virginia.” It’s a sight to behold and will really get you pumped to cheer on the Mountaineers when they enter the field.

Another aspect of attending a Mountaineers game that makes it a great game day experience is the fans. The West Virginia fans are extremely passionate and come from all over the state to cheer on their Mountaineers. There are no professional teams in West Virginia, so you’ll find that West Virginians live and die with the Mountaineers.

In addition to being very passionate, you’ll also find that Mountaineers fans are very vocal in their support of their team. The fans here don’t hesitate to trash talk or give opposing players hell, so don’t be afraid to heckle the opposition as it is something that is encouraged here. Mountaineers fans are one of the main draws to attending a West Virginia football game, so you’ll have a great time getting to know the people and making friends with your new Mountaineer friends.

Things to check out

Donald J. Brohard Hall of Traditions

Fans have loved stopping in the Hall of Traditions since it opened at Milan Puskar Stadium in 2006. It is filled with interactive displays, videos, photos, records, and more that contain the history of Mountaineer football. It is open to fans before home games at the stadium, so stop by if you get the chance.

The Pride State Formation

Dubbed “The Pride of West Virginia” is WVU’s marching band which proudly falls into formation of the state of West Virginia and marches to the end zone before each Mountaineer home game

Gold Rush

Going back to 2007 there has been at least one Gold Rush home game where everyone in attendances dresses in gold. The tradition was modeled after Penn State’s whiteout tradition and has brought the Mountaineers success in short existence as the team is 5-2 during Gold Rush games.

Coonskin Caps

Many fans show their Mountaineer pride by wearing coonskin hats to the games. Put on your coonskin hat and join in on the fun that is a Mountaineers football game.

Firing the Rifle

The Mountaineer Mascot carries a period rifle and powder horn which is used to fire a single shot to signal to the start of home football games. The rifle is also fired to celebrate WVU scores as well.

Fight Songs

  1. Fight, Mountaineers

    Fight, fight, fight, fight, Mountaineers! We’re here to cheer for you. Take that old ball down the field.
    We’re putting our faith in you. Play that team right off its feet. You can’t be beat we know. And when the game is through, we’ll all cheer for you.
    West Virginia, West Virginia, rah!

  2. WVU Alma Mater

    Alma, our alma mater
    The home of Mountaineers Sing we of thy honor
    Everlasting through the years.
    Alma, our alma mater
    We pledge in song to you
    Hail all hail our alma mater West Virginia U!

  3. Take Me Home, Country Roads

    WVU has taken this famous song released by John Denver as its own. Denver's song is one of the many songs played at home games and he was the 1980 stadium opening to dedicate the song to the team. Join in on the singing of Take Me Home, Country Roads to really feel apart of the West Virginia crowd.

    Almost heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
    Life is old there, older than the trees
    Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze.

    (Chorus) Country roads, take me home to the place I belong
    West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home, country roads.
    All my memories gather round her
    Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
    Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
    Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye.

    (Chorus)
    I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me
    The radio reminds me of my home far away
    And driving down the road I get the feeling That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday.
    (Chorus ~ twice)

  4. Let’s Go...Mountaineers!

    During home WVU games, fans square off in a cheering challenge. One side of the stadium shouts “Let’s go!” and the other follows with “Mountaineers!” which is led by the cheerleading squad and mascot.

    Let’s go!
    Mountaineers!
    Let’s go!
    Mountaineers!
    Let’s go!
    Mountaineers!
    Let’s go!
    Mountaineers!
    Let’s go!
    Mountaineers!
    Let’s go!
    Mountaineers!

  5. First Down Cheer

    Prior to the announcement of a first down, Mountaineer fans raise their hands and cheer in unison until the first down is called. Following the call, fans will lift their arms up and down three times, clap, and chant “W-V-U! First down!”

    W-V-U! First down!

Mountaineers Bars & Restaurants

  1. McClafferty’s Irish Pub

    The Bird Bar and Grill beer

    The Best Kept Secret in town.

    1301 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-292-1110

    Bar website

    american - $

  2. The Sports Page

    Cotton Eyed Joe

    Bustling sports bar offering televised games, happy hour specials, pub grub & billiards tables.

    325 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-284-0996

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  3. Mountain State Brewing Co

    Mountain State Brewing beer

    Wood-fired flatbreads, bar food & house beers with mountain views in a low-key pub setting.

    54 Clay St, Morgantown, WV 26501, USA

    304-241-1976

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Mario’s Fishbowl

    Marios Fishbowl

    Here you will get a taste of our unique fishbowl and find everything there is to know about the historic hot spot, from our frosty fishbowls of beer to our delicious sandwiches and award-winning chicken wings.

    3117 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-599-4309

    Bar website

    american - $$

  5. The Back Door

    Back Door

    Cheap prices, great college atmosphere, best happy hour in town. Who wouldn't want to be at The Backdoor.

    485 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-292-5936

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  6. Bartini Morgantown

    Bartini prime

    Morgantown's Best Place for Great Food and a Great Time

    350 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-599-1001

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$

  7. Crockett’s Lodge

    Crocketts Lodge

    They have 16 draft beers and plenty of bottles to choose from. They carry everything from local to domestic to imports.

    3395 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-598-2337

    Bar website

    american - $

  8. Kegler’s

    beer

    They offer a number of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, and of course the”Best Wings in Morgantown”.

    735 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-598-9698

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  9. D P Dough

    DP Doigh

    D.P. Dough calzones are tasty anytime. But, they are best known for being THE PLACE to go or call when it is crazy late

    408 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-292-2444

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. Casa D’amici

    Imos Pizza Pizza

    Casa D'Amici has established a reputation for providing highest quality food, excellent customer service.

    485 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-292-4400

    Bar website

    italian - $$

  11. Tailpipes

    burger

    Gourmet burgers & inventive shakes are the specialty at this lively eatery with 1950s-style decor.

    417 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-225-2535

    Bar website

    american - $

  12. High Street Canteen

    Five Star Tavern Burger Etiwanda Roadhouse Burger Old Bag of Nails Pub Burger Dixie Pig Barbecue Burger

    This place is definitely the hot spot on campus!

    514 N High St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-292-4068

    Bar website

    american - $

  13. Dirty Bird

    DiRty BiRd sandwich

    Sets the bar for great Southern/Soul comfort food

    301 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-284-9599

    Bar website

    american - $

  14. Oliverio’s Ristorante

    Oliverios Ristorante

    Traditional Italian dishes come in a relaxed, family-friendly dining room with a warm vibe.

    52 Clay St, Morgantown, WV 26501, USA

    304-296-2565

    Bar website

    italian - $$

  15. Tudor’s Biscuit World

    Tudors Biscuit World burger

    Counter-serve chain featuring signature biscuits & other American classics from breakfast to dinner.

    323 N Court St, Fayetteville, WV 25840, USA

    304-241-1702

    Bar website

    american - $

  16. Town Hill Tavern

    Town Hill Tavern beer

    A neighborhood bar serving the best chili dogs in West Virginia and the coldest (and biggest) beer in town.

    998 Willey St, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-284-8104

    Bar website

    american - $

  17. The Varsity Club

    tacos Varsity Club

    Sports-centric institution with casual American eats plus daily food & drink specials in comfy digs.

    910 Willowdale Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-599-5990

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  18. Peking House

    Peking House

    Straightforward restaurant serving traditional Chinese fare in unpretentious digs.

    1125 Van Voorhis Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-598-3333

    Bar website

    asian - $$

  19. Table 9

    Dine Table Nine

    New American fare, plus wine, craft beer & cocktails served in a bright, contemporary space.

    40 Donley St, Morgantown, WV 26501, USA

    304-554-2050

    Bar website

    american - $$

  20. Pies and Pints

    Pies and Pints

    Pizzeria chain offering an array of craft beers, plus specialty pizzas, salads & sandwiches.

    1002 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-777-4749

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  21. Ogawa Japanese Restaurant

    Ogawa Sushi

    An array of sushi is served alongside casual Japanese & Korean eats in modest surrounds.

    2920 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

    304-598-8338

    Bar website

    asian - $$