West Virginia University boasts a history of great

W
est Virginia University boasts a history of great traditions
that embody Mountaineer pride.
From the fun of the PRT cram during Mountaineer Week to the
dignity of commencement, traditions link us to the past and to
the future. It’s a great time for everyone, young and old, to be a
Mountaineer.
Let us introduce you to the history behind the traditions that unite
us as Mountaineers.
While trends and fads come and go with the passing of generations,
WVU has endured since 1867 to fulfill the dreams of its students
and of West Virginia’s citizens through great teaching, research,
and service.
And that’s the most important Mountaineer tradition of all.
everlasting through the years 
1
The Mountaineer Maniacs, the
largest student group on campus,
support WVU athletics.
2
 everlasting through the years
Our Colors—Gold and Blue
Since 1890, West Virginia University’s official school colors have
been gold and blue. These colors are on West Virginia’s state seal,
and as our state’s flagship institution, we are proud to wear them.
More Gold and Blue Traditions . . .
Law students have a chance to show off their formal wear every
April at the Barrister’s Ball.
Fans cheered the Mountaineers
to victory at the 2006 Nokia
Sugar Bowl.
everlasting through the years 
3
WVU freshmen once had to
wear beanies for the first few
weeks of class.
4
 everlasting through the years
Back in the Day . . .
Some traditions are made to last, while others fade away. Here
are a few that have disappeared or changed.
Not that long ago (as recently as 1965), all freshmen were
required to wear a beanie, which was a hat with a small bill.
Beanies for girls were black and white, and those for boys were
gold and blue. Students had to wear them for the first few weeks
of class, and a group called Fi Batar Cappar served as “enforcers.”
If you were caught without your beanie, you had to sing a
University song or do a cheer; some unlucky beanie-less
freshmen were even thrown into the fish pond that used to
be behind Stewart Hall.
The Mother’s Day Sing tradition was a contest between
fraternities and sororities, and later competing residence halls.
Groups of students would sing in the old Field House (Stansbury
Hall) before a large audience that included their families, since
all mothers of WVU students were invited.
Susan Hardesty, wife of WVU
President David C. Hardesty
Jr., with sorority members.
everlasting through the years 
5
Football Coach Rich Rodriguez
and the team appear at FanFest.
6
 everlasting through the years
In the 1950s, panty raids were popular. Boys would sneak into
sorority houses and women’s residence halls to steal underwear.
The raids were discouraged, and the victims sometimes retaliated
by spraying the raiders with water hoses. Legendary Dean of
Students Joseph Gluck was once soaked by mistake.
From rallies held on the old ROTC drill field (current site of the
Mountainlair Plaza) to requiring that male freshmen sit together
at football games and toss up their beanies when the team scored,
pep rallies have been a part of Mountaineer sports. The
current version is FanFest, where thousands of students and fans
gather at the Lair to hear the band, meet the cheerleaders and
Mountaineer, and cheer on the football team.
The WVU cheerleaders
are always popular.
everlasting through the years 
7
8
 everlasting through the years
Photo courtesy of Todd Flint, Dominion Post
Mountaineer Derek Fincham
visits with a young fan.
The Mountaineer
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.
Mountaineers Natalie
Tennant (far right) and
Lawson Hill (inset).
everlasting through the years 
9
A WVU graduate proudly
accepts his diploma.
10
 everlasting through the years
Words and Music
Alma mater is Latin for “fostering mother” and refers both to
the school you’ve attended and that school’s song. Traditionally
our alma mater is sung prior to each home Mountaineer football
game and during commencement ceremonies.
Alma Mater
Hail West Virginia
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.
Composed by Alumnus Louis D. Corson, ’37
Let’s give a rah for West Virginia
And let us pledge to her anew,
Others may be black or crimson,
but for us it’s Gold and Blue.
Let all our troubles be forgotten,
Let college spirit rule,
We’ll join and give our loyal efforts
For the good of our old school.
It’s West Virginia, It’s West Virginia
The Pride of every Mountaineer.
Come on you old grads, join with us young lads,
It’s West Virginia now we cheer!
Now is the time, boys, to make a big noise
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear; the gang’s all here,
So hail to West Virginia, Hail
Lyrics by Fred Deem, ’16
and music by Earl Miller, ’15 and Ed McWhorter, ’16
everlasting through the years 
11
Everyone bleeds gold
and blue on game day.
12
 everlasting through the years
WVU Fight Song
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!
Composed by Fuzzy Knight
A song identified with WVU since 1973 is “Simple Gifts.”
Originally a Shaker hymn, this stirring music is part of the
Marching Band’s shows.
More Gold and Blue Traditions . . .
Kiddie Days at the WVU Animal Science Farm have introduced
hundreds of children to farming.
“And now from the College
of Creative Arts …”
everlasting through the years 
13
John Denver sang “Country
Roads” during the first game at
Mountaineer Field.
14
 everlasting through the years
Everyone bleeds gold and
blue on game day.
Country Roads
The theme song of West Virginia University, “Country Roads”
has been performed at every home football pregame show since
1972. In 1980, John Denver sang his hit song during pregame
festivities to a sold-out crowd of Mountaineer fans. His performance marked the dedication of Mountaineer Field and the
first game for head coach Don Nehlen.
It’s now a tradition for fans at Milan Puskar Stadium, home of
Mountaineer Field, to join the team in singing “Country Roads”
after every home victory.
More Gold and Blue Traditions. . .
WVU has hosted West Virginia’s annual FFA career
development events for over 80 years.
The WVU Color Guard
(Silks) first appeared with
the band in 1978.
everlasting through the years 
15
The Backyard Brawl against
Pitt is always important to
WVU fans.
16
 everlasting through the years
Rivalries
WVU’s most noted rivals have been the neighboring Pittsburgh
Panthers, the Maryland Terrapins, the Penn State Nittany Lions,
and the Virginia Tech Hokies. And then there’s a school in the
southern part of the state whose color is green . . . . The scent of
competition fills the air as the Mountaineers play against these
rivals in heated games.
Since 1976, Alpha Phi Omega has sponsored the Run from Pitt
to raise money to fight autism. Runners trade off carrying a game
ball for the 73 miles between Pittsburgh and Morgantown before
the annual Backyard Brawl.
Jack Fleming was the
longtime voice of the
Mountaineers.
everlasting through the years 
17
The WVU Marching Band
was formed in 1901 as an eightmember, all-male ROTC band.
18
 everlasting through the years
The Pride
The “Pride of West Virginia” has performed throughout the nation from nationally televised bowl games to presidential inaugurations. The WVU Marching Band was recognized in 1997
as the country’s outstanding collegiate marching band by being
named the recipient of the 1997 Sudler Trophy awarded by the
John Philip Sousa Foundation.
The signature formation of “The Pride of West Virginia” is the
creation of the state near the end of “Country Roads.” Football
game days come alive when “The Pride” takes on the shape of
the state during “Hail West Virginia” and marches end zone to
end zone to the delight of Mountaineer fans.
In the past 15 years, the Marching
Band has performed before more
than one million people.
everlasting through the years 
19
Coach Rich Rodriguez and the
team make a dramatic entrance
to Mountaineer Field.
20
 everlasting through the years
Let’s Go Mountaineers!
A rousing cheer at WVU athletic events, the “Let’s Go . . .
Mountaineers” tradition allows fans to square off in a cheering
challenge. Led by the Mountaineer cheerleaders and mascot,
one side of the audience chants “Let’s Go” while the other side
responds “Mountaineers.”
The first down cheer is heard during home football games prior
to the announcement of a first down. Fans raise their hands and
cheer in unison until the first down call is made. Following the
call, the fans lift their arms up and down three times, clap, and
then signal to the end zone chanting “first down.”
More Gold and Blue Traditions . . .
To relieve tension, medical students have a $1 pool on the day
they are “matched” with post-graduate residency slots. All letters
are put in a box and drawn out randomly and read aloud. The
last student drawn gets the pool money.
Men’s Basketball Coach
John Beilein with one of his
graduating players.
everlasting through the years 
21
The PRT cram is a popular
part of Mountaineer Week.
22
 everlasting through the years
Mountaineer Week
Mountaineer Week has evolved from its initial festivities in
1947 when it was created as a weekend event to arouse school
spirit. Students were invited to attend a dance wearing
mountaineer costumes. In 1948, there was a parade on High
Street and University Avenue before the home opener, and
in 1949, the beard growing competition was started.
In 1962, the Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer contest was added to
the festivities. This prestigious award honors one male and one
female student who have a record of academic achievement and
extracurricular involvement. The first Mountaineer Week Arts
and Crafts Festival was held in 1972.
During the PRT cram, a PRT car, which holds 16 people
comfortably, is stretched to the limit when students from
campus organizations squeeze or “cram” into it. The record
was set in 2000 when 97 students crammed into the car.
The 2005 Mr. and
Ms. Mountaineer.
23
 everlasting through the years
everlasting through the years  23
Mary Lou Bullard
Moore, WVU’s first
homecoming queen.
24
 everlasting through the years
Homecoming
The first homecoming celebrations were held in 1910. The first
homecoming queen, Mary Lou Bullard Moore, was crowned in
1939. Every fall during a home football game weekend, alumni
are invited back to reminisce and reunite with former classmates.
Festivities include a parade on High Street on Friday night and
the football game on Saturday.
During the 2004 festivities, WVU welcomed Mary Lou Bullard
Moore back to campus where she served as parade marshal.
The homecoming king and
queen are crowned at halftime.
everlasting through the years 
25
Students and their families
spend time together during Fall
Family Weekend.
26
 everlasting through the years
A Student-Centered Focus
Parents and families of WVU students come to campus each fall
during Fall Family Weekend to learn about life as a Mountaineer
and to spend time with their loved ones.
Held each spring, the Weekend of Honors proclaims our pride
in the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have achieved
special awards and honors. Various campus awards ceremonies,
including Honors Convocation, and individual college ceremonies, are held to recognize these outstanding achievements.
FallFest welcomes students back to campus with a night full
of fun and entertainment. Typically held on the Mountainlair
Plaza, FallFest attracts thousands of students for an evening-long
concert by popular bands.
Students eagerly
anticipate FallFest.
everlasting through the years 
27
The official WVU class ring
connects students to their
alma mater.
28

 everlasting
everlasting through
through the
the years
years
Milestones
New Student Convocation welcomes students into the WVU
community and is the starting point of their college career.
Designed by WVU students, the official class ring shows the
most recognizable images of WVU—the flying WV logo, the
Mountaineer statue, Woodburn Hall, and the school seal. President David C. Hardesty Jr. and his wife, Susan, invite students
who purchase the official WVU class ring to attend a special
ceremonial event called Ring Day.
During commencement, after the president’s farewell address to
the graduating class, “Time to Say Goodbye” is performed. The
song precedes the singing of the alma mater and is performed in
Italian, with only the words time to say goodbye sung in English.
Commencement is one
of life’s true milestones.
everlasting through the years 
29
The Order of Vandalia is
one of the highest honors
given by the University.
30

 everlasting
everlasting through
through the
the years
years
The Academy of Distinguished Alumni honors WVU graduates who have attained national or international distinction in
their profession or discipline. Since 1988, this prestigious award
has been bestowed on more than 70 University alumni, including Jerry West, David Selby, “Hot Rod” Hundley, Sam Huff, and
General Robert H. Foglesong.
Membership in the Order of Vandalia is offered to those who
have demonstrated extraordinary service, loyalty, and dedication
to West Virginia University. New members are inducted during
ceremonies held commencement weekend.
Basketball legend Jerry West
is a member of the Academy
of Distinguished Alumni.
everlasting through the years 
31
Pregame warm-ups and the
gold and blue carpet are part
of WVU sports history.
32

 everlasting
everlasting through
through the
the years
years
Memorable Events
The USS West Virginia was launched in 1921, sunk at Pearl Harbor in 1941, and rebuilt by 1944. The battleship was scrapped in
1961, but its mast was shipped across the country from Seattle to
Morgantown. It was dedicated at Oglebay Plaza on May 11, 1963.
The Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity rings the bell from the
USS West Virginia in honor of fallen WVU students.
One of college basketball’s great traditions—rolling out the
carpet in the Coliseum—was introduced by Fred Schaus in 1955.
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.
The annual Woodburn Hall lighting ceremony initiates the
holiday season at WVU. This tradition, which dates back to
1987, is typically held during the first week of December.
More Gold and Blue Traditions . . .
The chimes in Woodburn Hall’s clock tower once again play over
the campus.
Woodburn Hall glows
for the holiday season.
33
 everlasting through the years
everlasting through the years  33
Football players visit WVU
Children’s Hospital.
34

 everlasting
everlasting through
through the
the years
years
Each year, the Festival of Ideas lecture series brings key
figures from the fields of sports, politics, business, entertainment,
research, scholarship, and culture to Morgantown. Speakers
have included Maya Angelou, Homer Hickam, Spike Lee,
and John Walsh.
The Mountaineer football team concludes its spring practice in
the annual Gold and Blue Intrasquad Game. Proceeds from the
game benefit WVU Children’s Hospital.
Poet Maya Angelou was a
Festival of Ideas speaker.
everlasting through the years  35
Mountaineer Creed
As a Mountaineer, I will:
Practice academic and personal integrity,
Value wisdom and culture,
Foster lifetime learning,
Practice civic responsibility and good stewardship,
Respect human dignity and cultural diversity.
In order to become a meaningful member of
West Virginia University and the society in which I live,
I dedicate my energy, my talents, and my intellect to these
standards of excellence.
The Men’s Basketball Team made
a dramatic run to the NCAA’s
Elite Eight in 2005.
36
 everlasting through the years