Any road leading to Morgantown offers picturesque views that lead to one of college football’s most tradition rich programs. Nestled in this mountainous venue lies Milan Puskar Stadium, home of the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Gameday activities are crammed into the surrounding area forcing parking onto the side of busy thoroughfares. All that action in one space helps visitors to quickly detect the passion that exists for this team. T-shirts reading “West *explative* Virginia” showcase in written word how these fans feel about their Mountaineers. Even though those shirts were banned shortly after we visited, the message is clear as you enter the stadium. Loud, intense, and jam-packed with over 60,000 yellow and blue clad parisans, this place rivals the major SEC venues. Adding to the noise is the Mountaineer mascot – a WVU student dressed in hide and a coonskin hat holding a musket. Every West Virginia score is sounded with a blast from this weapon. It has been a tradition here since 1934.
Another beloved tradition is the singing of John Denver’s classic, “Country Roads,” at the conclusion of each game. The entire crowd joins in unison and increases their volume when the words “West Virginia” arrive in the song. It’s a perfect tune for this small town who’s stadium capacity is double that of the population. “Take Me Home” to a place where some of college football’s most loyal fans unite to celebrate their team and state.
Trivia: Milan Puskar Stadium is named in honor of Milan “Mike” Puskar (1934 – 2011), Morgantown resident, philanthropist, and founder of Mylan Pharmaceuticals; the third largest manufacturer of generic medications in the world.