New York Stock Exchange trader Henry Becker, Jr. had the biggest smile on his face when members of the Mountaineer football team and coach Dana Holgorsen arrived on the Wall Street trading floor Thursday.
Becker, a native of Long Island, is a big Mountaineer fan and has been since he was a young boy.
“My father bought a farm in Braxton County and I’ve been going down there a couple times a year since I was three,” Becker told MetroNews.
He yelled “Let’s Go Mountaineers! ” when quarterback Geno Smith rang the opening bell to begin Thursday’s session.
Becker said he was definitely the biggest Mountaineer fan on the floor of the Exchange. When asked about this season and its 7-5 record Becker delivered a New York style answer.
“You can’t lose the same way five times in a row.”
He added WVU better be ready for better coaching and better athletes in the Big 12.
Becker says adopting West Virginia has been a good thing. He said the best thing about the state are its people.
“There’s no one better than Mountaineers,” he said. “Honest, hard-working, dedicated people. So that’s what I remember most about the state.”
His time in Braxton County has been spent four-wheeling floating on the river.
“All the good stuff,” Becker said.
The 17-year veteran of the New York Stock Exchange proudly has a flying WV tattoo just above one of his ankles.
“That way West Virginia never gets too far from home,” he said.