MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The mascot program known across West Virginia for picking the Mountaineer is undergoing a policy change.
The WVU student taking on the iconic character will now only be allowed to serve as the Mountaineer for one year.
Sonja Wilson, WVU Senior Programming administrator and advisor to the Mountaineer, said the change was pending for several years before the Mountaineer Advisory Council, which advises the Mountaineer and alternate Mountaineer.
“I believe it’s because it’s such a coveted position, and we’d like to be able to have more students to have this opportunity,” Wilson said.
Trevor Kiess, the current Mountaineer, will be hanging up his coonskin hat this year, and the process of finding a new Mountaineer is already under way.
“I’ve worked with the Mountaineers for many, many years, and I don’t think you could ever find one of them that would say they wouldn’t do it,” Wilson said. “I think they would all do it for several years if they had that opportunity. But again, I think that’s why this decision was made, because they’re a rock star. They go from being a student to someone who’s just admired.”
Kiess has been the Mountaineer for one year and previously served as the alternate Mountaineer. He is the first mascot to serve under the one-year term limit. When he became Mountaineer, he knew he would be able to serve for only a year, Wilson said.
Those wanting to be the next Mountaineer must submit their applications by Friday. Afterward, they will go through an interview and the top four will then go to a cheer-off. At the last men’s home basketball game, the new Mountaineer will be selected. Kiess will remain the Mountaineer until the Gold-Blue spring football game.
Seeing Mountaineers come and go is part of Wilson’s job, but she said Kiess will be missed.
“He’s an awesome Mountaineer. Everyone that I’ve worked with, I always miss them. They’re like my child when we’re finished. That’s the hardest part of my job,” she said.
The passing of the rifle ceremony will welcome the new Mountaineer. Wilson said it’s usually the night before the Gold-Blue game. During the ceremony, Kiess will be thanked for his work as the mascot, and the new Mountaineer will be welcomed.
Trey Hinrichs, who served as the Mountaineer from 2002-’04, said in the time he served as the Mountaineer, students were allowed to serve up to three years. He believes students should be allowed to serve more than one year but said it may be for the best, allowing an opportunity for others who might be interested.
Hinrichs said the time he spent as the Mountaineer was amazing. He said as the Mountaineer, he visited a juvenile prison once, and it was one of his most memorable experiences.
Both Wilson and Hinrichs said the role of Mountaineer involved a rigorous schedule between athletic events and public appearances. Hinrichs said he had hundreds of appearances throughout the year.
“It was a lot of fun. It was a lot of hard work,” he said.
Hinrichs traveled around the country talking to Mountaineer fans and is honored to have spent the time he did as the buckskin-wearing super fan.
“There’s not too many of us. We’re probably in the 60s. It’s a pretty elite brother and sisterhood,” he said.
Both Hinrichs and Wilson commend the uniqueness of the role compared to other school mascots.
“The Mountaineer, you see their face. They do talk. They embody what West Virginia is, the strength and courage of our state, and they represent not only our university but they represent the whole state,” Wilson said.
Story by Sarah Marino