MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—West Virginia University has activities lined up for the weekend to celebrate homecoming.
The Mountaineers and Cincinnati Bearcats kickoff in Morgantown at noon Saturday.
WVU Alumni Association Vice President Kevin Berry said they expect thousands of alumni to be in Morgantown for the weekend. The former students and Morgantown residents will reconnect with the friends and places from their days on campus.
“They’re going to reconnect with friends and classmates; they’re going to walk the same path they did when they were students at WVU, and possibly even reconnect with a faculty member that was important during their time at West Virginia University,” Berry said on WAJR’ “Talk of the Town.”
The Alumni Truck Spirit Stop is at different locations on campus this week. The WVU Alumni Association will be giving swag, pepperoni rolls, and Flying WV cookies at the stops.
“It’s just an opportunity for folks to stop by and grab a quick snack or some of the homecoming swag we’re giving out,” Berry said. “We want to bring that kind of sense of understanding of homecoming and the celebration it is to all aspects of our campus.”
The Greek organizations at both schools are collecting canned goods for their campus food pantries as a friendly competition and as a way to give back. Cans for a Cause is going on now at both campuses.
Berry said community service is a core value for the institution, and the Bears and Blankets Drive is another way to help the community and give back. The campaign collects blankets to help comfort the nearly 9,000 kids admitted to WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital each year.
“Drop either a brand new bear blanket off at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center or on Mountaineer Friday, and you can also go online to the website and make a donation—service is such an important part of what we do.”
Students, alumni, and fans will also be able to see the second annual Ballin’ at Woodburn Thursday evening—an exhibition on Woodburn Circle for the first look at the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The WVU men’s baseball team will hold a scrimmage, and the men’s and women’s soccer programs will have home games as well.
“It’s just a really neat experience to see this happening in what is probably the most historic part of our campus,” Berry said. “I encourage people to come; it’s going to be a great time.”
One of the highlights of homecoming is the annual WVU Homecoming Parade down High Street Saturday. The scene shifts to the Evansdale Campus Saturday, Berry said.
As always, alumni of the Pride of West Virginia Marching Band will play, and former Mountaineer mascots and cheerleaders will return to the sidelines. Homecoming royalty will also be recognized at halftime. The Erickson Alumni Center will be open, and several schools and colleges will have tailgate parties before the game.
“There are schools and colleges that are going to be doing tailgates over near Milan Puskar Stadium,” Berry said. “It’s going to be a full weekend of individuals celebrating the history and traditions of WVU and reconnecting with friends, classmates, and fellow alumni.”