The West Virginia University (WVU) Mountaineers have a rich sports tradition and a strong identity represented by their beloved mascot, the Mountaineer. The Mountaineer serves as a symbol of school spirit, pride, and resilience for the entire WVU community. The Mountaineer mascot is often seen at various WVU athletic events, including football and basketball games, rallying the crowd and energizing the fans. Dressed in a traditional buckskin outfit, complete with coonskin cap and rifle, the Mountaineer embodies the spirit of the hardworking people of West Virginia and their strong connection to the state's Appalachian heritage. The Mountaineer is not just a symbol of school pride, but also represents the values that WVU upholds. The Mountaineer stands for bravery, determination, and resilience, qualities that are essential for student-athletes and the entire student body to succeed academically and athletically.
The Mountaineer stands for bravery, determination, and resilience, qualities that are essential for student-athletes and the entire student body to succeed academically and athletically. The process of becoming the Mountaineer mascot is highly competitive and rigorous. Students interested in becoming the Mountaineer must undergo a selection process that includes an application, interviews, and physical fitness tests.
With rifle passing, Hager officially takes over as Mountaineer mascot
Carrying on a West Virginia University tradition, Mikel Hager began his role as the Mountaineer mascot Friday (April 21) when Mary Roush passed the rifle during a symbolic ceremony at the Mountainlair.
Hager, a four-year WVU cheerleader , is a senior exercise physiology major minoring in psychology and communication studies from Madison. He was announced as the 2023-24 Mountaineer mascot March 4, and will make his first official appearance as the Mountaineer during the annual Gold-Blue Spring Football Game Saturday (April 22).
“I am honored to have the privilege and opportunity to serve WVU and the state of West Virginia as the 69th Mountaineer,” Hager said. “I hope to make the best of my time in the buckskins and have an impact on Mountaineer fans everywhere.”
Roush is a sophomore advertising and public relations major minoring in sports communication from Mason. She said fulfilling the Mountaineer duties was an unforgettable experience.
“Serving as the Mountaineer has been the greatest honor of my life,” Roush said. “I am forever grateful for the fans I've been able to meet and the places I have been able to see. I am so excited to see what Mikel will do during his time in the buckskins and I wish him all the best.”
Other former Mountaineer mascots in attendance at the annual Passing of the Rifle ceremony included Mark Boggs (1984), Michael Garcia (2014-2015) and Trevor Kiess (2018).
The event was presented by the Mountaineer Mascot Program and Mountain Honorary.
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New Mountaineer Mikel Hager radio spot
April 20, 2023
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Transcript
April Kaull: At West Virginia University, Mountaineers go first. With the passing of the rifle ceremony, Mikel Hager is now officially the Mountaineer mascot for the upcoming year for West Virginia University. Mikel's here with us to talk a little bit about what this means. Mikel, I'm curious, what are you most looking forward to as the Mountaineer?
Mikel Hager: The thing I'm most excited for. The past four years, I've got to see the athletics side of everything, so now I'm excited to make an impact in another way that I feel like only the Mountaineer can. I was lucky enough to get to go with Mary to a grade school and to see firsthand the impact she has on those kids, and how excited they all get, and how they all want to ask her questions. It's really, really overwhelming at first to think, oh man, that's going to be me, but I'm really excited for it and I know that everyone's super supportive.
April Kaull: As people are getting to know you this year, tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you want people to know about you?
Mikel Hager: So, I'm a huge sports fan, huge WVU fan. I played football my entire life, baseball my entire life. So, cheerleading was a little bit different for me when I first got there. When I didn't hit my growth spurt and be able to go play linebacker for Coach Brown, I wanted to find the next best thing. So, cheerleading was what got me closest. It's a dream come true. Boone County's never had a Mountaineer before. People grow up their whole life and I grew up my whole life hoping to be in a position like this and then you apply for it and just hope for the best. Then when it actually happens, it's wild how fast everything happens.
April Kaull: So, let's go. Follow our story on WVUtoday.wvu.edu.
Current and former Mountaineers pose for a group photograph prior to the start of the Passing of the Rifle Ceremony in the Mountainlair, April 21, 2023. (WVU Photo/Brian Persinger)
Mikel Hager, the 69th Mountaineer mascot, will make his first official appearance during the Gold-Blue Spring Football Game on Saturday (April 22). (WVU Photo)
Download full-size Mary Roush, 68th Mountaineer mascot (WVU Photo)Once selected, the Mountaineer takes on the responsibility of embodying the WVU spirit and representing the university at various events and appearances throughout the year. One of the most iconic traditions associated with the Mountaineer mascot is the firing of the musket. Before each football game and after each WVU touchdown, the Mountaineer fires his musket into the air to signify victory and celebrate the team's achievements. This act has become a signature moment that excites the crowd and showcases the Mountaineer's role as a spirited and passionate representative of WVU. In addition to his appearances at sporting events, the Mountaineer also participates in community service activities, charity events, and school functions. The Mountaineer serves as a role model and inspiration to students, encouraging them to embrace a strong work ethic and pursue their dreams with passion and determination. Overall, the WVU Mountaineer mascot holds a significant place in the hearts of the WVU community. The Mountaineer represents the fighting spirit of the university, the state of West Virginia, and their collective commitment to excellence. Through his appearances and interactions, the Mountaineer fosters a sense of unity and pride that extends beyond the sports arena and creates a lasting impact on the WVU community..
Reviews for "The Mountaineer Mascot and What it Means to be a Mountaineer at WVU"
1. Emily - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the Mounraineer mascot at WVU. The costume looked outdated and poorly made, and it just didn't have that energetic and exciting vibe that I was hoping for. The mascot's interaction with the crowd was lackluster, and it seemed like they were just going through the motions without any real passion. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed by the Mounraineer mascot.
2. John - 2 stars - As a WVU fan, I have to say that the Mounraineer mascot at our games was a letdown. The costume design could definitely use an upgrade, as it looks quite cheesy and doesn't really embody the spirit of the Mountaineers. Additionally, the mascot's performances during halftime shows were lackluster and uninspiring. I expected more energy and excitement from the Mounraineer, but it fell short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 1 star - The Mounraineer mascot at WVU was a major disappointment. The costume looked old and worn-out, and it didn't even resemble a mountaineer. The mascot's movements were stiff and awkward, and it seemed like they lacked the necessary training to engage with the crowd effectively. Overall, I found the Mounraineer mascot to be unappealing and lacking the enthusiasm that a mascot should bring to a game.
4. Michael - 2 stars - The Mounraineer mascot at WVU just didn't live up to the hype. The costume looked outdated and poorly maintained, which was a major turn-off. The mascot's interactions with the crowd were lackluster and uninspiring, with minimal effort put into engaging with fans. I believe WVU can do better when it comes to their mascot and should consider revamping the design and improving the overall performance to match the energy and spirit of the Mountaineers.
5. Samantha - 1 star - I was thoroughly disappointed with the Mounraineer mascot at WVU. The costume looked cheaply made and didn't exude the pride and excitement that a school mascot should. The mascot's movements were stiff and awkward, lacking the fluidity and energy that would have made it more entertaining. Overall, the Mounraineer mascot left me feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed, failing to create a memorable experience at WVU games.