NCAA president proposes, basically, an upper crust of schools
Back in the day I was like most my (advanced) age. We clung to the romantic idea of amateurism. We argued for it to remain in place, especially regarding college athletics. Then one day I was kidding a coach. We were going back and forth (“Mitch, most people move on after they learn to write,” […]
Throwing support to WVU’s basketball team as it manages difficult circumstances
If you follow my Twitter (or X, whatev) account, you know I watched Monday night’s WVU men’s basketball game against SMU and commented. “Tough watching WVU hoops,” I wrote, “because the kids give effort and do so many good things but you know they’re outmanned in almost every game.” Because of the fallout from the […]
WVU’s week should be all about celebrating a special man: Don Nehlen
Since the end of WVU’s 59-20 loss at Oklahoma much has been made of the Mountaineers’ head coaching job. Will Neal Brown be retained? Is this an opportunity to bring in state native Jimbo Fisher, who, yes, was spectacularly axed by Texas A&M, but also has a national championship on his resume? The feedback I’ve […]
Ex-WVU hoops star Dale Blaney’s nephew the new NASCAR champ
On Monday, WVU basketball royalty made his way to the Coliseum in Morgantown for the Mountaineers’ season opener. Dale Blaney played for West Virginia back in 1983-86 and was a star in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He was first-team all-league, an all-tournament selection twice, averaged 17 points his senior season and in 124 career games […]
A conversation with WVU’s Stratford — coach of the nation’s No. 1 men’s soccer team
I’m not a sports historian and I don’t play one on television. Yet I can unequivocally state this is a special week for West Virginia University athletics. The traditionally strong Mountaineer rifle team is back at No. 1 nationally in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association poll. But that’s not the only WVU team sitting at […]
Heck of a story — Martinsburg native projects as Week 7 QB for Chicago Bears
There’s a projected NFL starting quarterback this Sunday from West Virginia. Yes, yes, Geno Smith will start for the Seattle Seahawks against the Arizona Cardinals. But there’s another that not only played in the Mountain State – as Smith did at WVU – but went to high school in Almost Heaven. His name is Tyson […]
With Brown set to return, WVU football fans must ask themselves if ready to help rally
A few days ago, after WVU’s football team rallied late to defeat Baylor, I posted a poll on Twitter or X or whatever you want to call it. “And West Virginia survives to get their eighth win,” I posted, quoting the TV announcer, before asking Mountaineer fans, “You guys good now?” I was not surprised […]