A Closer Look At The ‘W.Va. Mountaineer’

On this West Virginia Morning, we explore the concept of the West Virginia mountaineer. We’ll learn why the term isn’t just a sports mascot. We also bring you this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.

West Virginia University’s mascot – the Mountaineer – is a big deal in the state. In fact, fans are called ‘Mountaineer Nation.’ West Virginians have long identified with the mascot as it symbolizes independence, strength, curiosity – a true frontiersman attitude.

And the mascot is unique. It’s one of only a few university mascots without a foam head, where you can actually see the face of the person and hear him or her speak. Our folklife reporter Caitlin Tan takes a closer look at what makes the Mountaineer such an important symbol of the university and the state.

North Carolina’s Mandolin Orange brings us our Mountain Stage Song of the Week, “The Wolves,” from this week’s encore broadcast, recorded in Morgantown, W.Va. with WVU Arts & Entertainment in January 2019.

To hear more live music from the Mountain Stage, tune in Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. right here on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. You can keep up with the latest West Virginia news throughout the day on our website.

Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Caitlin Tan, Jessica Lilly, Kara Lofton, Liz McCormick, Dave Mistich, Brittany Patterson, Eric Douglas, Cory Knollinger, Emily Allen, and Roxy Todd.

Our news director is Jesse Wright. Our producer is Glynis Board.