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Home » September 6, 1980: Singer John Denver Helps Dedicate New Mountaineer Field
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September 6, 1980: Singer John Denver Helps Dedicate New Mountaineer Field
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On September 6, 1980, singer John Denver and some 50,000 West Virginia University fans belted out a rousing rendition of “Country Roads” to dedicate new Mountaineer Field in Morgantown.
The big day also marked the first game for new football coach Don Nehlen. WVU’s 41-27 victory over Cincinnati would be the first of 149 wins at WVU for Nehlen, who was on his way to becoming the most successful coach in school history and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
New Mountaineer Field replaced the old one, built in 1924, on the downtown campus. The new stadium initially seated 50,000, but expansions increased it to 63,500. The stadium’s largest crowd—some 70,000 fans—showed up in 1993 to watch WVU beat Miami of Florida to win its first Big East Conference title, in the midst of an undefeated regular season.
In the ‘90s, luxury skyboxes were added, and the Caperton Indoor Facility was completed, allowing teams to practice regardless of weather. In 2003, the stadium was renamed in honor of benefactor Mylan Puskar, while the playing field is still known as Mountaineer Field.
The West Virginia University system saw a decline of more than 2,000 students, or roughly 7 percent of its student population, between fall 2023 and fall 2024.
An exhibit at the West Virginia and Regional History Center (WVRHC) at WVU invites the public to explore influential traditions for today and tomorrow.
West Virginia University has fired football coach Neal Brown as the Mountaineers continue to flounder in the Big 12. Athletic director Wren Baker announced Brown’s firing in a statement Sunday. Brown went 6-6 this season and had an overall record of 37-35 in his six seasons leading the Mountaineers.