GREENVILLE - Although the start time of Saturday's football game between West Virginia and East Carolina is still scheduled for 4:30 p.m. as of Thursday afternoon, director of athletics Terry Holland has announced the implementation of parking operational changes for Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and its adjacent areas.

The West Virginia University Football team is once again ranked no. 8 in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls for week 1. The Mountaineers defeated the Villanova Wildcats Saturday 48-21. The only other Big East teams ranked in the top 25 polls was South Florida at 17 in the Associated Press poll, and 18 in the USA Today poll. In the Associated Press poll, Cincinnati received 35 votes, Connecticut 9, and Rutgers 8. In the USA Today poll, both Cincinnati and Connecticut received 13 votes. West Virginia’s next opponent, East Carolina received 56 votes in the USA Today poll, and 108 votes in the Associated Press poll. The Pirates upset Virginia Tech 27-22 on Saturday.

West Virginia-East Carolina:

I think this game will be the Mountaineers first real test. East Carolina has traditionally played the Mountaineers tough, especially in 2005 and 2006. Considering this game is away at East Carolina, things will not be easy. The Mountaineers really need to take care of business, play defense, and take advantage of opportunities when they have the ball. Pat White needs to have another big game like last week.

Predicted Score: West Virginia 24 East Carolina 17

Date	Opponent	Time/Result
Nov. 15	ELON	TBA
Nov. 20	LONGWOOD	TBA
Nov. 25	vs. Delaware State (Charleston, W.Va.)	TBA
Nov. 28	vs. Iowa (Las Vegas, Nev.)	TBA
Nov. 29	vs. Kansas State/Kentucky (Las Vegas, Nev.)	TBA
Dec. 3	at Mississippi	TBA
Dec. 6	CLEVELAND STATE	TBA
Dec. 9	vs. Davidson (New York, N.Y.)	TBA
Dec. 13	at Duquesne	TBA
Dec. 20	MIAMI, OHIO	TBA
Dec. 23	RADFORD	TBA
Dec. 27	at Ohio State	TBA
Jan. 3	at Seton Hall	TBA
Jan. 6	CONNECTICUT	TBA
Jan. 10	at Marquette	TBA
Jan. 14	vs. Marshall (Charleston, W.Va.)	TBA
Jan. 17	USF	TBA
Jan. 22	at Georgetown	TBA
Jan. 25	PITT	TBA
Jan. 28	ST. JOHN'S	TBA
Jan. 31	at Louisville	TBA
Feb. 4	at Syracuse	TBA
Feb. 7	PROVIDENCE	TBA
Feb. 9	at Pitt	TBA
Feb. 13	VILLANOVA	TBA
Feb. 18	NOTRE DAME	TBA
Feb. 22	at Rutgers	TBA
Feb. 26	at Cincinnati	TBA
Mar. 1	at USF	TBA
Mar. 4	DEPAUL	TBA
Mar. 7	LOUISVILLE	TBA
Mar. 10-14	at Big East Championships (New York, N.Y.)	TBA

The West Virginia University Men’s Soccer team lost their season opener 1-0 against Lafayette Friday night at Dick Dlesk Soccer stadium. According to msnsportsnet.com, in the second half at 47:20, freshman Declan Coll served a corner kick from the far side, finding junior Mo Travis near the 18-yard box; Travis’ shot on-goal barely missed which would have given the Mountaineers the lead. Toward the end of the second session at the 81:22 mark, the scoreless tie was broken up as Lafayette’s Stephen Macurdy took the ball from just inside the half-circle in front of the 18-yard box, spun around and laced a shot just past the Mountaineers’ Zach Johnson. The Mountaineers received a spark off the bench when freshman Kurt Freemyer entered the game at 71:53. Within a three-minute time span, WVU rattled off two-shots on goal and took two corner kicks. WVU blasted 16 shots in the second half, five of which were on-goal. Freshman Ruben Garrido led the charge in the second half with two shots on-net.

The West Virginia University Volleyball team fell in it’s second game of the Colgate Classic to Colgate 3-0 in Hamilton, New York. According to msnsportsnet.com, Junior outside hitter Kristina Gallahan led the Mountaineers in kills with 16, while freshman Kylie Armburster posted 14 and sophomore Abby Norman recorded 12.

The West Virginia University Women’s Soccer team beat Loyola Marymount 1-0 Sunday in the second game of the Inn at Saint Mary’s Classic. According to msnsportsnet.com, Deana Everrett netted her first goal of the season on a header just inside the far post at 86:58. Senior Robin Rushton took a LMU clear off a corner kick and played it back to the sideline to freshman Morgan Betscher. Betscher served the ball to the six-yard-line where Everrett headed in the game-winner. West Virginia dominated play throughout the match, controlling possession of the ball and registering 27 shots and eight corner kicks. The Mountaineer defense held strong, limiting the Lions to three shots and one corner kick. Twelve different Mountaineers recorded at least one shot in the contest, including five players taking three or more. Everrett attempted a game-best five shots and senior Lisa DuCote took four shots on the afternoon. The West Virginia defense did not allow a shot from the Lions until the 64th minute. Five Mountaineers provided significant time off the bench. Midfielders Meghan Lewis (45) and Michelle Molinari (22), and forwards Stephanie Burgess (8), Chelsey Corroto (14) and Blake Miller (41) all logged valuable minutes in the victory. West Virginia had several chances in the both halves, including a near miss in the 18th minute on a long run by senior Greer Barnes. Barnes took a pass at outside the center circle and raced up the middle, beating two LMU defenders, before lacing a shot just wide of the goal. In the 59th minute, Rushton came forward and received a pass across the field from senior Amanda Cicchini. Rushton struck the ball to the near post, forcing Loyola goalkeeper Allyssa Clark to make a diving save. Goalkeeper Kerri Butler worked all 90 minutes between the posts, making two saves in her second shutout of the season. Junior midfielder Carolyn Blank and sophomore forward Megan Mischler were named to the 10-person All-Tournament Team. The Mountaineers return to action next weekend with the Tennessee Lady Vols Classic in Knoxville, Tenn. West Virginia will play host Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m., and Washington State on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 11:30 a.m.

The West Virginia University cross country team opened the 2008 season by taking the top 4 individual finishes and the overall combined top finishes at the Preston Relay Friday night. According to msnsportsnet.com, West Virginia Wesleyan, Alderson Broaddus and Davis and Elkins also competed in the meet, with each team entering three squads comprised of two runners.

The West Virginia University rifle team has added 2 new aditions to the 2008-09 schedule. The Mountaineers have added Akron, on Jan. 31, and Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foe Tennessee Tech on Feb. 7. Both matches will begin at 8 a.m. and will be held at the WVU Rifle Range. Additionally, the Mountaineers will participate in the NCAA Qualifiers at Kentucky on Feb. 14 at 8 a.m. WVU returns four All-Americans from a year ago and opens its 2008-09 season against Ohio State on Oct. 4 at 8 a.m. at the WVU Rifle Range. The Mountaineers flourished under third-year head coach and 2008 Olympian Jon Hammond last season. The squad finished with an 8-3 record and in third place at the GARC Championships. WVU also took fifth at the NCAA Championships, its first appearance in the national tournament after a six-year absence.

West Virginia University sophomore goalkeeper Zach Johnson has been named Athlete of the Week. Johnson had 9 saves and 1 shutout in the Mountaineers two games, a 1-0 loss to LaFayette and a 0-0 overtime tie against Duquesne. Johnson was between the posts for all 200 minutes of action. Additionally, he was named to the WVU Classic All-Tournament Team. Johnson, who made numerous diving saves to prevent the Dukes from scoring, posted his 14th career shutout which ties him for fifth all-time in the West Virginia annals.

The WVU Tennis team opens the 2008 fall season with a trip to Brevard, N.C. for the Brevard College Mountain Invitational on Sept 5-7. According to msnsportsnet.com, This will make the Mountaineers’ first-ever trip to Brevard. Teams in the competition include Coastal Carolina, UNC-Asheville, Western Carolina and UNC-Charlotte.

West Virginia is ranked seventh in the Football Writers Association America's Grantland Rice super 16 preseason poll. Southern Cal edged Georgia for the top spot in the only FWAA poll of the season. WVU, ranked eighth in the preseason Associated Press media and USA Today coaches' polls, trails USC, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida and Missouri in the balloting by 16 FWAA board members.
The 2008 preseason Football Writers Association of America's Grantland Rice Super 16 poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, 2007 records and total points (the FWAA will not conduct a weekly poll this season):

                                   Record            Pts             

1. Southern Cal (5)        11-2            232
2. Georgia (5)                11-2            229
3. Ohio State (4)            11-2            219
4. Oklahoma                  11-3            204
5. Florida (1)                    9-4            197
6. Missouri                     12-2            164
7. West Virginia              11-2            138
8. LSU                            12-2            130
9. Auburn (1)                    9-4            116
10. Clemson                     9-4            109
11. Texas                        10-3              70
12. Wisconsin                   9-4              52
13. Kansas                      12-1             51
14. Texas Tech                  9-4             50
15. Illinois                          9-4             29
16. Arizona State             10-3             28

(tie) BYU                           11-2            28

Also receiving votes (alphabetical order): California, Fresno State, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee, Virginia Tech.

 

Junior women’s soccer player Carolyn Blank has been named West Virginia University’s athlete of the week for her play in WVU’s season-opening win over Towson.
Blank scored the first goal of the 2008 season on a header off a Lisa DuCote corner kick. The Toms River, N.J., native took a header from six-yards out to beat the Towson goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead. Blank took a game-high three shots against the Tigers in 78 minutes of action. She also aided in the Mountaineers’ first shutout of the season. The goal was the fifth of Blank’s career.

 

The West Virginia University Men’s Soccer team will travel to Lexington, Kentucky for their second and final preseason exobition game.  Kickoff is set for 7 P.M. from the UK Soccer Complex.  According to MSNsportsnet.com, the Mountaineers have never faced the Wildcats in a regular-season or postseason match, but did play Kentucky in a 2007 shortened-preseason exhibition. WVU held a 1-0 advantage before play was stopped due to inclement weather. WVU will have a difficult task as the Wildcats return their two top goal scorers in juniors Barry Rice and Tim Crone. Rice was tabbed earlier this month as the preseason Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, and was selected to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. Kentucky dropped its first preseason match against Dayton, Monday, Aug. 18, 3-2. Masumi Turnbull, a selection to the Conference USA Preseason Team, and Marcos dos Santos each scored a goal for the Wildcats. WVU also fell in its first preseason exhibition on Aug. 16 against Virginia at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, 2-1. The Mountaineers had six newcomers (five freshmen, one transfer) start in the first half. Sophomore Dan Hagey scored WVU’s lone goal of the game at the 5:25 mark in the opening session. Hagey took a through ball from sophomore Paul Paradise, and after the initial shot slipped away from Virginia’s goalkeeper, Hagey blasted the rebound into the back of the net.
The Mountaineers open regular-season play on Friday, Aug. 29 against Lafayette as part of the West Virginia University Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Admission to all home matches for WVU students is free.

 

The West Virginia University Men’s soccer team concluded their preseason exobition play Saturday night as they tied the University of Kentucky 0-0 in overtime at the UK Soccer Complex. Sophomore Zach Johnson stopped all 6 shots he faced by the Wildcats. Only 18 traveled to Lexington while a few key players missed the game due to injury, including senior Alex Yost and freshman Alex Silva. Six newcomers, five of which were freshmen, started the opening half for the Mountaineers. Despite the Wildcats' size advantage up front, freshman Raymon Gaddis and junior Jason Bristol bolstered the defense. The Mountaineers open regular-season play on Friday, Aug. 29, against Lafayette as part of the West Virginia University Classic, presented by Jersey’s Subs. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

Promotional days for the West Virginia University Men’s Soccer team have been announced.

Here they are.

2008 West Virginia Men's Soccer Promotional Schedule
Date       Opponent        Time       Promotion
Sept. 21   Rutgers          Noon      Dollar Day
Oct. 15    Ohio State      8 p.m.     Dollar Day
Oct. 18    Seton Hall       7 p.m.    Parents' Night
Nov. 1     Notre Dame     7 p.m.    Dollar Night
                                       Coloring Sheet
                                       Senior Night

A 6-foot freshman from Philadelphia, Pa., Gorman was projected to earn the starting left back position. A naturally-left footed athlete, Gorman came to Morgantown as one of the top players from the Philadelphia area. He earned Pennsylvania All-State honors at William Penn Charter.


 

West Virginia University head Tennis coach Marc Walters announced the 2008 fall tennis schedule.  Here it is.

2008 Fall Tennis Schedule

Aug 30-Sept 1    Blue/Gold Challenge                All Day
Sept 5-7             at Brevard Invitational               All Day
Sept 12-14        THORN INVITATIONAL             All Day
Sept 19-21         At Maryland Invite                     All Day
Sept 26-28         at Army Invite                            All Day
Oct 3-5             At Queen City Invitational           All day
Oct 17-22          ITA Regional Championships    All Day
 

All Times ET

 

West Virginia University Women’s Soccer players Greer Barnes and Amanda Cicchini were named 2008 Preseason All-America selections by Soccer America today. Barnes and Cicchini are two of 22 players named to the preseason listing. Cicchini was tabbed a First Team midfielder while Barnes was named a Second Team defender. West Virginia is one of five schools to have two or more selections. Barnes, a 2007 Second Team All-American by the NSCAA and Soccer Buzz, is in her final season with the Mountaineers. The Rye, N.Y., native started all 25 games at outside defender in 2007 as WVU’s defense tied a school record with 13 shutouts. Barnes also became the first defender in school history to earn First Team All-BIG EAST honors. Cicchini was named a Soccer America First Team MVP last fall. The Oakville, Ontario, native was a Second Team NSCAA All-American as a junior. Cicchini is a three-time All-BIG EAST midfielder.
Earlier this week the duo were named to the 2008 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List. Barnes and Cicchini were also named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team announced last week.

 

The West Virginia Women’s Soccer team defeated Towsen Friday night in it’s opener at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. West Virginia took a 2-0 first half lead on goals from junior midfielder Carolyn Blank and sophomore forward Megan Mischler. At the 11:27 mark, senior Lisa DuCote served a corner kick inside the box where Blank headed in the goal from six-yards out. Mischler worked the ball into the corner where she forced a corner kick opportunity. In the 27th minute, Mischler used her speed to blow by a Towson defender on a pass from freshman Morgan Betscher. Mischler took two dribbles and fired a shot on the ground, just inside the far post for the 2-0 lead. The Mountaineers continued to attack and added to their lead in the 62nd minute on a goal from freshman forward Chelsey Corroto. A Blank shot attempt was deflected back into play where Corroto one-timed the ball into the back of the net for her first collegiate goal. West Virginia dominated play, taking 20 shots and holding the Tigers to one. Blank and senior Deana Everrett took a game-high three shots each. Senior Robin Rushton anchored a solid back line as WVU picked up its first shutout of the year. The Mountaineers return to action next weekend to participate in the Notre Dame Inn at St. Mary's Classic. WVU will face 12th-ranked Santa Clara on Friday, Aug. 29, and Loyola Marymount on Sunday, Aug. 31. A crowd of 947 attended the game. This win pushes the Mountaineers to 4-0 all-time when starting the season at home.

 

University High School has been ranked no. 1 in class AAA in the Charleston Daily Mail poll. The poll consists of 20 sportswriters from across the state who vote. University High lost to Parkersburg, who is no. 3 in the poll in the semifinals of the playoff game in Morgantown last season. .
The Hawks finished 2007 with an 11-2 record, and return running back/linebacker Dominique Dixon, running back/defensive back Brandon Tucker and senior quarterback Mark Golden to their starting lineup from last season. Golden and Dixon are both three-year starters. Morgantown High school was tied for no. 7.  Morgantown finished 6-5 last season.

 

Now for the second half of the West Virginia University Mountaineer Football preview. Last time I broke down the schedule and talked about WVU’s chances of once again living up to the expectations set before them. Now I’m going to talk about each position, where they are strong and where they could use some help. I’ll break down every position. So without further ado…here’s Part Two.

I’ll start with one of the most important positions, and one that WVU hasn’t had much trouble with over the last few years. Of course I’m referring to the Quarterback position and Pat White. White had another stellar year last season and is looking to do the same again this year. Especially since new offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen tweaked the system a little bit so that Pat will be able to pass the ball more and hopefully stay healthy. With that said even if the unfortunate does happen with White WVU has a very capable back-up in Jarrett Brown, who will also benefit from the newly revised system. Now if White does get hurt and Brown is forced to come he won’t be expected to do as much with his legs as White always does. After Brown the depth chart gets somewhat competitive. With Pat White’s younger brother Coley, a freshman, now at WVU and converted back-up wide receiver Bradley Starks either one could get the job.

Next in line are the running backs. Now everyone knows about WVU’s losses at this position with Steve Slaton and Owen Schmitt both going to the NFL. However I think that Noel Devine proved last year in the Fiesta Bowl, after Slaton got injured, that he too can hang with the big boys. After rushing for 108 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns maybe we should just ask Oklahoma what they think about Noel Devine. Basically what I’m trying to get at is that WVU won’t miss a beat after losing Slaton.

Now the question is who is going to step in if Devine gets hurt. Hopefully that question won’t arise but if it does Coach Bill Stewart and Co. did a good job at recruiting some viable options in Zach Hulse a junior college transfer from Glendale (AZ) Community College where he was a rushed for over 1,100 yards last season. Then on top of that they also have Terrance Kerns who is finally academically eligible after a year of prep school, and Mark Rodgers who transferred from a FSC division school. Not to mention Jock Sanders and Brandon Hogan who have been takings snaps as slot-backs but were originally recruited as running backs. As I said before surely somewhere in that mix of guys WVU can find a suitable back-up for Noel Devine.

Question Number 2. Who is going to fill the huge, gaping hole that Owen Schmitt held down last year at fullback? As of right now there are only two candidates and one of them is a converted tight end and the other was formerly a nose guard. Sam Morrone, the converted tight end, and Thor Merrow, the former nose guard, are the only ones up to the challenge as of now, but WVU is still looking for any capable candidates.

Now the most important part of the new offense is the wide receiver position. With yet another huge loss last year in Darius Reynaud, a lot of new guys are going to be asked to step up there game for this season. The most promising so far is Dorrell Jalloh who is a short speedy receiver, then Senior Tito Gonzalez who had WVU longest play last year during the Fiesta Bowl with a 79 yard reception for a TD, and
finally the 6 foot 8 Wes Lyons who had very minimal playing time the past two seasons only accumulating 11 reception in over that two year span. On paper these guys look pretty good and all have different strengths which should definitely help WVU the only problem is none of them have been asked to carry such a workload before. After those three the fourth receiver slot will most likey be a rotation between Will Johnson, Alric Arnett, and freshman J.D. Woods.

Here again lies another concern for the Mountaineers at tight end. As of last spring there were no tight ends on scholarship and no signs of acquiring any. Offensive Coordinator Jeff Mullen has said that he will most likely go without tight ends most of the time and just use a fullback and three or four receiver sets instead.

Finally I want to talk about the anchor of the offense, the offensive line. Nothing in this offense will work if the offensive line doesn’t do its part and it is probably the most experienced unit on the entire team. Having eight guys with starting experience returning for this 2008 campaign should definitely make the o-line a strong suit for the Mountaineers this season. Headlined by senior tackle Ryan Stanchek, junior guard Greg Isdaner, and senior center Mike Dent the left side is
pretty solid. However, the right side isn’t in as good of shape. With five other guys with starting experience the question isn’t whether or not they can do it, but rather who will be playing where. Starting with junior tackle Jake Figner, Eric Rodemoyer, converted right guard Selvish Capers, senior Steven Maw, who took over for an injured Capers in the Fiesta Bowl, and senior guard John Bradshaw. This is a returning line that only allowed 13 sacks, and cleared the way for an average of 297 rushing yards per game last season. The new offensive line coach Dave Johnson has already said that he plans to mix things up, so I by seasons end the right side of the line will look different than the opening game Aug. 30th.

Moving on to the most underrated part of football Special Teams. Simply put Pat McAfee will once again take care of all the kicking and punting duties for the Mountaineers again this season, including the pooch kick the Owen Schmitt handled so well last year. Head coach considers him to be a weapon and extremely valuable in a bind. Now since punt returner Vaughn Rivers and kick returner Darius Reynaud have moved on and Noel Devine is now the No.1 running back it leaves Jock Sanders as the No. 1 prospect to take over the return game. Last year with only two punt returns for a  average of 21.7 yards and three kickoff returns for 19.3 yards; this year he will be expected to carry a lot more of the load and hopefully provide Pat White and Co. with good field position.

With only one returning starter from a defensive line that completely dominate last season a lot is going to be expected of newcomers sophomore Chris Neild and converted junior linebacker Zac Cooper. The mastermind that is Jeff Casteel expects both guys to step in without a problem. Still even if they don’t perform Casteel has two JUCO transfers that a nipping at the heels of both Cooper and Neild for starting position. Phoenix (AZ) College transfer Tevita Finau who was a second team NJCAA All-American last year and Larry Ford who too was a junior college transfer.

The only sound position on the Mountaineer defense heading into the 2008 season is linebacker. The top two leading tacklers on the team last were linebackers and both are returning for their senior year hoping to have the same fortune again.  Of course I’m referring to seniors Reed Williams and Mortty Ivy. Between the two of them they wrangled up 196 tackles with Ivy addin six sacks and another 11 tackles for a loss. Ivy ended last season on a tear having 10 or more tackles in the last 5 regular season games and even getting a Big Defensive player of the week award against Connecticut. Then to top that off he what head Coach Bill Stewart called the “spring of all springs” by hitting guys so hard even Stewart was trying to keep from getting hit. Reed William, who is the heart and soul of the Mountaineer Defense, put
in a stellar performance in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, receiving the Defensive MVP award, but had to have surgery on both shoulders during the offseason and missed all of spring workouts. Still he’s not going to let that slow
him down and he is expected to be ready for the first game.

As for the third member of this haunting trio the position is still up for grabs. Right now it is between second year players Pat Lazear, Archie Sims, and J.T. Thomas. Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel expects the three guys to split time throughout the year.

Finally the freshest faces of the Mountaineer defense will come from the defensive backs. Quinton Andrews is the only returning starter from last year with only two other guys on the roster, Kent Richardson and Guesly Dervil, with starting experience at one game a piece. The same thing happened the Mountaineers 2 years ago when they ranked 108th in pass defense mainly due to inexperienced group. Casteel hopes that the same thing doesn’t happen again, he says that he has the guys that can play and expect the DB’s to hold their own come game time.

Shortly after West Virginia slaughtered Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl a man was granted a life long wish. That man was Bill Stewart and was given the greatest gift he could have imagined in being named West Virginia University’s new Head Football Coach. When he took over the team there weren’t in bad shape they needed some work and he had to rebuild his entire coaching staff, but I’d say to this point he has been successful. He managed to bring in a to notch group of coach including the likes of recruiting ace Doc Holliday and Offensive Coordinator Jeff Mullens. In a limited amount of time he wrangled up a fairly decent recruiting class and has already made several major signings for next years recruiting class. Then the biggest thing he did was stay cool under pressure. When he was named interim coach for the Fiesta Bowl he stayed cool, he got the team ready and they played they hearts out. He does do things a bit differently than former coach Rich Rodriguez. But the team loves him, the coaches love him, and the school and fans love him what more can he ask for. I’d say that as long as he keeps on doing what he’s doing West Virginia will have yet another successful season and many more after that.

 

The West Virginia University football team is ranked 8^th by both the USA Today coaches preseason poll and the AP Media preseason poll. The Mountaineers garnered 1,116 poll points in the AP poll. Sugar Bowl champion Georgia begins the year No. 1, followed by Ohio State, USC, Oklahoma and Florida in the Top 5. Missouri is rated sixth and LSU is seventh. Rounding out the Top 10 are No. 9 Clemson and No. 10 Auburn.

Also showing up in the Top 25 from the Big East is South Florida at No. 19 and Pitt at 25.

For West Virginia, 2008 marks the third straight year the Mountaineers have started the season ranked in the Top 10 by the Associated Press. In 2006, West Virginia began the year ranked No. 5 and last year the Mountaineers started the season No. 3.

It marks the 12th time in school history the Mountaineers have started a football season nationally ranked. West Virginia has been in the last 42 consecutive polls dating back to the 2005 season.

· 2007, 3
· 2008, 8

West Virginia University Women’s Basketball player Jessica Capers will miss the 2008-09 season because of a torn ACL in her left Knee she received while playing in a North Carolina All-Star game. A 6-1 forward from Gastonia, N.C., Capers is rated the 74th-best prep prospect by All-Start Girl’s Report. She averaged 18.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game as a senior at Forestview High School last year en route to 2008 All-Piedmont First Team and Player of the Year honors.

Former Track and Field graduate assistant Shelly-anne Gallimore has been named assistant coach for the West Virginia University Track and Field team. Prior to her hiring, Gallimore served under WVU head Track and Field coach Sean Cleary as a graduate assistant for the past two seasons. Her duties included designing and administering training plans for the horizontal and vertical jump groups, as well as assisting with meet management for all home track meets.

Under her tutelage, she has coached a USA Juniors Trial, and NCAA Regional qualifier in high jump, and two third-place finishes in the event at the 2007 and 2008 BIG EAST Championships.

Gallimore, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, was successful as a student-athlete earning a 2001 NCAA Championship in the triple jump. The All-American was also a two-time SEC champion in the triple jump for Auburn. After her 2004 graduation, Gallimore spent time as a volunteer coach at her alma mater.

Gallimore also has years of international experience under her belt. She placed seventh in the triple jump at the 2000 World Juniors as part of the Jamaican National team.

Gallimore earned her bachelors’ degree from Auburn and her master’s degree in physical education from West Virginia in 2008.

WVU defensive lineman Pat Liebig has been cleared by the NCAA to play his final year of eligibility this season. Liebig did not play last season because he went home to help take care of his ailing father, Thomas, and help his family run the multiple car dealerships they owned. The business has since been sold, and Liebig’s father is better. Liebig last played in the 2007 Toyota Gator Bowl and has recorded 39 career tackles, and 4.5 tackles for loss as a Mountaineer.

An interview with WVU head Football coach Bill Stewart was played on West Virginia Metronews Sportsline.  Stewart said he is ready for the season to start and wishes it would start sooner than later.  He also talks some of the players, and team chemistry.

Stewart clip 1.mp3

Stewart also talked about a couple problem areas on the team, but said he was excited about the Defense.

Stewart clip 2.mp3

Class of 2009 Men’s Basketball verbal commit Dan Jennings was on the West Virginia Metro News Statewide Sportsline. Jenkins is a 6-foot-9-inch Center and played last season at OKill Academy in Virginia. He was on the West Virginia Metro News Statewide Sportsline and says he thinks Coach Huggins Is a great coach and WVU is a great school to play at.

Jennings clip 1.mp3         Jennings clip 2.mp3

Jennings also said that Huggins told him he was the missing piece of the puzzle for West Virginia to make a national championship run. He also talked about how he knows some of the incoming freshman.

Jennings clip 3.mp3        Jennings clip 4.mp3