![]() Rebecca Durst, in 2009, and Mary Roush, in 2022, have become the only other women so far to hold the role. Natalie Tennant, who became the West Virginia secretary of state in January 2009, served as the first female Mountaineer in 1990. Mountaineers' retired rifles and costumes are housed in a glass case in the Vandalia Lounge of the Mountainlair, located on the downtown campus. The Mountaineer was first used in commerce in 1972, and was registered as a U.S. Today the statue remains situated on the front lawn of the Mountainlair student union. Proceeds raised allowed for the procurement of a bronze Mountaineer statue, commissioned by Donald De Lue and formally dedicated on October 2, 1971. The 1950 Mountaineer Weekend brought about an idea for a Mountaineer mascot statue, raising funds from a carnival held in the Field House (now Stansbury Hall) and subsequent Mountaineer Week celebrations. In 1944, WVU did not choose a Mountaineer mascot due to World War II. Meeting minutes from the late 1930s indicate that a donor gave the Honorary several deerskins, asking that a buckskin costume be made for the Mountaineer. During Arnold's tenure, he became the first Mountaineer to wear the now traditional buckskin uniform. "Slim" Arnold, a physical education major from Bayard, West Virginia, was the first Mountaineer selected to serve three years in succession (1937–39) and was the longest tenured until Rock Wilson equaled it from 1991–93. Volunteers including Burton “Irish” Crow, Lawson Hill, and William “Buckwheat” Jackson made appearances throughout the season.īoyd H. In the 1930s, the unofficial mascot appeared at WVU sporting events carrying a muzzle-loading rifle while wearing a flannel shirt, a sheep or bearskin vest, and a coonskin cap. During the next decade the criterion was amended to specify a person who was suitable for the role. This male was entitled to be “The Mountaineer”. Beginning in 1934, The Monticola (the WVU yearbook) sponsored a contest to determine the male senior who had contributed most to the university throughout his four years in college. By 1937, the Mountaineer was being selected on an annual basis by Mountain Honorary. It was not until 1934-35 when track runner Lawson Hill was selected that a more stable process was established. Clay Crouse was designated that year, followed in 1932 by Burton Crow and then Bill Fahey. The name is derived from "Mountain State", meaning West Virginia. His selection in 1937 marked the beginning of an official process to appoint the mascot annually.ĭaily Athenaeum articles indicate that designating individuals to serve as the Mountaineer started as early as 1927. Boyd "Slim" Arnold, the first Mountaineer mascot to don the traditional buckskin uniform.
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