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What are the responsibilities of the Mountaineer Mascot?

The responsibilities below are excerpted from the Mountaineer Advisory Committee Manual Regulations, which governs the Mountaineer Mascot.

  • The Mountaineer is limited to serving as the mascot for one (1) year. If selected as the Mountaineer, you cannot apply for the position for a second year. However, if selected as the Alternate Mountaineer, you are not limited to the number of times you apply for the position
  • The Mountaineer will attend ALL home football and men’s and women’s basketball contests, including any home contest during any WVU class breaks. The Mountaineer will attend any away contest determined by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
  • The Mountaineer is encouraged to attend all approved events such as:
    • Other Mountaineer Athletic Events 
    • University Designated events such as New Student Orientation and Recruitment events
    • Alumni Events
    • Visit WVU Children’s Hospital
    • Visit WV Schools
    • Community Events
  • As the Mountaineer, you are prohibited from engaging in conduct, as solely determined by the Mountaineer Advisory Committee (M.A.C.) or the University, which is clearly contrary to the character and responsibilities of a person occupying the position of the Mountaineer or which negatively or adversely affects the reputation of the University or M.A.C. in any way. If the Mountaineer Advisory Committee finds that the Mountaineer has not acted in an appropriate manner, then the Mountaineer will be replaced.
  • The Mountaineer is responsible for the everyday care, cleaning, and handling of the rifle. Before being permitted to fire the rifle, if not already completed, you must complete a firearm safety course, subject to the advance approval of the M.A.C., to ensure firearm safety and provide documentation to the M.A.C.
  • The Mountaineer is not, under any circumstances, allowed to participate in an endorsement of any corporation or commercial product for profit. The Mountaineer can only take part in media campaigns approved by WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing.
  • The Mountaineer is prohibited from using any illegal drugs or other controlled substances at any time during your tenure as the Mountaineer and you are not permitted to consume alcohol while in uniform or in possession of the rifle, which includes prior to, during, or after any event that is sponsored by or associated with the University, i.e., athletic contests, Alumni Association events, or other activities.
  • While out of the Mountaineer uniform and not in possession of the rifle, and if you are twenty-one or older, you may drink alcohol but should limit your consumption to a reasonable amount and act responsibly.
  • While in uniform, the Mountaineer is prohibited from using any tobacco products. The Mountaineer is also prohibited from using any tobacco products while traveling in any University vehicles, including University buses and vans.
  • If the Mountaineer is caught using any illegal substances, they will be suspended immediately. The Mountaineer is under supervision of the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and is subject to random drug testing.
  • The Mountaineer and the Alternate Mountaineer are the only persons permitted to fire the Mountaineer rifle.
  • The Mountaineer is not allowed to accept money or gifts for appearances. They are reimbursed by the Mascot Program for travel expenses.
  • Since being the Mountaineer requires a significant amount of physical activity, prior to beginning your duties, the Mascot will be required to obtain a general physical examination to ensure that they are physically capable of safely performing all of the Mountaineer duties and must provide verification of medical clearance from a physician. They must also provide proof of current health insurance. The Mountaineer must complete the West Virginia Hunter Safety program by the spring football game and must also complete the Black Powder Rifle Training.
  • The Mountaineer is required to have adequate transportation due to the large quantity of events they must complete each year.
  • A background check and check by Student Rights and Responsibilities for the student chosen as the Mountaineer and Alternate Mountaineer must be completed.
  • Further responsibilities and guidelines may be added by the Mountaineer Advisory Committee as needed. The Mountaineer and Alternate Mountaineer must sign an agreement upon their selection outlining further requirements.

What are the eligibility requirements to apply to be the Mountaineer Mascot?

To be eligible for initial consideration and continued participation as the West Virginia University Mountaineer, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • The student must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at West Virginia University Morgantown’s campus.
  • The student must have and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.

How does the selection process work?

After each candidate submits an application for the position, the Mountaineer Mascot selection committee, which consists of several WVU students, faculty, and staff members, reviews the applications. Depending on the number of applicants, the committee will select no more than ten candidates to participate in a half-hour interview.

After the interview process, the top four candidates based on a combination of their interview and application scores will participate in a mascot try-out during a WVU basketball game. During the mascot try-out, the top four candidates will wear buckskins and carry a rifle. Members of the selection committee will evaluate the candidate’s performance and interaction with the crowd. The committee will then select the new Mountaineer Mascot with the highest score based on a combination of their application, interview, and try-out scores. The candidate with the second highest score will be asked to serve as the Mountaineer Mascot Alternate.

The selected applicant will begin their term as the Mountaineer Mascot at the annual Gold and Blue football game in April. Between the time of selection and the Gold and Blue football game the incoming Mountaineer Mascot will work with the current Mountaineer Mascot using the current Mountaineer as a mentor to learn about the role and how to conduct themselves as the Mountaineer.

Social Justice Policy

"West Virginia University is committed to social justice. The Mountaineer Mascot selection committee concurs with that commitment and expects to maintain a positive application process based upon open communication, mutual respect, and nondiscrimination. The Mountaineer Mascot selection committee and the Mountaineer Advisory Committee do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender, age, disability, veteran’s status, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further foster such a positive and open environment in this selection process will be appreciated and given serious consideration.”
- Mountaineer Mascot Selection Committee Social Justice Policy

What is the timeline of the selection process?

  • Applications will be available on Monday, January 13, 2025.
  • The application, essays and two letters of reference must be submitted online no later than Friday, January 31, 2025, before 4:00 p.m.
    • At least one letter must be written by a current full-time faculty or staff member at WVU.
  • All applicants must be available for an interview which will be scheduled on Sunday, February 8, 2025 at the Erickson Alumni Center. Interviews will be 30 minutes long and you will be assigned a time slot.
  • Finalists must be available for the cheer-off competition on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. during the WVU men’s basketball game against TCU.
  • The announcement of the Mountaineer Mascot will be made Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. during the WVU men’s basketball game against UCF. All finalists are expected to be in attendance.

Gather the necessary information BEFORE you begin the online application.

Your Personal Information

  • Name (First and Last):
  • Birth Date (MM/DD/YYYY):
  • Local Address (City, State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code / United States):
  • Cell Phone Number (###-###-####)
  • WVU Email:
  • Permanent Address (City, State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code / United States):
  • Major(s):
  • Minor(s):
  • Class Rank (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate):
  • Cumulative GPA:
  • Last Semester GPA:
  • High School Attended (Name and City):

WVU and Community Involvement

Please use Microsoft Word to create ONE document which should include your WVU and community involvement and work experience as well as your responses to the five (5) Mountaineer Mascot Essay Questions. You can upload this document when you submit your application.

Responses to each of the essay questions must not exceed one double-spaced typed page with 1" margins, or about 250 words.

You will upload this document as part of your application.

  • Please provide information about your: WVU activities: (organizations, positions held, honors, awards, etc. – Example: Golden Key International Honor Society President, 2022-2023, Project 168, Greek Life.
  • Community Service
  • Work Experience

Mountaineer Mascot Essay Questions

  1. Why should you be selected as the Mountaineer Mascot and what do you hope to contribute to the university and the state if selected for this position?
  2. Why did you decide to attend West Virginia University?
  3. What has made the greatest impact on your experience at West Virginia University thus far?
  4. Which of the five Mountaineer values (curiosity, appreciation, respect, accountability, and service) do you most identify with and why?
  5. 5. What does it mean to be a true Mountaineer?

Candidate's Reference Lists

Each candidate must have two references. At least one reference must be written by a current full-time faculty or staff member of West Virginia University. References cannot be written by students or family members. Please list up-to-date contact information for each of your references in addition to uploading their letters. If we do not receive two references, your application score will be negatively impacted. The committee will contact each reference; please be sure contact information is valid.

Reference 1

  • Name (First and Last):
  • Position/Occupation:
  • Address (City, State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code):
  • Phone Number (###-###-####):
  • Email:

Reference 2

  • Name (First and Last):
  • Position/Occupation:
  • Address (City, State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code):
  • Phone Number (###-###-####):
  • Email:

Application Checklist:

Double check you have completed each item on the list!

  1. Read the application thoroughly
  2. Meet Eligibility Requirements
  3. Application gathering is completed
  4. Personal Information
  5. Five Essay Questions (each must not exceed one double-spaced typed page with 1” margins – about 250 words)
  6. Two Letters of Reference (at least one from a full-time WVU faculty/staff member)
Complete an Application