“Our constituents have proven time and time again to be an extremely
loyal fan base, and this year is no exception,” said Steve Douglas,
president and chief executive officer of the WVU Alumni Association.
“We are pleased to once again partner with the University, as well
as local businesses in the Queen City, to offer Mountaineers a unique
fan experience. I think those individuals making their way to the
Meineke Car Care Bowl will have a wonderful time.”
Bowl-related programming will begin in the Mountain State with the
landmark Tamarack tourist attraction (off Exit 45 at the I-64-77
interchange near Beckley) again serving as a “pit stop” for fans
motoring to Charlotte for the game. Road trippers can stop on Friday,
Dec. 26, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and refresh with free soft drinks or coffee,
connect with friends and fans, pick up free WVU gift items, get a
Beckley Register-Herald special bowl edition and take advantage of great
discounts on gold-and-blue merchandise.
Once in Charlotte, Mountaineers are encouraged to visit the RBC Bank
Street Festival. The bowl-sanctioned activity includes interactive
games and rides, live entertainment, team appearances, food and beverage
vendors, cheerleader and band performances, merchandise, sponsor
giveaways, face painting and more. The festival runs from 11 a.m.-6:15
p.m. Dec. 26 at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets in Uptown.
The popular “Mountaineer Connection” Fan Experience will run from
1-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at Charlotte’s Epicentre (210 Trade St.).
The event will highlight favorite Mountaineer traditions with special
activities, including a grand opening performance by “The Pride of
West Virginia” Marching Band, appearances by the Mountaineer and WVU
cheerleaders, special photo opportunities, Mountaineer karaoke and
interactive games. Limited gold-and-blue giveaways will also be
available to fans.
Specialty food and beverage concessions also will be offered at
adjacent Blackfinn, Suite and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Whiskey River -
including a $10 buffet option and special menu selections. Mountaineers
should look for WVU football highlights and mechanical bull rides at
these establishments as they connect with fellow fans.
The WVU faithful are also invited to a pep rally send-off from the
Epicentre at 4:30 p.m. Fans will receive a special giveaway as they
depart for the festivities led by “The Pride of West Virginia.”
Following the 5 p.m. pep rally at Trade and Tryon streets, they can
return to the Epicentre for a special live broadcast of the “West
Virginia Statewide Sportsline” beginning at 6 p.m.
The “Mountaineer Connection” is a joint venture of WVU and the WVU
Alumni Association with support from the WVU Foundation and the
Mountaineer Athletic Club. This event is free and open to the public.
“The Epicentre is one of Charlotte’s newest hot spots, located
across the street from the Omni Hotel and in close proximity to where
most Friday bowl activities will take place,” said Michael Petruski,
president of the Charlotte chapter of the WVU Alumni Association. “It
is the perfect place to headquarter Mountaineer fans because it is
centrally located, is a great restaurant and entertainment marketplace,
has plenty of space for people to gather and sits along the light rail
public transportation system.”
>From 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, the WVU Alumni Association will host
the “Chalk Talk - An Insider’s View of Today’s Game” breakfast
at the Westin Hotel (601 S. College St.), featuring WVU play-by-play
announcer Tony Caridi. The brunch will consist of a full breakfast
buffet and a cash bar. Tickets for this special event are $65 and are
limited. To reserve a space, visit WVU Sports Travel
Alumni and friends not traveling to the bowl game can visit WVU
BowlSpace - an interactive Web site where
Mountaineer fans can post their favorite WVU photos, show support for
the team, share stories of home and, of course, read about the latest
bowl activities and events, including blogs from students and alumni.
For more information on the events listed above, visit WVU's Bowl Game portal
For ticket information, visit the WVU ticket office or call
1-800-WVU-GAME.
The Mountaineers face off against the University of North Carolina Tar
Heels in the Meineke Car Care Bowl Saturday, Dec. 27. The game will be
televised on ESPN. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.