Post by cviller on Sept 3, 2007 10:15:34 GMT -5
by Kelly L. Holleran
Daily Mail staff
The Mountaineers will have a place to tailgate for the 2007 Friends of Coal Bowl six blocks from Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Marshall.Hundreds of West Virginia University alumni and students will celebrate the moments leading up to the Friends of Coal Bowl blocks away from Joan C. Edwards Stadium, where the two teams will face off for the second time in as many years.
West Virginia University fans will have to wake up early Saturday to make it to the tailgate at the Veterans Memorial Field House on Fifth Avenue by its 7:30 a.m. starting time.
Mountaineer fans can treat themselves to a breakfast catered by Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe while listening to the music of The Pride of West Virginia, West Virginia University's marching band.
"We've tried to create a Mountaineer station in Huntington," said Steve Douglas, president of the WVU alumni association. "It's going to be a three-ring circus. We call it a WVU convention in Huntington."
The first 400 people to register for the event will receive a parking pass.
The $20 registration fee includes the parking pass and breakfast.
Douglas recommends people quickly sign up as anywhere between 500 and 1,000 are expected to attend the event.
Although there are no guarantees yet, some prominent West Virginia citizens and WVU alumni may show up to the tailgate.
"We're not sure, but I would expect everybody from the governor on down would have interest in it," Douglas said.
After the tailgate is finished, the group of West Virginia University fans will walk to the stadium for the 11:10 a.m. kickoff.
People can register for the tailgate by calling the West Virginia Alumni Association at 293-4731.
Other events are aimed at Mountaineer or Thundering Herd fans who can't make it to Huntington for the big game.
In Charleston, the game will be shown on the big screen at Appalachian Power Park, with festivities beginning at 10 a.m.
No one in the stadium will have a bad seat. Smaller television screens will be set up around the park.
The first 1,500 visitors also will receive free giveaways.
"This is a great opportunity for Mountaineers to gather together," Douglas said.
Admission to the park is free.
Game-related events will begin even before Saturday's match-up.
The Kanawha Valley Chapter of the WVU alumni association will have a fundraiser Friday at the law offices of Farmer, Cline and Campbell, in the former Sunrise Mansion in South Hills.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature a tailgate-like atmosphere with food and drinks available to all who attend.
WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins will be on hand to greet alumni and their guests.
Tickets to the event cost $100 per person or $150 per couple.
All proceeds will go toward student scholarships.
"With it being the night before the WVU-Marshall game, we wanted to create a casual atmosphere where we can enjoy the Mountaineer spirit while supporting the Loyalty Endowment Fund," said Steve Hastings of the Kanawha Valley Chapter.
Anyone who wants to attend the fundraiser must contact Hastings by Tuesday by calling 881-3541 or sending an e-mail to kanawhavalleychapter@yahoo.com.
Contact writer Kelly Holleran at kellyh@dailymail.com or 348-4850.
