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Articles by Colin Tracy
NFL Draft to find homes for Grier, others
With the 84th annual NFL Draft kicking off on Thursday, many former Mountaineers are expected to find homes at the next level. Six members of the West Virginia football team participated in February’s NFL Combine and are expected to hear their name called. Will Grier, rated as one of the top quarterbacks available, is projected to be one of the first Mountaineers to come off the board.
Memes and movies in the Mountainlair
After hundreds of submissions and a carousel of revisions, the annual West Virginia Mountaineer Short Film Festival kicks off Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gluck Theatre inside the Mountainlair. The main category of this year’s festival compromises of ‘Meme Culture.’ This can include everything from timeless classics such as the ‘Doge,’ all the way to the multi-faceted memes that linger across Twitter timelines today.
Mountaineers tossing their way to best start since 1982
Following an impressive series victory over then-15th-ranked Texas Tech, the West Virginia baseball team earned a spot as the 20th-ranked team in the D1 Baseball power rankings on Monday. The feat marks the first time West Virginia has been ranked this season and the highest the Mountaineers have ranked since 1982. Almost all of the Mountaineers’ success can be credited to their dominant pitching and defensive play through the opening 35 ball games this spring.
Please stop bankrupting me with parking citations
Life pro tip: Parking tickets are only $5 if you park off campus. Photo by Colin Tracy I get it. Maybe I should have taken the extra minute to search between my seat cushions for a few more coins. Maybe I could have run back to the car faster. Regardless: the time in the meter ran out. But does a parking meter that’s been expired for less than five minutes seriously warrant a $20 ticket? Obviously parking tickets are a necessary evil.
Share the road: Respect bicyclists
Morgantown infrastructure already doesn’t support bicyclists very well. A nice bike that should be respected Photo by Colin Tracy Add in the disregard many Morgantown drivers seem to have toward those pedaling a bicycle, and you have an outright dangerous situation. Bicycling is one of the healthier things you can do. You not only work your muscles, but you reduce your carbon footprint and limit wear and tear damage on roads. Unfortunately, it’s also dangerous.
WVU Board of Governors to vote on e-cig, smoking ban on Friday
The WVU Board of Governors will vote Friday morning whether to enact a policy aimed at banning all tobacco types on campus, including e-cigarettes and vapes. The Drop by Suorin is a popular vaporizer which is refillable with nicotine vape juice of your choosing. Photo by Colin Tracy The Tobacco Free Policy, if passed, would officially enforce a six-year-old rule WVU passed in 2013 that bans all tobacco on campus and add e-cigs to the list of banned products.
Police disperse crowd on Spruce Street
A gathering of hundreds on Morgantown's Spruce Street was dispersed by police on Friday, a s…
Mountaineers reliant on a mix of contributors
In a successful season headlined by injuries and a lack of depth, the West Virginia women’s basketball team hopes to reach their fifth NCAA tournament appearance in the past seven years behind a mix of freshmen phenoms and veteran contributors. Head Coach Mike Carey stands on the sidelines during a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
The case for allowing vaping on campus
You have probably seen someone vaping on campus before or maybe even done it yourself, but sometime in the near future that could all change. The Drop by Suorin is a popular vaporizer which is refillable with nicotine vape juice of your choosing. Photo by Colin Tracy The Tobacco Free Task Force at West Virginia University recommended steps to expand WVU’s tobacco ban to include banning vapes and electronic cigarettes on WVU’s campus.
Campus task force working to ban vapes and e-cigs
The revisions specify vapes and e-cigarettes as tobacco products in WVU policy. By Colin Tracy/The Daily Athenaeum The Tobacco Free Task Force at West Virginia University is recommending revisions to the current tobacco policy to ban vapes and electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes. For the first time, these revisions would set up a mechanism to enforce a 6-year-old policy banning tobacco products. The revisions would also specify vapes and e-cigarettes as tobacco products.
Panhellenic Association tells sororities recruitment process will not change
The WVU Panhellenic Association (PHA) sent a letter to its sororities earlier this week saying a recruitment program similar to the new one rolled out for fraternities would not work.Freshmen interested in joining sororities cannot currently do so until the Spring semester.
Mountaineers facing Penn State before regular season
On Saturday, the WVU men’s basketball team will take on the visiting Penn State Nittany Lions in anticipation for the regular season tip-off later next week.The exhibition matchup has been organized as a charity effort. Representatives from the American Red Cross will be collecting donations as fans arrive.Looking at the all-time head-to-head, the Mountaineers have the nod as the better team, having won 66 of the 119 total matchups throughout history.
WVU rides early scoring strike to beat TCU, 2-0
Coming off of a win against Texas Tech, the WVU women’s soccer team defeated TCU, 2-0 on Sunday. The Mountaineers are now 2-0 to start Big 12 play for the first time since 2016.The day was pretty much all in favor of the Mountaineers (6-2-3, 2-0) after senior forward Sh’Nia Gordon scored 25 seconds in to the match—the fastest goal scored in team history.An insurance score was added by Barcelona, Spain native Stefany Ferrer-VanGinkel during the 73rd minute.
Carey adds two former McDonald’s All-Americans
The WVU women’s basketball team added two former McDonald’s All-Americans last week.De’Janae Boykin, a native of Springdale, Maryland, was named Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year as a junior at C.H. Flowers High School and was named a Naismith Trophy Third Team All-American and a McDonald’s All-American as a senior.In international play, Boykin has represented the United States at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, claiming gold medals in...
An early projection of WVU’s starting offense
With spring football in the books, West Virginia will turn its attention to summer workouts and fall camp.The Mountaineers return multiple starters on all three sides of the ball, but numerous newcomers and position battles have emerged in the winter, in spring and will carry on throughout the summer and early part of fall.Let’s take a look at an early projection of who could be on the offensive side of the ball for West Virginia.
Illig shines in clutch moments despite recent slump
There was never a better time for West Virginia redshirt sophomore Chase Illig than Tuesday.The Bluefield, W.Va., native was in the midst of a huge slump. He struggled to make much contact, and when he did, it usually led to something positive for the opposing pitcher.But a prime opportunity presented itself against Penn State at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, and he seized the moment in perfect fashion.
Looking at the impact of West Virginia's transfers in 2018
West Virginia football was dealt the blow of losing a few important transfers at the beginning of spring football.The most impactful of those that decided to move on came at quarterback and defensive line, where players that started games and others that provided much-needed depth opted to take their talentselsewhere, and even to different sports.
Bender's jolt provides big lift for WVU
West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins was waiting for this performance.Sophomore forward Maciej Bender has shown subtle glimpses of his potential his entire career. But he was rarely able to piece that in long stretches, and his playing time suffered as a result of it.The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Poland native came into Monday night’s 82-66 victory over TCU averaging just 10.2 minutes this season, which follows a freshman campaign when he played 6.4 minutes per contest.
Migos to excite rap fans with "Culture II" album
Migos, a North Atlanta-based rap group, has recently been topping the charts week after week with new singles and collaboration albums.From small-base stardom to serious international recognition, they proved an entire industry wrong by creating their own rap label whilst paving the way for newcomers.
Storylines heading into WVU vs. Kentucky
Huggins vs. CalipariSaturday’s meeting between No. 7 West Virginia and Kentucky will the 12th all-time clash between legendary basketball coaches, Bob Huggins from the Mountaineers and John Calipari from the Wildcats. The two coaches first met in 1993 when Huggins’ Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Calipari’s UMass Minutemen, 64-53, and their most recent meeting came during the Sweet 16 in the 2015 NCAA Tournament when the Wildcats dominated the Mountaineers, 78-39.
Sorority recruitment from the frontlines
The beginning of the spring semester brings a time many girls look forwards to around campus: formal sorority recruitment.Recruitment is a week where some girls go and find their lifelong friends and groups that share their values.After a tedious week of meeting hundreds of people, it all came down to bid day.
Marchers take to Morgantown to advocate for women's rights
Hundreds of protesters draped in red cloaks marched through Morgantown to advocate for intersectional women’s rights."This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and to articulate the issues that are going on and to be able to make changes for what we want to see," Kalo Sokoto, a WVU grad and one of the marchers, said.Organized by Mountaineers for Progress and Morgantown National Organization for Women, the march was themed after Margaret Atwood’s novel "The Handmaid’s...
It's been one year since the Women's March - has progress been made?
It has been a year since millions of women and men worldwide took to their city streets to advocate for women’s rights, heath care, immigration reform, LGBTQ rights and to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump.The Women’s March made a strong statement throughout the United States — and the world — and that human rights deserve to be protected, and passionate citizens will stop at nothing to fight for them.Has change been made, though?
Bill would allow police to enter private clubs, bars
A bill in the West Virginia legislature would allow police to enter private clubs and bars that are open to the public.Currently, officers are unsure whether they can enter private clubs and bars without a West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner officer or a warrant, according to Delegate Barbara Fleischauer, D-Monongalia, the lead sponsor of the House Bill 2129."The current enforcement is ridiculous," Fleischauer said.
LGBTQ+ Center hosts its 2nd annual Friendsgiving
The LGBTQ+ center hosted their second annual Friendsgiving event from 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 16. Afterwards, a vigil was held to honor the lives lost due to anti-transgender violence.Last year’s event hosted more than 100 people; bringing together students, staff and faculty of West Virginia University.
WVU prepares for No. 13 Iowa State
The West Virginia volleyball team will look to rebound off of last week’s loss to Oklahoma with a home match against the No. 13 Iowa State Cyclones on Wednesday evening.This will be the second meeting between the conference foes this season.
NCAA littered with potential rematches
In the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament, Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown and her Mountaineers are faced with multiple potential rematches.West Virginia starts off the tournament on Saturday as it takes on Bucknell, the champions of the Patriot League. It will be the first-ever matchup between the two schools. If the Mountaineers win, they will host both the second round on Nov. 17 and the third round on Nov.
WVU sits in tough situation entering regular season finale
Heading into their regular season last match of the year, Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc and the WVU men’s soccer team are still looking for that first conference win.The Mountaineers sit at fifth in the Mid-American Conference standings with a record of 0-2-2 heading into their game at SIU-Edwardsville on Saturday.Standing at 57 in the NCAA RPI, an at-large appearance in the NCAA Tournament is very unlikely.
Big 12 Showdown: Prolific offenses set to face Saturday
The offenses are garnering most of the attention ahead of Saturday’s noon game at Milan Puskar Stadium.Both Oklahoma State and West Virginia’s offenses rank among the best in college football. Both are 3-1 in the Big 12 and a part of a four-way tie for second place. Both feature NFL-level quarterbacks in Oklahoma State senior Mason Rudolph and WVU redshirt junior Will Grier.And both sit in the top 25, with Oklahoma State at No. 11 and WVU at No. 22.
WVU football fans gearing up for big game
Fall Saturdays in Morgantown usually mean one thing: football. This Saturday will be no different as the Mountaineers prepare to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Milan Puskar Stadium.The game will be nationally televised on ABC at noon on Saturday, and the Mountaineers will be facing arguably their toughest test of the season so far.
Mountaineer Troy Clemons arrested for DUI
According to court records, Troy Clemons, the WVU Mountaineer mascot, was arrested for a DUI on Oct. 27. Clemons blew a .126 blood alcohol content during his breathalyzer test and failed sobriety tests performed by the police. Records show he was stopped by a sheriff deputy on Stewartstown Road and was arraigned in the Monongalia County Magistrate Court. Clemons was released on a personal recognizance bond. Check back for more information.
Morgantown Police Department working with Alcohol Beverage Control Administration to stop underage drinking
Morgantown Police Department is trying to crack down on underage drinkers.In a press release from the MPD on Oct. 23, 23 students were charged for possessing and attempting to gain entry into ABC Licensee establishments using fraudulent identification. Morgantown Police Chief, Ed Preston, discussed actions that the police department has taken to crack down on false IDs in Morgantown.
Students cited for fake IDs more than in years past
More underclassmen students this semester have been cited for public intoxication along with having fraudulent identification than inyears past.Morgantown Police Chief, Ed Preston, discussed actions that the police department has taken to crack down on false IDs in Morgantown.In the past week, police searched bars and clubs throughout Monongalia County in search of fraudulent identification.
What happened in the fourth quarter?
West Virginia seemed to have the victory in hand.The Mountaineers boasted a sizeable 38-13 lead over Baylor through three quarters, who entered without any wins on the season as it sat at a 0-6 record and was starting down at a 0-7 mark.But something changed. Baylor seized momentum. WVU started struggling. And the Bears were within two points of sending the game into overtime.
WVU Football Notebook: Baylor
Grier is now alone at the topWVU redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier threw for 300-plus yards for the seventh consecutive game, but he also continued to lead college football statistically.After a 375-yard, five touchdown performance in a 38-36 win at Baylor, Grier reached a national-best 26 passing touchdowns for the season. The No. 2 players in that category sit at 21 (Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Arkansas State’s Justice Hansen). 2.
Sill sits atop college football receivers
Not even David Sills predicted this.The West Virginia junior receiver, who WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen calls "the baddest dude on the field," told redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier that he wanted 10 touchdowns before the season.
Mountaineer Week in full swing
Whether we’re talking about apple butter stirring, corn roasts or a quilt show, students are not quite clear on what Mountaineer Week is about.Charlotte Karnes, a first year political science student from Winfield, West Virginia, says "I wouldn’t have known about it if my friend wouldn’t have texted me, and I have no idea what the week consists of."Mountaineer Week is, officially, a nine-day-long celebration of Appalachian Heritage.
Sills sits atop college football receivers
Not even David Sills predicted this.The West Virginia junior receiver, who WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen calls "the baddest dude on the field," told redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier that he wanted 10 touchdowns before the season.
Rollback on Obama administration mandate could cause problems for women needing birth control
Women throughout the country could be denied insurance coverage for birth control by their employers due to the Trump administration’s recent rollback on an Obama administration mandate.On Oct. 6, the Trump administration announced that employers could be exempt from the Affordable Care Act requirement to cover contraception if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders spoke about the rollback at an Oct.
Despite record, Baylor presents new challenge for WVU
In comparison with years past, there are a number of unknowns that exist with the Baylor team that No. 23 West Virginia is set to face on Saturday in Waco, Texas.First-year Head Coach Matt Rhule was hired in the offseason from Temple to help right the ship after the scandal that plagued the end of former Baylor coach Art Briles’ tenure.
Halfway through semester: are you prepared?
Halfway through first semester, WVU students have survived the dreaded midterm exams.Mixed performance is both consistent across the board and entirely normal, according to professors, and there are several doors open for students who want to feel more comfortable with classroom content.Professor Daniel Brewster, a sociology instructor on campus, attributes varied performance partially to upbringing.
Vocal offensive line paves way Saturday
Credit West Virginia’s offensive line.On 4th-and-1 from No. 24 Texas Tech’s 18-yard line, trailing 35-32 with 9:34 remaining, it appeared WVU would settle for the field goal. It was probably the smartest play (at the time).The coaches sent out the field goal unit at first. Mike Molina was about to attempt his second field goal of the day - this one being a 35-yarder - after converting from 43 yards earlier in the afternoon.
Tent City goes through culture changes, loses student involvement
Tent City was a lot less lit this year, according to Courtney Kanig, a junior photography student from Jamison, Pennsylvania.Kanig attended the first tent city in 2014, when almost 300 tents were pitched in the Mountainlair Plaza.On Nov. 1, 2014, ESPN’s College Gameday filmed in Morgantown before a WVU football game against TCU. The College Gameday cast was broadcasted from the Mountainlair Plaza.
Tent City goes through culture changes, loses student involvement
Tent City was a lot less lit this year, according to Courtney Kanig, a junior photography student from Jamison, Pennsylvania.Kanig attended the first tent city in 2014, when almost 300 tents were pitched in the Mountainlair Plaza.On Nov. 1, 2014, ESPN’s College Gameday filmed in Morgantown before a WVU football game against TCU. The College Gameday cast was broadcasted from the Mountainlair Plaza.
Mountaineer Talks allows students to influence changes on campus community
West Virginia University’s Blue Ballroom will host a "One Mountaineer Family" conversation to share ideas of creating a more inclusive community."Students should attend Mountaineer Talks to not just hear new perspectives, but truly listen," said Morgan King, WVU senior and event coordinator.
Mountaineer Talks allows students to influence changes on campus community
West Virginia University’s Blue Ballroom will host a "One Mountaineer Family" conversation to share ideas of creating a more inclusive community."Students should attend Mountaineer Talks to not just hear new perspectives, but truly listen," said Morgan King, WVU senior and event coordinator.
Football close to taking next step
Ranked opponents are (barely) a thorn in West Virginia’s side.With Saturday’s 31-24 loss at No. 8 TCU, the Mountaineers suffered their ninth straight defeat against a ranked opponent. That means it has been nearly three years since they last beat a top 25 team, which came on Oct.
West Virginia approves road bond
West Virginia voters voiced their approval of a road bond amendment on Saturday.According to the West Virginia Secretary of State office, the unofficial election results are that 72.82 percent of voters checked "yes" for the amendment.In Monongalia County, 7,105 votes were casted. More than 80 percent were in favor of the amendment, with 5,744 votes for approval. More than 120 thousand votes were casted on Saturday.
If road bond voted down, WVU could see a rise in tuition
West Virginia University could lose funds if a road bond amendment is voted down, according to state and University officials."It’s remarkable anyone would think about not voting for this," said WVU President E. Gordon Gee at a town hall with Governor Jim Justice on Sept. 27.Even though WVU is the largest employer in the state, "We no longer have the ability to move beyond our infrastructure," Gee said.
Coaches want competitive Grier to slide more
West Virginia junior quarterback Will Grier is ultra competitive.He will do whatever it takes to win. He will do whatever it takes to get an extra yard, whether it means barreling towards defenders and not sliding, at least not in time before getting hit.But that comes with consequences, and Head Coach Dana Holgorsen alluded to what can happen if/when such circumstances arise. "One, preserving health, but two, preserving the ball, too," Holgorsen said.
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