Just as quickly as it came, summer is now on its way out, and we're moving into fall, my favorite season. With it comes numerous events, celebrations, and, of course, college football. For those of you that attended the WVU vs. Pitt pregame, I want to thank you for stopping by and celebrating our WVU Mountaineers. The event was a great way to kick off the 2022 football season! We had thousands of Mountaineers together at PNC Park in anticipation of the first Backyard Brawl in eleven years, and we were delighted to see so many proud alumni and friends of our alma mater. I'd like to give a special thanks to the Pride of West Virginia, cheerleaders, our Mountaineer mascot Mary Roush and the greater University community for helping make the pregame a memorable experience for all who attended.
As our first home game of the 2022 season approaches, I'm also excited for our signature HAIL WV tailgate at The Erickson Alumni Center. If you haven't heard about HAIL WV, many call it the best-kept game-day secret in Morgantown. This premier event is held three hours prior to every home football game in our beautiful Kennedy Club Room. Season pass holders enjoy a number of benefits, including game day beverages, food, a dedicated parking spot for each game, special gifts and much more. If you'd like to learn more about HAIL WV or purchase your pass, visit here (Hail West Virginia). Even if you aren’t a member of HAIL WV, I’d encourage you to stop by The Erickson on game days. Our staff would love the opportunity to meet you and talk a little WVU football.
While it's a few weeks away, I also want to take the opportunity to let those who are planning to travel to Austin or reside in the area know that members of the Alumni Association team will be traveling to Texas for the game versus the Longhorns on October 1st. If you don't have game-day plans, consider joining our Austin Alumni Chapter at their pregame event! Be sure to follow the WVU Alumni Association on all of our social channels as additional details will be released shortly.
For those who don’t make the trip to Morgantown on football Saturdays, I’d also encourage you to consider joining your local chapter at a game watching event. Last week alone, there were over 35 game watches in more than 15 states. Game watches are a great way to cheer on the Mountaineers, connect with fellow local alumni and learn more about the great work that our chapters and their volunteer leadership do in support of fellow alumni and WVU. Visit here (Chapters) to learn more about your local chapter.
Before closing out this month's From Down the Hall, I'd like to remind you we are accepting nominations for the 2023 Class of the Academy of Distinguished Alumni. We haven't been able to celebrate this award in some time due to COVID-19, but we're thrilled that we will be able to honor the 2020 class shortly. If you know someone who has attained national or international distinction in their profession or discipline and represents WVU’s values of service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation, please nominate them here (Academy of Distinguished Alumni) to be considered for next year's class.
As always, thank you for taking the time to keep up-to-date with what’s happening here at WVU and the Alumni Association. Our team continues to work in service to you as you continue your WVU alumni journey! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with suggestions for how we can best serve you and our beloved alma mater.
Let's Go!
Kevin Berry ('94, '95)
WVU Vice President of Alumni Relations
CEO of the WVU Alumni Association, Inc.