McKenna Dei, 10, of Wheeling is excited to take a selfie with West Virginia University Mountaineer mascot Troy Clemons during the Mountaineer’s men’s basketball team’s annual Gold and Blue Debut game at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling Thursday.
WHEELING, W.Va. — For the residents of the Ohio Valley, it was a great day to be a Mountaineer.
Bob Huggins brought his West Virginia University men’s basketball team to WesBanco Arena Thursday for the annual Gold and Blue Debut and a packed crowd made the veteran coach and his team feel right at home.
“I just wanted to do this and get them in front of some people,” Huggins said. “It’s a whole lot different for them in front of some people. I love it. I wish we could do this all the time and go around the state and practice and play games.
“I was born and grew up in Morgantown. I love the people here. We scrimmaged Bridgeport every year and I ran in the Shadyside Relays.
“Its great to get Chase (Harler of Wheeling Central) and Logan (Routt of Cameron) back here. We are WVU, not Morgantown University.”
It was a win-win for the city of Wheeling and West Virginia University. Because of renovations to the WVU Coliseum, athletics director Shane Lyons had to look elsewhere for a place to hold the annual game.
One person that was more than happy to provide a home for the intrasquad scrimmage was Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority Executive Director Dennis Magruder.
“Over the years we have had a relationship with the Mountaineers,” Magruder said, recalling when WVU played some home games at the arena in the 1999-2000 season because of an asbestos problem at the Coliseum.
“We would love to see them get a non-conference game here. Are we excited? You bet. Wheeling has been waiting for this for a long time and the turnout has been great. This is a start and we would love to bring them back.
“This is not just basketball. You can feel the excitement and the electricity. How about this pep band? They are phenomenal. The building looks great and this event is showcasing the arena to some people who haven’t been here before.”
Because tickets weren’t taken for the free event, an actual attendance number isn’t available, but Magruder estimated more than 4,000 came out to show their support.
“This has been really great and gives us an opportunity to give back to the fans,” Lyons said. “Obviously Morgantown is our home, but to come out and have this kind of turnout is something special for our program.
“We will evaluate (coming back to Wheeling). We have a great facility and we want to look at other parts of the state and do different things. The great fan support here was something special so our staff will evaluate it and decide on possibly coming back in future years.”
The biggest ovations of the night belonged to Huggins, but a roar was heard every time Harler scored. Routt was injured and did not play.
Seeing a local product take the floor was one of the highlights for many of those in attendance, especially some of the younger basketball players in the area.
One in particular was Bella Abernathy, an eighth-grader at Triadelphia Middle School.
“It is crazy and awesome to watch my team that I love in my hometown,” Abernathy said. “I was surprised they decided to come to Wheeling, but I am happy for Chase (Harler). This shows that if you work hard, you can reach your goal.
“I’m happy with how this has turned out and I am having a lot of fun.”
John S. Marshall, one of the founders Belmont Mountaineer Athletic Club, is no stranger to WVU athletics and has had Huggins speak to his organization, as well as former football coach, the late Bill Stewart. This year, Harler is the recipient of their annual scholarship.
“We are really excited to see the Mountaineers in the panhandle,” Marshall said. “We always have to go to Morgantown and see them play so it was nice for them come here and it is evident so many others are too by the packed house.
“I think the arrangements are fantastic and the facility is excellent and I would love to see them come here and play Wheeling Jesuit or West Liberty in an exhibition game.”
During the event, Huggins pointed out WVU Hall of Famer Harry “Moo” Moore, a Moundsville native who holds the second highest career free-throw percentage with an 84-percent mark. Moore played for the Mountaineers from 1950-52.
Earlier in the day, Huggins was trying to raise money for the WVU Cancer Institute during a meet-and-greet at River City Ale Works. Huggins is seeking $2 million behind his Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment, named after his mother, who died in May 2003.
