As a native West Virginian, songs like “West Virginia Hills” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” have always had special meaning. But for reasons that I find hard to explain, the latter has been particularly special. I’m not sure if it is because it’s the references to the strength of the people of this great state, memories of the band performing on Mountaineer Field, or the sights and sounds that come to mind when I hear this song, but it always seems to follow me.

A few months ago, I was talking with a Dell tech support specialist in India regarding a problem with my computer. When asked where I lived, I of course told him “West Virginia” in which he immediately replied, ‘Oh, Country Roads take me home’ I couldn’t help but smile. Last fall, I met a graduate student from Brazil whose father was a huge John Denver fan. He told me how happy his father was that he would be attending WVU and began serenading him with “Country Roads”. I also learned of a Japanese film titled, “Whisper of the Heart,” where a young girl translates and rewrites the words to, yes, you guessed it, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” This spring, Bill Danoff, one of the writers of the song, made an appearance during former President Bill Clinton’s visit to Morgantown where he and hundreds of other Mountaineer faithful sang the song under rainy skies (which magically turned to blue after the singing of the song). The season finale of “My Name Is Earl” wrapped up with, yes, correct again, “Country Roads” – both the original version and a Jamaican remake with a little “West Jamaica” mixed in.

I know John Denver never visited West Virginia before writing the song, and maybe the Blue Ridge Mountains run more through Virginia than West Virginia, but it still remains special to many of us and will always be part of who we are as Mountaineers. As Ken Bell (‘90) wrote,”We all want someone or something to ‘take us home,’ whether it refers to returning to our roots or getting away from it all,” and “Country Roads” allows us to do that.

So, as the cosmic universe of “Country Roads” descended upon me, I had to ask others: What is it about this song that makes it so special? Alumni, parents, students and friends of WVU have written us to share their amazing stories. We hope you enjoy reading these as much as we did.

Tara Curtis
BS ‘93, MA ‘00

Bob Ochletree of Parkersburg was looking for a good luck sign for WVU during his four-day stay in Arizona at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. He found it early in the morning on January 2. “I saw beautiful blue skies and a bright gold sun yesterday morning,” said Ochletree. “I knew we were going to win and the WVU football team knew it as well.”

Bill Stewart, the newly named WVU head football coach, sang Country Roads with the fans after one of the school’s greatest wins that provided a touch of heaven to the Mountaineer Nation.

For Dick Stemple, chairman of this year’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Committee, a more perfect script could not be written. The transplanted Webster Springs Mountaineer had given two decades of volunteer service to the bowl which culminated with the presentation of the bowl’s championship trophy to WVU coach Bill Stewart.

At the end of game day, most Mountaineer fans attending the game had expended their energy and enthusiasm. Although outnumbered by Sooner followers, the Mountaineer crowd soon took over University of Phoenix Stadium during the evening hours on our way to victory.

The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl’s pre-game function, known as the “College’s Biggest Tailgate Party” in fact may have been largest tailgate party of the college football bowl season.

WVU alums Kim and Debbie Craig of Johnstown, PA, made the long trip from the east. “We couldn’t have been happier with our stay and events held for WVU fans.”

One of the events that has become a new tradition for our Alumni Association bowl travelers has been Tony Caridi’s “Chalk Talk” brunch held the morning of game day. Caridi’s insightful presentation inspired all those attending including WVU Alumni Association Chair Doug Van Scoy. As Doug said, we all came away with the Mountaineer spirit once again thanks to Tony.

Charlie and Mary Brown of Lake Oswego, OR, had an ideal family holiday trip. “We enjoyed the bowl tremendously, and the selection of Bill Stewart as our new coach was the perfect fit. “

On Thursday, January 3, the Mountaineer faithful headed to airports or highways on their way back home with a glorious feeling of accomplishment.

Airport merchandisers were selling WVU champions gear for last minute memories of the bid victory. My own credit card suffered from many “have to” gifts for Mountaineers back home.

It’s a great day to be a Mountaineer wherever you maybe! Congratulations to our football team for another extraordinary season! Be sure to visit “WV BowlSpace” to share your congratulations with the team—http://bowlgame.wvu.edu/support_the_team.

Game day has finally arrived at the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Arizona!

The Mountaineers appearance in the BCS bowl has brought with it a cascade of emotions for the WVU faithful. Alumni and fans have come from across America to support the WVU players and interim Coach Bill Stewart. Coach Stewart made a stirring speech to Mountaineer Athletic Club donors attending the game in Phoenix, and he described the team as ready and anxious to play.

Yesterday, distinguished alumnus Ken Kendrick made a $1 million gift to support scholarships and other programs at WVU. His generosity was an added boost to the Mountaineer spirit.

While much of West Virginia has received a major amount of snowfall, Arizona continues to provide travelers with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s.

Yesterday’s ?Mountaineer Connection? event at Garduno’s drew hundreds, if not thousands, of Gold & Blue participants throughout the entire day. For alumni band member Sue Ann Armstrong and her husband Wayne, the highlight of the day was hearing the “Pride of West Virginia” Pep Band. “The band continues to get better and better every year. We’re very proud of the group,” Armstrong said.

The visit to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl has become a reunion of sorts for various alumni groups across the country.

Former alumni leaders from the Washington, DC, area were a part of the Arizona scene. Former National Capital Area Chapter leaders Bob and Bonnie Mummey and Tony Hylton met with the Paul Farmer family. Farmer is the popular “Head Crab” known for organizing the ever popular the DC alumni Crab Feast for nearly 30 years.

There were big contingencies of alumni groups from around the country. Jim Woodbord, Wayne Sparks, Ike Pethel and others from the Richmond area traveled west to cheer for the Mountaineers, as well as Parkersburg residents Richard Adams, Rick Adams, and John Dudley.

WVU’s first alumni chapter president, Reg Davis, was all smiles in sunny Scottsdale. He was part of the first Fiesta Bowl appearance. “It’s wonderful to see so many Mountaineers from back home supporting the team in Arizona,” states Davis.

And now, we?re off to Glendale for the “College Football’s Biggest Party” which is being held prior to kickoff of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The excitement is building and we?re looking forward to a great game!

Let?s Go Mountaineers!

The Gold & Blue have arrived in the Valley of the Sun!

After a day-long, cross-country journey, WVU fans are ready to ring in the 2008 in style. Everyone is excited about the upcoming game and are hopeful of a Mountaineer victory on January 2.

December, as all of us know, has been a time of challenges and emotion for the Mountaineer nation. WVU alumni and friends are anxiously awaiting 2008 and the soon-to-be selection of a new football coach on the horizon.

In every WVU bowl experience, much of the behind the scenes work is done by alumni volunteers. This year is no exception. Throughout the year, thousands of volunteers donate their time, expertise and money to support WVU causes such as mentoring and student recruiting.

This year alone, more than 300 watching parties for Mountaineer football games have been held from Boston to Seattle and Minneapolis to Phoenix.

The Fiesta Bowl is a wonderul opportunity to reconnect with our alumni in the area. Ian Hover is one of the cadre of WVU graduates in the Phoenix alumni chapter who have welcomed us to this wonderful area.

On January 1, several volunteers will welcome hundreds of fans attending Mountaineer Connection at Garduno’s. WVU information and giveaways will be provided throughout the day. Mountaineer Connection, WVU’s program for fans, will kick off at noon (Central Standard Time) tomorrow with appearances by WVU cheerleaders and Mountaineer mascot Brady Campbell. Other highlights at include a strolling Mariachi band from 1-4 p.m. and a complete televised array of New Year’s Day Bowl games. A special appearance by the “Pride if West Virginia” Pep Band will be held at Garduno’s starting at 2:30 p.m.

To help everyone get into the Mountaineer spirit, Tony Caridi will host his Statewide Sportsline from the Mountaineer Connection from 4-6 p.m. (All times are listed as Arizona time.)

Hats off again to all the volunteers across the country who represent the Mountaineer Nation. And, special mention is given to the Arizona alumni group comprised of Ian Hover, John Philips, Todd Sergi, Chad Leonard, Bruce Crow, Drew Behling, Stephanie Masters, and Shannon Mummey. Thank you for being such wonderful hosts!

Let?s Go Mountaineers!

Greetings from beautiful Glendale, Arizona!

Flying WVs are beginning to dot the landscape at airports across the country as Mountaineers make their way to the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

The WVU Alumni Association travel trip left North Central West Virginia at 7 a.m. aboard a full Boeing 737. The airport terminal in Bridgeport has become a favorite for many Mountaineer travelers due to its easy access and central location.

As expected, most everyone had their new West Virginia gear on thanks to the holiday season. A few cowboy hats and boots also were seen boarding the plane which added to the upcoming experience of the southwest.

Familiar faces from across the state were a part of the travel party. Mike and Heather Garrison, WVU’s first couple, and their two daughters accompanied Mountaineer fans on the trip. WVU Board of Governors Vice Chair Robert Wells of Baltimore, board member Ted Mattern and his wife Becky also were part of the travel group, as well as Academy of Distinguished Alumni inductee Dr. James Caveney, his wife Karen of Wheeling, and long-time alumni leaders Ed and Elrose Smith of Keyser.

As promised, a full shipment of pepperoni rolls was delivered to the plane thanks to David Alvarez, Manny Alvarez, and Billy Pulice of Bridgeport.

Other seasoned travelers headed to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl with the group were John and Sherra Shumate of Oak Hill, Samme Gee of Charleston, Dennis and Nancy Moulder of Cross Lanes, Dean and Patsy Rogers of Fairmont, as well as Morgantown Mountaineers Dana and Phil Weser, John and Anita Fleming, and Christie Cavallaro.

Ted Lawson of National Travel will be attending his 16th bowl game, while WVU Foundation President Wayne King and his wife, Mary, will be cheering for the team for the first time.

When we left today it was a cool 28 degrees, so our travelers are looking forward to enjoying a few days in the arid and sunny desert climate. Well, it has been an early day for all of us (including some who have been up since 4 a.m.), so it looks like a siesta is in order for all! Let’s Go Mountaineers!

Happy holidays my fellow Mountaineers! The football team arrived in Arizona, and they are gearing up to take on the Sooners in the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Our travel group will be leaving from Clarksburg on Sunday, and everyone is excited about the trip. We will arrive in Phoenix on December 30 and return on January 3. WVU alumnus David Alvarez of Bridgeport will once again be equipped with his customary West Virginia pepperoni rolls which serve as a good luck charm for the Mountaineers. (We are 2-0 since Dave started this new tradition.)

For nearly 20 years, the WVU Alumni Association has been sponsoring official trips to bowl games. This year, WVU has come full circle with our participation in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The first official trip occurred with an appearance by Coach Don Nehlen?s fantastic 1988 WVU football team versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The growth of the metropolitan area certainly has changed the landscape of Phoenix since our last visit. Alumni and friends still revel at the WVU Alumni Association pre-game party at Rawhide 19 years ago. The event was attended by 7,500 Mountaineers and consisted of a rodeo, Mountaineer Marching Band concert, and steak fry.

While we not be re-living Rawhide, we do have some new and exciting events planned. You will want to stop by the ?Mountaineer Connection? at the popular Garduno?s restaurant in Scottsdale on Jan. 1st. The event will feature Mountaineer highlight videos, food specials, giveaways and special appearances by the WVU Pep Band, cheerleaders and Mountaineer Brady Campbell. The event will take place from noon to 8 p.m.

Holiday travel and WVU bowl game appearances have been a perfect combination for many alumni and friends over the years. Velma Brinkley of Clarksburg is particularly excited about this bowl game and wants everyone to join her in Arizona. Velma, age 85, is one of the many Mountaineers who will be making the trek across the country to support our WVU team. ?Our boys need some encouragement this year more than ever,? she says. ?I?ve been going to see the Mountaineers in bowl games in more years than I want to admit, and it?s still not too late for Mountaineer fans to cheer on the team at the Fiesta Bowl.?

WVU alumni Jim and Pat Ellis of Sunset Beach, SC, are perennial followers of the Mountaineers. Jim regularly travels to WVU home and away games, often making the long journey from South Carolina to support the team. He and Pat enjoy catching up with fellow alumni and friends while meeting new fans at every bowl game.

Likewise, we have been pleased to have Bob and Carol Ochletree of Parkersburg join us for many of our travel trips. The Pennsboro natives get so excited about the trips that they start a ?countdown to the bowl trip? by checking off the days on the calendar.

In the past week, I have received many calls from alumni and friends eager to support the team. The Kanawha Valley Chapter, with the help of local businesses, will be getting signatures and notes of support for a special banner which will be sent to the football team in Arizona. If you are going to the WVU-Oklahoma basketball game on Saturday, be sure to stop by to sign the banner. This is a great way to show your support, even if you can?t be there in person.

Don?t forget to visit our special Web site ? WV Bowlspace (http://bowlgame.wvu.edu/) ? for more information on WVU events and activities surrounding the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. So, to all Mountaineers, don your best gold and blue and get ready to yell, ?Let?s Go Mountaineers.?

Greetings my fellow Mountaineers! As all WVU alumni and friends are aware, the Mountaineers will be heading to another exiting BCS bowl game for the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on January 2.

As a part of the WVU bowl experience, I?m excited to be keeping you involved in the day-to-day activities in the weeks leading up to and including the bowl game. I hope my report back to you will give you a ?hometown? feel as I meet many the Mountaineers who have traveled near and far to cheer our team to victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.

The greater Phoenix area will provide a number of different options for Mountaineer travelers interested in attending the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Air fares are still abundant from nearby major metropolitan airports and generally run in the $300 to $500 range.

Most activities for Mountaineer fans will be centered in the Scottsdale section of the Phoenix Metro Area. The team headquarters will be the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, while the WVU alumni headquarters will be just up the road at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch.

For daily updates on Tostitos Fiesta Bowl coverage, please visit ?WV BowlSpace? (http://bowlgame.wvu.edu/) ? a social networking community where Mountaineer fans can gather from all points around the globe to get information about activities and events surrounding the bowl, show support for the team, post your favorite WVU photos or share your special WVU stories of home.

The Mountaineer football team has participated in 20 post season bowl games since the 1972 season. For four decades, the holiday season and travel to bowl game has been synonymous with WVU fans across the country.

West Virginia University has enjoyed a storied reputation of its supporters traveling across the country to back their team. I?ve had the good fortune as a student, and now as a WVU alumnus, to participate in 19 of those 20 contests. I?m sure my attendance at bowl games is not an exception for many alumni and friends. That?s the case for R.A. ?Big Cat? Soccorsi of Morgantown who will be attending his 16th WVU bowl game with pride. ?Big Cat? will be in the Valley of the Sun beside student members of the Mountaineer Maniacs where he serves as an honorary member.

On our travels and through our day-to-day interactions, it?s hard not to find a Mountaineer connection. Recently, members of the Fiesta Bowl Committee were in Morgantown to meet with alumni and fans. The committee chairman, Dick Stemple, was born and raised in Webster Springs, WV. Dick?s nephew, John Stemple, was the Mountaineer mascot from 1994-95, so he is very excited to have West Virginia University representing his home state in Arizona. Dick would love to hear from the Mountaineer faithful, so be sure to e-mail dickstemple@cox.net.

Whether you are at home cheering for the team or joining us in Arizona, we hope you will continue to show your Mountaineer pride no matter where you may be. So tell me, what?s your favorite bowl game memory? Who have you reconnected with on your travels?

Let?s Go Mountaineers!