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.