In about two weeks, the Mountaineer faithful will be descending upon Charlotte for the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl. As always, we have some fun events and activities planned for you.

The WVU Alumni Association and the University have mapped out a number of things for you to do while in the Queen City.

If you’re traveling through the Mountain State along I-64/I-77, be sure to stop by Tamarack on Dec. 26 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to grab a refreshment, pick up a free WVU gift item, rally with fans and pick up a special bowl edition of the Beckley Register-Herald.
Once in Charlotte, make sure you stop by the RBC Bank Street Festival on the 26th from 11 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Here you’ll find interactive games and rides, live entertainment, team appearances, food and beverage vendors, cheerleader and band performances, merchandise, sponsor giveaways, face painting and more. The Meineke Car Care Bowl’s Web site offers more information, along with other planned events, on their Web site—http://meinekecarcarebowl.com/events/index.html.

Our popular “Mountaineer Connection” will run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Charlotte’s Epicentre (210 Trade Street). This unique event will highlight favorite Mountaineer traditions with special activities including a grand opening performance by the Pride of West Virginia Marching Band, appearances by the Mountaineer and WVU cheerleaders, special photo opportunities, Mountaineer karaoke, and interactive games. Limited gold and blue giveaways will also be available to fans. For more information about the Mountaineer Connection, visit: http://bowlgame.wvu.edu/fan_events.

We’ve also partnered with local businesses to provide some special discounts. Specialty food and beverage concessions are available at nearby Blackfinn, Suite, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Whiskey River – including a $10 buffet option and special menu selections. You’ll also be able to watch Mountaineer football highlights and maybe you’ll even brave a ride on the mechanical bull.

You won’t want to miss the pep rally. We’ll gather at the Epicentre at 4:30 p.m. where we’ll have some special giveaway as you leave the festivities. The Pride of West Virginia will lead Mountaineer fans to the official pep rally which begins at 5 p.m. We’ll cap off the evening with a special broadcast of the West Virginia Statewide Sportsline at 6 p.m. at the Epicentre.

The Association is pleased to bring to you once again “Chalk Talk” with Tony Caridi on the morning of the game. Tony will provide us with an insider’s view of the bowl game. To reserve your spot for this special brunch, visit http://www.WVUSportsTravel.com.
Next week, Mike Petruski, our president of the Alumni Association’s Charlotte Chapter, will be our guest blogger. Mike and his fellow chapter members are going to give you the bird’s eye view of the city and provide some tips and “must sees” while visiting the city.
Don’t forget to check out WVU BowlSpace—http://bowlgame.wvu.edu/. This is a great site for your bowl information, and it’s a great way to share your kudos to the team. As Mike Bragg says in his post, “The whole state is behind you, go out and show the nation what we see every Saturday and prove that no matter how big the odds, we can overcome.”
Counting down the days until we leave for Charlotte! Let’s Go Mountaineers!