The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

College Sports

May 15, 2012

WVU Coaches Caravan rolling back into Beckley

By Gary Fauber Assistant Sports Editor

BECKLEY — West Virginia University’s annual Coaches Caravan is always a good way to further stoke fans’ excitement for football season.

Of course, that might not be necessary this year. With all the offensive firepower returning from a team that laid 70 points on Clemson in the Orange Bowl, the gold-and-blue faithful haven’t stopped talking about the 2012 season.

Led by quarterback Geno Smith and a bevy of returning players on offense, the Mountaineers are projected as a Top 10 team when the preseason polls are released in August.

Still, the caravan rolls on, and will make its annual stop in Beckley next Thursday, May 24. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

“The fans enjoy talking to these coaches, and it helps create enthusiasm and sell a lot of tickets,” said Doug Ball, director of the Mountaineer Athletic Club. “Of course, it looks like (the fans) have made a rush for football tickets, so they probably won’t have much problem selling them.”

Several WVU coaches, as well as athletic director Oliver Luck, will be speaking at the banquet. Among them are football coach Dana Holgorsen, men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins and gymnastics coach Jason Butts. Also there will be WVU radio play-by-play man Tony Caridi.

The school’s impending move to the Big 12 Conference, which will become official July 1, is a hot topic.

“I’m sure Oliver will go over a lot of that, as familiar as he and coach Holgorsen are with the Big 12,” Ball said.

Count Ball among those excited about the switch. He recalled traveling to see the Mountaineers play Oklahoma when quarterback Jeff Hostetler was a senior.

“I would say some of the nicest fans I have encountered were in Norman (Okla.),” Ball said. “They have a great following. It will be an exciting time when they come (to Morgantown).

“That West Virginia will be in a conference with the Oklahomas and Texas’ and TCUs, a lot of college football’s powerhouses, is very exciting.”

The Sooners will visit WVU Nov. 17.

The golf portion of the caravan is scheduled for Aug. 20 at The Resort at Glade Springs. More information on that event will be available at a later date.

Tickets for the dinner are $50 each, or a preferred table that seats eight can be purchased for $500.

For more information, call Ball at 304-254-2169 or 304-545-0252, or call the convention center at 304-252-7361.

Text Only
College Sports
  • Special moments, players and coaches in state sports history

    In celebration of West Virginia's 150th birthday, our sports staff decided to take a look at some of the athletes, coaches and venues that make sports in the Mountain State special.

    June 19, 2013

  • Huggins says WVU could be very good team

     Coach Bob Huggins admittedly feels much better about the West Virginia men’s basketball team as it prepares for the 2013-14 season.

    June 17, 2013

  • Bloop hits hurt Miners in first game of twin-bill with Paints

    Chicks may dig the long ball, but on some nights just a few well-placed bloop hits can spell more damage than home runs.

    June 15, 2013

  • Huggins says transfers not isolated case

    Coach Bob Huggins will tell you that losing four players to transfer mode from his West Virginia men’s basketball squad was not an unusual or isolated case.

    June 15, 2013

  • 012612 Bolen.jpg Bolen named assistant coach at East Tennessee State

    When Mountain State University lost its general accreditation last year, head basketball coach Bob Bolen was among many that were left without a job.
    However, as expected, he landed on his feet.
    The lifelong Beckley resident and former head coach at MSU has officially been named an assistant coach at East Tennessee State. The move, which had been rumored for weeks, was announced by the school Friday morning.

    June 14, 2013 5 Photos 1 Story

  • 061413 miners Just who are the 2013 Miners?

    A look at the Propsect League standings gives a clear picture of just how important today’s doubleheader between the Chillicothe Paints and the West Virginia Miners at Linda K. Epling Stadium will be for both teams.

    June 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • 061313 Miners.jpg Miscues cost Miners

    If only earned runs counted, the West Virginia Miners and the Slippery Rock Sliders may still be playing at Linda K. Epling Stadium.

    June 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • Geno in close battle with Sanchez for Jets’ QB spot

    If Geno Smith isn’t the starter this fall with the New York Jets, West Virginia University’s all-time leading passer won’t necessarily be holding a clipboard on the sidelines.

    June 13, 2013

  • 061213 Miners Miners win third straight

    Normally, Dale Davis would have batted left-handed in his seventh-inning at-bat against Slippery Rock reliever Kevin Becker-Mendito. But because of the right-hander’s sidearm motion, the switch-hitting Davis attacked from the right side.

    June 12, 2013 1 Photo

  • Prosecutor says handling of WVU FOIA requests OK

    It wasn’t until about a week ago that I found for certain who is responsible to make sure that the Freedom of Information of Act law is enforced in West Virginia.

    June 12, 2013