Published: November 14, 2008 08:48 am      

Mountaineer writer Furfari meets his fans at book signing

At 85, he still enjoys bringing WVU sports home for readers

For 62 years, Mickey Furfari has been delighting fans of West Virginia University athletics with stories and commentaries regarding their beloved Mountaineers.

Thursday, some of those fans had a chance to show their gratitude to the legendary sports writer when he traveled from his home in Morgantown to Princeton and Beckley, where he signed copies of his first and only book, “Mickey’s Mountaineer Memories,” a historical look at WVU athletics through his eyes.

More than 200 people stopped by Hardee’s in Princeton and United Bank in Beckley to have Furfari sign their copies of his book, which was published in conjunction with Beckley Newspapers.

“I’m just so grateful to the people of southern West Virginia to have been so open arms in greeting me,” Furfari said. “It’s so nice of these people to say, ‘I’ve been reading you for years.’

“It just means so much to me for someone to say that. For them to go out of their way to say something nice to this old guy is kind of overwhelming.”

Furfari said he rejected the idea of penning a book several times throughout the years, but was unable to do so when Beckley Newspaper Publisher/General Manager Frank Wood called with the suggestion.

“I’ve resisted it from my brothers, my sisters and my friends,” he said. “The thought just didn’t appeal to me, but I could not turn down Mr. Wood.”

Furfari said he enjoyed writing “Mickey’s Mountaineer Memories,” which features 41 chapters on WVU athletes and coaching legends, including Jerry West, Sam Huff, Hot Rod Hundley, Rod Thorn and Don Nehlen.

Additionally, the book features a forward from basketball great West, whom Furfari first met in 1955 when the Hall of Famer was a senior at East Bank High School.

“I’m so glad (he wrote the book) because it gives me an opportunity to see a lot of people and to thank them for supporting something that has been one of my first loves, outside of my family, forever,” he said. “It’s all been a joy. It really has and I’m just so happy we’ve done it.”

Although Furfari, who is 85, enjoyed writing the book, he says he still treasures the opportunity to bring to life for readers the happenings at WVU.

“It’s my 62nd year covering WVU sports and it’s just such a great thing,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of fine people in the newspaper world and have enjoyed it immensely.”

— E-mail: mjames@register-herald.com