Let's GOOOOOOO Mountaineers!!!!

Ah, nothing screams fall like WVU football. Amen? I grew up going to football games and have very fond memories of watching (cluelessly) football, sipping hot chocolate and screaming when the band came out. Since I was never (still so sad to me) a WVU student, I didn't experience what it was like from a student perspective, but I still LOVE WVU football games!

Patrick was in the band in college. The Pride of West Virginia, that's what they call the band. He played the trumpet and had a great time being in the band. We joke sometimes about how often we probably passed each other while I was at a game and he was playing in the band. Wouldn't that be fun to know?

This past weekend was Homecoming at WVU. It's always a rowdy time! The parade on Friday night kicks it off (well, I'm sure a lot of other things kick on during the day...). As a townie, the WVU Homecoming parade was always something to look forward to. Everyone comes out for the Homecoming parade! So Patrick and I went downtown on Friday night and enjoyed seeing the bands play, the fire trucks blow their sirens and small children run after flying candy.

On Saturday, we got up bright and early because Patrick was doing Alumni band! They had an early morning practice for a few hours, so I dropped him off and happily sat at Panera until they were done. He was able to see some old friends and enjoyed spending time with them. After he was done, we parked the car and walked to the stadium.

What would a football game be without tailgating? We stopped at five different tailgates and enjoyed free food (and conversations with new and old friends) at each one. We walked a lot and were happy to end up with the Hawkins' tailgate so we could sit down and chat.

(Ashley and Katie)

Patrick headed in to the stadium early and I followed a few minutes behind to be sure to see the pre-game show! I took a lot of pictures of the football players practicing, the alumni band preparing and the sea of gold and blue taking over the stadium. It was so fun and so exciting to watch Patrick run out onto the field and start preforming! I LOVE the marching band and I loved it even more since Patrick was out there.

After they preformed, the current band came out and took over. It was so nostalgic and so wonderful to be apart of this tradition one more time. Patrick eventually made it up to me and we wandered around for a seat (there was NO room in the alumni band section...big snare drums and tubas take up a lot of seats!). We ended up sitting with Katie, Brooke and Byron and that was so much fun.

During the third quarter, Patrick started feeling a little sick so we headed out. It was such a fun game AND we won! 31, WVU - 13, MSU. I do love being a Mountaineer!

Homecoming Highlights:

Patrick running onto the field. Can you spot him?!

The Pride of West Virginia Alumni Band!

The WVU marching band playing loudly! (Can you tell they are in the shape of WV!!?)Patrick and Ashley during the game...
The view from our seats.
Patrick and Kent tailgating...