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Alright, already... You think West Virginia football, and you think the Mountaineers, and
how is it that you come with "Milan Puskar Stadium"? Well, indeed, this is the same
Mountaineer Field it has always been, nestled in the center of West Virginia University
and certainly the epicenter of this community's sports pulse. But in 1993 philathropist
Milan Puskar, founder of Mylan Laborotories in Pittsburgh, came up with a $20 MM
bequest to fund WVU athletics. As a show of gratitude for this show of generosity, the
venue was renamed "Milan Puskar Stadium", and the new moniker was unveiled in
late 2003.
The result of this bequest was major renovations and upgrades to Mountaineer Field,
including new club seats and premium seating, renovated athletic and training
facilities, a team museum and new entrance plaza. Despite the changes, the stadium
retains pretty much the same look since its opening in 1980, and with capacity of a
little over 60,000, still has a pretty intimate feel for a major college venue.
Keep in mind that Morgantown is a college town... the university is split into two
separate campuses, and the college buildings are pretty much interwoven into the
local neighborhoods and into the downtown area. And on football game days, this
small town becomes the center of the state's population, with fans pouring in from
across the state to see the team. And on more than a couple of occasions, things have
gotten unruly here, with dramatic wins turning into goalpost demolishing celebrations
and then spilling into the streets. In fact, in 2003 power had to be shut off to much of
the town after a win over Virginia Tech, because the streets were in a frenzy after the
big win over a highly ranked opponent.
For our visit we had the opportunity to catch an interconference matchup featuring two
clubs in the top 25. The game did not disappoint as Maryland and West Virginia
needed to go past four quarters to determine a winner as WV's Chris Henry caught a
short TD pass in the first OT to settle matters by a 19-16 count.
As the celebration began, the loudspeakers began to play what has to be the unofficial
state anthem, John Denver's "Country Roads". Country roads.......take me
hoooome.......to the place........where aaaahhh belooooong. WEST
VIRGINA.......mountain high......take me hooooome......country roads....
Great atmosphere in a great college town. Hopefully someday we'll get to return.
how is it that you come with "Milan Puskar Stadium"? Well, indeed, this is the same
Mountaineer Field it has always been, nestled in the center of West Virginia University
and certainly the epicenter of this community's sports pulse. But in 1993 philathropist
Milan Puskar, founder of Mylan Laborotories in Pittsburgh, came up with a $20 MM
bequest to fund WVU athletics. As a show of gratitude for this show of generosity, the
venue was renamed "Milan Puskar Stadium", and the new moniker was unveiled in
late 2003.
The result of this bequest was major renovations and upgrades to Mountaineer Field,
including new club seats and premium seating, renovated athletic and training
facilities, a team museum and new entrance plaza. Despite the changes, the stadium
retains pretty much the same look since its opening in 1980, and with capacity of a
little over 60,000, still has a pretty intimate feel for a major college venue.
Keep in mind that Morgantown is a college town... the university is split into two
separate campuses, and the college buildings are pretty much interwoven into the
local neighborhoods and into the downtown area. And on football game days, this
small town becomes the center of the state's population, with fans pouring in from
across the state to see the team. And on more than a couple of occasions, things have
gotten unruly here, with dramatic wins turning into goalpost demolishing celebrations
and then spilling into the streets. In fact, in 2003 power had to be shut off to much of
the town after a win over Virginia Tech, because the streets were in a frenzy after the
big win over a highly ranked opponent.
For our visit we had the opportunity to catch an interconference matchup featuring two
clubs in the top 25. The game did not disappoint as Maryland and West Virginia
needed to go past four quarters to determine a winner as WV's Chris Henry caught a
short TD pass in the first OT to settle matters by a 19-16 count.
As the celebration began, the loudspeakers began to play what has to be the unofficial
state anthem, John Denver's "Country Roads". Country roads.......take me
hoooome.......to the place........where aaaahhh belooooong. WEST
VIRGINA.......mountain high......take me hooooome......country roads....
Great atmosphere in a great college town. Hopefully someday we'll get to return.
Mountaineer
Field
Morgantown,
West
Virginia
September
18,
2004
Maryland
Terrapins
at
West Virginia
Mountaineers
| Morgantown, West Virginia |
Milan Puskar Stadium