Notable alumni from West Virginia include TV host Steve Harvey, former college football coach Bobby Bowden, former NFL punter and current TV personality Pat McAfee, NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Coonts and Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick.

2. Watch where you step

West Virginia football traces its origins back to 1891, when its first team lost to Washington & Jefferson 72-0 on a converted cow pasture.

3. He’s the man

West Virginia’s first consensus All-American was Ira Errett Rodgers in 1919. He scored 19 touchdowns, kicked 33 extra points and passed for 11 more scores, unheard of at the time. His 147 points scored led the nation.

4. State pride

West Virginia adopted “Mountaineers” as a mascot in 1905. It’s taken from the state motto, which is “Mountaineers are Always Free.”

5. Sing along

The John Denver song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has been performed at every West Virginia home game since 1972. Players and fans link arms when then sing the song during pregame. In 1980, Denver himself performed the song before a game.