Exclusive: West Virginia Gov. Morrisey Notes How WVU’s Success Boosts State

WVU Baseball is putting West Virginia and their fans on the map. The passion the Mountain State holds for their Mountaineers isn’t anything new, nor is their tradition of singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after home wins — West Virginia Athletics dates back more than 130 years, while the latter took hold as the school’s anthem in 1972.

The Mountaineers’ run to the College World Series placed a spotlight on their fans and their passion, however, and West Virginia Governor Pat Morrisey thinks that the success of state universities and their academics are inextricably linked with the success of the state’s 1.8 million people.

“I’m a big believer that when WVU sports do well, when Marshall sports do well, it’s incredible for the state of West Virginia because you get to tell your story, and we have a lot of wonderful things to tell people across the country,” Morrisey said in an exclusive interview with West Virginia Sports Now. He added that bringing in out-of-state students gives West Virginia a chance to retain that population, reinforcing the state in the decades to come.

“One thing for people to know, part of why you want more people to come in and attend your university and expand the enrollment at WVU is we get more people to stay here in our state. We’re a population that needs to grow, we need net migration, so we want to welcome people from all across the country to come in — and this is a great opportunity to sell that on the national stage. So yes, we are looking for different ways to do that.”

All About Advertising

Postseason events provide an opportunity for schools to gain national attention: during the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, for example, most schools run advertising campaigns to give spectators an idea of what they have to offer. After state-driven advertising blitzes in recent years aimed at boosting tourism, Morrisey said he plans to capitalize on the Mountaineers’ momentum. Ever the showman, he won’t disclose how just yet.

“We are looking into that, so I won’t tip it off right now,” Morrisey said, “but we’re always looking to expand our reach.”

The Mountaineers have the advantage of another public relations asset in former WVU and Indianapolis Colts kicker/punter Pat McAfee. Despite nearly a decade in the NFL, McAfee is better known today for his eponymous sports talk show; he’s reportedly in the process of inking a new contract with ESPN worth north of $60 million per year.

“I think one thing which is very, very cool is that McAfee is going to be out there [in Omaha]. Before the game he’s having his show, you know what that means. I mean, probably the biggest sports show that exists out there,” Morrisey said.

Pat McAfee Makes Special Announcement About WVU Baseball in College World Series

“For him to put that much time into WVU sports makes a real big difference, so I think part of what is important is how we brand this and talk about it. But at the same time, I think actually having everyone watch what happens with WVU — that Country Roads singing that occurs, that’s natural, it’s good, it’s authentic, it’s not something you see at games — so none of this is make-believe. These are a bunch of high quality kids.”

Mountaineers on the Map

Morrisey continued describing how WVU Baseball’s success reflects the state’s strengths as a whole, noting how the passionate atmosphere at the Mountaineers’ home games underscores the love that West Virginians have for their home.

“Where people get to see what baseball, what sports means to the citizens of West Virginia. I think it really exemplifies that in West Virginia we’re all family,” Morrisey said. “We all come together. It doesn’t take long for you to figure out you’re two levels removed from someone in West Virginia.”

After attending three of the Mountaineers’ seven games so far this postseason, Morrisey drew on personal anecdotes from his time at Kendrick Family Ballpark.

“It does mean so much. I can tell you this. After the game, I come down and I’m walking around and everyone’s saying ‘hey, did you see what happened with the game? Hey, did you see the five-run rally in the ninth? Were you there?’ I’m like ‘yeah, I was there.’ And people were so fired up about it, and you remember those moments for the rest of your life,” Morrisey said. “Sports create memories that bring people together and that bind them. West Virginia’s having a moment, and that unites so many people across the state.”