Mikel Hager Picked as 69th Mountaineer Mascot

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — During the men’s basketball game on Saturday, West Virginia University picked Mikel Hager to serve as the school’s 69th Mountaineer mascot. Hager is a senior exercise physiology major from Madison, W.Va and will take over duties for the 2023-24 school year.

The three other finalists were Braden Adkins, Christian Adkins and Bailey Gatens.

From WVU’s release:

Mikel Hager, from Madison, is a senior exercise physiology major minoring in psychology and communication studies. He is a four-year member of the WVU Gold Cheer Team and volunteers his time at Suncrest Elementary School as a math tutor. Hager is also a recipient of the PROMISE Scholarship.

“Being selected as the Mountaineer mascot would mean the absolute world to me and my small town of Madison,” Hager said. “Representing Mountaineer Nation and the people of West Virginia as the 69th Mountaineer would be a prestigious opportunity.”

Mary Roush from Mason served as the university’s mascot this past school year, third woman in history.