Hump Day: Don’t Call It A Comeback…

…hump day been here for years.

For this hump day, we’re going to get in the WBGV Wayback Machine and go back to a kinder and simpler time: the age when Britney Spears was hot. Sure, the train wreck that is today’s Britney Spears is fun and all, but I still reminisce fondly back to the days when she was just about the hottest thing on the planet.

So, without further ado…

The Revolution Will Be Televised (On Versus)

A couple months ago, as some of you may remember, I officially launched my grassroots campaign for Athletic Director of WVU. It was always going to be an uphill battle, but as a simple country boy — you might say a cockeyed optimist — I figured I had as good a chance as any.

You may even remember some of my campaign platforms:

1. Each scholarship football player would receive one designated knight of the roundtable to fight all nightclub fights. The better the player, the better the knight. Noel Devine, obviously, would get Lancelot. Ed Collington, if he were still on the team, would get the knight version of Radio.

3. Jamie Smalligan will be publicly flogged to mark both the winter and summer solstice, as well as Flag Day.

5. Major Harris will be permanently displayed outside of the south gate at Mountaineer Field. A statue, you say? No, the real Major Harris.

Well, thanks to the shenanigans surrounding the Garrison regime, my chances just got a little better.

The Check Actually Was In The Mail

In an almost stunning turn of events — considering our recent track record with this sort of thing — John Beilein sent WVU a check for $290,000. This represented the first installment of the $1.5 million he owes the school due to his contract buyout.

Beilein made the first payment “under protest” and again expressed his displeasure with the liquidated damages clause. He called it “unenforceable” and said it is “grossly disproportional to any actual damages that may have been incurred by the University and is void as a matter of public policy.”

Beilein also left open the possibility he might contest the settlement in the future.

“At this time, I have chosen not to initiate legal proceedings to declare the Agreement and the related liquidated damages provision in the Employment Agreement void but reserve my right to seek future action,” he wrote.

“I urge the University to stop using the liquidated damages provision in its employment contracts because such provisions are illegal, onerous, and violate public policy.”

Eh, who cares. As long as the check clears, he can huff and puff all he wants.

To be honest with you, I would be disappointed if he didn’t. After all, he’s stuck in a basketball quagmire in Ann Arbor while CBH might have a Final Four caliber team in Morgantown next year.

This does, however, officially move Beilein below Rodriguez on the WVU hate power rankings. Here is the updated list:

1. Rich Rodriguez
2. Adolph Hitler
3. Josef Stalin
4. Yanni
5. John Beilein

As long as the check clears.

[Mike Casazza @ Daily Mail]

We’ve Gone Facebook

In another attempt to reach every Mountaineer fan on the planet, WBGV has setup our official home on Facebook. So far, we have about 6 friends/fans, which pretty much sums up our lives in junior high school.

Anyways….if you’re on Facebook, look us up. If we get a ton of fans, we might do something nice for everyone — like an ice cream social or a bowling party.

Dougity Dog: Devine Intervention

When Noel Devine was in high school, his highlight reel was the stuff of legend. Millions of people watched his YouTube videos in complete awe of his skills.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, this newest epic by Dougity Dog becomes the college compliment to Devine’s high school glory. And if you think this is good, just wait until next year.

Caution: Noel Devine’s ankle-breaking moves may be NSFW.

Also note the new sidebar to the left. It will feature links to all of WVMF’s (aka Dougity Dog’s) videos and features. Highly recommended.

UPDATE: Forgot to credit ZProductionZ for the awesome introduction to the video.  Our sincere apologies — and mad props for the quality work.

Word of the Day: ATTACKLE

I love Head Coach Bill Stewart. Really, love. L-O-V-E.

Is it because he’s a good coach? Nope. Is it because he’s a nice guy? Nope. Is it because he’s not Rich Rodriguez? Close, but still no. It’s because he’s the best public speaker since Patrick Henry.

Seriously, watch this video. I know, I know, we’ve all seen it before. But seriously watch it this time. Especially watch at the :44 mark where he goes off script and starts making up words.

You see that? What better advice to give to a team than “attackle?” C’mon, it’s a lethal combination of attack and tackle. There’s no way Oklahoma was ready for that shit. They might as well not even come out on the field.

Best Recruiting Class in Mountaineer History

We mean that. This 2009 class will be the best group of players West Virginia has ever brought into school. Already this year, we have gotten verbal committments (yeah, yeah, worth as much as the paper they’re written on) from enough fantastic players to make a lot of former classes. And it’s late April

Logan Heastie, as well all know, is the #1 WR in the country and the #6 overall player in the class of 2009. His friend, Tahj Boyd, is the #21 rated QB in the country. Those alone were enough to get Mountaineer faithful excited. Of course, since the spring game, the momentum has built again at a fever pitch.

I’m A Big Boy Now!

Well, it is about to happen. I never thought this day would come but I’m about to do something I’ve never done. I’ve thought about it many times and always wondered what it would feel like. No, I won’t be getting to have sex with a woman that is awake. I’m moving away from West Virginia.

It is a little scary to leave Mountaineer Country for a place where Cocks rule. San Francisco? No. I’m moving to the low country of South Carolina.

The Gold-Blue Game Happened

Well, color me pleasantly surprised. Between the beautiful weather, huge crowd (at least by WVU standards), and general lack of interest in the on-field action, the Gold-Blue Game was a complete success.

Gold-Blue Game NOT Blue-Gold

Saturday, April 19, 2008 will go down in history as the start of something great. It is the unveiling of this new fangled offense that will put the new era of Mountaineer Football in motion. Do you want to miss it? Hell no, so get your ass to Mountaineer Field to see the Gold-Blue Game. Granted, we won’t fill the place like ‘Bama or Nebraska but we should at least pack the lower level and some of the upper deck press box side.

From the jump HCBS has done nothing but move WVU in the right direction. He secured one of the best coaching staffs in the nation, solidified the ’08 recruiting class, handled discipline problems swiftly, and always says the right thing. All of that is great for a fluff piece but I want to see results on the field.

Mulling on Mullen

I’m about to write what many in Mountaineer country will consider blasphemy, but…I’m not sold on Jeff Mullen, and am fearful of an offensive collapse.

And it’s not like my normal fear of the unknown, like kissing a girl. It’s more like, Dave Wannstedt giving me mustachio grooming advise, or Marcus Vick babysitting my teenage sister, or Dan Dakich coaching my basketball team. (I genuinely felt sorry for Indiana.)

I’m scared to death. Extreme paranoia.

The Emergence of Will Johnson

Since 2001, passing at Mountaineer Field has been few and far between. Really, only Chris Henry could be considered a star receiver under Rich Rodriguez. On a lesser scale, Miquelle Henderson and Brandon Myles had some success at the position. And occaisionally, Travis Garvin would make a catch in space and run like he stole something — which, we would find out years later, was especially appropriate.

But within that lack of a passing game, there lay an even bigger hole in WVU’s playbook: anything involving a tight end. Sure, we would insert a TE as a glorified offensive lineman, but very, very rarely did one ever catch a pass. Besides annoying the hell out of me, it also allowed the defense to focus on one less offensive threat.

Well, opposing defenses, the TE is alive and well in Morgantown. Thank Will Johnson.

The Pro Prospects of Joe Alexander

When there’s news involving WVU basketball, Joe Alexander, and the NBA, there’s only one person we thought to ask to evaluate the situation. Well, he was busy, so Stiles is filling in. Take it away, Stiles…

With news of Joe Alexander declaring for the NBA Draft, but not hiring an agent, let’s take a deeper look into Alexander’s game as it relates to the NBA.

First, we’ll look at Alexander’s weaknesses. Why? Because it is these areas that will get Joe back to Morgantown next year.

Party Like It’s 2009

We’re barely three days from the national championship and already early 2008-09 top 25 lists are being rolled out. Want to know how WVU is being perceived after the surprise Sweet 16 run? Well, you won’t have to scroll too far in most rankings, considering we’re damn near the top.

WBGV, Dougity Dog Announce Partnership

West BY GOD Virginia and Dougity Dog (and his website, WVMOUNTAINEERSFANS.com) have teamed up to bring you the best in WVU highlight and promotional videos.

You might remember Dougity Dog as the man behind basically every great West Virginia YouTube classic. (You might also remember WBGV as people who watched and really enjoyed those videos.) Well, now, all those videos will debut exclusively on West BY GOD Virginia. Want to get goosebumps watching Noel Devine break ankles and tear up defenses? You’ll see it on WBGV in less than a week.

For now, we give you this commercial as just a glimpse of what is coming in the future.

PS: We are very proud of this partnership as it gives a bigger platform for both WBGV and Dougity Dog. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it, too.