Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Stonehenge Ales Pigswill.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, April 9 - WV MetroNews
WVU Director of Athletics Oliver Luck details facility upgrades set to take place for the football program in the coming years. We also hear from defensive coordinator Tony Gibson as he shares his overall thoughts on the defenses progression this spring.
WVU Drops Midweek Game at Penn State - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team fell 8-4 in midweek action at Penn State on Tuesday evening.
WVU continues struggles, falls to Penn State 8-4 after disappointing third inning - Daily Athenaeum
The Mountaineers jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead in the early going but faltered late, dropping their fourth straight game with an 8-4 loss on the road against Penn State Tuesday.
Carey a Runner Up for National Honor - WVU Athletics
Coach Carey received the second-most votes for AP Coach of the Year.
Mountaineers Honored for Academics - WVU Athletics
Fifteen WVU student-athletes earn Big 12 academic honor.
Furfari: Criticism of Turnbull’s firing is growing - Register-Herald
Hard-hitting criticism of Oliver Luck since his firing of longtime West Virginia University head wresting coach Craig Turnbull has been steadily growing.
News of Note:
Facilities Upgrades
WVU Investing in its Athletic Future - WVU Athletics
WVU planning $106 million in athletic facility improvements.
Conceptual Facility Renderings - WVU Athletics
Conceptual renderings for WVU's athletic facility master plan.
Mike Casazza: Luck speaks for first time on facility projects - Charleston Gazette
But if we’re being honest, he didn’t have to say anything because the answers to every reasonable question surrounded him.
Luck: Aging facilities need upgrades - Charleston Gazette
Oliver Luck admits that much of what will be done with the roughly $106 million earmarked for improvements to West Virginia University’s athletic facilities remains in the planning stages and, in some cases, is still merely conceptual.
Luck on $106 million facilities project: ‘Fans expect more’ - WV MetroNews
AD highlights planned enhancements for Milan Puskar Stadium and WVU Coliseum.
West Virginia announces details of athletic facilities upgrades - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Luck said that the proposal is a sign West Virginia has shifted from survival mode to spend mode and will result in a “very timely injection of money to update and renovate and rejuvenate our facilities.”
Luck Details New Facility Upgrades - EerSports
WVU Athletic Director met with the media on Tuesday and detailed $106 million in facility upgrades that have already been approved.
WVU Unveils $106 Million Facilities Plan - BGN
Luck said that as it is now, the Coliseum is 102 restroom units and 21 concession units short of federal standards for a venue of its capacity.
WVU unveils plans for new facilities - Times West Virginian
Back in the 1950s, Rosemary Clooney, whose nephew is the actor George Clooney, had a hit song entitled “This Ole House” and Tuesday morning in his “ole house,” the West Virginia University Coliseum, you could almost hear athletic director Andrew Luck singing the lyrics as he explained the plans for $106 million in improvements that will be performed on Milan Puskar Stadium, the Coliseum and the other athletic facilities.
WVU plans $106 million upgrades to athletic venues - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
One immediate nonfootball upgrade will be a new marquee in front of WVU Coliseum.
West Virginia still waiting for regulation tennis courts - Daily Athenaeum
Although the improper court sizes will not be getting fixed anytime soon, the Mountaineers play their home matches at the Ridgeview Racquet Club in Morgantown, an indoor facility with the correct court regulations.
Football
Defensive Staff Experience Key for WVU's Gibson - WVillustrated
Three former defensive coordinators surround Tony Gibson on a daily basis. The meeting of the minds has helped the Mountaineers defense this spring.
Dustin Garrison emerging in West Virginia Mountaineers backfield - ESPN
Even with All-Big 12 performer Charles Sims moving on to the NFL, West Virginia still has an abundance of riches at running back.
Dillon making impact on West Virginia defense this spring - Register-Herald
K.J. Dillon has been a contributor on the West Virginia defense. He provided depth at the safety spot as a freshman in 2013, recording 20 tackles and forcing a fumble, and as a sophomore he made four starts, battling injuries throughout the season on his way to 28 tackles and six pass breakups.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Golson puts missteps behind him - Times West Virginian
As journeys go, Brandon Golson’s may not have been quite as adventurous as Lewis and Clark’s or Marco Polo’s, but in football terms the West Virginia linebacker’s travels to Morgantown have been anything but a walk in the park.
Competition Pushes Garrison - EerSports
Dustin Garrison isn't receiving as much hype as his position mates, but he has put on quite a performance so far this spring.
Mitch Vingle: A primer on the Crimson Tide - Charleston Gazette
And take a look at Alabama, WVU’s opening opponent. In sum? William & Mary they ain’t.
Recruiting:
WVU recruiting: Mountaineers to get visit from CC guard - Charleston Gazette
The picture surrounding West Virginia departed shooting guard Eron Harris’ “replacement” for 2014 has cleared up considerably over the last week.
Pro News:
WVUPros on the Hardwood Report 4/8/14 - WVU Pros
Let’s take a look at what your favorite WVUPros have done on the hardwood in the last week, including the end of Devin Ebanks season:
Brandon Hogan signs with the Winnipeg Bluebombers of the CFL - WVU Pros
After nearly two years out of football, Brandon Hogan is ready to resume his football career as the Winnipeg Bluebombers announced on Tuesday that they signed Hogan to a contract for the upcoming season.
WVU Women's Soccer stars Frances Silva and Sara Keane team up in the pros - WVU Pros
The regular season for the National Women's Soccer League kicks off this weekend, and two former Mountaineers find themselves together again.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Art Briles, Baylor Bears football thriving on talent evaluation - ESPN
Spring Practice: Burning Questions - Wide Right & Natty Lite
KU O-linemen quick to connect with new coach - Lawrence Journal World
Bill Snyder says K-State’s Daniel Sams is adjusting to new position - Wichita Eagle
Oklahoma football: Sterling Shepard, Durron Neal to miss spring game - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Oklahoma State football: Rennie Childs still has work to do - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Longhorns begin to impress head coach Charlie Strong during spring practices - Daily Texan
TCU Horned Frogs have opportunity to go young at quarterback - ESPN
What's On Tap:
Football Spring Game Information - WVU Athletics
Ticketing, parking info, etc. for Saturday. Gates open at noon, game starts at 1pm.
West Virginia Media to Televise WVU Spring Game - WVillustrated
The game will air locally on WBOY in the Clarksburg/Fairmont/Morgantown area; WOWK in the Charleston/Huntington area; WVNS in the Beckley/Bluefield area; WTRF in the Wheeling Area and WJAL in the Eastern Panhandle.
Video of Interest:
Director of Athletics Oliver Luck discusses WVU's plans for nearly $106 million in upgrades to various athletic facilities
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an American island girl from the U.S. Virgin Islands and has been featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue for the last two years running. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Hannah Davis. All I can say is, "Yeah, Jeets!"