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 Shiner Summer Stock Kölsch Bier.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Monday, June 23 - WV MetroNews
Jon Martin of BlueGoldNews.com gives his updated ranking of the 2015 WVU football recruiting class. We also hear from Travis Jones and Greg Hunter as they provide some insight into low ticket sales for the Mountaineer football program.
WVU, WVRC saga nears conclusion - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Judge to decide if Tier 3 rights must be re-bid
WVU's Dynamic New Partnership - WVU Athletics
WVU has paired up with industry leader in outbound ticket sales.
Ranking The Programs: #13 - BGN
Some individual successes on the national level lift women's track to the #13 position in our ranking of West Virginia University's sports programs.
Ranking The Programs: #12 - BGN
With a decided difference of opinion among our panelists (the biggest thus far), women's swimming settles in as the #12 program in our evaluation of West Virginia University's athletic programs.
Fragale a staple in world of WVU sports - Times West Virginia
He has been at nearly every major WVU sports event in the 25-plus years that have slipped by so quickly since he joined the Mountaineers' sports information staff under a then historic rookie sports information director, Shelly Poe, the first woman to hold such a job.
HERTZEL COLUMN: ‘Leap of faith’ landed Nesbit on right track - Times West Virginian
This was the moment Stormy Nesbit had spent her life waiting for. She was a West Virginia senior, the greatest triple jumper in the school’s history, and now it was her last track meet.
Dvorsak, Hammond Successful in Slovenia - WVU Athletics
WVU rifle member and coach shot at the ISSF Maribor World Cup.
Athletic directors, commissioners provide insight into NCAA reform, what lies ahead - Charleston Daily Mail
This is part one of a five-part series titled "Moving Mountains: How the reformation of intercollegiate athletics could affect West Virginia schools and the amateurism of the student-athlete."
News of Note:
Football
Football Game Added to 2016 Schedule - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University Director of Athletics Oliver Luck has announced that the Mountaineers will play host to Youngstown State in a non-conference football game on Sept. 10, 2016 at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Q&A: West Virginia Mountaineers signee Dravon Henry - ESPN
Dravon Henry could be the next great player from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
WVU Facility Upgrades Headlined by New Baseball Stadium, Among Others - WVillustrated
WVU is in the process of several major facility upgrades, but none may be bigger than the new baseball stadium, which will be opening during the Spring of 2015.
Top 10 Most Pivotal Players for West Virginia in 2014 - WV MetroNews
Allan Taylor counts down the swing positions that could be most crucial to the Mountaineers next season.
K-State vs. West Virginia 2014: The Look-Ahead Rewind - Bring On The Cats
Ten more weeks and counting until football kicks off in Manhattan. Derek continues his reverse haul through the schedule with a preview of the 2014 West Virginia Mountaineers.
WVU is 120-point underdog - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Recently, the Golden Nugget sports book in Las Vegas released early betting lines for 250 college football games it described as its Games of the Year.
Furfari: Las Vegas oddsmakers not kind to WVU in the early going - Register-Herald
Not long ago, I guessed that the West Virginia University football team will go 6-6 during the 2014 football season.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU has young talent waiting to burst onto scene - Times West Virginian
Over the years, West Virginia University has turned out star players of national renown on the athletic fields, be it Sam Huff, Major Harris or Pat White in football, or Jerry West, Hot Rod Hundley or Rod Thorn in basketball, but last year there were no WVU stars flashing across the horizon.
Hoops
Summer of Change - BGN
West Virginia's 11 participants in the 2014 Pittsburgh ProAm Summer Basketball League will find some changes from previous editions of the event.
Changes in summer league affect WVU - Charleston Gazette
"I don’t think it’s as good as what it was,’’ Huggins said, referring to the summer-league restrictions and not the increased access to his players with the two-hour rule.
Staten sticks around to lead inexperienced Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
It’s almost forgotten now, but Juwan Staten, the team’s leading scorer last season, the Big 12’s leader in assists, assist-turnover ratio and minutes played and a first-team all-conference and all-defense pick, spurned the NBA in favor of his senior season.
Will Harris find what he’s looking for? - Times West Virginian
Something was missing back there a couple of months ago when Eron Harris announced he was going to leave West Virginia University’s basketball team
Recruiting:
Mountaineers add commitment from Ohio offensive tackle - WV MetroNews
Two-star prospect Colton McKivitz swapped his pledge from Miami (Ohio) to WVU this weekend.
2015 Commit Shriner Brings Selflessness to WVU DL - WVillustrated
Nose tackle isn't a very rewarding position, but it's one WVU's newest DL commit has embraced and is excited to get started with in Morgantown.
College Recruiting: Next Promise Could Be Paycheck - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register/AP
They come calling with promises of a good education, a chance to play on television and some of the best facilities that money can buy.
Pro News:
10 things we learned about WVUPros following NFL OTA’s - WVUPros
Several good tidbits came out over the past few weeks about your favorite WVUPros. Here are ten that we learned.
NBA Summer League: What does Kevin Jones have to do to make the Indiana Pacers? - WVUPros
After a spring spent in the Philippines, Kevin Jones will be coming back to the states in order to compete for an NBA roster spot during July's Summer League.
Capers, Ivy, Sanders, Sands, Slaton and White wrap up CFL Preseason - WVUPros
The two-game CFL Preseason came to a close on Friday night with three games that saw five different Mountaineers in action.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Agency plans fundraiser to rappel down McLane Stadium - Waco Tribune
ISU center not surprised to be Cy-Hawk underdog - Des Moines Register
University of Kansas Football Removal of Track at Memorial Stadium to Begin Tuesday - KU Athletics
Best case, worst case: Kansas State Wildcats - ESPN
Oklahoma Sooners Defensive Back Steven Parker Arrested - Crimson And Cream Machine
Oklahoma State football has lost a step or two in positive public relations - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Texas Baseball Done in Omaha - Burnt Orange Nation
TCU baseball program rising above game’s obstacles - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram
What's to blame for low offense at College World Series? The bats - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
What's On Tap:
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Tickets on Sale - WVU Athletics
Tickets for West Virginia’s appearance in the 2014 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game are now on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office
BT Entertainment Presents WVU ATLANTA KICKOFF
WVU’s Countdown to Kickoff: Day 68 Rick Phillips - WVUPros
Continuing on with our 100 day countdown to WVU’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have reached day 68, the number once worn by All-American tackle, Rick Phillips
2014 WORLD CUP: Schedule and Standings - Cowboys Ride For Free
Complete schedule, standings, results, and highlights of the 2014 World Cup, updated daily.
Video of Interest:
Short video highlighting Dreamius Smith running back for the 2014 WVU Football team. Dreamius will be a senior in 2014.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a lovely Argentinian model/actress. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Belen Rodriguez.