Fan Day pleasing to fans, players

Thirteen-year-old Zachary Thomas has witnessed a pair of Mountaineer milestones live and in person.

In 2005, he was at the famed comeback victory over Louisville, and later that season, he attended the 38-35 West Virginia win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Sunday was his first football Fan Day in Morgantown.

"I'm having a lot of fun," Thomas said, "It isn't everyday that you get to meet players and get autographs."

Previously planned to start at 2 p.m., the gates to the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility opened early to accommodate the large crowd waiting outside. MetroNews reported 3,500 fans were in attendance, some having arrived as early as 6:30 a.m.

Once in the facility, fans had a wide variety of options.

Each unit of the team was stationed at their own table for fans wanting signatures. Everything from banners, shirts and posters to helmets, jerseys and hats were signed by players.

All players were friendly with the crowd, smiling and pausing for brief conversations. WVU graduate Rick Kay, class of 1980, enjoyed the personal interactions with the players most.

"It's nice to be able to speak to them," said Kay, who now resides in Ohio. "They are down to earth and really care about the people that live and breathe Mountaineer football."

Perhaps no player was more excited for Fan Day than linebacker J.T. Thomas. Arranged at a table with receiver Jock Sanders, Thomas basked in the sight of multiple hundreds of fans stemming inside.

"It's a blast. It's been so much fun," Thomas said. "I'm having a great time. This is a nice change of pace."

At times during the day, Thomas would rise from his seat and begin the classic "Let's Go" chant that was immediately followed by a thunderous shout of "Mountaineers" by those in attendance.

On the opposite side of Sanders and Thomas was a table for running back Noel Devine and defensive tackle Chris Neild. Those four athletes received the longest line for autograph seekers.

Many people attending the annual event have been coming for multiple years. WVU senior Jared Lay has been coming to the event since his freshman year. This is the fourth-straight year he has been to Fan Day.

"Anything to get me pumped up for football season, I'm there," said the sports management major. "It's my last year here, and I hope they can make it the best one."

Joining the players was the entire coaching staff including head coach Bill Stewart along with the WVU cheerleaders and Mountaineer mascot Brock Burwell.

Each person was limited to one autographed item. Many people opted to fill up an entire football, poster or helmet with signatures. The official WVU football poster featuring an up-close shot of Devine and Sanders was one of the most popular items floating around the facility.

The WVU Sports Marketing team was on hand to distribute many promotional items such as pocket schedules for all varsity sports, magnets, key chains as well as the popular Devine and Sanders poster.

Many small children in the area begin school this week. To some it may be disappointing, but to a little boy named Tyler, he couldn't be more excited.

"I'm going to wear this shirt to school tomorrow so everyone can see all the autographs," he said.

The grown-ups were satisfied, as well. Bill Davisson from Clarksburg, W.Va., had a white football signed with every member on the team.

"If they go all the way to the National Championship this year, and I think they can, this is going to be worth a lot of money," Davisson said.