Greenbrier County native Troy Clemons will hold on to his buckskins, coonskin cap and musket as he has been named again as the Mountaineer Mascot for the 2017-18 year.
“It is a huge honor to represent the University and West Virginia, my home, as the mascot for another year,” Clemons said. “My love and appreciation for Mountaineers everywhere has only grown over the past year and I look forward to seeing what the upcoming year will bring.”
Clemons, the 64th Mountaineer Mascot, is a graduate student majoring in business administration from Maxwelton. A recipient of the PROMISE and WVU Mountaineer scholarships, he earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sports Science in May of 2016. He has served as a student assistant for the Mountaineer Athletic Club and student manager for the WVU baseball team. He has also served as an operations and facilities intern for the West Virginia Black Bears.
“The past year has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life, moments I will cherish forever,” said Clemons. “I am eager to continue wearing the buckskins and do my part to help the state, university and its residents portray Mountaineer Nation in the positive and passionate manner that it deserves.”
Clemons was announced again as the Mountaineer Mascot at Monday’s (Feb. 20) men’s basketball game vs Texas. He was selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students based on an application, essay, interview and a cheer-off competition held on Saturday (Feb. 11) during the men’s basketball game vs. Kansas State.
“It has been my pleasure to work with Troy during his first year as the Mountaineer Mascot,” said Sonja Wilson, advisor to the Mountaineer Mascot. “As his advisor, I found him to be dedicated, hard-working, and extremely proud to carry on the beloved tradition of those who came before him.”
Clemons will officially begin his duties for 2017-18 year with the Gold-Blue spring football game on Saturday (April 15) at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Clemons was chosen from among four finalists. The others were: Trevor Kiess, a junior accounting major minoring in pre-law and legal studies from Elkins; Jesse Lackey, a junior secondary education and English major from Salem; and Savannah Lusk, a junior exercise physiology major from Covel.
Trevor Kiess will be asked to take the role as alternate Mountaineer Mascot.
