>   COLLEGE Football: SEP 18 West Virginia v Colorado   >   141080918008_Colorado_v_WestVirginia.jpg

SHOT 9/18/08 6:27:02 PM - The Mountaineer of West Virginia University leads the football team onto the field just before kickoff of the first half of their game against Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, Co. Colorado beat the then 21st ranked Mountaineers 17-14 in overtime. Colorado freshman running back Rodney Stewart finished the game with 166 yards rushing. The Mountaineer was adopted in 1890 as the official school mascot and unofficially began appearing at sporting events in 1927. The new Mountaineer is selected each year by the Mountain Honorary during the final two men's home basketball games. Candidates must have at least a 2.5 GPA, write an essay about why they want to be the Mountaineer, attend an extensive interview process and garner the most cheers during the home basketball game. The successful candidate is awarded the formal title of "The Mountaineer of West Virginia University." The new Mountaineer receives a scholarship, a tailor-made buckskin suit with coonskin hat,