Morgantown, W.Va., well represented by Jonathan Kimble and Jim Manilla
Here’s the truth, though: It’s hard for me to imagine a better representative and ambassador for the state and university than Kimble, the current West Virginia Mountaineer mascot.
Kimble and Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel hit it off back in July, at Dallas’ Big 12 Media Days, and chatted again last weekend when West Virginia visited Oklahoma State.
Kimble promised Berry a tour of Morgantown, and Friday, he delivered, driving him, my beat partner Stephanie Kuzydym, videographer Damon Fontenot and myself around town. He met up with us after reading to a group of local elementary school students.
I don’t know that I’ve ever met anyone friendlier; he spotted a group of Sooner fans setting up their tailgate near the WVU Coliseum and walked right over to them.
He happily greeted them — “Welcome to Morgantown!” — before posing for pictures and complimenting their setup.
I wrote for Saturday’s newspaper about Oklahoma’s trip to Morgantown, which is far removed from any other Big 12 city. The town has developed a reputation for violent, celebratory riots after football wins, and that’s really too bad.
The scenery here is beautiful — the Allegheny Mountains, the Monongahela River, the trees — and the folks we’ve come into contact with have been nothing but nice.
While preparing for the trip earlier this week, I wanted to visit with a Morgantown native who could really describe for me what the city’s first Big 12 year has been like.
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