04-23-2004, 09:08 AM
<a href='http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2004042220?pt=0' target='_blank'>http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/20...2004042220?pt=0</a>
Mitch Vingle
If Manchin wins, expect WVU-MU football
HEALTH CARE?
Collective bargaining for state employees?
Corporate taxes?
Important issues all in our state’s gubernatorial race.
But there’s also an athletic issue. One that has already created campaign sparks behind the scenes. One that will cause more sparks now, 18 days from the election.
The prospect, that is, of WVU and Marshall playing football.
On Thursday, Secretary of State Joe Manchin, running to replace Gov. Bob Wise, confirmed he is a staunch advocate of annual games between the two universities.
“I’d like to see the game,’’ he said. “I think it would be the state’s greatest tailgate.’’
Those behind the scenes know Manchin isn’t blowing campaign smoke. The word is, if Manchin is in, the game is on. A source in Morgantown, who asked to remain anonymous, said the candidate told WVU officials to “strap it on’’ if he’s elected.
Also, Manchin, a strong WVU supporter throughout the years, has been seen huddling with MU officials. He was campaigning at the Herd’s appearance in South Charleston. He spent time sitting by Marshall football coach Bob Pruett during the MU-WVU basketball game.
But the strongest telltale was when Pruett threw his support to Manchin and joined the candidate, WVU coach Rich Rodriguez and LSU coach Nick Saban at the Holiday Inn Charleston House for a rally. There cannot be an issue more important to Pruett than staging an annual series.
“Would I exert executive pressure? No,’’ Manchin said. “But will I bring the sides together? Yes.’’
Manchin pointed to his campaign theme of bringing together diverse sides, like business and labor.
“I want what’s right for the state,’’ he said. “I’ll do whatever I can. ... When the two played before, it was a wonderful atmosphere, a win-win situation. Everyone shared food; there was camaraderie. I think it was so positive for West Virginia.’’
The question is, will the stance be a positive for Manchin? Certainly it wins him points from fervent MU fans. It should be a plus to those who root for both teams. There may, however, be a backlash from hard-core message-board WVU fans. Despite the lack of football games, there is a very real rivalry between the two schools.
“What I’m trying to do is show we can bring people together,’’ Manchin reiterated. “I showed I could bring Rich and Bob together. Now, can we build off that relationship?’’
WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong was asked how his department would react to a directive from Manchin. (The next opening on the Mountaineers’ football schedule is in 2008.)
“If given direction from the people I report to,’’ Pastilong said, “I would certainly respond accordingly.’’
The hangup of late almost certainly has been WVU president David Hardesty, who was miffed when MU president Dan Angel grandstanded on the subject during a legislative session.
Since then, Pruett and Rodriguez have met. Likewise, Pastilong and MU AD Bob Marcum, who traveled to Morgantown.
The indication is Manchin would press those in charge to show good reason for the game not to be played.
“I wouldn’t use my [gubernatorial] powers to do anything,’’ said the candidate, “but if I can be the facilitator, that’s what I’m doing to be.’’
In sum?
“Is Joe Manchin in favor of [a series] happening? Absolutely.’’
Mitch Vingle
If Manchin wins, expect WVU-MU football
HEALTH CARE?
Collective bargaining for state employees?
Corporate taxes?
Important issues all in our state’s gubernatorial race.
But there’s also an athletic issue. One that has already created campaign sparks behind the scenes. One that will cause more sparks now, 18 days from the election.
The prospect, that is, of WVU and Marshall playing football.
On Thursday, Secretary of State Joe Manchin, running to replace Gov. Bob Wise, confirmed he is a staunch advocate of annual games between the two universities.
“I’d like to see the game,’’ he said. “I think it would be the state’s greatest tailgate.’’
Those behind the scenes know Manchin isn’t blowing campaign smoke. The word is, if Manchin is in, the game is on. A source in Morgantown, who asked to remain anonymous, said the candidate told WVU officials to “strap it on’’ if he’s elected.
Also, Manchin, a strong WVU supporter throughout the years, has been seen huddling with MU officials. He was campaigning at the Herd’s appearance in South Charleston. He spent time sitting by Marshall football coach Bob Pruett during the MU-WVU basketball game.
But the strongest telltale was when Pruett threw his support to Manchin and joined the candidate, WVU coach Rich Rodriguez and LSU coach Nick Saban at the Holiday Inn Charleston House for a rally. There cannot be an issue more important to Pruett than staging an annual series.
“Would I exert executive pressure? No,’’ Manchin said. “But will I bring the sides together? Yes.’’
Manchin pointed to his campaign theme of bringing together diverse sides, like business and labor.
“I want what’s right for the state,’’ he said. “I’ll do whatever I can. ... When the two played before, it was a wonderful atmosphere, a win-win situation. Everyone shared food; there was camaraderie. I think it was so positive for West Virginia.’’
The question is, will the stance be a positive for Manchin? Certainly it wins him points from fervent MU fans. It should be a plus to those who root for both teams. There may, however, be a backlash from hard-core message-board WVU fans. Despite the lack of football games, there is a very real rivalry between the two schools.
“What I’m trying to do is show we can bring people together,’’ Manchin reiterated. “I showed I could bring Rich and Bob together. Now, can we build off that relationship?’’
WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong was asked how his department would react to a directive from Manchin. (The next opening on the Mountaineers’ football schedule is in 2008.)
“If given direction from the people I report to,’’ Pastilong said, “I would certainly respond accordingly.’’
The hangup of late almost certainly has been WVU president David Hardesty, who was miffed when MU president Dan Angel grandstanded on the subject during a legislative session.
Since then, Pruett and Rodriguez have met. Likewise, Pastilong and MU AD Bob Marcum, who traveled to Morgantown.
The indication is Manchin would press those in charge to show good reason for the game not to be played.
“I wouldn’t use my [gubernatorial] powers to do anything,’’ said the candidate, “but if I can be the facilitator, that’s what I’m doing to be.’’
In sum?
“Is Joe Manchin in favor of [a series] happening? Absolutely.’’