By: Mitch Vingle, Staff Writer | Posted: April 5, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail
Spring supposedly began back on March 20 in the northern hemisphere.
Yet that’s not what’s reflected by weather forecasts — especially in the Morgantown area.
Many forecasts are calling for snow showers before noon in “Touchdown City,” and that was enough for WVU’s athletic department to cancel Saturday’s 2018 Gold-Blue Spring Football Game scheduled for Milan Puskar Stadium.
“Fan and player safety have to take priority,” said WVU athletic director Shane Lyons via a release. “When you have snow predicted for much of the state, we need to take the utmost caution to assure the safety of our student-athletes, while also avoiding elements that are problematic for our fans. You would expect to not have to worry about snow accumulation in April, but that’s the forecast. After much consideration, we made this decision for the safety of all involved.”
Later on Thursday, Lyons told the Gazette-Mail that “in an ideal scenario we would have been able to hold for an updated forecast” but could not because of the logistics of staging such a game.
The long-running event, which has coincided with the end of spring drills, has been benefiting WVU Medicine Children’s hospital for years. Former Mountaineer coach Don Nehlen first orchestrated the tie-in with the hospital in 1984.
According to Mike Montoro, director of football communications, the Mountaineers practiced on Thursday to conclude drills. While technically WVU had another opportunity to practice, he said the team will participate in the scheduled “Walk the Talk with Dana” fund-raising event and the NCAA views that as an accountable date.
Another factor that may have gone into the decision is the rash of injuries WVU has been experiencing. This week, Mountaineer linebacker Brendan Ferns suffered his third overall career injury and second ACL tear, putting his 2018 season in peril. Prior to that, projected strong-side linebacker starter Quondarius Qualls also suffered an ACL injury.
Overall, it had been a rough couple of weeks for the team and, especially, the defense. Starting nose tackle Lamonte McDougle announced he was transferring. Previously, potential defensive end starter Adam Shuler left as well as reserves Jalen Harvey and Jaleel Fields. Defensive backs Kevin Williams and Fontez Davis were among those to also depart.
The “Walk the Talk with Dana” event, sponsored by United Bank and the Hoss Foundation, along with the Family Resource Center 5K, will still be held Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and the Li’l Mountaineer Kids Dash will still take place at 10 a.m. The events will start at the Puskar Center.
Tickets sold to fans in advance of the spring game will be automatically refunded by the Mountaineer Ticket Office if paid by credit card or check. Fans who paid cash should contact the Mountaineer Ticket Office at 1-800-WVU GAME to initiate their refund process.
Mitch Vingle can be reached at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.
