In a month, the blue lot will be filled and West Virginia University fans and friends will be waiting for the kickoff of the 2012 football season.

As you anxiously await the start of the Mountaineers’ season on Sept. 1, ESPN is allowing you to represent the Mountaineers and pledge your allegiance to WVU as part of the College Colors Day Spirit Cup.

WVU will compete with 165 colleges and universities from across the country to be crowned the winner of the online voting contest. In addition, the school with the most votes on Aug. 31 will receive $10,000 toward its general scholarship fund.

By visiting espn.com/collegecolorsday, Mountaineer fans can register to pledge their allegiance to WVU as the school with the most college spirit and loyal fan base. All registrants are entered to win weekly $50 gift cards from ESPN Shop and one of two grand prizes including a $500 college shopping spree at ESPN Shop.

Fans can pledge just once in the competition, so it is encouraged that all Mountaineer fans tell their friends, family and all other members of the Mountaineer Nation to pledge before Aug. 31, as well.

“West Virginia fans have historically kept the Mountaineers at the top or close to the top of these online contests. This should be no different,” said Nikki Goodenow, WVU Trademark Licensing coordinator. “We want to encourage all students, alumni, staff and fans to show their support for the Mountaineers by registering for West Virginia as the institution with the most school spirit.”

College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging fans across America to wear their favorite college or university apparel throughout the day on Aug. 31, the day before WVU takes on Marshall at Milan Puskar Stadium to open the 2012 football season.

The inaugural national spirit competition is presented by The Collegiate Licensing Company, a division of IMG College and NCAA Football.

“We are excited to engage fans in the first-ever College Colors Day spirit rivalry competition on ESPN.com,” said Catherine Gammon, Senior Vice President-Brand Development, The Collegiate Licensing Company, a division of IMG College. “We encourage all fans to cast their pledge and spread the word with fellow fans to ensure their favorite school is crowned the winner of the College Colors Day Spirit Cup.”

WVU fans are also encouraged to share the Pledge Your Allegiance for College Colors Day competition through Facebook.

WVU also continues to ask all students, faculty, staff, alumni and other fans to wear gold and blue each Friday as part of Mountaineer Fridays.