MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - In a continued effort to enhance and improve all West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics events, the Mountaineer Fan Experience Committee opened its second year with a meeting on Saturday, June 6.

 

More than 15 WVU committee members from varied backgrounds and with unique ties to the University traveled to Morgantown from as far as North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia to meet with athletic department officials, including WVU Director of Athletics Shayne Lyons, to review changes implemented during the 2014-15 athletic year and discuss new ideas and future adjustments, as well as facility upgrades.

 

“I thought a lot of good feedback came from the committee’s meeting Saturday,” said Lyons. “I was happy to meet with the members and review their suggestions to help enhance all Mountaineer fans’ game day experiences. I also shared with the members plans for future facility upgrades, and I believe they were received positively.”

 

“It was great to meet with the committee, including our new members, and recap the many changes we implemented throughout the last athletic year, as we turn our attention to the upcoming season,” said Nathaniel Zinn, WVU assistant athletic director/marketing. “We discussed several areas that surround the Mountaineer fan experience, including the facility renovations that are coming down the line.”

 

Parking adjustments highlighted the changes implemented in 2014-15, as Zinn noted that flagging for the Blue Lot at WVU football games was pushed back to a time closer to kickoff. Additionally, the cost of parking at the WVU Coliseum for men’s basketball games dropped from $20 to $10; both changes were suggested at previous committee meetings.

 

Technology enhancements also were applauded, as several members noted that the cellular service upgrade at Milan Puskar Stadium improved the game-day experience. Additionally, all in attendance were happy with the West Virginia Game Day App, launched just prior to the 2014 football season.

 

Committee members also expressed praise for the wall wrapping at Milan Puskar Stadium, a suggestion made at the very first Fan Experience Committee meeting.

 

“I think WVU has done a good job of taking the insights provided by the different committee members and implementing them into reality,” said two-year committee member Jeremy Hatcher, a Morgantown resident and season ticket holder.

 

In conjunction with Director Lyons’ overview of pending facility projects, the committee offered feedback on the newly opened Monongalia County Ballpark.

 

“Saturday’s meeting was the first time we were able to discuss the new ballpark, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive,” said Matt Wells, WVU associate athletic director/external affairs. “We appreciate how understanding Mountaineer fans were during the whole process this spring, and we’re excited to see how much they love the new venue.”

 

Lyons spent about 20 minutes discussing plans for facility upgrades, including removing the crown and replacing the turf at Mountaineer Field for the 2016 season, as well as updating the concourse and the restrooms at Milan Puskar Stadium. He also noted that there are plans to add televisions to the stadium’s concourses.

 

“Having Mr. Lyons join us in the meeting was a breath of fresh air,” noted Hatcher. “The insight he offered on the facility upgrades was great, and he provided opinion and notes on a lot of the topics that were raised, which I appreciated.”

 

The committee spent the final 45 minutes of the meeting sharing ideas to be discussed throughout the 2015-16 season. Suggestions included adding variety to the in-game music and videos played at Milan Puskar Stadium, as well as ways to engage WVU students to increase attendance at all home events.  

 

“What is great about this committee is that the members come from different walks of life – we are varied in age and have our own ties to WVU,” said Hatcher. “Each member thinks about something different when sitting in the stands, and therefore there are a lot of topics covered at these meetings. At the end of the day, everyone in the room has the same goal – improve WVU athletic events.”

 

The committee is tentatively scheduled to meet again in August prior to the WVU football team’s Sept. 5 season opener against Georgia Southern.