MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – More than 100 former West Virginia University football players returned to campus last Saturday for coach Rich Rodriguez's first-ever Alumni Picnic at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Invitations were sent out this spring and players were asked to provide some basic information that was used to announce each one during a red-carpet introduction into the Milan Puskar Center Hall of Traditions.

Coaches and staff members were lined up on each side to give the former players high-fives as they were introduced by Mountaineer football senior associate athletics director and chief of staff Dusty Rutledge.

Saturday's activities were part of Rodriguez's desire to get former players from all eras reconnected with their alma mater in a relaxed and carefree atmosphere.

Players frequently return to campus for home football games, but Rodriguez and his staff really don't have the time to visit with them because they are focused on their pregame preparations.

Following a meal and some brief remarks by Rodriguez, the players were free to explore the Puskar Center and go out onto the field to take pictures and reminisce.

WVU Varsity Club director Kevin Johnston, who worked with Mountaineer football's director of player relations Rasheed Marshall on this year's event, estimated that roughly a third of the players in attendance last Saturday were on campus for the first time in years.

"The coolest thing I saw from the entire weekend was seeing Chris Edmonds out on the field, and he sort of went through his pregame routine," Johnston said. "He was at midfield looking around the stadium soaking in all those memories. I don't think he knew I was watching, but I took some pictures and sent them to him."

Players from every decade going back to the 1960s were at last Saturday's picnic. Legendary Mountaineer coach Don Nehlen also stopped by to see many of his former athletes.

"There were a lot of players who really made an effort to get here for this," Johnston concluded.