2009-10
M O U N TA I N E E R S
MOUNTAINEERS
Morgantown
COACHING STAFF PROFILES OUTLOOK THE BIG EAST OPPONENT INFO 2009-10 REVIEW
As the “Scenic Mountain Home of West Virginia University,” Morgantown is at the very heart of Mountaineer Country. It is also among West Virginia’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. In its May 2006 “Boomtowns ‘06” edition, Kiplinger’s Magazine ranked Morgantown as the“Twenty-ninth Smartest Place to Live” among all U.S. cities with populations under 150,000. Most recently, in March of 2009, Forbes Personal Finance Magazine recognized Morgantown as the “Third Best Place for Business and Careers” in U.S. cities and The Sporting News recognized Morgantown as one of its top “Best Sporting Cities.” The Greater Morgantown area offers a unique blend of vitality and culture in a friendly atmosphere and has been commended for its low cost of living, excellent health care, low crime rate and easy accessibility. Situated at the intersection of Interstate 68 and 79, Morgantown is located within a short day’s drive of half the nation’s population. Just like real estate, outdoor recreation is all about location, location, location. And Morgantown, nestled deep within the Appalachian countryside, delivers a mountain of opportunities. From peddling to paddling not to mention swinging a golf club or casting a fishing line - several options enable visitors to assemble a mixand-match sampler of favorite pastimes and exciting new experiences. There’s no need to leave the city limits to start enjoying fresh-air activities: nature is intertwined into the very fabric of this riverside community. The Caperton Trail, which runs along the Monongahela River for several miles, rolls past Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park and Amphitheater (a waterfront cultural and entertainment hub), the WVU Core Arboretum, and historic downtown. The Caperton Trail welcomes biking enthusiasts and connects to the Mon River Trail and the Decker’s Creek Trail, which has a 1,000 foot incline to nearby Preston County. This beautiful rail trail system allows bikers, joggers and walkers to view landscape of lush rhododendron (WV state flower) and tumbling waterfalls, foul and fauna. For high intensity adventure, try Class IV or V white water rafting in nearby Preston County along the Cheat River or Big Sandy River. Outfitters run family-friendly Class III trips, and include rock climbing and paintball.
Returning south off of Interstate 68, about 15 minutes outside of Morgantown, Coopers Rock State Forest features a panoramic overlook of the Cheat River Gorge that is absolutely breathtaking and an ideal spot for a picture. Next door is Chestnut Ridge State Park and both offer mountain biking and hiking on trails that go thru dense forest, along valleys and ridges, and streams. Try bouldering in “Rock City” too. The area is rich in heritage as well, that offers history buffs ample opportunities to explore the diverse architectural, commercial and social heritage. Historic walking tours, glass production and coal history to the first New Deal community created by Former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt in 1933 in Preston County. Lodging is seldom an issue for visitors. Morgantown offers a deep and diverse inventory of overnight accommodations-from budget to decidedly upscale, and from lodges to cabins, all coinciding with ample meeting and event facilities and space. If you are traveling from a great distance, Morgantown’s Municipal Airport offers shuttle flights to Morgantown an average of ten times a day. If you find yourself without a car, chartered and scheduled bus services are offered to and from Morgantown. The Mountain Line Transit Authority provides many routes around town. It also provides the Grey Line with a daily trip to Pittsburgh, about an hour away. But the most unique way to get around, or like a college student, is to travel by PRT, WVU’s own Personal Rapid Transit system. As the city continues to grow, so does the nightlife, shopping, dining, BIG EAST sports and many scheduled events that continue to call Morgantown home. It is not only a city with a variety of events throughout the year but also a place where you can hike a forest trail, raft a wild river, browse quaint shops, feast at great restaurants, or attend a show or art exhibit. These things are available all year around. Contact the Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau for area information or to request a FREE Visitors’ Guide or log onto www.tourmorgantown.com to access their calendar of events online.
THE RECORD BOOK WVU MEDIA INFO
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WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSIT Y