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WVU fans show their true colors

Abstract:
Over the past three years, I, like any other self-respecting UConn undergrad, have grown to hate the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Whether it was the 66-21 drubbing the UConn football team received in Morgantown the year they were crowned Co-Big East champions or Joe Alexander and the Mountaineers knocking the Huskies out in the 2008 Big East basketball tournament, I developed a deep and undying hatred for everything West Virginian....

  • Displaying 1 - 29 of 29

wvugradstudent

posted 10/26/09 @ 10:42 AM EST

Russell, what a fantastic article. I, like many in the Mountaineer fan base, was a little apprehensive about how the fans at the game would handle the situation. My fears quickly faded as I realized that, as your article expressed, this game was not just about football, it was about honoring the life of Jasper Howard and helping your team take a first step toward picking up and carrying on. What a tremendously difficult week for the UCONN community. As your team continues on this season with heavy hearts, it is my sincere hope that each day brings a little more peace and that eventually when #6 crosses the minds of those who knew and loved him, the thought is greeted with a smile rather than tears. Again, thank you Russell for your kind and well-written article.
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Amanda

posted 10/26/09 @ 11:55 AM EST

Well said Russell. As a UConn Alum my heart goes out to the family and friends of Jasper Howard. I am saddened to know that the UConn community, both near and far, has to cope with this loss and attempt to understand why this senseless act of rage occurred. WVU is a class act all the way and that was illustrated by their actions on Saturday. It is important that all Huskies come together and reiterate to the Nation that UConn is a safe, welcoming environment and college campus, and this notion should not be poisoned by this heinous act of violence.
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Bill wvufan

posted 10/26/09 @ 1:27 PM EST

Thanks from all at WVU. I felt very honored just to attend the game. It seems that the unexpected death of some people really has a way of bringing out the best in others and perhaps changing behavior or perceptions. The memory of Jazz has done a lot of good this week in Morgantown.
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downhillEER

posted 10/26/09 @ 1:44 PM EST

Mountaineer Nation supports UCONN, Randy Edsall, and most importantly, the family and friends of "Jazz" Howard during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless and R.I.P. Jasper.
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MountyEERs

posted 10/26/09 @ 2:03 PM EST

It was a great honor to be part of this game and setting. Although many WV fans and alumni have seen this type of acts over the years with situations at WV it was special to see it for an outside tragic loss. I was so impressed with your coach and players that I will continue to cheer for UCONN (except when we play of course :) but I have found new friend in our league with a very classy program and coach as well as all the great UCONN alumni I met this weekend.

Thanks for such a nice article- god bless you all....
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Diane Miner Hazel

posted 10/26/09 @ 3:37 PM EST

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Jasper Howard...
My condolences to this sad UCONN family, too.
I am proud to see that my alma mater...Class of 1969...demonstrated that they are truly pursuing higher education...and living the best values that family, friends & college experience have modeled and encouraged. Coach, team, the UCONN Family-and the West Virginia community: Thank you for being role models for humanity. The children are watching. We all must continue to lead this planet to its highest level. Bless Jasper's fiance and awaiting child. They, and many others, await us all...to continue to stand for compassion and care.
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LovesMounties

posted 10/26/09 @ 4:31 PM EST

I am an undergrad at WVU and I was honored to be at that game. This was a great article and WVU does indeed support UCONN. I'm blessed to have been a part of remembering such an amazing athlete and young man. I'm proud to say I'm a Mountaineer, but I'm also proud to say that I'm part of the Mountaineer nation that helped remember Jasper Howard. Thank you for your kind words, and all of our thoughts and prayers are with your campus and Jasper's family.
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Laurie Blair

posted 10/26/09 @ 6:39 PM EST

To my nephew Russ Blair: when this first happened, and I saw what shock and grief it evoked in the coach, the players, the family of course, and the other students, I couldn't help but selfishly think "What a tragedy that Russell's college experience will always be colored by this horrible act." Now I am not so sure. I am not so sure that what we have seen and felt in the past 9 days, often chronicled so beautifully by your writing, will be a bad memory. The way everyone has come together to mourn this life lost by holding fast to one another is a heartwarming, albeit heartbreaking, display of humanity and, yes, love for one another. We should perhaps take from it the lesson that when push comes to shove, no man is an island...and given a chance to live the best life we could live, we should take it.
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Mountaineer Fan

posted 10/27/09 @ 2:31 PM EST

Thank you so much for your wonderful article! I sincerely hope that Jasper's murder(s) will be swiftly brought to justice.
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B-Dar

posted 10/27/09 @ 4:07 PM EST

Thank you Russell. This is so true, and such a class article. As a WVU student I had no idea what our crowd would do though, until it happened. It was a pleasant surprise, and a great game. Until next year...
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Nancy Korczyk

posted 10/27/09 @ 6:35 PM EST

I was there and so proud to be a Mountaineer that day. The compassion showed to UConn was unbelievable. Not mentioned was that there were several students, my daughter Kacy Korczyk and Brittany Franklin that went to work making #6 armbands and #6 pins to sell to the WVU fans and the money earned would be donated to the Howard family. Last count they raised over $2200 for his family. These students took it upon theirselves to do this and people were lining up early Friday morning at the Mountain Lair to buy these armbands and pins. Even UCONN people heard and went to buy. It's nice to hear good stories about students in today's times.
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WVU alumnus

posted 10/27/09 @ 11:55 PM EST

We love you, UCONN and grieve right along with you. We missed #6 as you did and know that with him, the game would have felt more complete. His death has illuminated human compassion that transcends all else. What a tribute to Jasper Howard. We are grateful for you to be opponents in this great game of football. Without each other, we could not aspire to greater achievements. The actions of a few should not paint the entire picture of any portrait. Please forgive those who have not yet matured and learned how to respectfully support one's team without degrading the opponent.
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Barbara Hopkins

posted 10/28/09 @ 1:01 AM EST

Thank you so much for your article concerning the UCONN vs WVU game on Saturday. I don't think there was a dry eye in the stadium. I looked to the right and left of me and tears were streaming down faces during the moment of silence for Howard. The moment of silence was absolutely awesome. I think that a pin dropping would have been heard from anywhere in that stadium. I will never forget the experience as long as I live. When the team came out on the field and the applause broke out, I felt as if my heart would burst with pride, not only for WVU fans and players, but for the courage displayed by the members of the UCONN team. When I relay this experience to my friends, chills continue to run throughout my body. All of us are grieving over your loss.
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BillS

posted 10/28/09 @ 8:03 AM EST

Hi Russell. Very nice article. The people of WV are nothing but class. The fans, students, and alumni. We shared in UConn's pain and rejoiced in the life of Jazz Howard. He will always be remember him.
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gary

posted 10/28/09 @ 1:29 PM EST

As a life long West Virginian and Mountaineer fan I would like to thank you for your article. I would also like to point out one thing that is overlooked in this whole event in regards to the West Virginia mindset. We will fight with family in a dirty nasty way but when one of them is hurt from the outside we will be the first at their side. UCONN is big east family and we will help you when you are hurt in a real way. Now next time you come down be ready we have an extra game of rivalry saved up for ya ;)
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Martha Giddings

posted 10/28/09 @ 7:02 PM EST

Russell,
For all Mountaineers throughout West by God Virginia, I want to thank you for such a gracious article. I cried at that game when I saw hundreds of armbands with "Always remember #6" and bought one to wear.I cried at the moment of silence - I am a parent too and NO parent should outlive their child. I cried when I saw the banner with thousands of names AND I cried like hell when I read your article. Yes, WVU fans are passionate about our games, but we are all the more passionate about people, good people like Jasper Howard who was just trying his best to do well in this crazy world. God bless his parents, his partner and their unborn child. God bless the UConn players & Coaches who lost a friend and teammate, the fellow UConn students who now have a sad void in their hearts. And God bless you for seeing that though WVU fans can be strong in their conviction for the game, we can be equally strong in our outpouring of love and support to a victim of a useless tragedy and all who knew him. Rest in Peace Jasper.
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True WVian

posted 10/28/09 @ 9:30 PM EST

Thank you Russell for such a great article. I am truly sorry that the loss of a formidible young man brought out the best of the Mountaineers. Thank YOU for opening up your heart and allowing us to feel that same pain and closeness of the UCONN family.
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Toni Wetzel

posted 10/29/09 @ 12:28 AM EST

I too was privileged to attend this poignant game. Having attended all home games this year, and knowing how when the opposing team enters how rowdy the crowd can get, I was very touched to see the WVU fans on both sides stand and applaud the UCONN team as it entered the field. As a mother, this was a wonderful lesson to teach our young people today. We may be competitors on the field, but when tragedy strikes we know how to come together and show respect and comfort to each other. I am proud to not only be a mom of a WVU student, but I am proud of the entire school and community for showing what true compassion is all about. Jasper Howard, you will be missed not only by your UCONN family, but by all of those who had the privilege to know you. My prayers will continue to be with your family as they struggle to make some sense of this awful tragedy. May God bless you all.
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WVU Student

posted 10/29/09 @ 10:45 AM EST

I was in the WVU student section that day, and felt sure that as soon as one of the UConn players got injured, one of those drunken a$$holes who likes to insult football players from the safety and comfort of the upper section would make some sort of comment about how he's lying there on the ground when his buddy was dead. I was very proud of my school for meeting the Huskies with respect that day.
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wvumom

posted 10/29/09 @ 3:41 PM EST

As a mother of 2 sons that attend WVU, I can't imagine the hearbreak of Jasper's mother when she got the call about her son's death. Parents send their children off to college with the hopes and dreams of them getting a good education, making new friends and having doors and ideas opened up to them for a better life. I also attended the game and was very surprised and proud of the out pouring of love and compassion to the UConn nation. Tears were shed then and now as I read the article and all the other posts. My hearts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this tragedy.
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Barb

posted 10/30/09 @ 12:02 AM EST

Our hearts are with the family of Jazz and all of his friends and loved ones. It was truly an honor to be at the game and were amazed at all of the outpouring of support from the Mountaineer Nation! It's just a shame that someone so youmg has lost his life in such a senseless tragedy. We will be with you always Huskies as you go through this season!
Go Mountaineers and Go Huskies!!
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Always a Mountaineer

posted 10/30/09 @ 11:47 AM EST

Thank you so much! By the time I read this article, I had tears in my eyes. I just want to thank you for taking the time to write an article that shows your appreciation. Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer and because of the events that have taken place within the last few weeks, always a Huskie. Thank you again.
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L. Anderson

posted 10/31/09 @ 2:22 AM EST

Thank you Russell....Both schools have many reasons to be proud!!!
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WVU Mom

posted 10/31/09 @ 11:45 AM EST

I was so impressed with your article and it brought tears to my eyes. As a parent of our WVU student, we enjoy watching the sporting events on TV. This game in particular was the most emotional game I've ever watched. I was impressed with the WVU fans and the team for honoring Jasper Howard. The kindness and compassion shown at this game should be remembered and exemplified by all. And you, as a Uconn student and rival, wrote such a respectable article, stating the importance of acts of kindness and compassion, instead of the competitive nature of the sport and the rivalry between the fans. Thank you.
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Just a mom

posted 10/31/09 @ 7:40 PM EST

Thank you so much Russell. As a mother of a FSU graduate, we follow WVU sports from the comfort of our living room. From the heart of a mother, any act of violence to anyone's child just sickens me. Everyone in this stae was a UCONN fan that day. The tributes were fitting for the day. On that day, Jasper was every mother's son, including mine. May he rest in the arms of God and may his murderer(s) receive his just punishments. Blessings and comfor to all at UConn.t
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Robert C.

posted 11/01/09 @ 8:40 PM EST

In true sports fashion....there are two different worlds. On the playing field, (or court or diamond,or ring..etc..)and then the real world of Life. Do you really know the most important one?
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Joe Buffalo

posted 11/01/09 @ 9:15 PM EST

Although I have lived in Arizona for the past 50 years (Arizona Wildcat fan) we have always follow WVU football. We were born and raised in Morgantown prior to moving to Arizona.

I was proud of our fellow West Verginiains for their actions at the game. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Jasper Howard and the UCONN family.

The Buffalo family
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Terry123WV

posted 11/06/09 @ 9:00 PM EST

As a WVU graduate, and current WVU grad student, I appreciate what you have said about my school and my state. My family and I attended the game, and you could feel the power of the emotion when the Huskies entered the stadium. For this one day, I was proud to say I was a Husky. RIPJH.
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John Rimples

posted 11/10/09 @ 12:00 PM EST

is the Daily Campus planning on updating the masses about this murder case? The Hartford courant has run two stories in as many days with case updates and they are pretty interesting.

looks like some members of the football team started this fight.

come on DC, why no reporting on it?
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