03/02/2008

This past weekend I had the pleasure of getting to go to New Martinsville with my father to attend a ceremony honoring the pride of Wetzel County Bill Stewart and Jeff Casteel. This was also a special occasion because I returned for the first time I can remember to the place where my father grew up. I have returned to my mother's hometown of Shinston, WV what seems like hundreds of times when attending games and visiting family, but never before have I gotten to experience the wonderful city that had such a large impact on the character of the man I call my father. I went to my father's and Coach Stewarts Magnolia High School to get my Fiesta Bowl Ticket signed by both Coach Stewart and Jeff Casteel and later that night stuffed my belly with great food at the dinner ceremony in their honor. The dinner ceremony was amazing. A few things about it stick out in my mind, them being the introductions which gave such a good insight into the impeccable characters of these two men, the sincere pain and disappointment Coach Stewart expressed about the let downs of this past season, and the deafening ovation and cheers when the head coach expressed his and everyone's appreciation for Jeff Casteel's loyalty to the football program and the state. (continued below)

My photo evidence of the events and circumstances:


Coach Stewart and my fathers senior pictures Magnolia High School Class of 1970


Me, Coach Stewart and my father


Coach Stewart speaking at the dinner in his and Coach Casteel's honor

This experience reaffirmed my preliminary faith in Coach Stewart. What I took away from it all was that he is a coach who truly knows and feels how important this team is to so many West Virginians and WVU fans worldwide. Someone who because of this will give everything he has in order to bring wins and success to the program. We have already all witnessed his game day leadership ability in the Fiesta Bowl, his determination and wisdom in both his coaching hires and recruiting efforts and his character in disciplinary matters. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for the future with his new pieces (staff and recruits) in place, and even more experience under his belt in the 2008 season and beyond. It should be filled with excitement, atmosphere, winning and everything else we have come to associate with West Virginia University Mountaineer football.