Known for its recreation wonders and thriving small towns, West Virginia is also a vibrant sports hub. From Saturday night D1 college football games to energetic minor league baseball games, Almost Heaven is always in the game somewhere.
Grab your friends and family and root for these six Mountain State sports teams that will turn you into fans!
Wheeling Nailers
Did you know there’s minor-league hockey in West Virginia? In the Northern Panhandle, you’ll find the Wheeling Nailers, a minor league ice hockey team based in Wheeling competing in the East Coast Hockey League. The Nailers are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins affiliate of the American Hockey League. Where fast-paced energy and passionate fans meet, WesBanco Arena comes to life after the opening puck drop. Seasons typically run from late October to mid-April with the Kelly Cup Playoffs to follow if necessary. Let’s Go Nailers!
Charleston Dirty Birds
Catch a baseball game (and maybe a fly ball) in the heart of Charleston and cheer on Charleston Dirty Birds. This team competes in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Major League Baseball partner organization. The Dirty Birds play all their home games at GoMart Ballpark. The team frequently has special theme nights, merchandise giveaways, and events at games, so stay tuned to see what you can score while enjoying some summer baseball. Let’s Go Birds!
Tri-State Coal Cats
The Tri-State Coal Cats in Huntington are the newest baseball team in the Appalachian League. The Coal Cats moniker is derived from the region’s rich and historic coal mines dating back to the 1800s. All home games will be played at the team’s brand-new baseball stadium along Jack Cook Way, placing it just a few steps away from Marshall University.
West Virginia Black Bears
The West Virginia Black Bears are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Granville, just a 10-minute drive from Morgantown. The Black Bears play their home games at Kendrick Family Ballpark (formerly Monongalia County Ballpark) across the Monongahela River from Morgantown and West Virginia University. Bring your friends and family to a Black Bears game this baseball season!
Thundering Herd
Reigning from Marshall University in Huntington is the Thundering Herd, the University’s NCAA Division I football team. The team plays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, which always boasts an electric atmosphere for the fans and players. In 1970, Marshall suffered one of the biggest tragedies in sports history when the plane carrying their football team, coaches and boosters crashed just outside of Huntington, killing all 75 passengers. Since this significant loss, the Marshall community persevered to bring their football program back to glory. Marshall won thirteen conference titles, eight division titles and two national championships since the team’s inception in 1895. Go Herd!
Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision of college football. West Virginia plays its home games at Milan Puskar Stadium on campus in Morgantown. Mountaineer pride is expressed loud and proud from the tip of the Northern Panhandle to the bottom of the New River/Greenbrier Valley. Since 1891, WVU has racked up an impressive 15 conference titles and 15 Bowl wins. Be there for a Mountaineer victory when the crowd collectively sings John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” song in celebration!
Looking for more exciting things to do between games? Find more action with the help of our free West Virginia Vacation Guide!
The post Join a West Virginia Fanbase and Cheer On These 6 Sports Teams appeared first on Almost Heaven – West Virginia.
This article: Join a West Virginia Fanbase and Cheer On These 6 Sports Teams has been curated from our friends at Visit West Virginia and the original in it's entirety can be found here: https://wvtourism.com/join-a-west-virginia-fanbase-and-cheer-on-these-6-sports-teams/
