West Virginia Mountaineer History . In the 1930s the unofficial mascot appeared at West Virginia University sporting events wearing flannel shirts , bearskin capes and coonskin caps . At first volunteers , Burton “ Irish ” Crow , Lawson Hill , William “ Buckwheat ” Jackson , among others made appearances throughout the season . Beginning in 1934 , The Monticola ( the WVU yearbook ) sponsored a contest to determine the male senior who had contributed most to the university throughout his four years in college . This male was entitled to be , “ The Mountaineer . ” However , within the next decade the choice shifted to a person who suited the role . This dropped the restriction of a male senior , who had done the most for the university . In 1936 , the Mountain honorary society selected Boyd Harrison “ Slim ” Arnold to be the first official “ buckskin - clad ” . The Mountain honorary society was not active for three years , during this time the president of the student body was responsible for choosing the Mountaineer . ( 3 ) Currently , The Mountain Honorary Society still chooses the Mountaineer through an intense application and interview process . Finalists are decided based on outstanding character and enthusiasm . Finalists then compete in a cheer - off at a WVU basketball game . The winner receives a tuition waiver or scholarship . The Mountaineer was first used in commerce in 1972 and registered as a U . S . trademark in 1985 . Mountaineer ’ s retired rifles , and costumes are housed in a glass case in the Vandalia lounge of the Mountainlair , located on the downtown campus . In 1950 , The Mountain Honorary Society held a Mountaineer Statue Festival raising $ 15 , 000 . This bought the bronze statue of the Mountaineer in the Mountainlair front lawn . Natalie Tennant , who became the West Virginia secretary of state in January 2009 , served as the first female Mountaineer in 1990 . Rebecca Durst was the only other woman to fill the role in 2009 . Rock Wilson is the only Mountaineer to serve the position for three years ( 1991 - 1994 ) . The current West Virginia University Mountaineer is Jonathan Kimble . He is a from Franklin , WV in Pendleton County . Jonathan Kimble is a graduate student at WVU , majoring in Industrial & Labor Relations . Duties . The responsibilities of the Mountaineer Mascot are set forth by the Mountaineer Advisory Committee Manual Regulations . The Mountaineer must attend every away and home West Virginia Mountaineers football game , as well as every home men ’ s and women ’ s basketball games . They might also be required to travel with the team as determined by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics . The mascot is also encouraged to attend certain events such as alumni events , community events , and visit the WVU Children ’ s Hospital . It is said that the Mountaineer may make close to 300 appearances per year . He or she is also responsible for the cleaning , care , and handling of the rifle and no one else is allowed to fire it except for himself or herself or the Alternate Mountaineer . Additionally , the Mountaineer is expected to follow a proper code of conduct at all times . While in costume , the mascot cannot be under the influence of alcohol or use tobacco at any time , and may not accept money or gifts for appearances or endorse a company or product for profit . Traditions . The Mountaineer Mascot is a part of many traditions at West Virginia University . Most of them are associated with sporting events . It is the Mountaineer who leads the football team onto Mountaineer Field every game , firing his or her rifle into the air . The Mountaineer also leads the fans , along with the cheerleaders , on the football field and the basketball court in the Let ’ s Go Mountaineers cheer and other cheers .