Mascot hopefuls have the opportunity to throw their coonskin hats into the ring to be the next West Virginia University Mountaineer.

Applications are available at the Elizabeth Moore Hall, Mountainlair and Evansdale Residential Complex front desks through Friday, Jan. 28. Completed materials must be returned to the Elizabeth Moore Hall front desk or e-mailed to staylor@mix.wvu.edu by 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4.

Applicants must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average to be in the running.

The mascots chief responsibilities include attending all home football and basketball games as well as any away games determined by the athletics department, said Stephanie Taylor, selection committee chair.

The Mountaineer mascot serves as a representative of not only West Virginia University, but also the whole state,she said.Therefore, the selection committee looks for a well-rounded student who truly has the Mountaineer spirit.

The mascot selection process includes an essay and a half-hour interview with a committee made up of eight students, two athletic officials, one faculty member and one staff member.

The top four finalists will go on to a cheer-off competition at the Feb. 20 WVU -Seton Hall mens basketball game. For the tryouts, they will don the Mountaineer buckskins and be evaluated on performance and interaction with the crowd.

The Mountain Honorary, WVU s prestigious service organization for student leaders, has the final say, and the new Mountaineer mascot will be announced at the Feb. 26 WVU -Rutgers mens hoops matchup.