Nothing will be sweeter for Derek Fincham than charging onto the field at the Georgia Dome and leading thousands of West Virginia University fans in a resoundingLets go, Mountaineerschant at the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl.

At the age of 10, the Petersburg native had his sights set on becoming the Mountaineer mascot.

Through the support of my family and friends, I have been able to not only achieve this goal, but carry it out in my own unique way,Fincham said.I hope to one day advocate for other individuals with disabilities to help them achieve their life goals.

Youd never know it watching him entertain the crowd, but the WVU student was born with a disability called X-linked ocular albinism. Its a disorder that allows excess light into the eye, distorting his sight and causing nystagmus, or a shaking of the eyes.

While the condition prevents him from driving and other daily tasks most people take for granted, it hasnt kept him sidelined. In spring 2004, Fincham realized his childhood dream of donning the buckskins.

Over the past two years as the Mountaineer, I have had many memorable games,he said.The overtime win against Maryland in 2004 was truly amazing, but the game I will never forget is the triple-overtime victory over Louisville this year.

Fincham said its thrilling to lead the Mountaineer football team onto the field on game day, but the most important part of his job is visiting kids at the WVU Childrens Hospital. During one of his earlier visits, he met a smiling 8-year-old girl who made a big impression on him.

Her face lit up as I walked in,Fincham recalled.Her mother told me that she had been in the hospital for several weeks and I was the first person she talked to. No matter how many times I may be on TV or have my name in the paper, knowing that I made a difference in that one girls life has meant the most.

Whether cheering up patients at the Childrens Hospital or cheering the Mountaineers to victory, Fincham has loved every minute of it.

The 2005 Gator Bowlit was an experience that I will never forget,he said.The

Mountaineers faced off against a great Florida State team coached by former Mountaineer coach Bobby Bowden.

While WVU lost to FSU (30-18), Fincham remains optimistic about the match-up with Georgia.

The Mountaineers will head down to Atlanta and show Georgia what West Virginia football is all about,he said.I know that when the final shot is fired, the Mountaineers will come out with a victory and we will proudly sing �€~Country Roads.

Besides serving as the WVU mascot for the past two years, Fincham is a spokesperson for the LeVar Burton Vision Enhancement Technology Centernamed after the actor who played Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge, a blind engineer onStar Trek: The Next Generationwho was able to see with the help of a special visor. The center pairs researchers from WVU School of Medicine and the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources to develop new vision-enhancing technologies.

Fincham earned his bachelors degree in religious studies from WVU last year and is

working toward a masters degree in rehabilitation counseling. He uses a JORDY ( Joint Optical Reflective Display) in the classrooma high-tech device that looks like a pair of glasses and magnifies objects up to 30 timesprovided by the technology center.

After graduation, he wants to pursue a masters degree in divinity and return to West Virginia to be ordained as a Methodist minister. He also plans to practice as a private rehabilitation counselor and serve as an advocate for individuals fighting for equality in the workplace and their communities.

Fincham comes from a family steeped in Mountaineer tradition. His mom, Debbie, graduated with a bachelors degree in elementary education from WVU in 1977. His dad, Dave, received a bachelors degree in art education in 1976 and a masters degree in administration in 1981. They currently serve on the Mountaineer Parents Club visiting committee.

In addition, Finchams sister, Danielle, received a masters degree in elementary education from the University in 2003, and her husband, Nickoli Riggins, graduated from WVU in 2002 with a bachelors degree in biology.

As you can see, my family is filled with true Mountaineers,he said.When it came

time for me and my sister to apply for college, we both knew were we wanted to go. It is my hope to give my children the same Mountaineer pride that was passed down from my parents to me.