For Mountaineer alumni and fans, the sight of the Mountaineer running onto the field with his rifle held high is one of the great traditions at West Virginia University.

The National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) of the WVU Alumni Association is proud to support that tradition. The chapter has provided funds to commission the rifles that have been used by the Mountaineer mascots for nearly 20 years. Recently, the chapter presented Brady Campbell, the 2006-2007 Mountaineer, with a new one that was hand-crafted by Morgantown resident Marvin Wotring. The rifle, made of curly maple, took nearly 70 hours to craft.

Traditions are an important part of WVU s history,said Scott Bosley, president of the National Capital Area Chapter.Our members are pleased to be able to continue to support these proud traditions by presenting a new rifle to Brady Campbell.

In addition to the rifle, the chapter has provided financial assistance, as well as volunteer support, to numerous activities, including the WVU Parents Club, the Pride of West Virginia and scholarships for WVU students.

Holly Metz, a 1986 graduate of WVU and member of the National Capital Area Chapter Board of Directors, presented the rifle to Campbell during the annual FanFest pep rally Sept. 1 held prior to WVU s opening win over Marshall.

The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 165,000 University graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the Associations 26,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni, Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund, Student Alumni Association, and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs. For more information about the WVU Alumni Association, visithttp://alumni.wvu.edu/.