While the West Virginia University Mountaineers prepare for the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech on Jan. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla., for the 2007 Toyota Gator Bowl, University officials are preparing various ways fans canconnectwith the University.

Make no mistake, the Gator Bowl is all about the pigskin, but leading up to the match-up will be about makingMountaineer Connectionswhether its locating a long-lost friend via cyberspace, connecting to a healthier lifestyle or pondering a philosophical question.

As is tradition, the focus of all WVU activities will be the Mountaineer Fan Center at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel (third floor Terrace Pavilion #1 ballrooms). Thousands of fans are expected to participate in this popular event.

The Hyatt is located at 225 East Coast Line Drive, near Jacksonville Landing. It will serve as home to the award-winning Fan Center as well as headquarters to the WVU Alumni Association and WVU Foundation. The Center, being dubbedThe Mountaineer Connection,is jointly sponsored by WVU s Office of University Advancement and Marketing, the Alumni Association and WVU Foundation.

The Center will operate from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30; and from 9 a.m.-1.p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.

Fans will be able to purchase official WVU merchandise at Zides Mountaineer Market both days, while enjoying drop-in visits by cheerleaders, the Mountaineer mascot andPride of West VirginiaMountaineer Marching Band on the afternoon of the 31st.

Great WVU souvenirslike small footballs suitable for autographs, face tattoos and bright gold branded cinch sackswill also be distributed during operating hours.

On game day, Jan. 1, the venue will change to Alltel Stadium from 10 a.m.-noon so that fans can pick up bright gold Flying WV foam hand waves to take into the game.

The best part, according to officials, is that fans will makeMountaineer Connectionsand explore concepts they might never have associated with college football.

�€~Where are you from?

It all starts with the Mountaineer Connection Kioskthe first thing fans will experience see upon entering the Fan Center. The kiosk is a Mountaineer detective, of sorts, asking fans their name, hometown and other information so WVU officials and fans can connector reconnectwith one another.

Connecting through a `healthier U/You

Fans can also get fit and have fun by participating in Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR), an interactive video game that helps dance pounds and stress away while promoting physical activity. Fans need only step onto DDR s patterned mat and watch and follow highlighted patterns on the large video screen above. WVU and the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) are collaborating on a nationally-acclaimed study to determine the health benefits of playing DDR . The games have been incorporated into the public schoolsphysical education curriculum in the state. The study has garnered national media attention, including featured health segments on Good Morning America and CNN and a national Associated Press story that landed in newspapers across America. Linda Carson, the Ware Distinguished Professor in the School of Physical Education, is spearheading the research.

That isThe Question

Nearby, fans can take a journey inward by ponderingThe Question,a unique

project of WVU s Department of Philosophy housed in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

The Question?is an exercise in critical thinking, primarily posed to youngsters, but in this case, fans, department chair Sharon Ryan said.

The idea is to get people thinking and reasoning,Ryan noted.Weve asked kids questions ranging from �€~When is war OK?to �€~Are NASCAR drivers athletes?These are kids as little as 6 years old, yet theyre giving well-thought and insightful answers. Now, we want to introduce `The Questionto football fans.

Some of the Gator queries:What is your Mountaineer Connection?....What is a team?....What is a family?.What is a friend?

These questions will give fans of all ages something to think about and answer in various ways,Ryan said.And, there is no right answer. Thats the beauty of it.

In addition to posting the question and some of the answers at the Fan Center, WVU will pose these same questionsand some answerson its bowl web site: http://bowlgame.wvu.edu

�€~I wondered what happened to you

Another exhibit area, sponsored by the WVU Alumni Association, will allow alumni to connect with other Mountaineers through an online community of alumni across the country and throughout the world. Officials will be on hand to help them key in information to launch advanced technology searches to possibly track down that old roommate or fraternity brother.

After many discussions with graduates and feedback from alumni surveys, we knew our constituents wanted an online vehicle to keep them connected to their Mountaineer family, so we are pleased to offer the official online community for WVU graduates,said Stephen L. Douglas, president and chief executive officer.The Fan Center is a great way to help reconnect our alumni with friends and classmates.

Connecting WVU to the Fans

The idea behind the displays, interactions and premium giveaways at the Fan Center is to simply entertain Mountaineer faithful who make the University what it is and to also educate them about the University, said Robin Yorty, director of University Events and Ceremonies.

Setting up Fan Centers for our bowl games is really an act of appreciation,she said.Its a way we can connect with all our friends and supporters, while letting them know about the educational advantages WVU offers.

Video highlights from the 10-2 football season, athletic memorabilia from the Hall of Traditions, a photo opportunity and other activities are also planned.

WVU families can also make connections at the Mountaineer Parents Club booth. Stop by the exhibit area to find out more about the organization and to pick up free embroidered mini mascots with the Clubs unique heart logo

WVU s Fan Center from the 2006 Nokia Sugar Bowl was recently honored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The effort earned a Silver award in CASE s District II competition for special event marketing.

Gator bites

* * * Tickets to the 2007 Toyota Gator Bowl are still on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office. Ticket prices range from $50 to $75. To order, or for more information, visit the Mountaineer Ticket Office in the Coliseum, go online towww.WVUGame.comor call 1-800-WVU GAME .

Land and air packages through the WVU Alumni Association/National Travel are at capacity, but fans can put their name on a wait list by calling 1-800-642-3603.

* The landmark Tamarack tourist attraction off Exit 45 at the I-64-77 interchange near Beckley will once again serve as a Mountaineerconnectionfor fans motoring to Jacksonville for the game. Connect with friends and fans there by picking up free WVU gift items, a Beckley Register-Herald special bowl edition with WVU window banner, free soft drinks or coffee, and discounts on gold and blue merchandise Dec. 28-31while supplies lastfrom 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (except Dec. 31 when it closes at 5 p.m.).

The WVU Alumni Association is selling the official Gator Bowl Patch to commemorate the Mountaineersappearance in the bowl. The souvenir patch is $10 and can be purchased by calling the WVU Alumni Association at 1-866-WVU-ALUM (1-866-988-2586) or 304-293-4731 by Dec. 20. Fans may also stop by the Erickson Alumni Center to purchase a patch. It entitles fans to entrance to the Gator Bowl Tailgate Party at Alltel Stadium on game day, plus free items and discounts at participating Jacksonville restaurants and shops in the days leading up to the game.

* Fans are encouraged to join the WVU Alumni Association to watch WVU s mens basketball team as it takes on nationally ranked UConn in a Big East matchup. The event will take place on Dec. 30 at the River City Brewery, 835 Museum Circle on the south bank of the St. Johns River beginning at 1 p.m. Food and beverage concessions will be available; tipoff is at 2 p.m.

* The City of Jacksonville has several events planned for New Years Eve, including a pep rally at 1:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Landing and a parade featuring the Pride of West Virginia Mountaineer Marching Band at 3 p.m. Visitwww.coj.netfor amore.

* Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Alltel Stadium. CBS is carrying the contest nationally.

* Call the WVU Bowl Hotline at 304-293-4764 for updated information.