West Virginia University will be welcomed by a sold-out crowd of alumni and friends as part of the 11th Annual Capital Classic luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 24, prior to the WVU -Marshall basketball games. The event, hosted by the WVU Alumni Association, is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. at the Charleston Embassy Suites.

WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. will offer those in attendanceinsights gained and lessons learnedduring his tenure as president and will introduce a special video that highlights the successes of WVU students.

Gov. Joe Manchin III is expected to attend the luncheon and offer greetings to nearly 600 alumni and friends of WVU . Brief visits also are expected by the men’s and women’s basketball coaches and players.

Later that evening, WVU alumni and fans can get energized at the WVU Fanfare reception in the Civic Center North Hall from 6-7:30 p.m. Fanfare, which annually attracts thousands, is free and open to all WVU fans. It is being sponsored by the WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Athletic Club, WVU Foundation’s University Fund, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, WVU Office of Advancement and Marketing, WVU Office of Student Affairs and WVU Childrens Hospital.

Fanfare will include several WVU -themed displays, including an introduction to Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) by Dr. Linda Carson, Ware Distinguished Professor of Physical Education, who is collaborating with School of Medicine colleague Emily Murphy on a ground breaking health study based on the interactive video game.

To participate, fans need only step onto DDR s patterned dance mats and watch and follow highlighted arrows on a large video screen.

WVU and the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) are partnering on a nationally-acclaimed study to determine the health benefits of playing DDR . The games have also been incorporated into the public schoolsphysical education curriculum in the state.

DDR is an interactive video game that helps dance pounds and stress away while promoting physical activity and good health among children as well as adults. The project was also recently featured at WVU ’s Fan Center at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.

In addition to PEIA , the Governor’s Office, state Department of Education, game manufacturer Konami, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Acordia are partnering in the project, which has garnered national media attentionincluding segments on Good Morning America, CNN and the Discovery Channel as well as an Associated Press story which landed in newspapers nationwide.

Fanfare also will feature unique giveaways; a photo opportunity; game highlights;The Question,courtesy of the WVU Philosophy Department; complimentary snacks; and a Mountaineer Market for purchasing your favorite WVU merchandise.

The Chesapeake Energy Capital Classic women’s game tips off at 5:30 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center and will be aired by WV Public Television; the men’s game follows at 8 p.m. and will be televised throughout the state on these stations: WOWK -TV (Charleston-Huntington); WVNS -TV (Beckley-Bluefield); WBOY -TV (Clarksburg);

WTRF -TV (Wheeling); and WJAL -TV (Chambersburg, Pa./Martinsburg). The two games also will be carried live on radio by MSN , the Mountaineer Sports Network. Both games are a sellout.