Nineteen former West Virginia University Mountaineer mascots are reuniting to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of Mountaineer Week.

The mascots will be recognized at a reception hosted by Mountain Honorary at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Mountaineer Room on the second floor of the Mountainlair.

Following the reception, they will join hundreds of fans at the Alumni Tent near Milan Puskar Stadium prior to the WVU -Louisville football game, and each Mountaineer will be recognized during halftime events.

Since 1927, 60 students have donned the buckskins and carried the long rifle. Past mascots gather every five years to reminisce about their experiences. This years event will be their fourth reunion.

Each Mountaineer has a special place in school history.

Natalie Tennant, a native of Fairview, was the first and only female Mountaineer. The broadcast news graduate went on to become a television news anchor and is preparing to run for West Virginia secretary of state.

She credits her time as the Mountaineer as one of the biggest factors of her success.

In terms of being (the only female) Mountaineer, it helped to shape my adult life now,she said.It is where I built my foundation.

Dan Fleming, the 1952-53 Mountaineer, helped to welcome in thePappy Lewis Ageof WVU football. Lewis, a successful Mountaineer head coach, started in 1950.

We played Pitt, and they were supposed to be really good, but we pulled out a great upset,Fleming said, remembering the 1952 victory.

Regardless of the era, Mountaineer mascots have one thing in commonthe

pride they share when remembering the call tobring on the Mountaineers.