Mountaineer fans following the West Virginia University mens basketball team to Phoenix for its third-round NCAA tournament game against the Xavier Musketeers are invited to a pep rally Thursday (March 27).

The WVU Alumni Association, Mountaineer Athletic Club and WVU Foundation University Fund will host the rally from 2-3 p.m. on the Outdoor Terrace of the Phoenix Airport Marriott.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature appearances by the Mountaineer mascot, cheerleaders and WVU Pep Band, as well as limited complimentary snacks and cash bar.

The Mountaineers have accomplished a great deal this year,said Kevin Berry, associate director of the WVU Alumni Association.Coach (Bob) Huggins and the team deserve nothing less than to have an excited group of alumni, friends and fans behind them at the US Airways Center. We look forward to providing a venue for loyal Mountaineers to support and celebrate these amazing coaches and players.

Hundreds of WVU alumni and friends are expected to be on hand for the Sweet 16 game, which is scheduled to tip off at 7:10 p.m. (4:10 p.m. Pacific time) Thursday.

The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 170,000 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 28,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs.

For more information about the WVU Alumni Association, visithttp://alumni.wvu.edu.