Reese Allen was announced as the 72nd Mountaineer mascot during the WVU men’s basketball game against BYU Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Hope Coliseum. (WVU Photo/Matt Sunday)
(Editor’s note: This story has been updated since its original release to include the name of the alternate Mountaineer mascot for 2026-27.)
Driven by a love for his home state and gratitude for the opportunities West Virginia University has provided him, Reese Allen will don the buckskins and coonskin cap as the next Mountaineer mascot.
The senior dual mechanical engineering and data science major from Bridgeport was named the 2026-27 Mountaineer mascot Saturday (Feb. 28) during the men’s basketball game in the Hope Coliseum.
Allen, who has not shaved his beard since his freshman year with the goal of becoming the Mountaineer mascot, views the role as a unique opportunity to honor his heritage, give back to his University and connect with the people of West Virginia, including those outside Morgantown.
Looking out at the campus from the PRT at age 6, he said he knew the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources was his future. “Growing up, the Statler College and WVU were ‘college’ to me and I chose to come here because this is home,” Allen said.
“I have received every opportunity and resource the University has to offer. I’ve received scholarships, taken part in research across all three areas of campus and made my own club,” he reflected. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and instead of saying a thousand thank yous, it’s better for me to be the Mountaineer.”
Allen is a 2022 Bucklew Scholar, Eberly Scholar and member of the Honors College. He has served as a Presidential Student Ambassador and is the founding president of the Microgravity Research Club in the Statler College, where he leads STEM outreach activities for K-12 students.
“WVU is the pearl at the heart of West Virginia, and the mascot is a symbol that ties us all together and connects us to the larger world,” he said. “It is my honor to represent West Virginia University as the 72nd Mountaineer mascot.”
Allen will officially accept the rifle and the responsibilities of the Mountaineer mascot from Cade Kincaid, the 2025-26 mascot, during a formal “Passing of the Rifle” ceremony at 6 p.m. April 17 in the Mountainlair, Gluck Theatre. Prior to the ceremony, which is open to the public, a 5 p.m. reception will be held in the Mountainlair, Vandalia Lounge.
Finalist Amelia Bolden, a first-year communication sciences and disorders junior from Oakland, Maryland, will serve as the alternate Mountaineer mascot.
Submit a Mountaineer mascot appearance request.
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