Friday is a holiday. I know this isn’t a news flash. Sure, it’s New Year’s Day and most people get the day off from work, but in West Virginia it’s an even more important day than simply the first on the new calendar.

Friday is a big day for the West Virginia University Mountaineers on the football field and basketball court.

The football team will face Florida State University in the Gator Bowl and the basketball team, undefeated and ranked sixth in the nation, will face the third ranked Purdue Boilermakers.

I have heard many people talking about how they plan to take in both contests. Since the football game begins at 1 p.m. and the basketball not until 2:30 p.m., it is conceivable to watch football, hope the game is well in hand, then switch to basketball. Others plan on recording the basketball game and making their own Mountaineer doubleheader. Still some will utilize two televisions or at least picture in picture to watch the action simultaneously.

If I lived closer to Charleston I would be watching the games at the Charleston Civic Center at what they are calling the largest Gator Bowl Party. Generally speaking, the more the merrier when watching a big sporting event.

One thing is for sure. . . West Virginians love their sports and many of us root for the Mountaineers!

Another thing is visually evident. . . we like to wear our heart on our sleeves, and chests, and heads, and legs, and cars, and anywhere else we can put a flying WV. We might just be one of the most merchandised groups around. I guess that’s why that logo is so recognizable the world over.

I was somewhat amazed at my family’s Christmas gifts this year as I know for certain there were at least seven WVU gifts exchanged. (I happily report I received three of them!) Add to that at least two people were wearing Mountaineer attire while they opened gifts. We like to show our team pride.

I’m sure you do to, so get out the blue and gold, don your gay apparel, and root for the Mountaineers.

Let’s go-o-o-o-o-o-o-o Mountaineers!