MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The new Mountaineer mascot, the 72nd in WVU history, says he’s been preparing for this opportunity for a long time.
Reese Allen, a Harrison County native, will serve as the 2026-27 Mountaineer mascot.
“It is my honor to have been part of so many cheers and so much Mountaineer spirit so far, but I’ve got a year more of it to really look forward to,” Allen said.
He’s a senior with a dual mechanical engineering and data science major, a 2022 Bucklew Scholar, Eberly Scholar, Honors College member, Presidential Student Ambassador, and the founding president of the Microgravity Research Club in the Statler College, where he leads STEM outreach activities for K-12 students.
Allen said he began growing a beard his freshman year in hopes of one day becoming the Mountaineer.
“I realized that years ago, from the story of me growing a beard at the oil and gas internship, I was just thinking about being a Mountaineer,” Allen said. “I realized that back then I wasn’t ready, but some time between then and now, I became ready, and now I am more than excited to go out and represent WVU and the state.”
Allen credits Rachel Morgan, who is winding down her time as alternate Mountaineer, for helping guide him through the many roles and responsibilities that come with being the Mountaineer.
In addition to Morgan’s mentorship, Allen has been greatly inspired by former Mountaineer mascots, especially Jonathan Kimble, the 62nd official WVU Mountaineer mascot.
“He had an unreal energy,” Allen stated. “That kind of vibrance that he was bringing at full spirit is something I really admire. I would love to bring his passion for this position, and help to really connect between me, the people, the university, and the state.”
Following his undergraduate studies, Allen plans to attend grad school and continue to further his education.
“Part of the reason that I’ve wanted to be the Mountaineer mascot is to really work on perspective and learn about my place in the world,” Allen concluded. “I think the best way to do it is to go meet people throughout the world. I want to, hopefully, visit every county, create stories, and meet people from all over the state and the country, and really help myself to understand where I fit into the world and where I can help give back.”
Allen will be presented the rifle and the responsibilities by Cade Kincaid, the 71st Mountaineer mascot, during the formal “Passing of the Rifle” ceremony on April 17 at 6 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the Mountainlair, Gluck Theatre. Prior to the ceremony, a reception, which is open to the public, will be held in the Mountainlair, Vandalia Lounge at 5 p.m.