Joe Riffe
Joe Riffe, 2018 Ultimate Mountaineer Fan
Joe Riffe was chosen as the 2018 Ultimate Mountaineer Fan. 51% of the votes were cast for Joe. He traveled to the Big 12 Championships to cheer on the Mountaineers in Kansas City. The hat Joe designed was sold at retail and is still available in stores and online at ShopWVU.com.
SHOP JOE'S FAVORITE GEAR
Get to Know Joe
What is your favorite Mountaineer game you attended?
My mind immediately goes to the Triple OT Louisville football game. My dad wanted
to leave in the 3rd Quarter. He was sick of it and ready to get on the road.
I convinced him to stay, so he definitely had to thank me after! I would also
say the 2004 Maryland football game. It was our daughter’s 1st Mountaineer game
(2 days shy of her 1st birthday). I’ll always remember her trying to do the first
down chant/hand movements.
In one word describe what being a Mountaineer means to you?
Pride
Share one Mountaineer fun fact about you.
I’ve been known to work night shift, leave work, pick up my family, and drive
4 hours to Morgantown. Then, watch the game and head straight back in time
for work that night with no sleep. Sometimes staying awake for 36+ hours
to be able to keep our traditions going!
What is your favorite WVU Athletics venue and why?
Monongalia County Ballpark is beautiful and I think the Coliseum is truly underrated.
However, the fact that I associate so many great (and some gut-wrenching)
memories with my dad, uncles and cousins watching football, I’ll have to
go with Milan Puskar Stadium.
Who is your favorite Mountaineer player (past or present)?
Tavon Austin
If you could go back and relive any Mountaineer moment, what would it be?
Honestly, any of the MANY games I listened to with my dad and grandpa when
I was a kid...win or lose. All the games were not on TV back then and we
didn’t always have access to a TV when they were! We always listened to the
games. There’s something special about those memories and the radio listening
experience.
If you attended a University, what school, what was your major and when did
you graduate?
I dreamed of playing baseball at WVU but wasn’t quite good enough. I graduated
from Bluefield State in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
My first Mountaineer memory is…
My first memory of being a fan was watching the 1989 Fiesta Bowl. This was
the National Championship game vs Notre Dame and I was sitting in the floor
at my grandpa’s house. I was honestly too young to fully understand, but
I’d love to go back and spend that time with my family members who have since
passed away.
Where do you currently live?
Princeton, WV
What is the biggest "thing or event" you have missed to watch a WVU game?
A funny one would simply be - WORK. I might have been sick on game day once
or twice over the years. I’m well-known for scheduling family events around
games. I’m also well known to have sat in the back row at several weddings
and family events so that I can watch the game on my phone.
What is your favorite piece if WVU gear to wear when you are watching the Mountaineers?
That’s an easy one...the hat that I got to design when I won the Ultimate Mountaineer
Fan contest in 2018!