West Virginia
West Virginia Looks Poised for a Red Hot Start in 2026 if Everything Clicks
On Wednesday, the Big 12 Conference unveiled the league slate for the 2026 football season, so now we know who, when, and where West Virginia plays each of its twelve regular-season games.
Sometimes my stance will change on how difficult a schedule is after studying it a little longer, following the initial release, but I have to tell you, this year there is a clear opportunity for the Mountaineers to come out of the gates red-hot.
The non-conference slate
West Virginia opens up with home games against Coastal Carolina and UT-Martin, both of which should be comfortable wins. After that, they head to Charlotte for a neutral-site game against Virginia, giving you an idea as to where this team truly is and what its potential is.
I’m indifferent about how I see that game against the Hoos playing out. It’s not the same Virginia football program we’re accustomed to seeing struggling. Tony Elliott was finally able to get the Cavalier to turn the corner this past season, and now they are trending in the right direction. Entering league play at 2-1 is good, but if things are clicking offensively, they could be 3-0, which would be the team’s best start since 2018.
The first half of the Big 12 schedule
WVU will host Oklahoma State, which has a first-year coach (Eric Morris), for the league opener, and then will hit the road to take on another first-year coach, Jimmy Rogers, and the Iowa State Cyclones. Facing a new coach doesn’t always guarantee a win, but the two programs are essentially starting from scratch, having lost so many players to the transfer portal.
Now, you could say West Virginia is in a similar boat, and I would tend to agree. However, the one thing WVU does have is continuity with the staff, and they knew exactly what they needed out of the transfer portal, whereas Oklahoma State and Iowa State are simply filling out their roster — something Rich Rod and Co. did a year ago.
Following the trip to Ames, they return home for two home games against Arizona and Cincinnati.
The Wildcats will be a bit of a challenge, considering veteran dual-threat QB Noah Fifita is returning for his senior year, and they are coming off a nine-win season. Assuming WVU can take care of business up to that point, there should be a strong crowd on hand that can help make things difficult. Winning that game against Arizona would be the Mountaineers sending a statement, especially if they come into that one at 4-0.
In the event they are perfect through five weeks, we could see the Mountaineers ending their drought of being ranked or at least on the cusp of doing so. The following week, West Virginia will have Cincinnati, who they’ve owned over the years, and they’ll be replacing some key pieces, including QB Brendan Sorsby, who is now at Texas Tech.
From that point on, though, the level of competition takes a big step up. Road games against TCU, Texas Tech, and Houston, and home games against Kansas and a dangerous Houston team that is seemingly on the rise.
As nice as the schedule sets up on paper, is it realistic to expect a 5-0 or 6-0 start?
The short answer is no. Is it possible? Absolutely. That’s why I just punched up 500+ words on it. The huge turnover of the roster is something that can’t get lost in the shuffle. Yes, the Mountaineers should be significantly better in 2026.
Yes, they should have an improved offensive line. And yes, they should have more consistent play from the quarterback spot. That can all be true, just as the concern of the chemistry with this group. It’s not going to be perfect out of the gates, and Rich Rod has to hope they don’t shoot themselves in the foot early on when they’re still trying to figure things out. If they can navigate those early bumps in the road, figure out who the quarterback is, and the right batch of guys up front, then there’s a good chance that red-hot start is in play, creating a ton of excitement around the program.
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MORGANTOWN, WV — The American Institute of Architects West Virginia (AIA WV) recognized design excellence, honored distinguished service and celebrated emerging talent at its 2026 Design Awards Gala and Scholarship Benefit, held at Hotel Morgan in Morgantown.
The annual program highlights architectural work that demonstrates design quality and meaningful impact on communities across West Virginia and beyond. This year’s awards were determined through a blind jury process led by Christopher Meyers, FAIA, of Meyers+Associates in Columbus, Ohio. Projects were evaluated on clarity of concept, execution and long-term impact.
The program’s highest recognition, the Honor Award for New Construction, was presented to the Library and Active Living Center at Afton Ridge in Kannapolis, North Carolina, designed by Silling with design architect HBM Architects, and the Marshall County Health Department in Moundsville, West Virginia, designed by Silling.
Merit Awards for New Construction were awarded to the WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital Orthopedic Hospital Entry Addition in Charleston, West Virginia (Silling); Coalfield Elementary School in Welch, West Virginia (The Thrasher Group); and Northwood Health Systems in Wheeling, West Virginia (M&G Architects & Engineers with MSA Design).
Citations for New Construction were presented to Alderson Elementary School (The Thrasher Group) and the Oglebay Park Resort Wilson Lodge Porte Cochere (Mills Group).
A Merit Award in Renovation/Restoration was awarded to the Cabarrus County Courthouse – Phase 2 in Concord, North Carolina, designed by Silling with HBM Architects.
In the Interiors category, a Merit Award was presented to Building 2000 Renovation in Friendly, West Virginia (Pickering Associates), while Cedar Grove Elementary School (ZMM Architects and Engineers) received a Citation.
A Citation in Small Projects was awarded to the Cabell County Courthouse Clock Tower Restoration in Huntington, West Virginia (Edward Tucker Architects).
The Community Impact Award was presented to the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers in Barboursville, West Virginia, designed by ZMM Architects and Engineers, recognizing its impact on education and workforce development.
The 25 Year Award, honoring enduring architectural significance, was presented to the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, West Virginia, designed by Silling.
AIA West Virginia also presented the James L. Montgomery Award, the organization’s highest individual honor, to William E. Yoke Jr., AIA Emeritus, in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service to the profession and lasting contributions to the built environment.
The evening also recognized the next generation of architects, with the West Virginia Foundation for Architecture (WVFA) awarding scholarships to ten students pursuing degrees in architecture. These awards reflect the Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting emerging talent and strengthening the future of the profession.
The AIA West Virginia Design Awards program underscores the role architects play in shaping communities through thoughtful, enduring design. This year’s recipients reflect a continued commitment to advancing the quality of the built environment while responding to evolving community needs.
Additional information, including detailed project descriptions and photography, is available in the Awards Gallery at www.aiawv.org.
West Virginia
West Virginia’s Underrated State Park Is A Serene Getaway With Picturesque Trails And A Unique Hemlock Forest – Islands
It isn’t every day you get to walk beneath trees so old they stood long before the U.S. became a country. However, northeastern West Virginia’s little-known Cathedral State Park hides a hemlock forest with trees over 500 years old and seven beginner-friendly to moderately challenging trails.
Located just off Route 50, about 55 miles from Clarksburg’s walkable downtown, you’d be forgiven for confusing the park with a rest stop. But, if you venture a little ways from the main road, you’ll encounter West Virginia’s largest old-growth forest, the untouched remnants of what was once a massive hemlock forest across the Appalachian Highlands. This mature hemlock stand is a Registered Natural Landmark due to the tree’s cultural and environmental value, including providing a habitat to over 170 plant species.
At only 133 acres, the tiny plot was donated to the state by the caretaker of the former Brookside Resort in order to preserve the forest for generations to come. It offers places to picnic or stretch your legs while driving through the farmlands and mountains of Preston County. There’s also a kids’ playground with swings next to shaded picnic pavilions, but the trails are the highlight. “With its trees, creeks, and trails, you are in for a peaceful leisure adventure,” shared a visitor on Google. “Aside from the numerous manmade foot bridges, the rest of the park is left to its natural state.”
Discover the trails at Cathedral State Park
Featuring a maximum length of just over a mile, the seven trails at Cathedral State Park are short, allowing visitors to hike all of them in one outing. Although the park lies in the Allegheny Mountains, the maximum elevation change on the trails is only a couple of hundred feet at most. None of the trails are loops, but they crisscross each, which lets visitors explore without backtracking.
For the chance to walk beneath the park’s tallest trees on a path that visitors consider the best in the park, choose the 0.2-mile Giant Hemlock Trail. You’ll spot hemlocks measuring up to 90 feet tall and so big you won’t be able to circle the trunk even with multiple people. At 1.1 miles, the Cathedral Trail is the longest in the park and has several bridges that cross Rhine Creek. Here you can find rhododendrons, ferns, and other shade-loving plants growing in abundance. It’s rated the most difficult in the park due to the path’s rocky terrain, but it’s not steep. You might hear some traffic noise along the section of the trail that runs parallel to the highway, but visitors say it’s worth it to see the woods and large hemlocks by the water.
Hikers generally consider the trails well-marked (look out for the blazes) and relaxing, but report exposed roots and rocks that could trip you up. Besides hemlocks and their plant communities (including colorful mushrooms), keep an eye out for wildlife, including deer and squirrels.
Things to know before visiting Cathedral State Park
Cathedral State Park is open year-round, but the bathrooms close during the winter starting in October. The best time to hit the trails is in the spring and summer when the canopies and moss carpets turn lush and green. Even though temperatures can reach up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, the canopy cover offers a respite from the heat. On the other hand, those visiting in winter get to experience the hemlocks covered in snow and ice.
The trails are well-marked, but visitors say they can be confusing. Consider downloading the Cathedral State Park Trails Map ahead of your visit (it’s one of the most important things park rangers wish you’d do before exploring a park). Some of the trails require hikers to cross the highway, so you need to be mindful of traffic and look out for children.
In addition to hikers, dogs are allowed on the trails as long as they remain leashed. During the snowy months, cross-country skiers are also permitted on the hiking trails. Unfortunately for campers, the park is a day-use only site. However, Blackwater Falls State Park is only 18 miles away and offers 65 tent and RV sites (electricity hookups provided) near West Virginia’s most photographed waterfall.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history, compiled by the West Virginia Humanities Council from its online encyclopedia, e-WV.
April 19, 1896: Writer Melville Davisson Post was born in Harrison County. His best-known works are the Randolph Mason series, published in three volumes, and the more successful collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries.
April 19, 1902: Author Jean Lee Latham was born in Buckhannon. She wrote a number of children’s books, including Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, which won the 1956 Newbery Award.
April 20, 1823: Gen. Jesse Lee Reno was born in Wheeling. He graduated from West Point in 1846 with another cadet from western Virginia, Thomas J. Jackson, later known as “Stonewall.” Reno was the highest-ranking officer from present West Virginia killed in the Civil War.
April 20, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that in 60 days, West Virginia would become a state. The occasion was marked 100 years later during the state’s Centennial celebration with a special ceremonial session of the West Virginia Legislature on April 20, 1963, in Wheeling.
April 20, 1909: Fiddler Melvin Wine was born near Burnsville in Braxton County. A favorite of old-time music enthusiasts nationally, he was chosen as a National Heritage Fellow in 1991 by the National Endowment for the Arts — the highest recognition given to a folk artist in the United States.
April 20, 1939: Poet Irene McKinney was born in Belington, Barbour County. Gov. Gaston Caperton appointed her state poet laureate in 1993, and she served in that capacity until her death in 2012.
April 21, 1908: Musician Phoeba Cottrell Parsons was born in Calhoun County. Parsons’ traditional clawhammer banjo style, unaccompanied ballad singing, riddles and storytelling have influenced countless younger musicians.
April 21, 1936: President Franklin Roosevelt established the Jefferson National Forest. The West Virginia portion of the forest includes about 19,000 acres in Monroe County.
April 22, 1908: Marshall “Little Sleepy” Glenn was born in Elkins. Glenn coached basketball at West Virginia University from 1934 to 1938 and football from 1937 to 1940. He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
April 22, 1948: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and musician Larry Groce was born in Dallas, Texas. He is best known as the longtime host and artistic director of the Mountain Stage radio program.
April 22, 2003: Activist Judy Bonds, a Raleigh County native, received the Goldman Environmental Prize for her fight against mountaintop removal mining. Her efforts inspired thousands and turned a local West Virginia issue into a national cause.
April 23, 1857: Andrew S. Rowan was born in Gap Mills, Monroe County. Rowan, a military officer, was chosen as the messenger when President William McKinley wanted to send a message to Cuban Gen. Calixto Garcia during the Spanish-American War. The 1899 pamphlet A Message to Garcia made the incident famous.
April 24, 1865: McNeill’s Rangers surrendered to Union troops at New Creek — now Keyser. The Confederate guerrilla force probably never numbered more than 100 men at any time but managed to inflict regular damage on Union operations.
April 25, 1863: In what became known as the Jones-Imboden Raid, about 1,500 Confederate soldiers under Gen. William “Grumble” Jones advanced through Greenland Gap, a deep pass through New Creek Mountain in present Grant County. The Confederates encountered 87 Union soldiers who held off several assaults before finally surrendering.
April 25, 1923: Union leader Arnold Ray Miller was born at Leewood on Cabin Creek in Kanawha County. In December 1972, he defeated Tony Boyle to become president of the United Mine Workers and served until 1979.
e-WV is a project of the West Virginia Humanities Council. For more information, contact the council at 1310 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25301, call 304-346-8500 or visit wvencyclopedia.org.
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