West Virginia

WVSSAC: Helmet Safety Enforcement A Local Issue

Published

1 week ago

September 4, 2024

WVSSAC: Helmet Safety Enforcement A Local Issue

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission tells WSAZ that helmet certification is a responsibility of the individual school, adding that it has no mechanism in place to ensure that schools follow manufacturer standards.

SSAC leadership revealed that information in response to a WSAZ investigation, prompted by last month’s death of Madison Middle School football player Cohen Craddock.

Last week, the SSAC confirm Cohen’s helmet, a 2017 model that was recondition in April 2024, had a sticker showing it had been certified and met national standards.

Yet, WSAZ wanted to know what system is in place to make sure all helmets are being put through that process.

The station asked general questions that affect every family with a student playing football in West Virginia.

“How often does WVSSAC require helmets be recertified,” and “How does the WVSSAC keep track of which schools are in compliance with the regulation?”

WSAZ sent those questions multiple times since last Thursday to the executive director, David Price. He responded late afternoon Tuesday.

“Manufacturers recommend that varsity (high school) helmets be reconditioned every year and middle school every two years,” Price said in a written statement. “It’s up to the school to follow manufacturers guidance.”

So how does the WVSSAC make sure that schools follow the rules? Simply put, they don’t.

“Principals make up the WVSSAC,” Price added in his written response. “They are the local level of the WVSSAC and it up to them to ensure rules and guidelines are followed.”

The WVSSAC does not require schools to submit any data showing they are in compliance. So that means no one is tracking it at a state level, meaning helmet safety is on an honors system.

WSAZ asked both Price, the executive director, and Wayne Ryan, the associate executive director, for an on-camera interview about the issue, but neither have granted the station’s requests.

WSAZ also reached out to SSAC Board of Directors President Trent Sherman of Martinsburg High School, however, he also did not calls or emails for comment.

So, WSAZ’s Curtis Johnson took the issue to Gov. Jim Justice, a high school girls basketball coach, for his thoughts.

“Given the WVSSAC regulates so many aspects of the competitions that it sanctions, do you believe it should play a larger role in making sure every helmet is certified?” Johnson asked. “Shouldn’t there be some type of check and balance to make sure the emphasis on game rules is also put student-athlete safety?”

“Curtis, I don’t know how we remove local control and bring it into a Parkersburg control or a Charleston control,” he answered. “I don’t know how we make that. I mean, I don’t know how that makes things better.

“Now should they have oversight and should they investigate, I would be absolutely all for that, but we’ve absolutely have got to change rules or whatever it may be to put all of that in place because today it may be in place in a different way, but we need to be able to trust the folks at the schools.”

Last week, Justice was among those supporting a call for independent investigation when sports fatalities occur.

As for Cohen’s death, the WVSSAC says it does not have that authority, but says it is keeping tabs on an investigation ongoing at the local level.

Source link

Click to comment

West Virginia

Pitt, West Virginia fans react after 107th Backyard Brawl

Published

6 hours ago

September 15, 2024

Press Room

Pitt, West Virginia fans react after 107th Backyard Brawl

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pitt fans are enjoying their team’s thrilling comeback win over rival West Virginia in the 107th edition of the Backyard Brawl.

“Dude, that was one of the best wins I’ve seen in years,” said Pitt fan Eric Vorse as he left Acrisure. “This is the greatest day I’ve had in a long time.”

For a game with so much hype, the contest delivered.

“Unbelievable, back and forth, great game,” said Brian Lardin. “Awesome game, great win, Pitt, go Panthers.”

Of course, West Virginia fans were left with different emotions.

“Honestly, not surprised, disappointed, but that’s kind of life as a WVU fan,” said one Mountaineers fan.

Fans acknowledged there was some tension between rivaling fans, which nearly led to fights, but for the most part, cooler heads prevailed.

One West Virginia fan even said he became friends with several Pitt fans.

“Hey, West Virginia, great jobs, fans. Those fans are great, but I’ll tell you what, dude, hail to Pitt. Today is Pitt fans’ day,” Vorse said. “Today, Pitt is it.”

Source link

West Virginia

Pitt Starting Lineup vs. West Virginia

Published

14 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Press Room

PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers revealed their starting lineup vs. the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Backyard Brawl at Acrisure Stadium.

Quarterback-Eli Holstein
Running Back-Desmond Reid
Wide Receiver-Kenny Johnson
Wide Receiver-Konata Mumpfield
Wide Receiver-Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr.
Wide Receiver-Censere “C.J.” Lee
Wide Receiver-Daejon Reynolds
Tight end-Gavin Bartholomew
Left Tackle-Branson Taylor
Left Guard-Ryan Jacoby
Center-Lyndon Cooper
Right Guard-BJ Williams
Right Tackle-Ryan Baer

Defensive End-Nate Matlack
Defensive Tackle-Nick James
Defensive Tackle-Isaiah “Ghost” Neal
Defensive End-Jimmy Scott
Star Linebacker-Kyle Louis
Mike Linebacker-Brandon George
Money Linebacker-Rasheem Biles
Safety-Donovan McMillon
Safety-Javon McIntyre
Cornerback-Ryland Gandy
Cornerback-Rashad Battle

Longsnapper-Nilay Upadhyayula
Placekicker-Ben Sauls
Punter-Caleb Junko
Holder-Cam Guess

Sixth year Ryan Jacoby comes back into the starting lineup at left guard after missing the last game against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Fellow sixth year Jason Collier Jr. filled in for him, after Jacoby suffered an injury late in the season opener on Aug. 31.

The Panthers also named five starting wide receivers in sophomore Kenny Johnson, senior Konata Mumpfield, redshirt junior Raphael “Poppi” Williams, junior Censere “C.J.” Lee and redshirt junior Daejon Reynolds.

Sophomore linebacker Rasheem Biles will get his first start of his young career. He starts at money linebacker over fellow sophomore Braylan Lovelace, who started the first two games for the Panthers.

Redshirt freshman Isaiah “Ghost” Neal will start again at defensive tackle along with redshirt sophomore and Indiana transfer Nick James for Pitt. Redshirt junior Nakhi Johnson started at defensive tackle last week vs. Cincinnati.

Pitt will keep redshirt freshman Eli Holstein stays in at starting quarterback for his first Backyard Brawl. He has thrown for three touchdowns each in the first two wins and completed 10-of-11 passes for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati, leading to an historic comeback.

Junior running back Desmond Reid will also make his first start in the Backyard Brawl after starring for the Panthers the first two games of the season.

He rushed for 145 yards and a 46-yard touchdown, plus a 78-yard punt return for a score in the win over the Golden Flashes. He then had 19 carries for 148 yards and six catches for 106 yards and a touchdown vs. the Bearcats, becoming the first Panther to have more than 100 yards in rushing and receiving in a game.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt

Source link

West Virginia

How to watch West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh Backyard Brawl: Time, TV channel, FREE live streams

Published

21 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Press Room

How to watch West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh Backyard Brawl: Time, TV channel, FREE live streams

The West Virginia Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Panthers play out the next chapter of the Backyard Brawl with Saturday afternoon kickoff in Pittsburgh. The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET with TV coverage on ESPN2 and streaming through FuboTV (free trial) and Sling (1st-month discount).

As of post time, this game is blacked out on DirecTV Stream in a dispute that impacts Disney, ABC and ESPN networks. Check the latest before subscribing.

How to watch on ESPN2: Live streams of the West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh game are available with offers from FuboTV (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).
For a limited time, FuboTV is offering $30 off the first month after the free trial period. With a $30 offer, plans start at $49.99.
As of post time, the Pitt-West Virginia broadcast is blacked out on DirecTV Stream.
ABC and ESPN properties impacted by the blackout include ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network and SEC Network.

West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1) at Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0)

NCAA football matchup at a glance

When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.

TV channel: ESPN2

Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate)

West Virginia makes the short trip north to Pittsburgh as a 2-point favorite after opening as 5.5-point favorites in the initial betting line. That number has been driven down as the Mountaineers go into the Panthers’ house and try to upend a team that improved to 2-0 by overcoming a 21-point deficit with less than 16 minutes to play against Cincinnati. The Panthers won it on a 35-yard Ben Sauls field goal with 17 seconds remaining.

West Virginia got on the board with its first win of the season, defeating UAlbany 49-14 to rebound from a 34-12 loss to Penn State in Week 1. Quarterback Garrett Greene accounted for four touchdowns (one rushing), and running backs C.J. Donaldson (125 yards, TD) and Jahiem White (100 yards, TD) both hit the century mark in the win.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers: Know your live streaming options

FuboTV (free trial) – excellent viewer experience with huge library of live sports content; free trial lengths vary; monthly rate after free trial starts at $49.99 for duration of $30 first month discount.
SlingTV (low intro rate) – discounted first month is best if you’ve run out of free trials or you’re in the market for 1+ month of TV

The Mountaineers and Panthers are set for a 3:30 p.m. ET start on ESPN2. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).

Source link