Over the years, West Virginia’s football fans have garnered a bit of a reputation for being some of the craziest in college football. It’s a reputation that dates back many decades and was only heightened with the decision to sell alcohol inside Milan-Puskar Stadium for the first time last season.
However above all, there is one thing that rabid West Virginia fans have become known for more than anything else: The burning of couches.
After every big win (and the occasional bad loss), it has become customary to see some sofa that looks best suited for your grandma’s living room out in the middle of Main Street ablaze in flames. That’s also why in recent years the law has been changed to try and stem the practice. What was once a misdemeanor that came with a $1,000 fine, is now a felony which can net you three years in prison. Apparently West Virginia fans aren’t the only ones who take their couch burning seriously. So too do the authorities.
Apparently though, even getting locked up in the clink isn’t enough to slow down those kooky West Virginia fans, which is why the school has taken another, unusual step to try and continue to educate the public of the dangers of the practice. That’s right, on Thursday the West Virginia student government released a public service announcement reminding students, again, that couch burning is bad. And illegal. And could lead to you getting kicked out of school, straight back to your parents sofa. Or something.
Admittedly, the timing is a little bit bizarre, if only because it’s not as though the Mountaineers are getting set for a major game, where couch burning could be expected. On Saturday the Mountaineers host Baylor, who, even as a Top 25 opponent doesn’t kind of garner the respect which would get an arson’s blood boiling. Now if RGIII were still on the Bears roster it’d be one thing. But Nick Florence? Come on, now.
Then again, maybe the school is just being proactive in light of a brutal upcoming schedule that includes games at Texas, and visits from Kansas State and TCU over the next five weeks. Each of those teams will likely be in the Top 15 at the time they play West Virginia, with the Longhorns and Wildcats conceivably in the Top 10. And a win over each could lead a slew of celebratory burnings.
Either way, you’ve been warned West Virginia fans.
For all his insight, analysis and articles on college football, follow Aaron on Twitter @Aaron_Torres.
