Four West Virginia University students vying to become the 71st Mountaineer mascot will wear buckskins, a coonskin cap and carry a rifle as they compete in a cheer-off during the men’s basketball game against TCU at 9 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 25) in the WVU Coliseum.

Selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students based on an essay and interview, the finalists will be judged on their performances and interactions with the crowd as they lead traditional game cheers. 

A medical student, peer mentor, student video intern and the current alternate mascot are among the West Virginia natives who share a deep love for their University and state with the goal of representing both as the next mascot.

The 2025-26 Mountaineer mascot finalists are:

Thaiddeus “Ted” Dillie, from Weirton, is a third-year medical student at the WVU School of Medicine who served as the 2019-20 alternate Mountaineer mascot. A first-generation college student and recipient of the Order of Augusta, he earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2020 and a Master of Business Administration in 2021 from WVU. Dillie volunteers his time to the No One Dies Alone Program and Camp Kno-Koma, a summer camping experience for children with Type 1 diabetes in and around the state of West Virginia. 

“I look forward to another opportunity to share my passion and enthusiasm while listening to the great stories that every small town in West Virginia has to tell,” Dillie said. “The hardworking people of this state demonstrate grit and determination in every facet of their lives, and I am excited to represent the admirable people and qualities of this state and University as the Mountaineer mascot.” 

Cade Kincaid, a member of the Honors College from Fayetteville, is a junior accounting major minoring in finance, business data analytics, and business ethics and prosperity. He serves as a peer mentor and ambassador for the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics and as a member of Delta Sigma Pi, where he engages in various community service projects to benefit the Ronald McDonald House and Empty Bowls Monongalia. 

“At WVU, we climb mountains for adventure, for sport, and figuratively in the pursuit of bettering our University and state,” Kincaid said. “As a result, I have accomplished great things both professionally and recreationally, and I can’t think of a better way to give back to WVU and the Mountain State than serving as the next Mountaineer mascot.”

Rachel Morgan, a senior marketing major with minors in professional sales and strategic social media from Bridgeport, serves as a student video intern for the WVU football team and as a member of the Project 168 Society and Delta Gamma, where she engages in various community service projects, and professional and leadership development. She is also the secretary of the Country Line Dancing Club and a former 4-H Extension camping instructor.

“It would be such an honor to represent the University and state that has pushed me to be the person I am today and constantly strive to be,” Morgan said. “When I look at the Mountaineer mascot, not only do I see passion and grit, but also the love for a state that I share with so many. The opportunity to embody this love as the next Mountaineer mascot would be a wonderful experience.” 

Justin Waybright, from Parkersburg, is a senior majoring in mining engineering who serves as the 2024-25 alternate Mountaineer mascot. He is a three-year member of the Gold Cheer Team, a member of the Society of Mining Engineers and the president of the Mine Rescue Team in the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

“Being able to stand next to Braden Adkins as a member of the cheer team and watching the fans’ faces light up with joy as the alternate mascot has given me the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds,” Waybright said. “I am eager to play a larger role in showcasing the hardworking culture of the University and state while interacting with fans as the next Mountaineer mascot.”

The selection committee will announce the winner during the WVU men’s basketball game versus UCF on March 8. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Coliseum.