Michael Garcia was named West Virginia University’s 63rd Mountaineer Mascot at the WVU-Kansas Basketball Game on March 8, 2014.
Garcia, a junior political science major and business administration minor, was a Mountaineer Mascot finalist in 2013. He became a huge Mountaineer follower at a very young age, and it inspired him to compete in multiple sports in his youth as well as into high school athletics. Garcia played five sports, soccer being the most predominant. Garcia enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time becoming friends with Mountaineers from all walks of life.
A 2011 graduate of Fairmont Senior High School, Garcia is a member of the Honors College, Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity. He was recently inducted to Mortar Board for 2014-2015. Garcia participates in Young Life College, LEAD at WVU mentoring program, and has been a member of the Mountaineer Maniacs each year since attending West Virginia University. This past summer, Garcia served as an intern under Natalie Tennant at the Secretary of State’s Office. He was fortunate to be working in Charleston during the State of West Virginia’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, and lead the crowd in cheering “Let’s Go, Mountaineers” at the culmination of a 3-D show and fireworks display at the Capitol Building.
Garcia has a passion for community service and helping to inspire others. He is the head mentor for Kidz Rock at Suncrest United Methodist Church, participated in the annual “Run for Autism” event from Pittsburgh to Morgantown, volunteered with the Boy Scouts during their Yukon Race, and co-chaired a service project to collect supplies to fill backpacks for area students. He is an active blood donor and volunteers his time during blood drives held on campus. As the Mountaineer Mascot, he is looking forward to being a mentor to young children by visiting schools throughout the state.
Garcia feels all people deserve recognition, affirmation, and encouragement to inspire lifelong learning that will inherently improve the quality of life for all West Virginians. He looks forward to an exciting year traveling the state of West Virginia and all across the country to promote the spirit, qualities, and good sportsmanship of all West Virginians.
Come out and visit with the new Mountaineer Mascot and get healthy at The Tucker County Regional Health Fair June 7 at The Bear Paw Ski Lodge in Canaan Valley.