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MORGANTOWN -- A Weirton native is one of four West Virginia University students who will compete Tuesday to become the university's next Mountaineer mascot.
Thaiddeus "Ted" Dillie will join the other finalists in a cheer-off during Tuesday's home men's basketball game against TCU. Tip-off is 9 p.m.
Dillie, a third-year medical student at the WVU School of Medicine, 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 in a university release. "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."
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.
The selection committee will announce the winner during the WVU men's basketball game against UCF on March 8. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Coliseum.
The other three finalists for the role are Cade Kincaid from Fayetteville, Rachel Morgan from Bridgeport, W.Va., and Justin Waybright from Parkersburg.