Morgantown is gearing up for the big game as local schools get an extra day off before Labor Day weekend.
A day before the West Virginia University football team is set to kick off its 2024 season against No. 8 Penn State, local officials canceled classes in county schools on Friday in preparation for increased traffic congestion ahead of the sold-out home opener.
“After consulting with MECCA 911 and local law enforcement, Monongalia County Schools will not have students attend school on Friday, August 30th due to anticipated traffic congestion and delays that may impact bus service.” Announced by school district Wednesday evening.
“Ensuring the safety of our students is Monongalia County Schools' top priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this change,” the post added.
The Monongalia County School District is made up of 19 schools, including 11 elementary schools, throughout the area.
The Mountaineers and Nittany Lions play at noon Saturday, but local officials have been taking precautions since 24 hours before any on-campus parties.
Two-time Pro Bowl player and West Virginia University alumnus Pat McAfee will return to his hometown as host of “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday from 12-3 p.m.
“Our show will be broadcast live from Morgantown right before Penn State invades Morgantown, West Virginia.” McAfee said: On a recent show: “The biggest home opener for the West Virginia Mountaineer football team since 1998.”
“It's been years since a team like Penn State tried to fly in. Opening week is a joke. They have no idea how the fans in Morgantown are going to react,” he said.
McAfee's show will be broadcast from the Life Sciences Building on campus, near the site of Mountaineer Field, West Virginia University's former football stadium, which stood from 1924 until it was demolished in 1987.
The show will be held about two miles from Morgantown High School, which was closed Friday.
The 60,000-seat stadium's capacity record was set on Nov. 20, 1993, when the then-ninth-ranked Mountaineers defeated then-fourth-ranked Miami, 17-14, in front of a crowd of 70,222.
Officials noted that traffic increases between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Fridays because McAfee is broadcasting his show and classes at West Virginia University are still in session.
Many people from out of town are expected to arrive on Friday, as local hotels are nearly all booked. According to WBOY.
Concurrent with McAfee's show on Friday, Fox's “Big Noon Kickoff” will broadcast from campus two hours before the noon broadcast, featuring a live performance by rapper Machine Gun Kelly.
Friday's closure comes on top of an already long weekend, as schools and offices across the U.S. celebrate Labor Day on Monday.
