RIDING IN STYLE: A Gridiron Gift from Major Harris to the Mountaineers

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA — Under the warm gleam of summer sunlight, two gleaming luxury buses rolled up to Milan Puskar Stadium, turning heads and halting conversations. Coated in midnight blue with golden trim and emblazoned with the iconic flying “WV” logo, the new rides weren’t just vehicles—they were symbols. Symbols of legacy. Of pride. Of gratitude.

Behind the wheel of this extraordinary donation? None other than Penn State legend and college football icon Major Harris. In a stunning twist of allegiance rooted in history and heart, Harris—once a foe of the Mountaineers during his playing days—made headlines today by gifting the West Virginia Mountaineers football program two custom-designed, state-of-the-art motorcoaches, valued at over $2 million.

“I owe everything to football,” Harris said during an emotional ceremony outside the stadium. “But it wasn’t just Penn State that shaped me. This state—West Virginia—these fans, this energy… it lives in you forever.”

While Harris became a household name in the ’80s as a dynamic quarterback, few know his deeper connection to Morgantown. His late mother, Laverne, was a longtime schoolteacher in Fairmont, WV. As a kid, Harris spent summers visiting relatives and attending youth camps run by former WVU coaches. His affinity for the Mountain State never faded.

The buses themselves are marvels of modern engineering. Outfitted with heated leather seats, OLED entertainment panels, biometric security, nutrition bars, sleep pods, and recovery rooms with cryotherapy and hyperbaric options, they’re less “team buses” and more mobile high-performance training centers. Their names? The Legacy Liner and Mountaineer Express.

But Harris wasn’t just here to cut a ribbon. He spent the day with current players, offering insight on leadership, perseverance, and playing for more than yourself. “You’re not just athletes,” he told the team, “you’re stewards of tradition.”

WVU head coach Randy Wiles called it “a defining moment” for the program. “We recruit on grit and family,” Wiles said. “And today, we just became the envy of every D1 team in the nation. We’re grateful beyond words.”

The gesture has already sent shockwaves through the college football world. Analysts say this could spark a trend of former players investing in programs that molded them—even ones they never played for. “It’s not about the jersey anymore,” said ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. “It’s about impact.”

For the Mountaineers, the impact is clear. Their first ride in the new fleet? September 1st—an away game against rival Pitt. The entire team will roll in united, elevated, and unmistakably riding in style.

As the sun set behind the Alleghenies, Harris smiled. “This program gave me everything,” he repeated. “Now I’m just giving a little bit back.”

And with that, a new tradition was born—on wheels.