MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A West Virginia University tradition continued Friday as Cade Kincaid formally accepted the role of the Mountaineer mascot during a symbolic rifle passing ceremony at the Mountainlair, officially marking the end of Braden Adkins’ term as the Mountaineer.
Kincaid, a junior accounting major from Fayetteville, is a member of the Honors College and is also minoring in finance, business data analytics, and business ethics and prosperity.
He was named the 2025-26 Mountaineer on March 8 during the men’s basketball game at the Coliseum.
“It’s going to be a beginning of a new chapter for me,” Kincaid said. “I want to use my time as the Mountaineer mascot to build the image of both our state and University. The selection process has shown me how many people love the Mountaineer both within and outside the University, and how hard a community will rally to support the gold and blue.”
He will make his first official appearance as the Mountaineer during the Gold-Blue Spring Showcase today at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Adkins, an economics major from Richwood, represented WVU at more than 400 events during his time in the role.
“Serving as the 70th Mountaineer mascot here at WVU has been such an outstanding honor and I am so thankful for the opportunity to represent not only the University, but the state of West Virginia,” Adkins said.
“Donning the buckskins each and every day is such a unique experience, and I am excited to see what Cade will accomplish over this next year.”
Speakers at the ceremony included former Mountaineers Brandon Flower (1998-99), Timmy Eads (2019-20), Michael Garcia (2014-15), and Mary Roush (2022-23).
The event was presented by the Mountaineer Mascot Program and Mountain Honorary.
