Morgantown is gearing up for a GREAT matchup as local schools have received an extra day off before Labor Day weekend.
A day before the West Virginia University football team begins its 2024 season against No. 8-ranked Penn State, local authorities canceled classes at the county’s schools on Friday as the region prepares for increased traffic congestion ahead of the sold-out home opener.
“In consultation with MECCA 911 and local law enforcement, Monongalia County Schools will be CLOSED to students this Friday, August 30th due to anticipated traffic congestion and possible delays to our bus service,” the school district announced Wednesday evening.
“Monongalia County Schools’ top priority is keeping students safe. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in making this change,” the post continued.
The Monongalia County School District consists of 19 schools throughout the county, including 11 elementary schools.
As the Mountaineers and Nittany Lions face off Saturday at noon, local authorities are taking precautions 24 hours before the on-campus party.
Pat McAfee, the two-time Pro Bowler and WVU alumnus, returns to his old stomping grounds when he hosts “The Pat McAfee Show” Friday from noon to 3 p.m.
“Our show will be broadcast live in Morgantown, West Virginia, just before Penn State attempts to invade Morgantown,” McAfee said in a current broadcast. “Biggest home game for the West Virginia Mountaineer football team since 1998.”
“It’s been many years since someone like Penn State tried to get in. Opening weekend, that’s a joke. You don’t understand what these Morgantown fans are going to be like,” he said.
McAfee’s show will be broadcast from the Life Sciences building on campus, near the site of the original WVU football stadium, Mountaineer Field, between 1924 and its demolition in 1987.
The show takes place about two miles from Morgantown High School, which was also closed on Friday.
The stadium’s capacity record of 60,000 seats was set on November 20, 1993, when the then ninth-ranked Mountaineers defeated then fourth-ranked Miami 17-14 in front of 70,222 fans.
Officials noted that there will be increased traffic between noon and 3 p.m. Friday as McAfee is airing his show and classes at WVU are still in session.
According to WBOY, many people from out of town are expected to arrive on Friday as most local hotels are fully booked.
Parallel to McAfee’s show on Friday, Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” will air from campus two hours before the noon broadcast and will include a live performance by rapper Machine Gun Kelly.
Friday’s school closures come on an already long weekend, as schools and offices across the U.S. observe Labor Day on Monday.
