Act 125 WVU fans show their true colors

Saturday, October 24, 2009.

This act of kindness was not actually performed by me, but it is an act that was done by a group of 50,000 football fans at this weekend’s WVU vs UCONN game. And since it was by the faithful mountaineer fans, and I am a lifelong West Virginian, this will be Act 125.

Yes, you read that right, the rowdy, belligerent, couch burning, Mountaineer fans are owners of Kind Act 125.They truly shined. ON an emotional day, a day where Connecticut played its first game after the death of Huskies cornerback jasper Howard, the Mountaineer fans kindness shined. When UCONN wide receiver came out onto the field, he carried Howard’s no.6 jersey on a hanger, and then tailback Andre Dixon had the former player’s helmet.

WVU and UCONN fans together cheered. They cheered the pair and they cheered the UCONN team. Outside of the stadium pins, cut in the shape of hearts, were given out with no. 6, Howard’s number. The two teams lined up on the field for a moment of silence throughout the whole stadium. Heads were bowed, prayers went up, then the teams came together again in the middle of the field to cheers. Hundreds of WVU students wrote words of sympathy and encouragement on a huge banner that hung in the tunnel where the UConn players could read it as they passed to and from the field.

Many WVU fans wore armbands bearing Howard’s number “6”.  After the game, WVU fans offered another standing ovation as the Huskies left the field with several UConn players acknowledging the crowd.

It was a moment for the ages. A moment that UCONN coach Edsall won’t forget. “I thought the WV fans were just very gracious,” he said with tears in his eyes. “The sportsmanship and the love and concern they showed for our team….I don’t know if we’ve ever seen that in sports. So my hat is off to them. They’re a bunch of class fans and it’s a class coaching staff and athletic administration. I’d just like to say thank you to them.”

It was a proud moment in WVU’s athletic history. Forget the WVU win, it was a Hall of Fame moment for the fans. Kindness truly knows no bounds!

I want to hear from you

Yesterday marked act 90 and over 90 days that I’ve been sharing the acts of kindness that I have performed each day. The receivers have been friends, family, my wife, and even complete strangers. But enough about me, now I want to hear from you. I would like for you to write and comment on this blog about examples of the kind acts you would like to receive. What random act of kindness would blow your mind and leave you speechless? Or tell us about your own acts of kindness.

What kind acts have you performed in the past that made a difference to someone and left an impression on you as well? I know there are many kind people out there, let’s hear your stories….

Act 71

Tuesday, March 24, 2009.

This evening I was lucky enough to be able to go to a college baseball game between WVU and KY at Appalachian Power Park. It was awesome. The crowd was large, the people friendly, and the Eers were ready. While at the game I wanted to be a good friend and bought myself and my buddy something to drink at the game. This was the least I could do in return for the kind act that had been given to me. My friend who had invited me to the ball park had actually given me a free ticket for the baseball game. It was a great evening – and WVU won!!

Act 45

Thursday, February 26, 2009.

West Virginia State University is ranked #4 in Division II in our region and is playing it’s last men’s basketball game against our home town rival of the University of Charleston. I love men’s b-ball and my buddies do too. So I called one of my friends up to join me for the game.

The best part for him is, I’m buying his ticket to go. Let’s go WV State. Next stop bringing home the Div II crown.

Act 37

Wednesday, February 19, 2009.

I was planning on spending the evening watching the WVU Mountaineers whip up on Notre Dame in men’s basketball. The Eers are doing well in the Big East and this was an important game.

But I received a call that afternoon from our church praise band leader. Other band members had to cancel and couldn’t attend. He explained it was just going to be him and the piano and if I could come out and play it would really help out.

So I gave up my basketball evening. I went to church and played with him for the service. Needless to say it was a somewhat intimate musical experience with only a bass, a guitar, and a piano. But we sounded pretty good. I was so glad to have helped my friend out. It was a good time and I learned something during the service.

And I was still home in time to catch the second half of the basketball game and watch WVU take it home. Go Eers!!