Video: West Virginia unveils jerseys to honor rich coal and mining history

The Mountaineers will debut a new black alternate uniform this fall designed to pay homage to the state's coal and mining industry. 

During the team's spring game the program revealed new blue, gold, and white uniforms, and these black ones were a welcome addition that players and the fan base have been asking to add for years.

The program's release shares that the jersey "focuses on elements that bring light to the darkness." 

The uniforms feature reflective twill, which pay homage to the reflectors throughout the mine aimed to help both navigation and safety.

Along the sleeves and collar of the uniforms is a pattern that was sourced from an underground West Virginia coal mine with reflective pattern meant to mimic the stripe of a miners uniform. The arm cuff pattern is designed after the blade of a mine shearer, a staple and universally known tool of mining operations. 

The helmet is a matte black and features an outline of the state and specks of metallic gray in the paint to resemble the shimmer of freshly cut coal while the center stripe that splits the helmet mimics the same coal pattern used on the uniform. The special touch of the helmet is a unique transparent gradient, that mimics the light of a miner's headlamp.

These are going to look great at night under the lights, so hopefully they see action during a night game in Morgantown this fall.

These alternates are the latest example of the significant swing in support for Neal Brown and the Mountaineers that has grown over the past year, as they come off a nine-win season with a ton of momentum heading into 2024.