Maybe the title should be "consummate" fan. Lots of room for opinions.
I do not believe a consummate fan needs to donate four, five, or six figures annually to the University - the Foundation and/or the MAC. However, I believe the consummate fan should be donating annually at least to the MAC. I have friends who claim to "support" the Mountaineers and have never (sic) donated a dime to the University, nor ever bought a season ticket.
I do not believe the consummate fan need be a season ticket holder, as there are a multitude of reasons why it isn't convenient - geography, family, finances, job. I do think an occasional live attendance at a home, away. or post season game is a reasonable qualification.
I do not believe the consummate fan need necessarily be avid for both football and baseball. I know fans who donate heavily and hold season tickets for one sport but not the other. Most of those seem to care little about the so-called minor sports.
I do believe the consummate fan gets bonus point for interest in, attendance at, and financial support of minor sports - and the WVU band. But any fan who has never watched our baseball team, both soccer teams, wrestling, volleyball, rifle or other sports, is missing out on a total Mountaineer experience.
Not everyone is as thrilled by the Pride of West Virginia as most Mountaineer fans (Those folks, I believe to be genetically flawed). However, those who would prefer the band not travel away from Morgantown are inconsiderate of our opponents' fans, and should be shot at dawn. I recall an LSU fan in Baton Rouge telling me that the Mountaineer band was the best visiting band he'd seen in over 50 years as a season ticket holder (Think about that one). The WVU band is one of the nation's finest and should be appreciated. I believe most consummate fans get chills when the band plays "Simple Gifts" out of the pre-game mushroom formation.
A consummate fan absolutely should NOT treat fans of our opponents with disrespect and certainly not be assaulting them with foul language. Those fans support their team enough to spend time and money following them and have a right to enjoy the experience peacefully. Consummate fans go out of their way to welcome visitors and to wish them well - other than a final score.
A consummate fan should treat our own WVU fans with respect and decency, in particular those who are older and have continuously supported the Mountaineers for decades. Somehow, I believe that younger fans I have observed belligerently blocking views of older fans will never themselves be an older fan.
Consummate fans do not get stinking drunk at games and act obnoxiously, nor do they brandish t-shirts bearing foul language. Such persons are not even fans, merely ignorant and inconsiderate.
I believe that consummate fans are appreciative of every WVU student athlete, whether Pat White, Juwan Staten, or the walk-ons who never see game experience, yet contribute every day. One of my fondest WVU memories is of Markell Harrison against Eastern Washington when he led the Mountaineers on a final 80 yard drive, completing 3 of 3 passes and running five times for positive yardage, including the TD. I'd bet it's one of his, too (though he logged a lot of ESPN face time signalling plays for Rich Rodriguez).
I don't think a consummate fan needs to spend a huge part of his/her disposable income on gold and blue flying WV clothing, home, auto, and other accessories, but whatever is owned should always be displayed with pride. Most consummate fans travel, particularly on public transportation, wearing WV clothing, and thoroughly enjoy engaging folks in other regions who recognize and appreciate the Mountaineer spirit.
Perhaps most importantly, a consummate fan will faithfully support the Mountaineers, win or lose, through undefeated seasons and lean years, through thick and thin, unwaveringly, and will never, ever, boo a Mountaineer player. (See Cuyahoga Falls Eers.)
. Believe your definition should also include rooting for and attending games involving WVU teams in other sports outside of football too, such as soccer, baseball, and basketball, etc. As far as Holgs, I called our 4-4 season record in advance (even as a football season ticketholder) and added that we would win 7 games in 2014-2015 season and 8 games in 2015-2016. I was correct on the first two predictions though not sure about the latter, given our QB and WR youth challenge this year. My point is, it's a power conference, I decided to give Dana 4-5 years. I think we're headed in the right direction. We'll see where we stand after this season--Dana wins 8, he stays in my book. Need to throw more to TE, RBs, and underneath coverage this year to keep defenses honest.
