Morgantown, WV (WOAY) – A Fayette County native has formally accepted the role of Mountaineer mascot.
On Friday, April 4, 2025, Mountaineer Braden Adkins passed the rifle to Cade Kincaid in a symbolic ceremony continuing a Mountaineer tradition marking the end of Adkins’ service in the role as Mountaineer.
According to a media release from the West Virginia University, Cade Kincaid, a member of the Honors College, is a junior majoring in accounting with a minor in finance, business data analytics, and business ethics and prosperity.
The Fayetteville native was chosen as the 2025-26 Mountaineer on March 8, 2025, during a Mountaineer Men’s basketball game at the Coliseum.
Kincaid made his first official appearance as Mountaineer during the Gold-Blue Spring Showcase on Saturday April 5, 2025, at Milan Puskar Stadium.
“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.”
During his time in the role, Nicholas County native Braden Adkins served at over 400 events to cheer on WVU teams and meet Mountaineer fans.
“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.”
The event was presented by the Mountaineer Mascot Program and Mountain Honorary.
