A packed August for Mountaineer sports
The 2026‑27 athletic calendar for West Virginia University begins in August, with a slate of competitions across soccer, golf, volleyball and football that promises a busy start to the season.
Women’s soccer opens its regular season on August 13 at home against Dayton, tipping off at 7 p.m. The match also marks the 30th anniversary of the program’s varsity status, a milestone that adds extra excitement for fans and alumni.
The men’s soccer team will test its mettle in an exhibition on August 7 against Pitt, using the game as a warm‑up before the official campaign begins.
Volleyball will travel through a demanding stretch, facing James Madison, UTRGV and UMBC before hosting a three‑team tournament at Hope Coliseum from August 28 through 30.
WVU golf tees off on August 31 at the New York Harbor Cup in Bayonne, New Jersey, kicking off a schedule that will see the team compete across the East Coast.
Football fall camp opens on August 5, and the spotlight will be on the quarterback battle between Scotty Fox Jr. and Michael Hawkins Jr., a competition that could shape the team’s offensive direction under head coach Rich Rodriguez.
The preseason NFL schedule will also feature a handful of former Mountaineers — Dante Stills, Michael Coats Jr., Reid Carrico and Chase Wilson — giving fans a chance to follow their professional development.
Off the field, JJ Wetherholt, a former WVU baseball standout, is emerging as a leading candidate for the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year award with the St. Louis Cardinals, a narrative that underscores the university’s talent pipeline.
Jordan Harrison, who once starred for the Mountaineers’ women’s basketball program, is now making waves in the WNBA with the Portland Fire, while Marcus Caldeira, the 2025 Sun Belt Player of the Year, continues his professional career in the MLS with Minnesota United FC.
Together, these storylines illustrate a vibrant start to the academic year for WVU athletics, blending home‑field triumphs, alumni achievements and fresh talent ready to capture the imagination of the fan base.