Rebecca Durst, the new West Virginia Mountaineer

Some West Virginia fans are unhappy that the school has chosen a female student to play the team’s mascot, the Mountaineer, reports The Daily Athenaeum:

Rebecca Durst officially started as West Virginia University’s new Mountaineer when she fired the rifle at the Gold-Blue Spring Football Game at Milan Puskar Stadium Saturday.

But some students and fans are still taking shots at her role in a traditionally male position.

The Facebook group “WVU students against beardless mountaineers” has gained more than 1,800 members, and new groups such as “If Rebecca Durst can grow and maintain a full beard, I’ll fully support her” and “Screw you Rebecca Durst” currently have between 20 and 40 members.

Before you jump to conclusions about the students at West Virginia, the Facebook group “I Fully Support Rebecca Durst as the New Mountaineer!” has 1,780 members.

I will say, though, WVU fans take their Mountaineering seriously. The mascot is expected at all games and also makes visits to local hospitals and schools. The Mountaineer’s gun is also real. A little scary if you’re an opposing team in Morgantown.

Photo courtesy www.wvu.edu.