President Gordon Gee could bring luck for WVU football team

E. Gordon Gee is a polarizing figure at the university level. He has a long track record of fundraising success and making his colleges stronger in many facets. That includes on the football field.

Gordon Gee’s career as a university president started at WVU and he currently serves in the same capacity in Morgantown. At age 37 in 1981, Gee was named president of the university after serving two years as the head of West Virginia’s law school, the only law school in the state.

Gee also served in presidential capacity at Colorado, Brown, Vanderbilt and Ohio State.

At Colorado and Ohio State, Gee oversaw national and conference championships in football. The Buffaloes won the top spot in 1990 and the Buckeyes won Big 10 titles in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2007, 2008 and 2009 — all with Gee in charge of the university.

Gee, of course, is a proponent of college football at the universities that he has led. On the other hand, Gee has been outspoken on how he feels about other schools and football programs.

As president at Ohio State in May 2013, Gee trashed the University of Notre Dame and he also made crude remarks about the Southeastern Conference.

"“The comments I made were just plain wrong, and in no way do they reflect what the university stands for,” he said. “They were a poor attempt at humor and entirely inappropriate.”"

It’s that sense of humor and laid back attitude that has also made Gee one of the most likable people in the entire state of West Virginia. He is relatable and easy to talk to. In fact, he loves to take selfies.

It’s been said Gee will visit parties of WVU students and walk around High Street on weekends to see his students out and about.

He recently showed support to the student-athletes of the WVU football team. His pre-season pep talk got the players talking and got them excited to take the field in 2017.

"“He was talking to us about how every school he’s been at, he has won a national championship – when he was at Colorado and Ohio State,” said junior wide receiver David Sills. “So, we’re hoping to do the same. It’s always good to see him, it’s always good when he comes around the program. So, it was really good for him to come and talk to us at practice.”"

The reason why a student, football player or not, choose to attend a university is not necessarily because of the president of the certain school. Having Gordon Gee as the face of West Virginia is a positive thing because he represents so many people who love the Mountaineers.

His comments in the past are just that — in the past. He apologized and moved on. Shortly after he was let go by Ohio State he came aboard at WVU and cleaned up his image. He has helped WVU move into a new era.

Even at age 73, Gee has showed no signs of slowing down. He is our president and he wants what is best for the school, state and the WVU football team.

Gordon Gee wants to win another championship and that very well could happen with the Mountaineers. The WVU football team must first win a Big 12 title before it can win its first national title.

Gee will look to help put Dana Holgorsen and his squad in the best position to make that happen.

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