'Rough and tough'

When Owen Schmitt walked into the clubhouse at Power Alley Grill, a packed room of fans stood and cheered. You might say they were "Schmitten." The former West Virginia University fullback and current Seattle Seahawks player appeared at Appalachian Power Park on Tuesday to sign autographs for the WVU faithful. While attendees received a souvenir WVU football , many had their own memorabilia waiting for the fan-favorite's signature. Fred Cooper, 59, of Beckley, packed a blue and gold firefighter's helmet for the Mountaineer great to sign. "I've been going to Morgantown since 1971," the former professional firefighter said. "I've seen bad football , I've seen great football and I've seen Owen Schmitt. He's a blue-collar guy and he's someone a lot of West Virginians can relate to. He is one of the great ones." Fred's son Brad, 26, brought a football that had been signed by former coach Don Nehlen, 1950s star Fred Wyant and Hall-of-Famer Major Harris. "This football is only for the special players," said Brad, who runs the Web site www.fighthype.com, devoted to boxing and martial arts. "Owen belongs on this football . Someday I'll get Pat White's signature on here, too. But today is about Owen." WVU football is a family tradition for the father and son. Fred has attended Mountaineer games for 39 years and has only missed nine home games. Son Brad started going with his dad when he was 3 years old. In his 23 years of cheering for the Mountaineers, he has only missed five home games. Brad said he respects Schmitt as a player for his devotion to West Virginia. "He stood up in front of millions after the Fiesta Bowl and said how much he loved this state," Brad said. "That shows everyone who bashes West Virginia just how great we can be." Those words from the 2008 night when the Mountaineers defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 48-28 were replayed as Schmitt walked into the room. Schmitt thanked fans for their support throughout the years. "Everyone has been so good to me," Schmitt said. "Everyone has been so great, and I'm ready for the fall with Seattle." Alicia Dingess of Cross Lanes brought her son, Caden, to meet his hero. Caden, 5, will start kindergarten this fall at Point Harmony Elementary. "I'm here to meet my favorite Mountaineer," the young fan said. "He's the best because he's rough and tough." They brought tickets from the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, where the Mountaineers escaped a Georgia Bulldogs surge to win 38-35, and a football to get autographed. "We just love Owen," said Alicia, an X-ray technician and 1994 graduate of Van High School said. "He is everything a football player should be. We have been WVU fans all along and it's great to see such a good guy." Cabin Creek resident Randal Thornton brought a different sort of memento. The West Virginia University Institute of Technology student wore his blue and gold Nike hightops to have them signed. "I'm going to wear them every day," the lifelong Mountaineer fan said. "I want to show them off." Herbert Hoover High seniors Cody Young and Justin Mayberry also lined up to meet Schmitt. "He is a great player and we are big fans," said Mayberry, who played on the defensive line in 2008 for the Huskies. Schmitt threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Power game and then met with fans for autographs. Fans cheered as the star walked up to the mound. Many in the audience wore gold jerseys. Former West Virginia University football star Owen Schmitt, now a fullback for the Seattle Seahawks, signs a helmet for Mountaineer fans Fred Cooper, center, and Brad Cooper, a father and son from Beckley. The Coopers drove to Charleston to see Schmitt during a meet-and-greet at Appalachian Power Park. In the past 23 years, Brad has missed only five WVU home games. In the past 39 years, Fred missed only nine. BOB WOJCIESZAK/DAILY MAIL Contact sportswriter Matt Haught at matthaught@dailymail.com or 304-348-4871.