Thereòòò½ÊÓƵ™s an old saying that goes, òòò½ÊÓƵœOnce a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The saying is applicable for those that graduated from WVU, played or coached there or impacted the university in some capacity.
Randy Mazey, a Pennsylvania native, helped steer the Mountaineer baseball program for 12 years.
WVU, under Mazeyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s leadership, won more than 370 games, including the 2023 Big 12 regular season championship òòò½ÊÓƵ” the Mountaineersòòò½ÊÓƵ™ first regular season title in the Big 12.
Mazey announced in July 2023 that the 2024 season would be his last. The veteran coach is enjoying retirement.
However, all the accomplishments and accolades Mazey and his teams accumulated over the years didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t mean as much compared to that behind the scenes.
òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s the pride that gets in your blood coaching at West Virginia and representing a community and state,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mazey said. òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s amazing how many more people, now, are aware of West Virginia baseball than when I got here 12 years ago.òòò½ÊÓƵ
As evidence, Mazey cited a recent interaction at an eatery in Clarksburg.
òòò½ÊÓƵœA lady at the table beside me, said, òòò½ÊÓƵ˜Are you coach Mazey?òòò½ÊÓƵ™ I said, òòò½ÊÓƵ˜Yes maòòò½ÊÓƵ™am,òòò½ÊÓƵ™òòò½ÊÓƵ Mazey said. òòò½ÊÓƵœShe responded, òòò½ÊÓƵ˜I am such a fan of West Virginia baseball and never was before. Thank you so much for what youòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve done for this state.òòò½ÊÓƵ™ That gives you a sense of pride.òòò½ÊÓƵ
WVU athletic director Wren Baker took to social media after the Mountaineers season came to an end against North Carolina to thank the retiring coach.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThank you coach Mazey for your hard work, the wonderful memories and your vision for WVU baseball,òòò½ÊÓƵ Baker said in a post. òòò½ÊÓƵœYou embody the spirit that makes West Virginia special.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Former Mountaineers assistant Steve Sabins will step into the role as head coach now that has Mazey retired.
Sabins remains grateful for Mazeyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s trust in him since day one together.
òòò½ÊÓƵœCoach Mazey took a risk eight years ago and hired the youngest Power Five assistant in the country,òòò½ÊÓƵ Sabins said in a statement. òòò½ÊÓƵœI was unproven and had no direct ties to West Virginia. He saw something in me, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity he gave Tabitha [Sabinsòòò½ÊÓƵ™ wife] and me.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Mazey saw the potential WVU possessed as the Mountaineers exited the Big East and entered the Big 12 before the 2012-13 season.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThere are some programs out there that are considered sleeping giants, meaning programs that werenòòò½ÊÓƵ™t doing great, but you knew they could be a lot better,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mazey said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI always thought in my mind that West Virginia was one of those programs that you knew could make better but didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t know how much better. Weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve had so much success in the Big 12.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The average of attendance during Mazey’s first season was 1,329 — the first average of attendance over 1,000 since 1947, according to .
Ten of Mazeyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s 12 seasons in Morgantown saw an average attendance of over 1,000 people, including the final three seasons having an average of over 2,000.
Four times in Mazeyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s final two seasons at WVU, the attendance eclipsed 4,000.
Mazey always wanted to make fans proud when they attended games at Wagener Field at Mon County Ballpark.
òòò½ÊÓƵœIt actually makes it harder,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mazey said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI take so much pride in making those people proud. I take it so much harder, now, when I lose a game because I feel like Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™m letting 1.8 million people down. I wanted it so bad for this team to go to the College World Series, for all of those people way more than I wanted it for myself.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Originally, Monongalia County Ballpark opened in 2015, moving the Mountaineers from Hawley Field.
Mazey was there when the foundation of the field was being built. He said that watching that unfold paid dividends for the program.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWithout the building of the stadium, the program doesnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t exist the way it currently exists,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mazey said. òòò½ÊÓƵœYou couldnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t keep playing at Hawley Field and achieve the success that weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve achieved. Thanks to Oliver Luck and Kelly Cunningham for their vision of getting into the Big 12 and building the stadium. The community was itching to have good baseball.
òòò½ÊÓƵœMorgantown was rated the fourth-best sports town in America during my first season, 12 years ago. If youòòò½ÊÓƵ™re going to have the fourth-best sports town in America, then you need to have good baseball. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s always been important to this community to have West Virginia have a successful baseball program.òòò½ÊÓƵ
WVU finished Mazeyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s final season with a 36-24 record and advanced to its first super regional in program history.
Mazey is proud of the Mountaineersòòò½ÊÓƵ™ accomplishments, but itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s the lasting memories and bonds he has with players that will latch on with him the most.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI got really close to the players because I knew that it was my last team,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mazey said. òòò½ÊÓƵœIòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve always been a guy that wanted to keep my relationships going after I coach these guys as they head into their adult lives. I wanted to get pretty close to this team, and I feel like I did. I feel like I have a special bond with all these kids on this team. Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™m anxious to follow their careers and lives when they become husbands and fathers.òòò½ÊÓƵ