Well before the Oklahoma Sooners and their Coach Bob Stoops set their feet down in Morgantown as they prepare to battle West Virginia University in Big 12 Conference football action Saturday evening, they’ll be putting their feet down in Bridgeport. Yesterday, Rock announced that as opposed to years past when Big 12 football teams would only fly out of Bridgeport, this year four teams will land here and depart here as well from the North Central West Virginia Airport.

 

“They’re coming in here and then they’re heading up to stay in Morgantown before the game,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock.

 

The news comes on the heels of recent announcements that Texas Christian University and Baylor would also be flying into Bridgeport. However, those two schools are doing more than just flying in here; they’re also staying in Bridgeport as they will utilize the Wingate Inn and the Bridgeport Conference Center as team headquarters prior to their upcoming matchups with WVU.

 

Rock also announced that Kansas State will fly into Bridgeport later this year. The Wildcats plan on spending their time in Morgantown prior to the game. Rock jokingly said if things didn’t go well in Morgantown he’d love to work with the teams to stay in Bridgeport.

 

“You never know if one of the fraternities are going to have a pledge go down and pull the fire alarm one night and create a lot of noise,” said Rock with a laugh. “In all seriousness, this is great for the entire state of West Virginia for those teams to fly here and stay in our state. We’re glad they’re here and not staying in Pennsylvania.”

 

Rock said that he will do everything on his end to make sure that those that come through the terminal in Bridgeport will be treated with the proper hospitality. He said, for many, it will be their first time in the Mountain State.

 

“We want to show them West Virginia hospitality. That’s one of our goals,” said Rock.

 

This Saturday’s Oklahoma party consists of three airplanes and has approximately 300 travelers. Rock said the Sooner football team and staff, the Sooner band and another plane carrying alumni will fly into NCWV. Although those individuals aren’t staying here, others that come up for the game may opt to fly into Bridgeport and stay or the fact that the team is in Morgantown may draw other OU fans to stay in the Bridgeport area.

 

“People travel with the team and a lot of them, the first time, stayed in Pennsylvania. This is going to be the first time a lot of them see West Virginia and for many their stop in Bridgeport will be their first stop,” Rock said. “We want to make sure if that stop is here, it’s going to be a positive one.

 

“To be honest, we like the fact that for a lot of our visitors we’re the first face they see. We’re proud of this facility,” he continued. “We like to show those that come here that they come here and stay or come here and go to Morgantown and we’re going to make it easy, convenient and something they view in a positive manner.”

 

Click HERE for a story regarding new flight service schedule daily out of Bridgeport starting in November.

 

Editor's Note: Photo, and cover photo, by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com and from OU's 50-49 win in Morgantown in 2012.