As a WVU fan and alumni let me say that I am appalled by this action. This should never happen to anyone at any point for any reason, especially not a guest of the university.

I do have some insight to the area in which this took place. I used to live near there, and I worked in the building when I was a GRA. The building's parking lot is essentially the Purple Lot.

1) This area is not a great place to put a visiting fan's parking lot. There are no police at the intersection directing traffic, this is most likely why traffic was backed up as bad as it was and also why there were no police at the scene. WVU should absolutely rethink this location for visiting fans.

2) The road that this happened on leads up to the backside of two hospitals. This is also most likely why the ambulance was there and probably gone before police could even show up. Where this took place is honestly probably 200 yards away from the two hospitals. The hospital that they were originally taken to is probably 1/2 mile away across the street. Not sure why they were not taken to Ruby Memorial (one of the hospitals up the hill) which is a great Trauma center. Ruby Memorial has two helicopter pads and is where they fly in all trauma in the area.

3) There may not have been many fans around in general. That road leads up to the hospitals and there is nothing else on that road. If they were in the back of traffic then that might be why nobody came immediately to help. Once Hannah started screaming then I am sure the got others attention. Also, people may have come pretty quickly to help. It does not take long for this kind of damage to happen if it was 3 vs 1. One or two kicks and that damage could be done. (Just disgusting that this would happen)

4) That lot is for visiting fans, there were probably more LSU fans around than WVU fans in this area. This would also be the place to go if anyone were looking for trouble. Once again, we don't even know how close other fans were and how long it took them to help. Fans did help and that is the important part, now those same fans need to step forward an help police.

I just thought I would offer some insight on the apparent location that this happened.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of all involved. Reports show that these assailants were throwing rocks at other vehicles also. As horrible as this is it might be the case that they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is NOT their fault at all for being there, but it seems like this could have happened regardless if they were WVU fans or LSU fans.

I should also note that (I am sure most of you know) a lot of people show up to tailgate at football games that are not fans at all. People who live in the area or near will show up and take part of the generosity of the tailgaters. Tailgaters give away food, beer, and a good time. People in the area know this and show up. So there is a possibility that the people responsible for this were not a fan of either WVU or LSU.

I hope they catch these people involved in this and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

If anyone knows of any collection being taken up on behalf of the injured parties then please post it here, I would love to donate and help the family.

I understand the anger of anyone here and trust me, I am angrier than anyone here. As a West Virginia native, WVU fan and alumni this report makes me sick to my stomach. Words cannot express my apologies to you all, especially the parties involved.

This post was edited on 9/27/11 at 12:52 pm