Everyone has heard of Tent City and this week our celebrity, Tommy Skinner, is one of the students who created the idea of this awesome new tradition here at West Virginia University. Tommy Skinner is originally from West Grove Pennsylvania and spent his four years of undergrad at WVU. He is now in his first year of the MBA/MSIR graduate program and continued these studies at WVU, he just couldn’t get enough of it.
Q: What exactly is Tent City for those students who are unsure?
A: Tent city is a week long tailgate in preparation for WVU’s homecoming game. This year we actually raised 15,000 dollars for Empty Bowls Monongalia by selling t-shirts throughout the week.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for Tent City?
A: My friends Brittany, Andrew and I pitched a tent for when college game day came last year and it just kind of stuck. Hundreds of other students joined us so we decided to make it a tradition.
Q: What was your favorite memory thus far?
A: I think seeing it come alive for a second time was very rewarding. We worked very hard over the past 9 months to make it work and seeing that come to fruition was very satisfying.
Q: What are your hopes for Tent City in the future?
A: Bigger and better every single year. I think we are already in plans for next year and I’m just hoping we can raise double the amount of what we raised this year for a great local charity (Empty Bowls Monongalia).
Q: Do you think the university will benefit from Tent City and if so, how?
A: Absolutely, I think the fan base here in Morgantown has seen its ups and downs but Tent City two years in a row has been a place where fans have come to showcase their mountaineer spirit in a positive way. WVU has also gotten national media attention because of all the students who participate in Tent City.
Q: Where do you see Tent City in 5 years?
A: Where do I see Tent City? I see WVU having to demolish Boreman so we can create a new area for more tents. I see it growing so be prepared for some construction.
Q: What does this whole experience mean to you?
A: It means a lot to me. I’ve dedicated a lot of time towards it and it’s been a damn good time. We’ve had a lot of fun through the process and I’m looking forward to helping out with the event next year.
Q: How will you feel once you graduate and have to leave tent city behind?
A: I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to leave Tent City behind. My brother may possibly be a freshman at WVU next year so I’m hoping he will be here to take over the tradition. This is something I will definitely look to be apart of in the future as an alumnus.
Be sure to follow them on Twitter: @WVUTentCity and like their Facebook page: WVU Tent City