Grafton's Sgt. 1st Class Steve Taylor, of the National Guard's 151st Military Police Battalion, will watch the game in Iraq.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia University's winning streak has not been lost on National Guard members serving overseas.
"I haven't missed a game since the Big East tournament," said Sgt. 1st Class Steve Taylor, a member of the West Virginia National Guard's 151st Military Police Battalion, serving in Ramadi, Iraq.
"I'm really psyched," the 32-year-old Grafton native said. "I can't believe there was a week between the Kentucky game and the Duke game coming up."
Most overseas military bases of any size have access to the American Forces Network, a military-run television network that includes a sports station as one of its offerings.
Maj. Todd Harrell, commander of the West Virginia National Guard's five-member 153rd Public Affairs Detachment, stationed in Bagram, Afghanistan, said AFN sports is always on in the base chow hall.
"People around here come from every corner in the U.S.," Harrell said. "Right now, when I say I'm from West Virginia, the first thing they mention is WVU. It's like WVU has helped put West Virginia back on the map."
Members of the 151st in Ramadi also keep track of WVU via AFN. But following the team requires a little effort.
"The games usually air between 2 and 4 [a.m.] our time, because of the time lapse," said Sgt. Katherine Smoll, a 26-year-old Alderson native serving with the 151st. "If we want to watch WVU, we have to set our alarm clocks to get up and watch the game."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia University's winning streak has not been lost on National Guard members serving overseas.
"I haven't missed a game since the Big East tournament," said Sgt. 1st Class Steve Taylor, a member of the West Virginia National Guard's 151st Military Police Battalion, serving in Ramadi, Iraq.
"I'm really psyched," the 32-year-old Grafton native said. "I can't believe there was a week between the Kentucky game and the Duke game coming up."
Most overseas military bases of any size have access to the American Forces Network, a military-run television network that includes a sports station as one of its offerings.
Maj. Todd Harrell, commander of the West Virginia National Guard's five-member 153rd Public Affairs Detachment, stationed in Bagram, Afghanistan, said AFN sports is always on in the base chow hall.
"People around here come from every corner in the U.S.," Harrell said. "Right now, when I say I'm from West Virginia, the first thing they mention is WVU. It's like WVU has helped put West Virginia back on the map."
Members of the 151st in Ramadi also keep track of WVU via AFN. But following the team requires a little effort.
"The games usually air between 2 and 4 [a.m.] our time, because of the time lapse," said Sgt. Katherine Smoll, a 26-year-old Alderson native serving with the 151st. "If we want to watch WVU, we have to set our alarm clocks to get up and watch the game."
Smoll, who went to West Virginia State University, didn't follow WVU closely until the Mountaineers beat UK. Now, she said, "I'm so excited for them. They're definitely going to win."
Harrell, a 44-year-old Charleston resident, lived for a while in Lexington, Ky., and is a former UK fan. Harrell said he was impressed when WVU coach Bob Huggins beat UK. Harrell isn't sure WVU will come out tops in the Final Four, but said West Virginians in Afghanistan are following the games closely.
"I think when it comes to the Final Four, everyone takes interest," he said. "Regardless of who is playing, you can expect a great game."
Maj. Gary Criner of the 151st has little doubt who will come out on top.
"No one's looking back," the 43-year-old Red House native said. "Were looking forward to a win."
So is Taylor, who is going to WVU to complete a degree in international studies and has a WVU T-shirt in his room in Ramadi.
"We do what we do," Taylor said, "and we're going to win that thing."
Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.
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