More than a mascot: Mikel Hager shares his experience as a student in the WVU School of Medicine

Mikel Hager, a senior in the West Virginia University School of Medicine’s exercise physiology undergraduate program, is set to make his first public appearance as the 69th Mountaineer Mascot at the annual Gold-Blue Spring Football game. While this will be Hager’s first time representing the university in the buckskins, Hager’s passion for WVU and for sports started long before he became the university’s mascot.

Hager is studying exercise physiology and hopes to become a physical therapist. He says that he was initially interested in the program because it would allow him to learn the science behind the exercises he grew up performing.

“I always knew I wanted to come to WVU, but when I was considering a major, exercise physiology really stood out,” said Hager. “I knew I could get some hands-on experience in a field I’m passionate about and this program would prepare me well for physical therapy school.”

Hager said he enjoys hands-on learning and has gotten some valuable experience through his lab classes.

“You can learn a lot through lectures and my professors do a great job at teaching information in a memorable way, but my favorite place to learn is in the strength lab,” Hager explained. “When you have the chance to actually perform the things you’re learning in class, that makes a real difference.”

Hager credits his love for his major and his future goals to his personal experience with rehabilitation through exercise and therapy. After an injury during his junior year of high school football, Hager found himself in physical therapy where he was first introduced to the profession.

“During my recovery, I learned how beneficial exercise can be for healing the body,” said Hager. “I became pretty close with my physical therapist and saw the impact that this profession could have on people’s lives.”

While Hager is passionate about sports and exercise, his true focus is on people. He wants to make a career out of helping athletes get back into play and wants to show patients that movement and exercise can make a big difference in the healing process.

“This profession is as much about the people as it is about movement,” said Hager. “Everyone is different and responds differently to coaching, so it’s important to be mindful of patients and walk alongside them to give them the care and training they need.”

During his freshman year at WVU, Hager joined the Gold Cheer Team and was taken in by an upperclassman studying exercise physiology who mentored him and showed him the ropes of the program. Since then, Hager has taken it upon himself to mentor his other teammates and fellow exercise physiology students.

“I felt supported when I got my start at the university, so now that I am one of the older ones on my team, I’m trying to give others that same support that was so beneficial to me as an underclassman,” said Hager.