Owen ‘Runaway Beer Truck’ Schmitt to attend Homecoming fundraiser
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PARKERSBURG - A star on the West Virginia University Mountaineer football team will speak at a fundraiser for the Parkersburg Homecoming in November.
Owen Schmitt will make a special appearance at the Homecoming Dinner and Online Auction to be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Center On Market, also known as the Resiliency Center.
“This fundraiser is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Chuck Lipps, a member of the Parkersburg Homecoming Committee Advisory Board, said. “Now was the time when Owen agreed to do it. He is one of WVU’s all time favorite football players.”
Known as the Runaway Beer Truck, Schmitt will talk about his football career from high school in Wisconsin to his walk-on at WVU in 2004 and making the team. By 2007, he was one of the best fullbacks in college football.
Schmitt was picked in the NFL draft in 2008 by the Seattle Seahawks, playing for Seattle then for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders.
He wrote a children’s book, "The Little Fullback Who Could," about his journey in pictures. Schmitt will sell and sign the book after the event.
Schmitt made headlines last month when he was involved in an incident at the Oklahoma State game at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown where the Mountaineers were pounded 41-24 and he was taken off the field by security. Schmitt later calmed down and said he was sorry and apologized for his actions.
"As someone who wore the flying WV with pride, I hold myself to a higher standard and will take steps to ensure that I handle my next visit professionally as the program deserves," Schmitt wrote.
The online auction will feature rare Homecoming items including an autographed guitar of all acts that performed at Homecoming from 2008-21. Among the signers are the late Charlie Daniels and Eddie Money, Grand Funk Railroad, Kansas, 38 Special, America, Marshall Tucker Band, Kathy Mattea, Darryl Worley and 17 others.
An autographed photo album of past performers, items signed by Schmitt, a vintage Fenton anniversary bell and vase and other items also will be available.
Online bidding will close at 5 p.m. Nov. 6 with final bidding announced at the event.
Tickets for the fundraiser are on sale for $75 each. Four VIP front-row sponsor tables for eight guests are available at $750 each and will include a private reception with Schmitt prior to the event.
A cash bar will be provided and door prizes will be awarded.
For tickets and more information, go to www.parkersburghomecoming.com and the Homecoming Facebook page.