WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — For nearly 250 years, The Greenbrier has been a destination for visitors traveling to White Sulphur Springs. The resort has hosted presidents, served as a military hospital and even housed a secret government bunker during the Cold War.
Friday night, it welcomes WVU Women’s Basketball back to Colonial Hall. Read more: The Greenbrier’s history meets another chapter of WVU Women’s Basketball.
The Mountaineers are set to face Northwestern in the Greenbrier Tip-Off, marking their second trip to the resort in as many years. Their first visit came last November, when they faced No. 15 Duke in a game that turned into one of the most unusual wins in program history.
Venue origins
Long before basketball became part of the picture, The Greenbrier was known for something else.
People first began visiting White Sulphur Springs in 1778, drawn to the area’s natural mineral waters. The number of visitors grew by the year, and the property eventually developed into the resort that stands today.
It also attracted plenty of well-known guests. Five sitting presidents visited before the Civil War. During the war itself, the property was used as a hospital and military command center.
The Greenbrier’s role changed again during World War II. The hotel first housed foreign diplomats before the U.S. Army turned it into Ashford General Hospital. More than 24,000 soldiers received treatment there over four years.
There was also a part of the resort that remained out of public view for decades. During the Cold War, a bunker was built underground to provide a safe location for members of Congress during a national emergency. The public did not learn about it until 1992.
Today, visitors know The Greenbrier for its resort experience, golf and sporting events. Basketball has become another reason for fans to make the trip.
WVU adds to The Greenbrier’s sports history
WVU’s first women’s basketball game at The Greenbrier came in that contest this past November. The Mountaineers won 57-49, but the final score only told part of the story.
A halftime altercation resulted in multiple ejections, leaving WVU with just five available players for the second half. Rather than let the situation get away from them, the five remaining Mountaineers stayed on the floor and closed out the win.
It was a game that head coach Mark Kellogg still remembers.
During Wednesday’s press conference, Kellogg talked about just how unusual the situation was.
“The way everything happened at halftime was something you can’t prepare for,” Kellogg said. “I don’t think I’ll probably ever see that again in my coaching career.”
The five players who finished the game became known as the Greenbrier Five. Kellogg said their performance and the adjustments made during halftime were things he would remember.
“The response in the second half for obviously those Greenbrier Five. We’ll remember that. Some of the shots we made, the adjustments,” he said.
The win also put WVU in front of a much larger audience. With the game airing nationally, the circumstances surrounding the second half drew attention from people around the country.
“We got a lot of eyes on it. We had people across the country, coaches, people we didn’t even know saying as they heard and what was going on,” Kellogg said. “And as the game went, I think the numbers probably went up pretty significantly.”
A year later, the Mountaineers are back in White Sulphur Springs. For Kellogg, the trip is about more than playing in a different venue. It gives the program a chance to reach fans who don’t always have the opportunity to watch the team in person.
Read more: WVU vs. Northwestern Preview
Colonial Hall also presents a different setting for a basketball game. The ballroom setup, locker rooms and low ceiling are all things players don’t typically experience during the season.
Still, Kellogg likes what the trip means for the program and its connection with the state.
“We’re in the southern part of our state with fans that may not get to see us as much,” Kellogg said. “So you do get that true Mountaineer feel and fan base.”
WVU comes into Friday’s game ranked No. 24 nationally and undefeated through its first three games. Northwestern enters the matchup with a 1-2 record.
Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET inside Colonial Hall. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
The Greenbrier has seen plenty of history since opening its doors to visitors in 1778. On Friday, the Mountaineers will have another opportunity to add a memorable moment of their own.
