West Virginia Center, Landen Livingston, is set to be a cornerstone of the Mountaineers’ offense this upcoming season. But before he stepped on the gridiron, Livingston had a different passion, one that blends athletic prowess with artistic flair.
At just the age of five, Livingston started pursuing dance. His mother wanted Livingston and his siblings to have the experience of competitive dancing. This was the start of Livingston’s competitive dance career, where he competed in competitions nationwide and eventually worked his way to a tryout for the Disney team. Livingston made the Disney team and could have been seen dancing in a plethora of Disney parades. So, if you tuned into ABC or one of Disney’s affiliate channels, you could have been watching a future Mountaineer right in front of your very eyes. This experience not only honed his performance skills but also instilled a strong work ethic and discipline that he carries onto the football field.​
Dance has provided Livingston with advantageous assets that have put him ahead of the game. Dance has strengthened his flexibility and aided in the development of his footwork, which are two aspects of playing the Center position that many players struggle with. These reasons and more are why Livingston is grateful that his mother put him through dance at the end of the day.
Livingston has not seen much playing time for the Mountaineers during his tenure in Morgantown. However, this will change as the Red Shirt Junior is expected to start at Center this upcoming season. In 2023, Livingston saw some playing time against Duquesne in the season opener, where he was used on a season-high 24 offensive snaps. He also made appearances against BYU, where he saw 10 offensive snaps, and Cincinnati. Livingston rounded off his year proving his excellence extended beyond the field and into the classroom, as he obtained Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors.
Livingston’s journey from a professional dancer to a collegiate football player exemplifies the diverse talents that student-athletes bring to the programs they play for. His story serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that pursuing one’s passions can lead to unexpected pathways.​
