Honestly, I actually asked the same question during the season. Someone made a comment that their was a sign hanging at the tailgate up there this past season that said something about the crash. I commented that in the age of cellphones and Youtube, why a photo wasn't taken is beyond me. Is some of it fabricated? Likely, it is just the way it is. As far as the shirts. I never saw them, but way too many people have talked about them for them not to exist.
I completely understand your need to defend your team. That's fine, but you are coming off as if the fanbase has never done anything wrong. The reputation is there for a reason. Their are plenty of documented cases about the behavior.
I am 34 and was born and raised in Huntington. I never knew anything but The Herd. Believe it or not, WVU was non existent in my world until they played the football game in the 90's. I'm not a big basketball fan, so whatever basketball rivalry was there didn't enter into the equation. My feeling toward WVU was indifferent. I just didn't care about them. I cared about the Herd. Fast forward to the Coal Bowl. My grandmother who is one of the biggest Herd fans that you will meet went to Morgantown. Not only was she cussed at and called names that no person should be called, she had beer thrown on her. Is their video evidence? No, but I'm not going to doubt the word of a 70+ year old woman. That is when the disgust came into the equation. I still stay somewhat indifferent, but now I despise them twice a year.
I love The Herd and you love WVU. Welcome to Huntington and if you stop by the tailgate this year, I will give you a beer and feed you, but don't ask me to speak nice of your team.