MORGANTOWN — In “coachspeak” – the unofficial dialect of coaches, built of well-worn mantras and cliched truisms – it might have sounded something like this:
“We can’t control what’s going on around us. We’ve got to focus on the things we can control.”
That’s what the West Virginia University Board of Governors has resolved to do when it comes to the rapidly changing landscape of financing university athletics.
Over the last four years or so, universities have watched legal challenges give rise to Name, Image and Likeness, or NIL, eligibility for student athletes. Earlier this year, a judge’s ruling opened athletic departments up to about $20.5 million annually (with a 4% yearly adjustment) in revenue sharing.
WVU’s athletic spending in the 2024 fiscal year was about $109 million, according to budget documents.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that college athletics is going through a major transition. I don’t know that it’ll ever really end. We’re going to see this continue. It’s just going to be something year after year,” BOG Chairman Robert Hutson said. “What we have to do is be consistent in our approach and our support of the athletics that we have here at the university. And with that support is financial support.”
To that end, the board adopted a resolution asking university and athletic leadership to develop and present a financial and operational plan that positions WVU athletics “in the top funding tier among Big 12 institutions.”
The board wants a report on that plan during its February meeting.
“A strong and visible athletics program is essential to advance student enrollment, enriches the student experience, strengthens alumni and donor engagement, supports recruitment of talented faculty and staff, and provides a source of pride and connection for Mountaineer fans in West Virginia and those around the world,” the resolution states.
Even so, it continues, “West Virginia University is first and foremost an academic institution …”
“I think what it makes clear is that this board is setting a level of expectation regarding operational excellence when it comes to athletics, but it also points out that we are an academic institution first,” Patrice Harris said. “From what I know of President Benson and the entire senior team, they would agree that it also states a standard of operational excellence and accountability from this board, from President Benson and the entire team about this entire enterprise.”
Hutson concurred.
“Make no mistake about it, we as a board understand the importance that athletics drive the academic institution as well. They go hand in hand, and they both need to be set at a very high standard,” he said. “This resolution, I believe, helps us to not only identify but communicate that we take both very seriously.”
