WVU Board of Governors aims to elevate athletics to top funding tier in Big 12
The West Virginia University Board of Governors made a strong statement Friday morning with a unanimous vote backing athletics.
Board resolution aims for top Big 12 funding tier
The board passed a resolution directing athletic leadership and the university to craft a plan that will place WVU in the top funding tier of the Big 12. That plan will be developed in collaboration with the board and presented at the February 2026 meeting.
Board chair Rusty Hutson said the landscape of college athletics continues to change with issues like revenue sharing, NIL, and realignment, but WVU must provide consistent financial support to stay competitive.
“The world is going to change consistently, but what we have to do is be consistent in our approach and our support of the athletics that we have at the university. With that support is financial support,” Hutson told WV MetroNews.
A new revenue-sharing model approved this summer will require Power Four programs to provide up to $20.5 million annually for athlete compensation starting with the 2025-26 academic year. WVU, like every other program, will be tasked with finding that money.
Retired broadcaster Hoppy Kercheval said the board’s resolution was an important public show of support for athletic director Wren Baker’s vision.
“They need support to do that. They can’t do that unless the university as a whole is on board,” Kercheval said.
Changing landscape drives urgency
Hutson also pointed to conference realignment as another reason for WVU to prepare now.
“We know that there’s going to be more changes. There’s going to be more conference realignment coming down the pipe, and we want to be prepared. The only way we’re going to be prepared is if we financially support the vision of the president and the athletic director and the board,” he said.
Hutson acknowledged that athletics isn’t the most important part of campus life but stressed its visibility.
“It’s very important because I think everyone on this board would recognize that athletics is the door to the university in some ways. It’s what people outside of the state of West Virginia see. They see us competing on TV and different sports,” Hutson said.
This report includes information first published by WV MetroNews.
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