CHARLESTON, W.Va. –A sea of blue and gold filled the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Monday evening as West Virginia University held its Charleston Scholarship Dinner.
West Virginia University coaches, student-athletes, and alumni attended the annual fundraiser, which supports the Mountaineer Athletic Club Charleston Scholarship Dinner Athletic Endowment. Last year, the event raised more than $72,000, and organizers aim to raise even more in 2026.
The dinner is particularly significant this year because, in October 2025, West Virginia University announced the addition of 140 athletic scholarships for the 2026-2027 season. The increase brings the university’s total to 400 athletic scholarships across 18 sports.
WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said the event demonstrates the department’s commitment to supporting student-athletes.
“It’s really important to have events like this where you’re raising money and you’re trying to do everything you can to bring resources into the department,” Baker said.
He said he wanted to use the event to highlight the athletic department’s current position and its needs from donors.
“Just sharing that there’s a need in what we’re trying to do and that there’s a plan but every day the world changes, numbers for players and their agents request everyday changes,” Baker said.
Head football coach Rich Rodriguez said there are many reasons the event is held.
“This is more about I think, raise a little bit of money, but also let our fans know where our programs are at, how excited they should be about the upcoming season, see if they have any questions about the rosters or what’s going on, not just with football, but with basketball teams and all that,” he said.
Football scholarships are expected to increase by 16 for the upcoming season.
Men’s head basketball coach Ross Hodge said they like to hold the event for the opportunity to recognize those who have contributed significantly to the department.
“Anytime you get a chance to spend some time with people that do so much for, not only the basketball program and athletics but the entire university, it’s always a special night,” Hodge said.
Men’s basketball scholarships are expected to increase from 13 to 15 offered for the upcoming season.
Volleyball head coach Jen Greeny said that, beginning this coming season, the program will offer 16 scholarships, up from 12 previously.
“We can kind of break them up, so with additional academic scholarships, we’re essentially funding our entire roster, so that’s really important,” she said. “It puts us on a level playing field with a lot of the big-time successful programs across the country.”
This dinner was their first stop on their tour of the state. From May 4 to May 11, they will make stops in Parkersburg, Wheeling, Glade Springs, Martinsburg, Morgantown, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as part of the 2026 Coaches Caravan.
MetroNews’ Jack Carlson contributed to this story