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WVU Board of Governors approves naming opportunities
Jun. 30—MORGANTOWN — As part of the consent agenda considered during its June 13 meeting, the West Virginia University Board of Governors approved three items listed under "Renaming of Buildings."
Among the trio was "a paid sponsorship opportunity for a term of years " for a non-academic facility.
It was explained the details would be withheld until a later date, when a formal announcement and ceremony could be scheduled.
The vote took on added intrigue about a week later, when WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker told the 3 Guys Before The Game Podcast that WVU was "down the path on one naming rights opportunity that's significant."
Baker went on to indicate it was a "seven-figure opportunity."
Asked whether he was referencing Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium or WVU Coliseum, he responded, "To be named soon, but we're shopping both of those. One of those is close."
In light of Baker's comments, The Dominion Post reached out to ask whether the paid sponsorship approved by the BOG was tied to either Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium or WVU Coliseum.
Shauna Johnson, executive director of strategic communications and marketing, said there was no additional information to share. Further, Johnson said there is no timeline for an announcement regarding facility names.
Of the three naming considerations approved by the BOG, the details of one was provided.
The Chestnut Ridge Research Building, which is located at 886 Chestnut Ridge Road, will be known as the Chestnut Ridge Building going forward.
According to information provided in the BOG meeting packet, "While the building has historically served as the home for WVU Research, it will now also house the University Police Department. This change acknowledges the building's broader role in supporting multiple campus functions, while maintaining a connection to its location and history."
The relocation of the University Police Department is necessary to make room for the new WVU Eye Institute currently under construction.
In addition to the paid sponsorship for a non-academic facility, the board also approved a naming opportunity for a non-academic facility that is "philanthropic in nature."
As with the paid sponsorship, the details were not made publicly available.
