WVU Rifle Receives Grant Funds
December 13th, 2007
Through the NRA Foundation’s Friends of NRA program WVU Rifle Team and Rifle Club recently received grants totaling $13,650.00.The WVU Rifle Team, reinstated in 2004, boasts 13 NCAA titles and is proud in 2008 to continue its 30th year ofrepresentation at the Olympic Games when WVU Rifle Team alumna (2003) and current Head Coach Jon Hammond competes.
Without the ammunition and equipment provided by such grants, it would be impossible to maintain the level of training that provides for high level competition. WVU Rifle’s ability to recruit top national shooters, like Justin Pence, who will participate as a freshman next year, is based on the type of support provided by individual donors, foundation grants, and the State of West Virginia’s commitment to the program.The WVU Rifle Team was cut in 2003 but reinstated in 2004 because of the personal relationships that have continued this support which makes the program the only one of its kind in the United States which is completely self-funded.
The current grants provided for ammunition, competition grade target rifles and scopes, and shooting clothes for both the club, which is used as a recruiting and promotional tool, and for the team which must be able to compete.In return, the club and team help with education by sponsoring basic WVU courses, clinics and community service (firearms safety) programs.
Friends of NRA is a national grassroots fundraising program that supports firearms education, hunter safety, wildlife conservation, range improvement, youth marksmanship and law enforcement across the country. Through a partnership of regional NRA field representatives and local groups, like the Mountaineer Friends of NRA Committee established in 2004, monies are raised at a yearly banquet and auction.Half of the profits raised by each Friends of NRA banquet must be spent in the state in which they were raised.The other half supports qualifying national level programs like Eddie Eagle or Women On Target®.West Virginia’s state fund committee, made up of volunteers from the local organizations, reviewed applications and recommended grants including the one’s received by the WVU Rifle Team and Club. The Greater Morgantown Community Trust holds the Mountaineer Friends of NRA Fund which funds the yearly banquet.GMCT also is home to the WVU Rifle Team Endowment Fund to provide long-term operational support through which the Team is independently funded.Outside of state funding and grants, individual financial support for the team is necessary through programs such as the 1200 Club which provides clothing and other privileges for a yearly $1,200 contribution.For more information on the 1200 Club program or to make a donation, mail to GMCT at P.O. Box 409, Morgantown, WV 26507 or call 296-3433.
