By: Jonathan K. Martin | WV Sports Chat
Welcome to On My Martin Mind! Your weekly roundup for West Virginia University sports. Each week I bring the pulse of Mountaineer sports – highlighting the top news from the previous week.
- WVU athletics announces creation of Gold & Blue Enterprises
West Virginia athletics has announced a new initiative to help “enhance the Mountaineers’ competitive edge” with the beginning of Gold & Blue Enterprises, per a press release from the University.
Simply put – this program aims to provide NIL support and work under certain business strategies all the while keeping the structure in-house.
“The launch of Gold & Blue Enterprises is a major breakthrough for WVU Athletics and its student-athletes,” Baker said in the release. “We are taking a hands-on approach to maximize Name, Image and Likeness opportunities for our students and develop innovative partnerships to generate the revenues we need to thrive. I want to thank everyone involved with helping to create and launch this proactive business venture that will work to keep WVU relevant and winning on the national stage. In today’s competitive NIL industry, the launch of GBE is a victory for all Mountaineers.”
WV Sports Chat’s Justin “Couz” Walker, a prominent voice in WVU sports coverage, released a compelling video on his popular channel, Couz’s Corner, where he tackled the Mountaineers approach to keeping Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities in-house for its student-athletes.
Couz breaks down why this strategy could be a game-changer for the Mountaineers and what it means for the program’s future in the evolving landscape of college athletics.
- WVU close to naming rights deal for one of its top facilities
West Virginia athletic director Wren Baker sparked curiosity recently, hinting about one of West Virginia’s top facilities will have a new name.
On an episode of 3 Guys Before the Game, Baker revealed a deal could be done soon but refused to elaborate or even reveal which facility.
“We’re shopping one of those, but one of those is close,” Baker said.
We asked West Virginia fans on social media for their sponsor “wish list” and the answers didn’t disappoint.
- Ross Hodge say’s coaching WVU is “the honor of a lifetime”
In a recent interview with The Field of 68, new West Virginia men’s basketball coach Ross Hodge shared his thoughts on being named the Mountaineers’ new head coach, calling it “the honor of a lifetime.”
Hodge discussed the emotions that come with taking on his new role and not taking the opportunity lightly.
“A lot of emotions come with that phone call,” he told The Field of 68. “It’s humbling in a weird way that you get a chance to compete at this level and compete against the best coaches, the best players and represent not only an incredible university but an incredible basketball program that has so much history but also represent an entire state and represent the state of West Virginia and the people. It’s awesome.”
