The Mountaineer Moonshot: President Benson’s Roadmap for WVU in the New Era of College Sports
In a recent appearance on Couz’s Corner, West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson provided a deep dive into how WVU is positioning itself amid the “tectonic shifts” of conference realignment, NIL, and the evolving landscape of college athletics.
Here is a summary of the key takeaways from President Benson’s vision for the future of the Mountaineers.
1. WVU Football: The “Three-and-a-Half Hour Infomercial”
Using a common quote from Athletic Director Wren Baker, President Benson emphasized that while athletics is not the most important thing a university does, it is undoubtedly the most visible. He views high-profile games as a massive platform to showcase WVU’s academic programs, the work of WVU Medicine, and the beauty of the campus to a national audience.
2. The “Moonshot” for AAU Membership for West Virginia
One of the most significant portions of the interview focused on Benson’s goal to get WVU into the Association of American Universities (AAU)—an elite group of 69 leading research institutions.
Benson noted a clear trend in conference realignment: the “Power Two” (the Big Ten and SEC) prioritize AAU members. He also pointed out that every team in the most recent national championship windows—including Michigan, Washington, Notre Dame, and Ohio State—are AAU members.
Is it doable? Benson believes so, citing the University of South Florida as a recent success story.
The Strategy: WVU has seen a 38% increase in research funding over the last five years. Benson refers to this pursuit as a “moonshot,” quoting JFK: “We choose to go to the moon… not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
3. Realignment and the Future “Super League”
Addressing rumors of a potential “Super League” or the pooling of media rights (a plan championed by Texas Tech’s Cody Campbell), Benson remained pragmatic. He noted that while the NFL model of shared revenue is efficient, the SEC and Big Ten’s massive viewership numbers make them hesitant to share. His focus is on making WVU so attractive academically and athletically that it cannot be ignored in future shifts.
4. Strategic Moves to Keep WVU Competitive
Benson highlighted three specific initiatives currently underway to give WVU an edge:
Initiative
Description
In-State Tuition for Athletes
WVU now applies in-state tuition to every roster spot in every sport. This allows coaches (especially in partial-scholarship sports like baseball) to stretch their budgets further.
Blue & Gold Enterprises
A proactive approach to NIL and revenue generation, including property deals and creative partnerships to provide a “margin of excellence.”
Facility Upgrades
The $150 million West Tower project at the football stadium is moving forward, with the old tower set for removal after the current season. There are also plans to add air conditioning to the Coliseum to make it a year-round venue.
5. A Message to Mountaineer Nation
Benson acknowledged the unique responsibility of leading the state’s only Power Four institution. Having visited 35 of West Virginia’s 55 counties, he understands that for many, the “Flying WV” represents their hopes and dreams.
“I recognize what a Saturday afternoon football game does for our economy and how people’s hopes and dreams are sometimes inextricably tied to how our team does.”
To hear the entire interview, check it out on Couz’s Corner on YouTube.
Photo Credit: WVU Today
This post was summarized and formatted with the assistance of Google Gemini based on original interview.
