INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University Athletics launched a new primary fundraising arm on Thursday, Feb. 15 that will be formally known as the Old Gold Fund. The main purpose of the Old Gold Fund is to centralize athletic fundraising efforts and, by doing so, further the support given to our 17 teams and 350 student-athletes. The Old Gold Fund contribution guide is available to view on the official athletics website under the donate tab. 

"The Old Gold Fund offers a more structured approach to athletic fundraising at West Virginia State," said Athletic Director Nate Burton. "In the current landscape of collegiate athletics, the generosity of loyal donors has never been more important to being able to compete at the highest level. The Old Gold Fund provides an opportunity for the Yellow Jacket faithful to directly impact the success of our teams and student-athletes through unrestricted support, sponsorships, sport-specific giving, capital projects and scholarships."

An advisory board will be announced next week to oversee the Old Gold Fund. Gifts to the W Club will still be eligible for membership.  

The name of the new fundraising arm was chosen to reflect the far-reaching history of West Virginia State University, which dates back to 1891, and the most unique official color of the school, WVSU Gold. West Virginia State continues to honor its distinctive legacy while striving to place itself at the forefront of modern standards. The Old Gold Fund is the latest effort by the athletics department to meet those modern standards while paying homage to the past.

The cost of education, travel, equipment, and facility upgrades will continue to rise. Private support is crucial to remain competitive both academically and athletically. The Old Gold Fund will provide opportunities for all levels of supporters to contribute in a meaningful way to them. New tiered contribution levels offer benefits to donors based on their amount of giving. Sponsorships provide local business owners with maximum exposure of their brand through a beneficial partnership. Sport-specific giving allows alumni and family members to support the program that means the most to them. Capital projects give supporters a way to leave a lasting legacy on the beautiful campus of West Virginia State University. Last but not least, scholarships ensure student-athletes receive financial assistance towards achieving the ultimate goal of earning a college degree.

"Together, we can take WVSU Athletics to a higher level with a new standard for excellence," stated Burton. "The Old Gold Fund is going to be a community effort and there is not a better community than the one that we have at West Virginia State. The mission of the university and the athletics department will continue to be to enhance the student-athlete experience in every way possible. This is another step in the right direction for WVSU Athletics."

To learn more about the Old Gold Fund, or to become a member, visit the Old Gold Fund page or email oldgoldfund@wvstateu.edu.