WVU Rifle Gun Bash and Team Update

[WVU Fan]

Dear Shooting Sports Friends:



1. WVU Rifle Team. As you know the West Virginia University Rifle Team was reinstated to NCAA status a year ago today. Everyone should be encouraged by WVU President Hardesty’s April 2005 press release that said “The future of the WVU rifle program is not in doubt. We will continue to have rifle here at WVU.”



2. Status of WVU Rifle Team Funding. There will be a team at WVU, but funding remains an issue. The budget for the WVU Rifle Team, winner of 13 NCAA Championships, is currently limited to a $100,000 state grant and funds raised. There is a $63,000 annual budget shortfall (compared to 2003, before the team was dropped). Further, since WVU athletics provides NO funding, officials will not allow multi-year commitments (for scholarships) unless there is enough on hand in the rifle operating account at the WVU Foundation to cover all four years or (for staff) unless there is enough in the Mountianeer Athletic Club Rifle Endowment fund to generate interest to cover expense. Building the endowment is crucial to rebuilding the team.



3. 2005 Gun Bash. The WVU Rifle Club is doing a Gun Bash-type fund raiser at the end of this month. If you have not already done so, we ask you to buy two or more tickets. The ticket may be viewed and purchased at http://www.starcityvfd.com/ or ordered by phone (304) 293-4397. You may also mail a check for the cost of the tickets ($50 per ticket) to P.O. Box 6444, Morgantown, WV 26507-6444.



4. Prizes. A prize winner will be selected every two minutes for seven hours! We are still accepting donated prizes (which is why the prize list isn't final). If you can donate a prize, please contact us. The three grand prizes are a 2005 Chevy Silverado Pick-up Truck, a 2005 Fleetwood Gearbox Camper and a 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe motorcycle. Additional prizes include three ATVs, cash, over 175 firearms, fishing trips and more. A total of 211 prizes, worth over $250,000, will be given away. (No need to be present to win.)



5. New Partners. New for 2005, the WVU Rifle Club has paired with the Star City VFD and West Virginia Mountainfest (http://www.wvmountainfest.com/), a widely-promoted motorcycle rally to be held in Morgantown, July 29-31.




6. Rifle Team Members at USA Shooting Nationals. WVU Rifle team members Lafe Kunkel and Amy Smith competed in the USA Shooting National Championships at Fort Benning, GA last month. Results are posted at www.USAShooting.com.



7. NRA Foundation Grants. The WVU Rifle Team and WVU Rifle Club were recently approved for $2,500 grants (one each) from the NRA Foundation. This money will be used to purchase match grade ammunition and a smallbore target rifle. We thank the WV Friends of NRA Grant Committee for these funds.



8. July 4th Celebration. The WV Rifle Team, WVU Rifle Club and the WV Rifle Endowment Team will be in the Morgantown parade showing off the three grand prizes and we will be selling Gun Bash tickets during "Celebrate America" on the waterfront.



9. Alumni Reunion. Plans are being made for the WVU Rifle Team Alumni and Friends reunion Homecoming Weekend October 15, 2005. The football game will be against Louisville in their first Big East appearance at Mountaineer Field. We'll have a block of seats for the game, a tailgate party and walk in the parade (on Friday night, October 14th).



10. Time is running out. Get your tickets in the next two weeks! Please forward this e-mail and encourage your friends to purchase tickets. Though the event isn't until July 30th, we need to collect tickets and get data entered in the computer in advance of the event, and we have many last minute details to handle the two weeks before the event.



Again, thank you for your past support. We need your help now. Please go to http://www.starcityvfd.com/, call (304) 293-4397 or visit a supporting business to obtain your 2005 WV Rifle Benefit Gun Bash tickets. THANK YOU for your support!



Sincerely,

Marsha Beasley

WVU Rifle Coach