West Virginia Stadium Gets Major Boost: Two Star Legends Donate $156 Million for State-of-the-Art Facilities
MORGANTOWN, WV — In a move that has electrified the sports world and reignited pride across the Mountain State, two West Virginia University (WVU) legends have come together for a historic donation. Former NFL icons and Mountaineer alumni Marcus “The Mount” Jefferson and Tyrell Gaines have pledged a staggering $156 million to revolutionize the university’s stadium and athletic facilities.
The donation, the largest single private gift in the history of college athletics in the United States, will fund the transformation of Milan Puskar Stadium into a state-of-the-art sports complex—soon to be renamed the Jefferson-Gaines Performance Arena. The overhaul will include a retractable roof, smart turf capable of adapting to weather conditions, a 360-degree digital scoreboard, AI-powered training labs, and even a player recovery wing with hydrotherapy chambers and cryogenic treatment pods.
“This isn’t just a donation. It’s a legacy,” said Jefferson, 44, who grew up in Bluefield and went on to win two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “We’re giving back to the university and the state that gave us everything.”
Gaines, a Charleston native who dazzled fans as an All-American wide receiver before a record-setting career with the Dallas Cowboys, agreed. “WVU shaped our grit and our future. This gift is about inspiring the next generation—kids like we were, who just need a shot and a field to dream on.”
The announcement was made during a packed press conference at the stadium, flanked by Governor Linda Raines and WVU President Dr. Ellis Kendrick. The event had the flair of a championship celebration. A drone light show traced Jefferson’s and Gaines’ iconic moments in the night sky above Morgantown, while the WVU marching band played a thunderous medley of fight songs.
Dr. Kendrick called the donation “a once-in-a-century opportunity.”
“Facilities like these put West Virginia not only on par with, but ahead of, national powerhouses like Alabama and Ohio State,” he said. “This isn’t just about football. The new complex will include community fitness zones, an esports center, and classrooms for sports science and athletic entrepreneurship.”
Construction is already underway, with phase one expected to be complete by spring 2026. Architectural renderings released at the event show a sleek, futuristic complex with green roofs, solar panels, and environmentally sustainable materials sourced from within the state.
The ripple effects are already being felt. Within hours of the announcement, the Mountaineers landed two top-five national recruits, citing the “vision” and “momentum” of the program. Season ticket sales surged by 38% in a single afternoon.
For many in West Virginia, this moment represents more than just football. It’s a shot in the arm for state pride, a signal that the Mountain State is ready to compete—and win—on the national stage.
“People used to ask where West Virginia was,” Jefferson said with a grin. “Now they’ll ask how we got this far ahead.”
