“HOME-GROWN HERO: ZACH FRAZIER UNVEILS $5.4M NIL LEGACY FUND TO EMPOWER WEST VIRGINIA’S NEXT GENERATION”
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – June 24, 2025 — In a landmark gesture of Mountaineer pride and player empowerment, NFL offensive lineman Zach Frazier has pledged $5.4 million to establish what is now one of the largest collegiate NIL funds in West Virginia history, devoted exclusively to supporting student-athletes at West Virginia University .
A Generous Gift, Rooted in Loyalty
Frazier—an accomplished former WVU standout and Fairmont native turned NFL All-Pro—announced the donation during a press conference at Milan Puskar Stadium, underscoring his deep connection to the institution that shaped his athletic journey . “West Virginia shaped me—it gave me a home, a chance, and a family,” Frazier stated. “This fund is about making sure our athletes have every opportunity to succeed—not just in sports but in life” .
Mountaineer Legacy NIL Fund: Purpose & Promise
Dubbed the Mountaineer Legacy NIL Fund (or Zach Frazier NIL Fund), the initiative aims to:
Deliver meaningful NIL opportunities across a wide range of WVU varsity programs
Provide branding, marketing, legal, and financial education, helping athletes build sustainable personal brands
Enhance WVU’s ability to recruit and retain talent in the fiercely competitive NIL landscape
A dedicated administrative team will facilitate strategy development, sponsorship matching, and skill-building workshops tailored to student-athletes.
WVU Leadership Celebrates a Game-Changer
WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker lauded the donation as transformative: “Zach’s generosity reflects the true spirit of Mountaineer pride. His commitment will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes and the future of our program.”
What It Means for Mountaineer Nation
Across social media and fan channels, support poured in from students, alumni, and community members. Common sentiments echoed:
“Zach Frazier—always a Mountaineer at heart!”
“This is HUGE for WVU sports. Respect, Zach!”
“True leadership in the NIL era!”
Many see his gift as a powerful example for future alumni involvement in the NIL era, setting a new standard for homegrown giving back.
Context: NIL in the New College Sports Era
Frazier’s $5.4 million investment follows national trends where professional athletes like Trevor Lawrence and Jalen Hurts have created large-scale NIL funds for their alma maters . But for WVU—where NIL infrastructure is still growing—it represents a bold leap forward, offering tangible resources and support that could shift recruiting dynamics and athlete experience statewide.
A Legacy Beyond the Playing Field
With the Mountaineer Legacy NIL Fund now seeded, WVU is set to elevate its position in the NIL marketplace. Future athletes across all sports will benefit—not only financially, but through mentorship, education, and access. Frazier’s gift reflects a powerful message: success comes full circle when champions invest in the next generation.
As NIL continues reshaping collegiate athletics, Zach Frazier’s vision offers a blueprint: root philanthropy, home-state pride, and athlete empowerment woven together into a lasting legacy for Mountaineer Nation.
