WHAT A LEGEND: Hall of Fame WVU Football Icon Donates $4.5 Million to Elevate Mountaineer Baseball to New Heights
In a move that has sent ripples of awe and gratitude through the state of West Virginia and the wider college sports world, legendary former West Virginia University football coach and Hall of Famer Jack “Ironclad” Donnelly has made an unprecedented gesture of Mountaineer pride—donating $4.5 million toward a massive renovation and expansion of Monongalia County Ballpark, the home of WVU baseball.
Donnelly, whose name is etched into the very fabric of Mountaineer football, is known for building WVU into a national powerhouse in the late 1990s and early 2000s. A fiery motivator and strategic genius, he led the Mountaineers to multiple Big East championships, a pair of top-10 finishes, and a beloved culture of toughness, resilience, and Appalachian grit. But his latest move proves that his heart beats for all of WVU—not just the gridiron.
A Game-Changing Gift for WVU Baseball
In a press conference that began with stunned silence and ended in a roaring standing ovation, Donnelly stood before alumni, athletes, and administrators to announce the transformative donation.
> “This isn’t about me. This is about investing in young men who wear the gold and blue with pride. It’s time Mountaineer baseball had a home that reflects our spirit, our heritage, and our potential to compete on the national stage.”
The $4.5 million donation will fund a major upgrade to Monongalia County Ballpark, including:
A state-of-the-art indoor training facility
Expanded seating capacity to accommodate record-breaking crowds
Enhanced player development amenities including a modernized weight room and analytics suite
An upgraded fan experience with improved concessions, audio/visual systems, and family zones
WVU Athletic Director Maria Caldwell called the donation “the most selfless, visionary act of cross-sport generosity in the university’s modern athletic history.”
> “Coach Donnelly isn’t just a football legend. He’s a Mountaineer through and through. What he’s given today isn’t just money—it’s belief in what WVU can be across all sports.”
A Legacy Bigger Than Football
While Donnelly’s coaching legacy includes 152 career wins, 14 bowl appearances, and a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame, many believe this act may go down as his most enduring contribution to WVU.
Former players, including several who went on to NFL careers, took to social media to praise the coach.
> “Coach Donnelly gave us everything,” tweeted former WVU quarterback Marcus “Flash” Granger. “Now he’s giving the next generation of athletes a shot at greatness too.”
Donnelly, now 74, closed his remarks with a signature dose of humility and fire.
> “People will ask why a football coach gave millions to a baseball program. My answer is simple: because when you’re a Mountaineer, you back every brother and sister in gold and blue. Period.”
As plans for the renovation begin immediately, Monongalia County Ballpark is expected to break ground on the new upgrades in early 2026, with completion projected ahead of the 2027 season.
This donation doesn’t just rewrite the story of WVU baseball—it reinforces the timeless truth that legends never stop leading.
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