WVU Baseball Issues Statement in Regards to Additional Scholarships

The WVU baseball program has been one of the most successful at West Virginia in recent years. It’s also one of the programs exported to benefit from the addition of more scholarships.

On Saturday, a few days after the news was announced, WVU baseball issued a statement in response how they fit into the future of Mountaineer Athletics.

“President Benson, Wren Baker and the Board of Governors acted swiftly to address a changing landscape inside universities and athletic departments. The leadership required to accomplish something of this magnitude should not be taken for granted. Many smart, hardworking, and selfless individuals had to come together and create a shared vision for the future,” read the statement that was posted on the program’s X (formerly Twitter) account.

Statement from @stevesabins regarding this week's announcement of additional athletic scholarships at WVU ⤵️ https://t.co/Pe8DGItx2s pic.twitter.com/bLnk1a1TXl

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) October 11, 2025

More About WVU Adding 140 New Scholarships

In a major move that directly stems from a recent vote by the WVU Board of Governors, West Virginia will add 140 new athletic scholarships starting in the 2026-27 season. This will include 16 new football scholarships and 124 in Olympic sports.

The WVU’s Board of Governors voted in September to be among the top funded schools in the Big 12.

West Virginia will go from 260 athletic scholarships to 400 among its 18 varsity sports. In addition to a significant increase in the number of scholarships for football, it is also an investment in the future of Olympic sports at WVU, with an additional 124 scholarships in those sports.

“These new scholarships will be a huge boost to our programs. I’m grateful for our donors and supporters and the leadership of President Michael Benson and our Board of Governors. We WILL build something special together. Let’s Go!,” said Baker on social media after the announcement.

Former WVU baseball head coach Randy Mazey talks with Wren Baker as WVU played against North Carolina on June 8, 2024, in the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (WVSN photo by Mitchell Northam)

The West Virginia University Board of Governors voted unanimously in September for a resolution in support of WVU Athletics, calling for the development of a financial plan that positions the department in the top funding tier among Big 12 institutions, while simultaneously strengthening the University’s paramount core academic mission.

The resolution directs athletics leadership to be in regular collaboration with the BOG, and to develop and present a financial operational plan that strengthens the state’s flagship institution. Today’s announcement is the first step by the University in meeting the BOG’s mandate and could not have been reached without the significant support from President Benson and the Board of Governors.

Find more coverage of WVU baseball at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, will more scholarships means WVU adds softball?