MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Behind every championship team is a loyal group of supporters willing the squad to success.

 

Such is the case for the West Virginia University rifle team. The four-time reigning NCAA National Champion Mountaineers rely on a group of dedicated backers to help sustain the level of success achieved by the program.

 

A recent golden moment by a young Mountaineer inspired a long-time fan of the team to make a gift to the program, as Dr. Dan Strinkoski, D.D.S., a 1998 graduate of the WVU School of Dentistry, has pledged a gift of $25,000 to help support the purchase of new smallbore rifles, as well as future program endeavors.

 

“The success of our Mountaineers at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics inspired me to give this gift to the WVU rifle program,” Strinkoski said.

 

Dr. Strinkoski is speaking of the three Gold medals earned by two Mountaineer shooters – current sophomore Ginny Thrasher and 2011 graduate Nicco Campriani. The duo, along with former Mountaineers Petra Zublasing and Ziva Dvorsak, ensured that the WVU rifle program stood out among a sea of talented shooters in Rio.

 

While the summer achievements heightened the program’s thumbprint on the global scene, the Mountaineers’ performances over recent years, especially the last 11 seasons under coach Jon Hammond, were more than enough to spur Dr. Strinkoski’s generous gift.

 

"I’m inspired to support the WVU rifle team because they’re winners,” Dr. Strinkoski enthused. “Eighteen National Championships is an unbelievable accomplishment. Just last year, they had 20 All-America honors. Our athletes have Olympic Gold medals. They're simply incredible and make me so proud to be a Mountaineer."  

 

Dr. Strinkoski is not alone. Former WVU football letterman Bill McKenzie, a Mountaineer legend remembered by all for his game-winning field goal against Pitt on Nov. 8, 1975, has made annual donations to offset the cost of the program’s National Championships rings, including the rings recently awarded to the 1980s championship teams.

 

“Being a part of a Mountaineer athletic team was a special experience for me, and my wife, Kathryn, and I like to help repay WVU for the opportunity,” he said. “As gun enthusiasts and shooters ourselves, we have always been inspired and impressed by the WVU rifle team.”

 

Like Dr. Strinkoski, McKenzie, a 1978 graduate of the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, hopes the Mountaineers’ Olympic success will be the nudge additional fans need to give back to the program.

 

“Since winning the Gold medal, Ginny has spoken so highly of WVU, her teammates and her coaches,” he said. “Hopefully, this will inspire others.”  

 

“We’re hugely appreciative of all the general and financial support we receive from our donors and fans,” Hammond said. “Their support is crucial in helping continue the development of the program and make it better each year.

 

“We are aware of the environment of college athletics these days, and we want to provide the best for our students, whether that’s via equipment, facilities or experience. We want to provide the best for them, and we could not do that without the support of our donors.”

 

McKenzie and Dr. Strinkoski are both active in the Mountaineer Athletic Club (MAC) and recognize the importance of providing WVU athletic teams with the necessary resources to succeed. If you would like to learn more about the WVU MAC and how you can help build future champions, please visit HERE or call 1-800-433-2072.

 

Let’s Go Mountaineers!