Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
The Bill McKenzie Mobile Rifle Range
December 22, 2017 10:12 AM | Rifle
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - When the top-ranked West Virginia University rifle team returns to competition this spring, the Mountaineers do so anticipating a big program upgrade – the unveiling of the Bill McKenzie Mobile Rifle Range.
Seven months ago, the five-time reigning National Champion rifle team and the Mountaineer Athletic Club launched the WVU Mobile Rifle Range Project, with the goal of purchasing the necessary equipment for a mobile rifle range.
Many loyal Mountaineer supporters stepped up to the line for the 19-time NCAA champions, including McKenzie, a Mountaineer legend in his own right. Best known for kicking the game-winning field goal against Pitt in the Mountaineers' 17-14 victory on Nov. 8, 1975, McKenzie hopes to ensure the WVU rifle team's future success, donating $100,000 toward the mobile range project. In thanks for his generous contribution, the team's new home venue will forever bear the Warwood, West Virginia, native's name.
"Bill's gift means a lot to this program," Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond said. "We've had a number of people who have been huge supporters of the program over the years and have put in a lot of work to help this team. We're grateful for Bill's continued support. He has a WVU background, and while he wasn't a member of our team during his athletic days, he's become such a great supporter and fan of our program. We're incredibly grateful."
"Jon is a great guy. What he has done with the WVU rifle team is amazing," McKenzie explained. "My family and I are happy to help the program. We're not very big on the publicity that surrounds the gift, but we decided that it was time. When you've won 19 National Championships, it's amazing to think about how small the current range is; it didn't seem right. For us to be the best rifle team for 19 years and not have the ability to host a championship, it didn't seem right."
Set to be unveiled sometime in late January or early February, the Bill McKenzie mobile Rifle Range will provide the Mountaineers with the opportunity to setup a fully functioning rifle range, featuring 20 firing points, in multiple arenas, including the WVU Coliseum and the WVU Shell Building. More than twice the size of the WVU Rifle Range, the mobile range also will allow a larger number of spectators to cheer for the Mountaineers when they compete in Morgantown.
Included in the range are 20 state-of-the-art 3D electronic target systems, featuring cross fire detection and zero consumables of paper or rubber bands. The range also will feature 20 bullet catchers and surrounding walls, which will create a safe range area, allowing for competition in any arena. Mountaineer fans will appreciate the large projector screens, which will provide shot-by-shot coverage, enhancing spectators' experiences.
Most importantly, the new Bill McKenzie Mobile Range will not only allow the Mountaineers to host large-scale postseason events, such as the 2019 NCAA National Championships, but also will help the team members simulate national and international championship experiences and enhance the student-athletes' preparations.
"This range will change our match-day experience so much. Each match shot in Morgantown will have the same feel as a large NCAA Championship match," Hammond added. "We're no longer limited in space for spectators, and that will help grow our sport in the region. It's incredibly exciting and definitely a big change for the program overall."
"It will be nice to have more than 10 people see a match (in Morgantown)," McKenzie echoed. "I know the rifle team will never fill the WVU Coliseum, but with this range, there's now the opportunity for hundreds of fans to watch a home rifle match."
McKenzie's generosity does not end with the rifle range. Over the last five years, the 1978 graduate of the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources has been making gifts to offset the cost of the program's National Championship rings. Given the team's success throughout the 2017 fall season – the No. 1-ranked Mountaineers (8-0, 5-0 GARC) set NCAA aggregate score, smallbore and air rifle records – McKenzie may once again find himself purchasing several more rings for WVU.
"I wouldn't mind buying rings for 20 more years – that wouldn't bother me one bit," McKenzie laughed. "Jon is a great guy, and what he's done with this team needs to be recognized. I couldn't be prouder to help the nation's best team."
More information on the range's official unveiling will be provided later this season.
Donations are still being accepted for the WVU Mobile Rifle Range Project. To make your commitment to the project, please click HERE or call the MAC office at 1-800-433-2072.
Seven months ago, the five-time reigning National Champion rifle team and the Mountaineer Athletic Club launched the WVU Mobile Rifle Range Project, with the goal of purchasing the necessary equipment for a mobile rifle range.
Many loyal Mountaineer supporters stepped up to the line for the 19-time NCAA champions, including McKenzie, a Mountaineer legend in his own right. Best known for kicking the game-winning field goal against Pitt in the Mountaineers' 17-14 victory on Nov. 8, 1975, McKenzie hopes to ensure the WVU rifle team's future success, donating $100,000 toward the mobile range project. In thanks for his generous contribution, the team's new home venue will forever bear the Warwood, West Virginia, native's name.
"Bill's gift means a lot to this program," Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond said. "We've had a number of people who have been huge supporters of the program over the years and have put in a lot of work to help this team. We're grateful for Bill's continued support. He has a WVU background, and while he wasn't a member of our team during his athletic days, he's become such a great supporter and fan of our program. We're incredibly grateful."
"Jon is a great guy. What he has done with the WVU rifle team is amazing," McKenzie explained. "My family and I are happy to help the program. We're not very big on the publicity that surrounds the gift, but we decided that it was time. When you've won 19 National Championships, it's amazing to think about how small the current range is; it didn't seem right. For us to be the best rifle team for 19 years and not have the ability to host a championship, it didn't seem right."
Set to be unveiled sometime in late January or early February, the Bill McKenzie mobile Rifle Range will provide the Mountaineers with the opportunity to setup a fully functioning rifle range, featuring 20 firing points, in multiple arenas, including the WVU Coliseum and the WVU Shell Building. More than twice the size of the WVU Rifle Range, the mobile range also will allow a larger number of spectators to cheer for the Mountaineers when they compete in Morgantown.
Included in the range are 20 state-of-the-art 3D electronic target systems, featuring cross fire detection and zero consumables of paper or rubber bands. The range also will feature 20 bullet catchers and surrounding walls, which will create a safe range area, allowing for competition in any arena. Mountaineer fans will appreciate the large projector screens, which will provide shot-by-shot coverage, enhancing spectators' experiences.
Most importantly, the new Bill McKenzie Mobile Range will not only allow the Mountaineers to host large-scale postseason events, such as the 2019 NCAA National Championships, but also will help the team members simulate national and international championship experiences and enhance the student-athletes' preparations.
"This range will change our match-day experience so much. Each match shot in Morgantown will have the same feel as a large NCAA Championship match," Hammond added. "We're no longer limited in space for spectators, and that will help grow our sport in the region. It's incredibly exciting and definitely a big change for the program overall."
"It will be nice to have more than 10 people see a match (in Morgantown)," McKenzie echoed. "I know the rifle team will never fill the WVU Coliseum, but with this range, there's now the opportunity for hundreds of fans to watch a home rifle match."
McKenzie's generosity does not end with the rifle range. Over the last five years, the 1978 graduate of the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources has been making gifts to offset the cost of the program's National Championship rings. Given the team's success throughout the 2017 fall season – the No. 1-ranked Mountaineers (8-0, 5-0 GARC) set NCAA aggregate score, smallbore and air rifle records – McKenzie may once again find himself purchasing several more rings for WVU.
"I wouldn't mind buying rings for 20 more years – that wouldn't bother me one bit," McKenzie laughed. "Jon is a great guy, and what he's done with this team needs to be recognized. I couldn't be prouder to help the nation's best team."
More information on the range's official unveiling will be provided later this season.
Donations are still being accepted for the WVU Mobile Rifle Range Project. To make your commitment to the project, please click HERE or call the MAC office at 1-800-433-2072.
Jon Hammond NCAA Championship | March 18
Wednesday, March 18
A Conversation with Wren Baker
Monday, December 05
Jon Hammond | Thursday
Thursday, September 30
Life as a Mountaineer - Jared Eddy
Wednesday, March 24
