MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and WVU Libraries are teaming up again for the Mountaineer Touchdown Challenge, a fundraising campaign to benefit the Libraries.

The initiative, in its seventh year, enables participants to pledge a dollar amount per touchdown the Mountaineers score during the 2017 season and subsequent bowl game. The proceeds support a variety of projects within the Libraries.

"The Mountaineer Touchdown Challenge has benefited the University and its libraries for several years," Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. "Our fans enjoy watching our team score touchdowns. Why not benefit the libraries and support the student's academic endeavors at the same time? I am asking our alumni and fans to join and support the WVU libraries."

Football coach Dana Holgorsen has been involved in the Touchdown Challenge since arriving in Morgantown in 2011. He said he and his team find it rewarding that they are bolstering academics by winning games.

"It is great to see that the Mountaineer Touchdown Challenge is becoming a yearly tradition," Coach Dana Holgorsen said. "Obviously, our goal is to score a lot of touchdowns to help us win games. It's good to know that every trip into the end zone helps students and their academic goals."

Over the past few years, the Touchdown Challenge has assisted the Libraries with several projects. The most popular has been a presentation practice room equipped with digital cameras and a computer with cutting-edge software that streamlines the recording and editing process.

This fall, students will begin enjoying new West Virginia-crafted desks and refurbished furniture in the Downtown Campus Library Atrium. Gat Creek, a furniture manufacturer based in Berkeley Springs, has generously donated the desks and the Touchdown Challenge allowed for a facelift of the entire space

The Libraries will consult with students to determine where to direct funds raised during the 2017 Touchdown Challenge.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to make WVU Libraries a part of WVU's football tradition," Interim Dean of Libraries Karen Diaz said. "We appreciate Shane Lyons, Coach Holgorsen, every student athlete and every fan who make the Touchdown Challenge a success."