MORGANTOWN: Former West Virginia Football Legend Marc Bulger Donates Entire $26.7 Million to the University for New Stadium Project Renovation and Youth Development….

 

MORGANTOWN: Former West Virginia Football Legend Marc Bulger Donates Entire $26.7 Million to the University for New Stadium Project Renovation and Youth Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In an extraordinary act of generosity and commitment to his alma mater, former West Virginia University (WVU) football legend and NFL quarterback Marc Bulger has donated his entire $26.7 million fortune to the university. The monumental gift will be used to fund a transformative renovation of Milan Puskar Stadium and launch an ambitious youth development initiative for underprivileged children in West Virginia.

 

The news, confirmed on Wednesday morning by WVU President Gordon Gee, sent shockwaves across the state and the college football world. Bulger’s donation marks one of the largest single gifts by an individual athlete to a collegiate athletic program in NCAA history and comes at a critical time for WVU Athletics, which has faced increasing financial pressure in recent years.

 

A Legendary Homecoming

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marc Bulger, a Pittsburgh native who became a Mountaineer icon in the late 1990s, made his name throwing bombs downfield under center in Morgantown. His prolific arm helped redefine WVU’s passing attack and laid the foundation for future quarterback-driven teams. After his successful college career, Bulger spent over a decade in the NFL, primarily with the St. Louis Rams, where he earned two Pro Bowl selections and over 22,000 passing yards.

 

But even with the fame and fortune of professional football, Bulger never forgot where it all started.

 

“This is home,” Bulger said in a statement released by the university. “WVU gave me a chance when a lot of schools didn’t see the value in me. I owe my career, my character, and so much of my life’s purpose to Morgantown. This is my way of saying thank you, and ensuring the next generation of Mountaineers has every opportunity to thrive.”

 

Stadium Renovation: A New Era for Milan Puskar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approximately $18 million of Bulger’s gift will be directed toward a massive overhaul of Milan Puskar Stadium, home of the Mountaineers since 1980. The renovation plans include the construction of state-of-the-art locker rooms, premium seating expansions, upgraded fan amenities, enhanced training facilities, and a reimagined west concourse that will include a new Mountaineer Hall of Fame wing—tentatively named the Marc Bulger Legacy Center.

 

WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker praised the former quarterback’s vision, stating, “Marc didn’t just hand us a check. He came with a blueprint, a purpose. He wants this stadium to be a place that inspires—where past, present, and future come together to create something special. This is the kind of leadership that transforms a program, not just facilities.”

 

Construction is expected to begin after the 2025 football season, with the project targeted for completion by the 2027 home opener. The renovations will also include upgraded digital infrastructure, eco-conscious water and energy systems, and community spaces open to the public year-round.

 

Investing in the Next Generation

 

 

 

 

 

The remaining $8.7 million of Bulger’s gift will fund the launch of the Bulger Youth Development Institute (BYDI)—a program designed to support disadvantaged youth across West Virginia through sports, education, and mentorship.

 

The BYDI will provide free athletic training clinics, academic tutoring, college readiness workshops, and mental health resources for youth aged 10–18. It will also work in partnership with the university’s College of Education and Human Services to place WVU student mentors and graduate fellows in schools across the state.

 

“Marc’s impact won’t be limited to the football field,” said Dr. Laurie Levenson, Dean of Student Affairs. “This institute will change lives, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The BYDI represents a long-term commitment to educational equity and opportunity.”

 

Bulger plans to be actively involved in the program, hosting annual leadership camps in Morgantown and appearing at BYDI events across the state.

 

A New Gold Standard

 

 

 

 

 

 

For fans, alumni, and current WVU players, the donation cements Bulger’s status not only as a legend on the field but a titan off it. Messages of gratitude and admiration poured in on social media, with hashtags like #BulgerForever and #MountaineerForLife trending within hours.

 

“Marc is everything we want our student-athletes to become,” said head football coach Neal Brown. “This program is built on loyalty, grit, and family. Marc’s actions exemplify that to the fullest. He’s raised the bar for what it means to be a Mountaineer.”

 

Even national figures weighed in. ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit tweeted: “Incredible. Hats off to Marc Bulger. True class act. This kind of selfless giving is rare in today’s game.”

 

A Personal Legacy

 

What makes Bulger’s gift even more remarkable is its deeply personal nature. According to close friends, the 47-year-old has lived a relatively modest life since retiring from the NFL in 2011. A longtime advocate for children’s charities and a devoted father of two daughters, Bulger has quietly invested in causes related to literacy, youth mental health, and clean water access over the last decade.

 

By choosing to donate his entire fortune to WVU, Bulger says he’s not giving something up—he’s giving something back.

 

“I’ve had everything I ever needed,” he said. “Football blessed me beyond belief. This isn’t about money; it’s about meaning. And there’s no greater purpose I can think of than helping Mountaineer Nation rise even higher.”

 

Looking Ahead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As WVU prepares for a new era—on and off the field—the university community stands united in celebration of Bulger’s historic gesture. Beyond the steel and concrete of the stadium renovation, and beyond the tangible benefits of the youth programs his funds will launch, lies a deeper legacy: one of loyalty, humility, and vision.

 

With his name now etched in the very foundation of the institution he helped elevate, Marc Bulger has gone from Mountaineer quarterback to Mountaineer cornerstone.

 

And in the words of President Gee: “When the story of West Virginia greatness is told,

the chapter on Marc Bulger will be written in gold.”