Bill > HB3500

This bill establishes the "Governor's Cup Challenge," a competitive scholarship initiative involving Marshall University and West Virginia University. The challenge creates an annual series of athletic contests across NCAA Division 1 sports, with the location rotating between the two institutions. Points will be awarded for each contest won, and the institution with the most points at year's end will be named the Governor's Cup Challenge champion. Importantly, 20% of the net revenues from these contests will be deposited into a newly created "West Virginia Athlete Scholarship Fund," which will provide financial support for in-state high school student-athletes who participated in high school athletics but did not receive an athletic scholarship. The annual champion will receive 65% of the fund's balance for scholarships, while the other institution will receive 35%. The vice chancellor for administration will oversee and monitor the challenge and scholarship fund, with the primary goal of supporting local student-athletes in pursuing higher education within West Virginia.