Marvin Wotring, a 1965 WVU grad and the designer of the rifle, was also present for the brief ceremony.
A Monongahela County resident, Wotring has
custom-crafted a Renaissance Rifle for the West Virginia University Mountaineer mascot since 1977. He has made several Renaissance Rifles as a fundraising tool for the WVU rifle team through the years.
"“I am a strong believer in the WVU rifle team and Coach Hammond, and
all shooting sports," Wotring said. "I am committed to doing the best I can do to help
the squad continue to compete. As a West Virginian, I was very proud of
Coach Stewart, the Mountaineer football players and the job they did
last season in the Fiesta Bowl. I appreciate their great representation
of our state. This rifle is my way of saying ‘Thank you.’”
Hammond, Wotring and Stewart
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