The recently formed West Virginia Rifle Endowment Team, an organization formed to support the recently reinstated WVU Rifle Team and Rifle Club, recently received a $10,000 anonymous donation from a former shooter. Organizers say the donation will launch a fund drive aimed at raising $3.5 million over the next three years. Ron Justice, assistant dean of students and chair of the WVRET , announced the donation Tuesday.

This is a significant donation that will help the team and club to eventually become financially self-sufficient,Justice said.Im hopeful that this is the first of many more donations to come.

The WVU Rifle Team, winner of 13 NCAA championships, was eliminated last spring along with four other sports in a difficult cost-cutting decision. It was reinstated in March after the West Virginia Legislature allocated $100,000 to fund the team. However, the future of the team depends on continued state and private support, Justice noted.

The WVRET hopes to convert the groundswell of emotional support into the financial support necessary to ensure the permanence and self-sufficiency of the WVU Rifle Team,Justice said.West Virginians are proud of the teams history and are anxious to see the success continue. We are now ready to accept tax-deductible contributions.

Justice said WVRET will be contacting various groups that have shown support for the team. To date, the organization has raised some $30,000.

To make a contribution, send check payable to the Greater Morgantown Community Trust, P.O. Box 409, Morgantown, WV 26507 -0409.