Story Links MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As an everlasting tribute to Jerry West, the greatest Mountaineer ever, West Virginia University Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker announced today that the No. 44, will be retired by the Athletics Department in all sports.”While we lost Jerry in June, his legacy will continue to touch and […]
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As an everlasting tribute to Jerry West, the greatest Mountaineer ever, West Virginia University Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker announced today that the No. 44, will be retired by the Athletics Department in all sports.”While we lost Jerry in June, his legacy will continue to touch and enhance the lives of our student-athletes through scholarships, our academic center in the Coliseum and his overall vision to compete and represent the West Virginia jersey with pride,” Baker added. “He was proud of his alma mater, and No. 44 will always stand for excellence here at WVU. There will never be another Jerry West.”All 18 varsity sports have paid homage to West’s memory this season by wearing a No. 44 commemorative patch on their gameday attire. With today’s special announcement, any student-athlete currently wearing the No. 44 will be allowed to finish their career with the number, but upon their eligibility completion, the number will be retired in that sport.Currently, the famous number is retired in men’s basketball only. After a special vote and subsequent approval by the WVU Athletics Council, Baker has now retired the No. 44 in perpetuity for all WVU sports. In honor of West’s memory and legacy, no Mountaineer student-athlete will ever wear No. 44 again.His life accomplishments are endless. Sixty-five years after his three-year Mountaineer career ended, West still holds 17 school records, including rebounding and scoring. He is the only person in history to ever be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for three separate categories. During his career, he won an Olympic Gold Medal, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 and beside being perhaps the greatest executive in NBA history, West is well-known as the famous Logo of the NBA.West Virginia athletics paid tribute to West’s memory Saturday in a special Jerry West Day at the Coliseum for the men’s basketball game against Iowa State. Members of West’s family were in attendance for a pregame reception hosted by the Mountaineer Athletic Club before a special halftime ceremony honored West before a sellout crowd. Mini replicas of the popular Jerry West stature that adorns the Coliseum Blue Gate entrance were also made available to fans in attendance.Additionally, the University announced on Friday that Steve and Connie Ballmer, owners of the Los Angeles Clippers, have presented the WVU Foundation with a million gift in West’s name. Half of the Ballmer gift establishes a new fund in West’s name to support completion grants, which provide monetary assistance for WVU students at risk of leaving the University due to financial challenges. The goal is to encourage students to remain in school and complete their degrees. The remaining funds will bolster the Jerry West Scholarship, which goes to undergraduate students from West Virginia with demonstrated financial need. First awarded in 1971, the scholarship has enabled generations of Mountain State natives to graduate from WVU.”Through his generosity, advice, time and overall encouragement, Jerry West has always given back to our University and our student-athletes,” Baker said. “He never sought the recognition, but all our student-athletes have benefited from his love for his home state and University.
