West Virginia Athletic Department’s Unexpected Mulch Partnership: What’s Really Going On?

West Virginia has agreed to a multi-year partnership with Grant County Mulch that makes the company the official mulch supplier of the Mountaineers’ athletic department, the university announced August 13.

Based in Petersburg, West Virginia, about 90 miles southeast of West Virginia’s Morgantown campus, Grant County Mulch is the largest bulk mulch supplier in the country, according to the Mountaineers’ release.On the same day Kansas received a record-breaking 0 million donation, one of the Jayhawks’ Big 12 counterparts secured a deal of its own.Beyond the company’s logo being displayed on LED boards at football and basketball games, as well as on the outfield wall at baseball games, the Mountaineers’ post-game radio show for football and men’s basketball will award a “Tough as Mulch” player of the game.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.”Both of us — and our parents — were born and raised in West Virginia, so this partnership means more than business to us,” Larry and Janie Berg, founders of Grant County Mulch, said in a statement. “It’s about honoring our roots, supporting our home state, and being part of something that represents the pride and spirit of West Virginians everywhere.”

On a day when Kansas grabbed headlines with a staggering 0 million donation, their Big 12 rival West Virginia quietly clinched a deal that’s every bit as intriguing — if not in the same stratosphere of cash. The Mountaineers just teamed up with Grant County Mulch, a hometown powerhouse in Petersburg, West Virginia, landing the title of official mulch supplier for WVU athletics. Yes, you read that right — mulch. This partnership isn’t your run-of-the-mill sports sponsorship; it’s steeped in local pride and plenty of heart. From racing a West Virginia-branded truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to celebrating a “Tough as Mulch” player of the game on post-match radio, this alliance is rooted deep, just like the company itself. Founders Larry and Janie Berg made it clear — this deal transcends business; it’s about honoring their heritage and standing tall with their community. Intriguing move or clever marketing magic? Either way, West Virginia’s athletic department just added a unique chapter to its story. LEARN MOREAs part of the newly inked and undeniably unique agreement — after all, how many colleges have an official mulch supplier? — Grant County Mulch will be racing a West Virginia-themed truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the Richmond Raceway in Virginia on August 15. The truck is owned by CR7 Motorsports and will be driven by Grant Enfinger.