Reed Hall (at left) poses with son Davis IV at a WVU football game. His passion
for WVU has inspired him to give $1 million to support Mountaineer athletics.
(Submitted Photo)
A family skiing trip to Canaan Valley Resort in the early 1980s led to a lifelong bond between Virginia native Dr. Reed Hall and the West Virginia University Mountaineers.
Four decades later, that passion and dedication for WVU have led Hall, a veterinarian practicing in northern Virginia, to contribute $1 million to support the Mountaineer Athletic Club and WVU Athletics, including a recent $500,000 gift to the Athletic Director’s Opportunity Fund.
Hall grew up the son of a veterinarian in Manassas, Virginia, and first learned of WVU when he saw Mountaineer basketball highlights on television during that skiing trip. Soon after, Hall and his mother visited WVU’s Morgantown campus, and he knew he was destined to be a Mountaineer.
From 1988 through 1992, Hall attended WVU and studied animal science at the now Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. While studying as an undergraduate, Hall’s love for Mountaineer athletics grew, sparked by a 1988 football win over Penn State his freshman year that helped propel the Mountaineers to play for the national title later that season.
After graduating from WVU, Hall went on to veterinary school at Virginia Tech before beginning his career in veterinary medicine, which he continues to practice today.
Since leaving Morgantown, Hall has remained passionate about the Mountaineers and has shared his love for his alma mater with others. To bring his family and friends closer to WVU, Hall purchased property near Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania and has made a habit of hosting friends, taking them to games, and showing them why WVU is so special to him.
“It’s a chance to hang out with friends and family and experience the environment,” Hall said. “It’s just a common bond that we all have and something we all share. Whenever you’re out, you meet people and become friends. West Virginia University is just such a special place. People are so into it and love it. It’s so important to the state.”
To give back to the University that means so much to him and his family, Hall has provided financial support to WVU football, WVU men’s soccer and the 1891 Club, before his most recent gift of $500,000 to the Athletic Director’s Opportunity Fund, which will allow the WVU Athletic Department to use the funds where they’re most needed.
“In my short time at West Virginia University, I have learned quickly why this place is so special and that’s because of folks like Reed Hall. When he says he loves the University and the Mountaineers, he is truly speaking from the heart,” WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “I want to thank Reed and his family for being great friends and partners of Mountaineer Athletics. Reed’s generosity directly makes a positive impact daily on the lives of more than 500 student-athletes, and I have enjoyed getting to know him and learning about his love for the Mountaineers.”
Hall lives with his children, Hope and Davis IV, in Virginia and plans to continue sharing his passion for the Mountaineers with family, friends and strangers into the future.
“I feel like the reason I am where I am today is because of WVU,” Hall said. “I just wanted to give back. I love the Mountaineers and feel like I got where I am today because of WVU.”
Hall’s gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
Reed Hall, pictured with son Davis IV, most recently contributed $500,000 to the Athletic Director’s Opportunity Fund. (Submitted Photo)