Future of Weber State Athletics * Email from Jerry Bovee

[wsucatfan]

First I would like to thank Jerry for replying so quickly to my email I sent to him earlier. Here is the email I sent followed by his reply back:

Jerry,

I appreciated the letter you wrote in the Standard Examiner. I would like to know what Weber’s goals are as a program? I see article after article about possible WAC members and rarely is Weber mentioned, and if they are it a fleeting thought. When Mac was first announced as the new football coach one of the goals he had was to take Weber to FBS level. I would think now would be the greatest chance WSU has and will have for awhile. If the WAC poaches the Big Sky for members and Weber is left behind with a bare cupboard I think it will significantly hurt our recruiting, seeding into the NCAA tournament, and attendance. Weber has natural rivalries already established with members in the WAC, and obviously with the schools mentioned as candidates to move up. I have emailed you earlier on this same subject and did not hear back, I am hoping it is because you are working behind the scene to see if we can make the move up.

Please let me know if there is/isn’t a chance.

Thanks,

 

[wsucatfan]

Jerry Bovee's reply back to my email (underline and bold text added to emphasize key points):

Sorry if I missed an email regarding conference alignment earlier. I certainly would have responded. It has been an interesting summer of change and more is coming. The question of our goals is a good one. My goal right now is to position the athletics program at Weber State to be prepared to make a move. We are currently not there. Montana is being considered primarily because they bring a small TV audience in their state and they sell football out at 30,000 plus per game. And at this point, that is not enough to guarantee a shot at FBS.

So my goal immediately is to build our fan base. Our attendance for our first two football games as been good when compared to previous football seasons at WSU but is not even close to where we need to be to garner the needed resources to make a move to FBS. We are pushing to be positioned. This is simply the beginning. Montana has tough decisions to make. It could be a move that puts them in position to achieve what Boise State has or it puts them in a position to do nothing and struggle along like San Jose or Idaho.

Our immediate goal is to grow our fan base to position ourselves properly. Increasing annual giving and attendance at football and men's basketball is first on the agenda.

Hopefully that gives you so indication as to where we intend to go.

Thanks for your interest!

Jerry

Jerry L. Bovee
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Weber State University
(801) 626-7738

 

[pccatfan]

I consider this encouraging. Weber is at least looking towards the future. I think we can all agree that Weber isn't ready for a move right now, although for many of us it would be nice. A bigger and more loyal fan base is very important and is something we can work towards. It does seem that things have slowly been changing over the last few years, more students at games for one. This does make me think that at least we're headed in the right direction.

 

[bigskychamps07]

I agree with all that he has to say. I think even if you're pro-move up, deep down inside I think you'd have to say that we aren't ready for it yet. Sure we could compete athletically, but our budget is not even close. I'm just glad we've made it a long term goal. College football is all about going big or going home. With all the upgrades in the last 5 years: Coaches, recruits, facilities, fan support, and money, Weber State is finally understanding what it's going to take to take Weber State out of the red and making positive earnings for the University without having to play 2 bodybag games a year.

 

[weberwildcat]

Even if we are years away from having a shot at the FBS level this is the peak of WSU athletics in quite a while overall if not ever. Look around the campus, lots of upgrades to the university, enrollment is way up, both our teams are playing great and winning titles. Lots of football and basketball facility upgrades and the athletic department hasn't stopped yet. We, the fans, have had to try hard to find things to complain about these days. If Bovee can get the marketing department on nitris and our teams keep winning we will be in great hands for years to come. Another critical aspect is student attendance to focus on.

 

[webfan]

If attendance is so crucial to Weber's future then why are they simply guessing at football attendance? Seems to me they'd focus on accuracy in their counts. From what I've heard they don't count actual student numbers and count all season tickets regardless if they are used or not. These are just a couple examples of their actions on attendance. Weber probably needs turnstiles to get precise numbers. And i'll bet actual figures are higher than the guesses.

 

[WILDCAT]

If attendance is so crucial to Weber's future then why are they simply guessing at football attendance? Seems to me they'd focus on accuracy in their counts. From what I've heard they don't count actual student numbers and count all season tickets regardless if they are used or not. These are just a couple examples of their actions on attendance. Weber probably needs turnstiles to get precise numbers. And i'll bet actual figures are higher than the guesses.

Exactly.