July 13, 2010

Bengal Fans:

President Theodore Roosevelt said, "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." In the Idaho State University Department of Athletics I know that we are working hard at work worth doing. It is not always glamorous or easy, and at times is down-right frustrating, but it is fulfilling. Our work is helping student-athletes fulfill their dreams.

This past year has been a very good year academically for our student-athletes. Bengal athletics saw 105 of our student-athletes earn Big Sky All-Academic honors, meaning they achieved a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA and played in 50% of their team's competitions. Also, nine softball players were similarly honored by being named to the Pacific Coast Softball Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, giving ISU 114 honorees throughout the department. What a great honor for our student-athletes as 40% earned All-Academic recognition. Furthermore, 76 of our student-athletes earned a 3.5 GPA or better and 18 earned a 4.0 GPA. We are extremely proud of them for their academic pursuits and in their ultimate quest for a degree.

Two student-athletes were honored nationally as well, as Ryan Henry on the football team was named CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII (a district which encompasses every Division I institution in Hawai'i, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico), and AnnaMarie Hoffstetter was named CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-America, one of only 12 soccer players in the nation in Division I, out of roughly 7,500.

Annamarie Hoffstetter

While we are proud of our student-athletes and their academic success, we are not wholly satisfied. True, 48% of our student-athletes graduate within six years, as compared to 26% of the general student body, but we can always strive to do better. During September of 2009 though, I sat down with my senior staff and we tightened up the reins of our academic requirements for recruits. It was our hope that doing so would help the department not only increase the caliber of the student-athletes that we recruit, but also to increase our academic prowess and graduation success. One of the many requirements included in our new academic standards is that we will not bring in student-athletes who are not carrying at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA out of high school or junior college (their GPA is calculated without PE activity classes). On the rare occasion a coach brings in a student-athlete with a GPA that is below a 2.5, a full academic plan is submitted detailing the type of academic support and study plan by the coaching staff for the student-athlete.

In addition to the dedicated work taking place in student-athlete academics, just as much persistence and labor has gone into athletic development and fundraising. The development arm of any athletic department is extremely important and we are dedicated to this venture. I am proud that our staff has always demonstrated fiscal responsibility, and this acumen was especially critical when the economic recession occurred last fall. In today's economic climate, everyone is carefully considering every expenditure, and especially so for their philanthropic priorities. We are so thankful so many of you have continued contributing to the Bengal Foundation and supporting our 280-plus student-athletes as they compete in 15 varsity sports at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics while earning a degree from a world-class institution. They take pride in these pursuits, and all of us take pleasure in helping make their dreams become a reality.

During the past two years the athletic department has raised more money through philanthropic projects than in the previous eight years. This is very rewarding for us as it is our desire to improve and provide better opportunities for our student-athletes. Within the department Donna Hays, Jay McMillin and I, along with various other University Development personnel, have worked tirelessly to create opportunities of improvement. We would like to thank the Idaho Potato Commission for their support and donation of the Idaho Potato Commission Video Board. This board not only benefits ISU student-athletes, but every other entity and group that uses Holt Arena. . . . and of course it promotes the best potatoes in the world!

I would also like to thank former Bengal football star and current NFL All-Pro Jared Allen. Jared's donation of just under $200,000 facilitated our renovation of the Jared Allen Strength and Conditioning Center in the Idaho Orthopedic Sports Medicine facility. Now Idaho State Athletics sports the newest and finest weight room in the Big Sky Conference. This transformation has already aided in student-athlete recruitment and will continue to facilitate great things within our department. We wish Jared well on his current NFL career and plan to see him in the Super Bowl next year!

The third project completed during the last year was a refurnishing project in the football locker room. Through many personal donations, Bengal football fans helped to refurbish the dilapidated football locker room with new lockers, carpet, paint, etc. The newly finished locker room will aid in the programs' recruiting efforts. Finally, we are currently in the beginning stages of construction on Miller Ranch Stadium, soon to be the home of Bengal Softball. The land donation by Sylvia Papenburg and the late Don "Pappy" Papenburg has facilitated this project. With the land ready to sell at any time, Sylvia has generously donated an additional $75,000 to aid in the facility construction start-up costs. Under the direction of DeWall Construction, we hope for the field to be completed during the early Fall. The location of Miller Ranch Stadium is within Bartz Field, which is a change from the original Bengal Village plan but was necessitated by the needs of the program to have an on-campus home with that program joining the Pacific Coast Softball Conference. We think this new site will allow for spectacular views while being in a prime area for fans to come and watch the softball team in action.

These four projects represent the beginning of many projects to take place at Idaho State University. In most cases, our current facilities are old and rundown. A lot of work must be done so that we do not fall behind our conference and national competitors. Thus we will continue to raise, build and improve upon our existing infrastructure with the hopes and plans of creating opportunities of advancement for our student-athletes and our developmental efforts.

As a final point our teams are constantly participating in various community service events. These student-athletes rarely receive credit for these events, but that's not the point. Our coaches are engaging their student-athletes in activities that prepare them for their futures. Of note are two different teams. Under the leadership of Coach Joe O'Brien, members of the men's basketball team who stayed in Pocatello for the summer participated in the Portneuf Greenway's city-wide clean up as part of the Greenway Celebration. In addition, the women's soccer team, under the direction of Coach Allison Gibson put on six free soccer clinics for Pocatello youth to promote youth activity and participation; roughly 500 kids attended the clinics. Continue to keep an eye out as your favorite teams participate in an assortment of community events throughout the coming season.

In the words of President Calvin Coolidge, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Persistence and determination are omnipotent." We take these words whole-heartedly. We will continue to be persistent in working to improve the department and university. Our coaches will continue to work with their team members to produce consistency and quality in their performance. Finally, I will be more consistent in writing these notes to help provide everyone a look into the hard work the athletic department is doing and its always striving effort of excellence. Through this consistency we will become better in every way.

Best regards,
Jeffrey K. Tingey
Director of Athletics
Idaho State University