THE BULLDOG FOUNDATION IS ON A MISSION...Only the best students from across California can meet the rigorous intellectual and creative requirements for the college. 2. Fresno State

There is something for every Central Valley Bulldog fan.

“ONE TEAM, ONE PLAN, ONE GOAL”

Contact the Bulldog Foundation offi ce at 559-278-7160 to become part of:

THE BULLDOG FOUNDATION IS ON A MISSION The BDF’s mission is to strengthen Fresno State’s Athletic program by encouraging private giving and volunteer leadership from Bulldogs everywhere to become part of “One Team, One Plan, One Goal.” This mission is focused on providing championship-level resources necessary to attract the best student-athletes in the nation, ensuring that each student-athlete has every opportunity to strive for excellence both academically and athletically, while competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. Different components of this effort currently include scholarship fund raising through the BDF’s annual fund drive and First Team Starting Lineup, major gifts through the Green V Society, Sport Team Clubs participation, and reestablishment of the Varsity F Club for former letterwin-ners from all sports.

bulldogfoundation.org

ACADEMIC GAMEPLANfresno state bulldogs

124


WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?1. We’re a campus community that treasures scholarship and creative thinking. Our fi ve-year-old Smittcamp Family Honors College is one of the most compre-hensive academic honors programs at any university in California. Only the best students from across California can meet the rigorous intellectual and creative requirements for the college.

2. Fresno State operates the only commercial winery at any university in the coun-try. The University’s enology program has won many of the nation’s most prized awards --beating many of the best Northern California wines.

3. Fresno State is home to the $103 million Save Mart Center. A second phase of the project added a center for business innovation and a student recreational center.

4. Fresno State boasts some of the best sports programs for both women and men in California and our booster group, the vaunted “Red Wave,” is one of the largest in the country.

5. The complete spectrum of education is represented on campus --from a na-tionally-ranked preschool to doctoral work. The campus includes University High School, which uses music as the inspiration for its curriculum. We proudly continue today as one of California’s top campuses for the preparation of new teachers.

6. Fresno State is the California campus most associated with the Sierra Nevada. Students can leave the campus and in one hour can be skiing or hiking at 7,000 feet in Kings Canyon or Sequoia National Parks. Yosemite National Park is just under two hours away.

7. Research is booming at Fresno State where faculty are attracting a growing amount of support for studies ranging from how to use new tech-nologies to improve the skills of K-12 teachers to groundbreaking experi-ments in cell genetics and vulcanology. Fresno State has 13 endowed chairs which support top-fl ight research and teaching. The range of funded projects makes the Fresno State’s Offi ce of Research and Sponsored Programs one of the largest in California.

8. Students at Fresno State overwhelmingly approved the Legacy 2000 ref-erendum, paving the way for construction of a huge on-campus recreational center adjacent to the Save Mart Center which opened in the fall of 2005.

9. Alumni from Fresno State are setting the pace throughout the country and the state. Among California State University campuses we can boast that our alumni are among the most infl uential thinkers, business people, artists, explorers and leaders in the U.S..

10. Our students truly make Fresno State unique. Central California is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. More than 120 different languages are spoken by our residents, capturing the attention of The New York Times, which chronicled the unique environment at Fresno State that fosters success for students from all backgrounds.

UNIVERSITY COURTYARD:An on-campus living community

As the on-campus living facilities at Fresno State, the University Courtyard provides residents with an academic, convenient, economical and safe environ-ment. After spending $12.2 million in 1995 to renovate, the accommodations offer a combination of suite styles for students to choose from. Students can choose from one of nine buildings in either community style living or residence suites. The Courtyard also offers students the Residence Life Program, which was created to offer students opportunities to cultivate lasting friendships, de-velop exciting new interests, enjoy a wide range of social activities, keep their minds and bodies in shape and experience cultural diversity. One of the key advantages of living in University Courtyard is that all ser-vices are included to students for one affordable price. From necessities like meals and utilities, to luxuries like basic cable TV and access to internet/e-mail, students fi nd very few needs un-met. Students have access to a computer lab, fi tness center, 24-hour customer service, priority employment opportunities, recreation centers and priority registration for classes.

NOTABLE ALUMNIPaul O’Neill, Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, CEO of Alcoa Corporation

Bill Jones, Former California Secretary of State

Joy Covey, Former Chief Strategy Offi cer, Amazon.com

Kenny Guinn, Governor of Nevada

Colonel Rick Husband, mission commander, shuttle Columbia, 2003

Marvin Baxter, Justice, California Supreme Court

Theresa Alvillar-Speake, Director of the Offi ce of Minority Economic Impact, Dept. of Energy

Col. Steven Nagel, NASA Astronaut

Cruz Bustamante, California Lieutenant Governor

Sam Iacobellis, CEO, Rockwell International (retired). Led development of B1 bomber.

Sid Craig, CEO, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Jenny Craig, Inc.

Lee P. Brown, former Mayor of Houston, former New York Police Commissioner

Brigadier General Jon Gallinetti, Assistant Wing Commander, US Marines

125


126

Dr. John D. Welty has been president of California State University, Fresno since July 29, 1991. He is also a professor in the Kremen School of Education & Human Development. Fresno State enrolls more than 22,000 students and offers 59 undergraduate degrees and 40 master degree programs in addition to a joint doctorate in Educational Leadership with the University of California. The campus is located on 1,500 acres and academic programs are housed in eight colleges and schools. Since 1991 the University has completed a major planning effort, expanded minority enrollment, created an Honors College, revised its general education requirements, added new academic programs and institutes, constructed $272.3 million in facilities, including a new $90 million library. He has introduced service learning into the curriculum and expanded community service opportunities for students, initiated faculty development efforts, improved services for students, streamlined administrative processes, launched a major commitment to expand the use of information technology, entered the Western Athletic Conference, expanded intercollegiate Athletic opportunities and facili-ties for women, and dramatically increased private fund raising and grant and contract funding. The university has been actively involved in addressing issues in Central California and engaging itself with the entire region.

Dr. Welty is recognized nationally as a leader in planning for the future, administrator and teacher preparation reform, information technology planning, substance abuse prevention, and service learning and intercollegiate athletics. He served on the Cornerstones Group which created the CSU’s strategic plan and he has served on several advisory groups to the U.S. Departments of Educa-tion and Agriculture. He has been involved extensively in teacher and educational leader preparation reform. He is past-chair of the Renaissance Group which is a national organization of over 30 Universities dedicated to improved teacher edu-cation programs. He co-chaired the CSU’s effort to create CALState Teach, an innovative program designed for emergency credentialed teachers and chaired a CSU group on preparing educational leaders. He serves as Chair of the CSU Gender Equity Monitoring Committee. In addition, he has chaired three national conferences on substance abuse and prevention and chaired a CSU effort to review alcohol policies and programs. He has been a leader in promoting service learning and volunteer service for students. He serves as a Commissioner for the California Service Corps. He was elected to serve as WASC Commissioner in 2000 and as WASC Commission Chair in 2004. He chaired the Ameri-can Humanics, Inc. Board for four years. He currently serves as Chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. He currently serves on the NCAA Board Executive Committee, Chairs the WAC Board of Directors and was recently appointed to serve on a special NCAA Task Force on the Future of Intercollegiate Athletics. Locally, Dr. Welty has been a leader in establishing the Fresno Business Council, the Central Valley Business Incubator, the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, the Collaborative Regional Initiative, the Regional Jobs Initiative, the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute and several other partnerships.

Previously, Dr. Welty served as President of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) for seven years. Prior to assuming the presidency of IUP, he served as Vice President for Student and University Affairs for four years.

A native of Amboy, Illinois, Dr. Welty has served as an Admissions Counselor at Michigan State University, East Lansing, and as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. At the State University of New York, Albany, he was Director of Residences, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Assistant Professor of Counseling and Student Development.

Dr. Welty received his bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Western Illinois University, Macomb in 1965; his master’s in College Student Personnel Services from Michigan State University in 1967; and his doctorate in Adminis-tration of Higher Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1974.

Dr. Welty has co-authored a book titled Alcohol and Other Drugs: A Guide for College Presidents and Governing Boards; written a chapter in the book titled Realizing the Educational Potential of Residence Halls, and is the author of numerous articles and papers on University Students, Student Affairs Programs, and the Future of Higher Education. In 1999, Dr. Welty was presented the Chief Executive Leadership Award by the Council for Advancement and Support for Education and was recognized by the John Templeton Foundation for his leader-ship in Student Character Development in Schools and Colleges. In 2001 he was recognized by the California State Student Association as President of the year. In 2003 he received the Fresno Business Council’s Excellence in Public Service Award. He has also consulted with many institutions and served on the boards of several campus and community organizations.

Dr. Welty and his wife, Dr. Sharon Brown-Welty, have fi ve children and two grandchildren.


127

With a proven track record of strong leadership, sound academic values and athletics achievement, Thomas C. Boeh enters his 25th year of athletics administration, 12th year as a Division I-A Director of Athletics, and his second year at Fresno State.

Prior to his arrival in Fresno in July of 2005, Boeh spent the previous 10 years as the Director of Athletics at Ohio University, where he led the program to unprecedented levels in numerous categories.

Among his notable accomplishments include serving a term as the Mid-American Confer-ence (MAC) representative to the NCAA Management Council, the NCAA’s most prestigious governing body for athletics administrators. Also, at the time of his hiring at Fresno State, Boeh served as the chair of the MAC Athletics Directors’ Group and member of the MAC Executive Council.

Boeh also received the General Robert R. Neyland Athletics Director Award for his out-standing achievements at Ohio. He was presented the award during the All-America Football Foundation banquet at the Chicago Athletic Club on July 23, 2001.

Boeh presented a fi ve-year strategic plan for the advancement of the Fresno State Depart-ment of Athletics in September of 2006. The plan features a highly progressive approach, additional department operation and policy changes, and a signifi cant level of built-in account-ability. For the fi rst time ever, quantifi able data will be presented annually so that the Fresno State community can objectively gauge the level of achievement and challenges that face Fresno State Athletics, and compare the Bulldog program directly to sister institutions within the Western Athletic Conference and Division I-A.

To that end, during the 2005-06 academic year, the athletics department was dramatically restructured to create an environment that Boeh describes as “student-athlete driven with a watchful eye towards the new industry standards and best practices within Division I-A.” The athletics staff has focused upon enhancing the program’s operational effi ciency, NCAA compli-ance procedures, student-athlete academic support, responsible fi scal management, and the achievement of gender neutral environment.

At Ohio, Boeh directed a highly regarded, 20-sport, NCAA I-A athletics program with 104 staff members, 565 student-athletes and $14 million in annual expenditures. In 2001, The Sporting News ranked Ohio’s department 32nd among the 115 NCAA I-A institutions, the highest ranking of any non-BCS program. The ranking included evaluations for competitive suc-cess, fan support, integrity and equity. Ohio earned an “A” rating in graduation rates and NCAA compliance. A perennial national leader in academics and graduation achievement, the Ohio program posted an eight-year high graduation rate of 73 percent in 2004.

During Boeh’s tenure at Ohio his teams also earned conference championships in men’s basketball, baseball, women’s cross country, fi eld hockey, soccer, swimming & diving, volleyball and wrestling.

Under Boeh’s leadership, Ohio was extremely aggressive in its efforts to achieve gender equity and compliance with Title IX. Three women’s sports programs were initiated during Boeh’s tenure and, in 2004 The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that Ohio ranked second nationally among all NCAA I-A institutions relative to the equity of men’s and women’s sport program expenditures. Additionally, numerous women’s facilities were constructed; sports budgets were restructured and decision-making procedures were reorganized to establish what Boeh refers to as an “authentic gender-neutral environment.”

Fundraising efforts saw unprecedented and steady growth. Annual fundraising totals rose more than 500 percent since 1995. Ohio Athletics concluded the University’s Bicentennial Capital Campaign by exceeding its $10 million departmental goal.

One of the more visible changes on the Ohio campus during Boeh’s tenure was the facilities for practice, student-athlete support services and competition. By 2005, Ohio’s athletics facili-ties had undergone major renovation and are now recognized as being among the best and most effi cient in the Midwest. The ambitious facilities effort resulted in the completion of 44 state-of-the-art facilities that will be utilized by Bobcat fans for years to come.

Boeh has similarly ambitious facility aspirations for Fresno State as a signifi cant component of the September 2006 strategic plan. Following a year of observation and consultation with the athletics staff and University master planners, the plan was designed with a combina-tion of renovation and new construction that will serve every one of Fresno State’s 17 sport programs.

Prior to his tenure at Ohio, Boeh served as Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs at Northwestern University, overseeing areas such as development, marketing, ticket operations, sports publications, media services, game management and broadcasting proper-ties. Boeh also led the popular “Expect Victory” campaign for Northwestern’s fi rst multimedia marketing plan, which included signifi cant procurement of corporate support as well as print and electronic advertising.

Preceding Northwestern, Boeh spent four years at the University of Maine, fi rst as the As-sociate Director of Athletics for External Affairs and then was promoted to Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Administration and Development.

Boeh also spent time in a variety of roles with the Big Ten Television Network, The Univer-sity of Illinois, and his alma mater, Loras College of Iowa.

The 48-year-old Chicago-area native received a bachelor of arts degree in physical educa-tion at Loras College, with a minor in history in 1981, and a master of science degree in athletic administration from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1988.


As the newest member of the Fresno State Athletics Department Executive Staff, Paul Ladwig begins his fi rst full athletic year with the Bulldogs after joining the department on Nov. 1, 2005. With a vast and varied career, Ladwig comes to Fresno State after serving as the Assistant Athletics Director for Creative Services at Ohio University. His duties at Fresno State will include the oversight of the external relations operations which include the marketing/promotion offi ce, ticket operations, the Bulldog Shop, the media relations offi ce and web and video services and further development of the Bulldog Sports Network for both radio and television, in addi-tion to serving as the department’s liaison to Bulldog Sports Properties. In his role as an assistant athletic director at Ohio, he was charged with ensuring an effective, consistent and progressive approach from game-day ac-tivities to marketing to image enhancement. Ohio saw a record-breaking sellout crowd at Peden Stadium when the Bobcats defeated Pittsburgh on ESPN in their 2005 home opener. Innovative, Ladwig was instrumental in creating the Ohio Sports Network, the refi nement of Ohio University’s web presence and the production of program-ming for public television. From Network Television in Los Angeles to the slopes of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan to documentary work in South-east Asia, the department grew by leaps and bounds under his direction. Serving as the Executive Director for University Communications and Mar-keting at Ohio from 2000-05, Ladwig helped create new opportunities and pro-motional efforts to enhance the university’s message. Overseeing a staff of 20 employees, he built a staff of video, web site, satellite and news operations from the ground up. Ladwig served an integral part in building support and recognition for Bob-cats’ athletics. Joining the Ohio Media Services staff in 1993, he was the media services director from 1996-99. As the senior radio-television producer, he directed the content and image of Ohio University’s outreach video production. Ladwig then went on to oversee video and broadcast image of the institution that resulted in new creative avenues for exposure. Also teaching classes on live and studio television production at Ohio, Ladwig created the fi rst national hands-on student learning center for live sports broad-casting. Prior to working at Ohio University, Ladwig had a successful 15-year career in television news and commercial production. A former news manager for KPNX-TV in Phoenix, he also worked at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina, as a news assignment manager for nine years. From 1987-88, Ladwig was the fi eld producer/photographer for PM Magazine after being a chief photographer/edi-tor (1984-87) and sports photographer/editor (1981-84). Ladwig received an associate degree from The Broadcast Center (St. Louis) in 1979.

paulLADWIG

ASSOCIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR FOR

BROADCASTING AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Betsy Mosher began her duties as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Administration and Program Integrity/SWA on Oct. 6, 2005. Mosher came to Fresno State after spending three years (2002-05) as the Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Administration and Compliance Services at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. With an extensive background that includes prominent leadership positions at three NCAA Division I institutions as well as with the Big Ten Offi ce and the NCAA, Mosher’s duties at Fresno State include the supervision of 10 Bulldogs’ athletics programs (baseball, golf, tennis, cross country, soccer and track and fi eld) as well as oversight of the department’s NCAA and Western Athletic Conference compli-ance programs, student-athlete services, the athletic training and the strength and conditioning departments. Mosher will serve as the SWA for conference and NCAA representation. At UMass she was a member of the athletics department senior manage-ment team and was responsible for the formulation of the department’s strategic plan. Assisting with a campus response to a second round NCAA self study, Mosher oversaw the department’s compliance program, including the formula-tion of a systems manual and an upgrade of the recruitment monitoring system. Additionally, Mosher oversaw the admission process for student-athletes as well as served as a department liaison for personnel actions during a six month transi-tion period. Mosher, who supervised women’s tennis, baseball and cross country and track and fi eld at Massachusetts, was a liaison to the Athletic Council’s Subcom-mittees for Compliance and for Vision. An NCAA Peer Reviewer, she was named to the NCAA Academic, Eligibility and Compliance Cabinet in July 2005. Prior to UMass, Mosher spent six years (1996-2002) as the Senior Associ-ate Athletic Director for Administration and Compliance/SWA at Arizona State University. A member of ASU’s athletic senior management team, she oversaw the school’s compliance, academic and student services as well as the personnel areas. She also supervised the sports of volleyball, softball, soccer and wrestling while working closely with the women’s basketball program. Mosher served as a liaison to Arizona State’s general counsel, the school’s Intercollegiate Athletics Board, the Pacifi c-10 Conference and the NCAA. Rep-resenting the Sun Devils on numerous Pac-10 and NCAA committees, she was the 1999-2000 vice president of the Pac-10 council and former NCAA softball committee member. Mosher also assisted with the second round certifi cation process at ASU and served as the OCR liaison. Prior to Arizona State, Mosher spent seven years (1989-96) at Northwest-ern. With fi ve years as an assistant athletics director and two as an associate athletics director for intercollegiate services, she also served as the department’s SWA. Her primary duties for the Wildcats included oversight of compliance, aca-demic services and athletics admissions as well as supervision of the baseball, women’s basketball, tennis and swimming programs. She was chair of the Big 10 Women’s Administrator’s Group and the Conference’s Rules and Legislation Committee. Prior to Northwestern, Mosher was a legislative assistant at the Big Ten Conference offi ce (1988-89) and also served as an NCAA compliance representative (1986-88). Prior to her move into administration, Mosher was the head women’s bas-ketball and softball coach at California State (Pa.) from 1980-85 and began her collegiate athletics career as the women’s basketball coach at Wisconsin-White-water (1977-79). Receiving her bachelor of science degree in education from Illinois State in 1972, a master of arts degree in physical education from Northern Colorado in 1976, and a director’s degree from Indiana University (1986), Mosher also was selected to attend the NACWAA Institute for Athletics Executive in the summer of 2002. Mosher is a current member of NACDA and NACWAA.

betsyMOSHER

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR FOR

ADMINISTRATION ANDPROGRAM INTEGRITY/ SWA

128


John Kriebs is in his sixth year at Fresno State and fourth as an assistant athletics director for facilities and operations. He serves on the department’s executive staff, budget staff, oversees the Director of Facilities and Director of Events and reports directly to the Athletics Director. In addition to those duties, Kriebs is the supervisor for Fresno State’s equipment rooms, computer and technology needs and the department’s car dealer program.

Kriebs is responsible for NCAA and WAC tournament bidding and mange-ment. He successfully brought the 2004 WAC basketball and the 2005 and ‘07 NCAA women’s basketball championships to the campus.

During his tenure, Kriebs supervised the sports of men’s basketball, base-ball, softball, volleyball, wrestling and men’s and women’s tennis. While at Fres-no State, Kriebs has directed four WAC championship teams, men’s basketball in 2003 and women’s tennis in 2003, ’04 and ’05. As the volleyball supervisor he had overseen the program during its most successful two-year run in the program’s history. In 2003, the volleyball team established a new school aver-age attendance mark and set an all-time single match record with more than 4,700 fans.

In addition, under his guidance, the wrestling program experienced similar success, with over 9,700 fans witnessing a match, an intercollegiate record for the West Coast. He also has coordinated the baseball seat option cam-paign through the Bulldog Dugout Club.

Kriebs streamlined Fresno State’s facilities and operations areas into one unit and oversees all facility needs. He serves as the liaison for campus plan-ning and parking. He spearheaded Fresno State’s transition into the new $103 million Save Mart Center, coordinating construction and facility projects includ-ing the locker rooms, equipment and training rooms and the Bulldog Shop. He helped plan and coordinate the 2004 WAC Basketball Tournament, hosted by Fresno State.

Kriebs came to Fresno State after serving as an assistant athletics direc-tor at Southwest Missouri State from 1994-99. While there, he oversaw nine Olympic sports as well as budgeting, personnel and scheduling. Kriebs also served as the department’s Human Resources liaison. Under his direction, the softball and baseball teams had unprecedented success.

Prior to his position at SMS, Kriebs was the Bears’ wrestling head coach from 1989-94. He was highly successful in that capacity, earning Midwest Regional Coach of the Year honors in 1994 and guiding the program’s fi rst ever Division I All-American in any sport. In all, he coached 12 NCAA qualifi ers and broke 15 school records.

Kriebs’ coaching career began at the University of Northern Iowa, where he served as an assistant from 1984-89 and helped guide the Panthers to fi ve top 10 fi nishes.

The Dubuque, Iowa, native is a 1984 graduate of Northern Iowa, where he was a two-time All-American wrestler. As a senior, he was the nation’s No. 1 ranked heavyweight. He qualifi ed for the NCAA’s all four years and was picked to wrestle in the prestigious All-Star Wrestling Showcase.

Kriebs has a wife, Geri, a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Jack.

john j.KRIEBS

ASSISTANT ATHLETICS DIRECTOR FOR FACILITIES

AND OPERATIONS

Greg Walaitis joined Fresno State in June 2004 and brought more than 14 years of administrative experience in sports marketing, management, de-velopment, corporate sponsorship sales and new business development.

Entering his third year as Associate Athletics Director for Delevopment, Walaitis has been able to create an athletic fundraising department by ex-panding The Bulldog Foundation to include more components than just the annual fund. The BDF is now supervised under a Board of Directors appointed by the university president. Different components of this effort currently in-clude scholarship fund raising through the annual fund drive and First Team Starting Lineup, major gifts through the Green V Society, Sport Team Clubs participation, and reestablishment of the Varsity F Club for former letter win-ners from all sports.

The Bulldog Foundation (BDF) mission is to strengthen Fresno State’s Ath-letic program by encouraging private giving and volunteer leadership from Bulldogs everywhere to become part of “One Team, One Plan, One Goal”. This mission is focused on providing championship-level resources necessary to attract the best student-athletes in the nation, ensuring that each student-athlete has every opportunity to strive for excellence both academically and athletically, while competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.

Walaitis has been able to integrate and galvanize the many communities that make up the San Joaquin Valley as new Bulldog supporters while continu-ing to expand the donor base from Bakersfi eld to Sacramento. Walaitis con-tinues to work on building the Varsity F Club (former letter winners club) and is leading the charge for the Green V Society, whose donor base is considered the future leaders of Fresno State Athletics.

In June 2003, Walaitis became the director of marketing partnerships for the Phoenix International Raceway. He previously was director of business de-velopment for NASCAR Images in Charlotte, N.C., where he was responsible for reorganizing a sales staff by implementing new sales and new business development strategies. He built relationships with NASCAR sponsors, ad-vertising agencies for NASCAR that produced television shows and licensing rights.

Walaitis worked for 12 years in the Department of Intercollegiate Athlet-ics at Arizona State University in Tempe, rising to the position of assistant athletics director for corporate sales and marketing, a position he held for fi ve years.

While at Arizona State, he coordinated the advertising, season ticket sales and game-day promotion for all sports. He assisted with a variety of fundrais-ing events, including $30 million facility improvements to Sun Devil Stadium and other facilities. He assisted in the creation of the Wings of Gold and Slam Dunk Club groups, designed to support women’s athletics and men’s basketball respectively. He was a member of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Com-mittee and assisted with the game management for Super Bowl XXX. He created the sponsorship for the annual holiday men’s basketball tournament at Arizona State University attracting top collegiate Division 1 teams. He also managed 39 corporate accounts, seeing them grow from $1 million annually to an excess of $4 million.

Walaitis holds a bachelor of science degree in exercise science/sports administration and a master’s of education in education administration and supervision, both from Arizona State University. Walaitis and his wife, Karen, have two young children, Megan and Derek.

gregWALAITIS

ASSOCIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT

129


Fresno State was the only WAC school to boast 70 or more academic All-WAC

student-athletes in the spring of 2006. For the third straight year, the Bulldogs set the standard for their academic success among

WAC schools.

130

Track and Field’s Derrick Mitchell received the President’s Medal in 1998. He has since completed his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University.

Dora Djilianova, a standout tennis

player, received the President’s

Medal at the 2000

Commencement Ceremonies.

Kevin Cooper, an offensive lineman for the Bulldogs,

was the 2006 President’s Medal winner.


STUDENT-ATHLETE SERVICESThe goal of the Fresno State Student-Athlete Services (SAS) offi ce is to help student-athletes successfully manage academic responsibilities and complete their baccalaureate degrees while they maintain athletic eligibility.

WHO WE ARE AND WHO WE SERVEThe SAS staff includes a director, profes-sional academics advisors, a learning specialist, graduate interns and tutors in a variety of subject areas. Each staff member is trained to deal with the special needs of student-athletes and works with all prospective, current and former student-athletes. Each student-athlete is assigned an academic advisor who works with that individual throughout his or her collegiate career.

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCEThe Fresno State Student-Athlete Services Offi ce provides academic assistance through the following specialized services:– Academic advising for declared and undeclared majors– Monitoring class selection, course load, attendance, and progress– Study hall, tutorial assistance, and computer access and support– Classes on academic success strategies for new student-athletes– Individual counseling and referral services for student-athletes with learning disabilities, study skills defi cits, career uncertainties and personal concerns– Encouragement toward involvement in community activities such as Red Ribbon Week and the Little Heroes Program with Valley Children’s Hospital of Central California

LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENTThe CHAMPS program is designed to help student-athletes learn life management principles, develop lifelong learning and leadership skills and continue a pattern of personal and interper-sonal growth. Throughout their enrollment at Fresno State, student-athletes are provided services which help them identify and achieve their educational, career, personal and athletic goals. Included in the CHAMPS program is a three-unit class for freshmen called University 1. The class provides an orientation to campus resources and teaches effective study skills in a number of areas including time management, note taking, reading compre-hension, memory skills and test taking. Life skills development topics include nutrition, sports and drugs, career exploration and goal setting.

ACADEMIC COUNSELING AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (ACE)The ACE Program is designed to meet the special academic needs of student-athletes with more specifi c learning challenges. Coordinated by the department’s Learning Assistance Specialist, participants in the program are provided with specialized tutorial assistance and study skills development in addition to weekly accountability meetings, workshops on various life skills issues, assistance with accommodations and personal counseling or referral when necessary.

SUMMER SCHOOL ASSISTANCE Student-Athlete Services administers the summer session scholarship program, which allows our student-athletes the opportunity to take additional courses toward graduation and accelerate their degree completion.

POST-ELIGIBILITY PROGRAMSStudent-Athlete Services also oversees the Post-Eligibility Scholarship program

designed to assist student-athletes who have completed their athletic eligibility in reaching their graduation goal. Scholar-ship awards are given to those who have been on athletic aid, are in good academic standing and are within 30 units of completing their degrees.

KIWANIS TORCH OF EXCELLENCE BANQUETA total of 281 student-athletes were recognized in May 2006 for achieving a 3.0 grade point average or better during the spring and fall 2005 semes-ters at the department’s annual Kiwan-is Torch of Excellence Awards Banquet. The total refl ected 53 percent of Fresno State’s student-athlete popula-tion Last year, over 600 students and

members of the Fresno community attended the banquet, including leaders in the Fresno business, service and athletics communities.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS • 647 Academic All-WAC selections overall

• 36 Academic All-Americans

• 13 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award Winners

• 12 Arthur Ashe Jr Sports Scholar Awardees

• Two Academic All-Americans of the Year

• Two NCAA Top VIII award winners

• Three President’s Medalists (the highest aca-demic honor given to a senior). Dora Djilianova of Women’s Tennis received the President’s Medal in 2000. Track and Field athlete Derrick Mitchell received the same honor in 1998. And in 2006, the President’s Medal went to Kevin Cooper from Football.

• In 2001, football player Vernon Fox was one of 15 student-athletes in the country awarded a National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Postgraduate Scholarship. Fox was chosen out of 170 nominees.

SUCCESS IN 2005-06· 281 Fresno State Scholar-Athlete· 69 WAC Academic All-Conference· 114 WAC Scholar-Athletes· 144 Dean’s List Honors· 37 Perfect 4.0 GPA’s· NCAA Top VIII Award winner

FRESNO STATE’S ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS

ters at the department’s annual Kiwan-is Torch of Excellence Awards Banquet.

tion Last year, over 600 students and

FRESNO STATE’S ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS1985Barbara Cambria, SB, 2nd TeamRita Walker, SB, HM

1987Wendy Martell, WBB, 3rd Team

1988Carie Dever, SB, 3rd Team

1990 Terry Carpenter, SB, 3rd TeamSimone Cesh, T&F, 3rd TeamCarie Dever, SB, 3rd Team

1991 Terry Carpenter, SB, 1st Team

1992 Jason Gray, Soccer, 2nd TeamPhilip Romero, BB, 3rd Team

1993 Jason Gray, Soccer, 1st TeamTommy Minor, BB , 1st Team

1994 *Tommy Minor, BB, 1st Team

1995 David Kramer, Soccer, 1st TeamRobyn Yorke, SB, 2nd Team

1996 John Barrington, Golf, 1st TeamRobyn Yorke, SB, 2nd Team

1997 Dora Djilianova,WTN, 2nd TeamRobyn Yorke, SB, 1st Team

131

1998 Dora Djilianova, WTN, 2nd Team Joe Gerber, BB, 2nd TeamDerrick Mitchell, T&F, 1st Team

1999 *Dora Djilianova, WTN, 1st TeamMelissa Price, T&F, 1st TeamAmanda Scott, SB, 2nd Team

2000 Amanda Scott, SB, 1st TeamPayton Williams, FB, 2nd TeamBecky Witt, SB, 3rd Team

2001 Liesl Fichbauer, WTN, 1st TeamLindsay Fossatti, SB, 3rd TeamBecky Witt, SB, 1st Team

2002 Lindsay Fossatti, SB, 1st Team

2003 Nino Rivas, Soccer, 2nd Team

2004 Jamie Southern, SB, 3rd Team

2005 Jamie Southern, SB, 2nd Team

2006 Jamie Farley, TR, 3rd Team

*Academic All-American of the Year


1992Trent DilferChristopher Williams

1993Trent DilferChris Burk

1994Chris BurkWarren FortierLance Thomas

1995Scott MuellerWarren Fortier

1996Warren Fortier

1997Lawrence DeckWarren FortierJeffery HannaDavid ShabaglianPayton Williams

1998Jeromy BlackwellLawrence DeckKen FoerschVernon FoxJeffery MahankePayton Williams

As Fresno State’s football team continues to make great strides on the football fi eld, the Bulldogs are continuing to reach unprecedented academic success.

The Bulldogs are coming off their best year academic achievement in the Pat Hill era, as 49 players achieved a 3.0 grade point average or higher, a record number (15) were selected to the Academic All-WAC team and the team’s NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) jumped to 950.

Since the hiring of Hill, the Bulldogs lead the WAC with 80 Academic All-WAC selections. In the fi ve years prior to Hill’s arrival, Fresno State produced a total of nine academic All-WAC selections and never more than two in a year. The Dogs have had at least eight every year for seven consecutive years.

On the fi eld, the Bulldogs have had similar unprecedented and consis-tent success. The Bulldogs have appeared in bowl games in each of the last seven seasons, winning three of the last four over such storied pro-grams as Georgia Tech, UCLA and Virginia. At no time in Fresno State history have either of those feats been accomplished. Fresno State’s 46wins since 2001 ranks ninth-best in the nation amongst NCAA Divi-sion I-A programs. The Bulldogs also own 10 wins over BCS opponents, more than any non-BCS program.

A signifi cant contributor to the academic success of the team has been the Academic Gameplan, instituted by Associated Head Coach John Baxter.

“This is a tribute to the hard work of all of our coaches, players and the academic personnel on campus,” Hill said. “We have made a great commitment to succeeding as a football team on the fi eld and in the classroom. This past semester is a great snapshot of the accomplish-ments we have made and the direction we will continue to head.”

After coming to Fresno State from the National Football League, Hill’s philosophy was geared toward the graduation of student-athletes.

“My time in the NFL taught me the importance of a college degree,” Hill said. “I saw so many guys there without degrees and once they got cut or got hurt and couldn’t play anymore, they literally had nowhere to go. I learned quickly the value of higher education.”

One of Hill’s fi rst hires was Baxter, whose patented Academic Game-plan has received national acclaim. The Academic Gameplan is designed for all freshmen and transfer student-athletes and any student-athlete whose GPA dips below a 2.3. Hundreds of junior highs, high school and college programs have adopted the program.

This program has worked, as shown not only in the recent rises in the team GPAs and scholar-athletes honored, but in the number of players who have earned their diplomas at Fresno State.

1999Jeromy BlackwellGiachino ChiaramonteLawrence DeckPatrick FaneneMatthew FisherVernon FoxJeffrey HannaTimothy OsbornPayton Williams

2000Juan BautistaGiachino ChiaramonteLawrence DeckPatrick FaneneMatthew FisherVernon FoxTimothy OsbornDavid ShabaglianJoe Schey

2001Juan BautistaPatrick FaneneVernon FoxKevin MurphyTimothy OsbornNathan RayDavid ShabaglianJoe ScheySteven Spach

2002Jaskaran BainsJuan BautistaLanell CulverKyle GoodmanJermaine JamisonAdam JenningsGarrett McintyreKevin MurphyNathan RayDoug RoushStephen SpachMatthew Stevenson

2003Jordan ChristensenTyrone CulverJaron FairmanJoe Fernandez Kyle Goodman Nathan Ray Josh Sherley Stephen Spach

2004Jordan ChristensenKevin CooperTyrone CulverJoe FernandezKyle GoodmanGarrett McIntyreStephen SpachMatt Stevenson

2005Jordan Christensen Kevin Ciccone Tyrone Culver Shannon Dorsey Joe Fernandez Kyle Goodman Jason Huss Ikenna Ike Jake Jorde Garrett McIntyre Ryan McKinleyKyle Richard Clint Stitser Bryson Sumlin Ryan Wendell

WAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

Offensive lineman Kevin Cooper received the 2006 President’s Medal, the highest honor given to a graduating student.

132


HILL PLEASED WITH BULLDOG FOOTBALL APR

For a coach more recognized for his Fu-Manchu mustache, Fresno State’s Pat Hill is becoming famous for keeping his word.

In December 1996, Hill took over a Fresno State football program that was struggling. Coming off three consecutive losing seasons, the Bulldogs were not only in need of some wins but their academic reputation needed to be repaired. During his inaugural news conference, Hill carried a recently published USA Today article that showed the Fresno State football team had the nation’s worst gradu-ation rate.

The straight-shooting Hill promised two things. He wanted to restore Fresno State to an elite level on the football fi eld and he would demand similar success of his student-athletes in the classroom.

After nine seasons, he has accomplished both.On the fi eld, the Bulldogs have become one of the nation’s elite programs. With

seven consecutive bowl game appearances, a fi nal 2004 Top 25 national ranking and 46 wins over the last fi ve seasons, Fresno State’s football success is unparal-leled in school history. The Bulldogs’ bowl streak is the longest among West Coast teams and their win total ranks among the nation’s best.

While the football team’s success had garnered the lion’s share of the media attention, Hill has quietly solidifi ed the academic foundation of the program. Over the last eight years, Fresno State’s graduation rate has doubled and the program has produced 80 Academic All-WAC football players.

But the fi gure that jumps out the most when looking at Fresno State’s aca-demic resurgence is the recent Academic Progress Rate (APR) report card re-leased by the NCAA. In that report, the Bulldogs APR of 50 was 19 points higher than the national also ranked best among the 2006 WAC institutions and was the fi fth-best of NCAA Division I-A football programs in the Western United States. In fact, only one Pac-10 institution, Stanford, had a higher APR than Fresno State.

“The APR is the best, most fair way to calculate a program’s academic sta-tus,” Hill said. “It took eight years before the graduation rate of my fi rst recruiting class was recognized. That was a signifi cant fl aw in the old system. A coach, or the current program, was always judged by what happened prior to the coach being there. This is not as outdated. It’s more current and more fair and show exactly where the program currently stands.”

“Our players and coaches deserve a lot of credit for getting us to such a high level both athletically and academically. We are not done. We want to keep building and keep growing.”

NCAA APR SCORE OF DIVISION 1-A FOOTBALL PROGRAMS IN THE WEST (PAC-10, WAC AND MWC)

Team Conference APR 1. Stanford ......................................... Pac-10 .............................9952. Air Force ........................................ MWC ................................9673. Utah ................................................. MWC ................................9544. TCU ................................................... MWC ................................9535. Fresno State ...........................WAC .............................9506. Boise State ................................... WAC ..................................9487. Cal ..................................................... Pac-10 .............................9458. Colorado State ............................ MWC ................................9419. Wyoming ...................................... MWC ................................93610. Washington .................................. Pac-10 .............................93510. Washington State ..................... Pac-10 .............................93512 .Idaho ............................................... WAC ..................................93113. USC .................................................. Pac-10 .............................92914. BYU .................................................. MWC ................................92815. UCLA ................................................ Pac-10 .............................91516. Nevada ............................................ WAC ..................................91417. Utah State .................................... WAC ..................................91218. Oregon State ............................... Pac-10 .............................91019. New Mexico .................................. MWC ................................90920 UNLV ................................................ MWC ................................90820. Louisiana Tech ............................. WAC ..................................90822. Oregon ............................................ Pac-10 .............................90023. Hawaii .............................................. WAC ..................................89824. New Mexico State ..................... WAC ..................................886Arizona ...................................................... Pac-10 ............................ N/AArizona State ......................................... Pac-10 ............................ N/ASan Diego State ................................... MWC ............................... N/ASan Jose State .................................... WAC ................................. N/A

In 2004, defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre was one of four players to be selected to the All-WAC fi rst-team and Academic All-WAC team.

Bulldog kicker Clint Stitser won the “Top Dog” Award for the best cumulative GPA on the squad. Stitser has a perfect 4.0 GPA. He and 35 of his team mates were honored for their academic accom-plishments during the 2005-06 year.

133


Fresno State offers the fi nest in medical care. The recently renovated Duncan Training Room has state-of-the-art equipment and has a complete private doctor’s evaluation offi ce.

Thanks to generous contributions from the community, the Valley Growers Practice Field rivals any NFL facility. With two lighted fi elds and a spacious covered outdoor weight room, the Bulldogs have the premier college practice facility on the West Coast.

Fresno State’s state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center is the newest and one of the largest weight complexes in the WAC. Able to accommodate more than 100 student-athletes at a time, it features 26 tons of custom steel weights, eight Olympic lifting platforms, a 40-yard plyometric track (including an electronic timing system), and several pieces of Kaiser pneumatic equipment used for high speed power training.

Fresno State’s commitment to academic success is evident in the vast improvements being made on campus. The Ricchiuti Academic Center, which was completed in October 2004, is a $5 million facility that assists all Bulldog student-athletes in achieving their academic goals. The RAC houses offi ces for the Student-Athletes Services staff, a computer lab, plus teaching and tutorial stations. It rivals any facil-ity of its kind in the nation.

— CBSSportsline.com on Bulldog Stadium, which was voted the 23rd-best college football facility in the nation, ahead of such stadiums as those at Ohio State, Florida State and Miami (Fla).

The renovated Duncan Training Room and the new Ricchiuti Academic Center both offer the latest in state-of-the-art equipment.

134

GROWING INTO THE FUTURE

THE PRIDE OF THE VALLEY

STRENGTH IN TRAINING

ACADEMIC COMMITTMENT

“THE ATMOSPHERE AND FANS GIVE THE BULLDOGS A HUGE ADVANTAGE AT HOME.”


135

home grown SUCCESSYear Record Pct.2005 5-1 .8332004 4-1 .8002003 5-1 .8332002 5-1 .8332001 5-1 .8332000 5-0 1.0001999 6-0 1.0001998 4-1 .8001997 4-2 .6671996 3-3 .5001995 4-2 .6671994 3-4 .4291993 6-0 1.0001992 5-1 .8331991 6-1 .8571990 6-0-1 .9291989 8-0 1.0001988 6-0 1.0001987 5-1 .8331986 8-0 1.0001985 6-0-1 .9291984 4-2 .6671983 3-4 .4291982 8-0 1.0001981 2-3 .4001980 1-0 1.000Total 127-30-2 .799

BULLDOG STADIUMOne of the most complete and aesthetically pleasing stadiums in the Western

Athletic Conference, Bulldog Stadium has served as the home of Fresno State football since the 1980 season. Entering its 26th season of hosting the Bulldogs, the facility has established itself as one of the most diffi cult places to win for visiting teams.

Fresno State has gone 127-30-2 at Bulldog Stadium since 1980, good for a winning percentage of .815. Even more impressive is the team’s success since 1999, during which time the Bulldogs have gone 35-5. Included in that record are victories over Oregon State (twice), Colorado State and California. Since Pat Hill took over as head coach in 1997, Fresno State is 43-8 (.843) at home.

Much of that success stems from an environment considered the nosiest in the WAC. Featuring a capacity of 41,031, the stadium has been fi lled at near 100 percent capacity ever since record crowds began to pour into the facility in 2001. No other conference team has experienced the consistently high attendance as have the Bulldogs.

The large crowds and loyal fan support is one reason why CBSSportsline.com has voted Bulldog Stadium the nation’s 23rd-best college football facility.

“The atmosphere and fans give the Bulldogs a huge advantage at home,” wrote Dennis Dodd, who ranked Bulldog Stadium above such stadiums as those at Florida State, Ohio State and Miami (Fla.).

Featuring a natural grass playing surface and a tree-lined concourse, Bulldog Sta-dium underwent a two-phase expansion project in 1991 which included the addition of more than 10,000 seats — increasing the stadium’s capacity from 30,000 to 41,031 — and the construction of 22 sky suites.

The stadium expansion was a result of the overwhelming fan support the Bulldogs have enjoyed since the early 1980s. In the years just prior to expansion, Fresno State played before crowds well in excess of the offi cial 30,000-seat capacity in 36 of 37 possible home dates. In 1993, one year after expansion was completed, the Bulldogs averaged 39,536 fans during their six home dates.

Original construction of Bulldog Stadium began in June of 1979 following what was then the most successful capital fundraising project ever undertaken in the San Joaquin Valley. Local residents raised in excess of $7 million for the project. No state tax dollars or student fees were used to build the stadium.

Built partially below ground level with the playing fi eld 37 feet below grade, the bowl features a low profi le appearance. A unique cantilevered lighting system extends to-ward the fi eld and is directed downward to concentrate lighting on the playing surface.

Chair seating for more than 5,000 spectators is located on the west side of the stadium between the 18-yard lines to accommodate the contributors of the $7 million.

Fresno State defeated Montana State 21-14 on Nov. 15, 1980, in the fi rst game played in the stadium. In 2000, the Bulldogs set a new single-season attendance record when they averaged 42,410 fans, the 22nd-best mark in the nation. The follow-ing season, in which Fresno State achieved a program-record national ranking of No. 8, was even better. The Bulldogs set a new record by averaging 42,802 fans, including stadium single-game records of 42,881 in each of the last fi ve contests of that year.

Bulldog Stadium was also home to the California Raisin Bowl from 1981-91. Fresno State played in the game fi ve times, winning the title on four occasions.


136


137

BEIDEN FIELDFresno State’s 5,422-seat Pete Beiden Field is one of the premier college ballparks in the country. The facility was built in 1966 and redesigned in 1983. It features 3,575 theater-style seats, a spacious press box, locker rooms, new restrooms and con-cession stands, offi ces for the coaching staff, four batting cages and six mounds inside two bullpens.

BULLDOG STADIUMBulldog Stadium has established itself as one of the most diffi cult places to win for visiting teams. Considered one of the most complete stadiums in the WAC, the stadium seats 41,031 and features 22 sky suites. In 2004, Bulldog Stadium was voted one of the 25 best college football stadiums by CBSSportsline.com.

BULLDOG DIAMONDRegarded as one of the fi nest softball facilities in the country, Bulldog Diamond boasts a seating capacity of 3,288. The stadium features 1,688 permanent seat-back chairs that include 388 box seats, sunken dugouts, lights, concessions stands, restrooms, practice areas, batting cages and press box.

FRESNO GOLF COURSESWith the wide array of golf courses in close proximity to the Fresno State campus, Bulldog golfers have the opportunity to refi ne their skills at some of Fresno’s fi nest clubs: San Joaquin CC– hosted the NCAA Championship fi nal, the WAC Championships, the Women’s Trans National and the U.S. Mid-Amateur; Sunnyside CC – hosted the 1981 U.S. Junior Amateur and the California State Junior Championship; Fort Washington CC – hosted two PGA Tour qualifi ers and the fi nal Ben Hogan PGA Tour event.

THE RICCHIUTI ACADEMIC CENTER The Ricchiuti Academic Center, benefi ting all student-athletes, provides study tables, tutorial and computer labs, plus new coaching offi ces for the women’s soc-cer team. The center on campus for years to come.

SAVE MART CENTERThe $100 million plus facility opened in November 2003 with a seating capacity of 15,596. it contains 32 private suites, a club level concourse, team locker rooms and athletics training facilities. With its size, scope, unique architectural features and state-of-the-art video, sound and telecom systems, the center will serve as the major provider of entertainment and sporting events for decades.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CENTERThe 10,000-foot weight room facility houses a host of free weights as well as a variety of modern fi tness equipment. The spacious room is equipped with some 25,000 pounds of Olympic weights. With a long list of Bulldog athletes having been voted as a NCSA All-American, the strength and conditioning program at Fresno State is ergonomically designed for the greatest effi ciency and safety.

SPALDING G. WATHEN TENNIS CENTERThe Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center is one of the premier college tennis facili-ties in the western United States and has become a key fi xture in the recent success of the Fresno State men’s and women’s tennis teams. Host to numerous NCAA and conference postseason tournaments, the Wathen Center boasts ap-proximately 400 luxury chair-back seats atop the platform that face the complex’s six main courts, making for easy viewing of all six courts while a dual match is in progress.

WARMERDAM FIELDHome to the men’s and women’s track and fi eld programs, Warmerdam Field has been playing host to Fresno State home meets since 1976. The nine-lane, 400-meter on-campus facility is named after Cornelius “Dutch” Warmerdam, the former Fresno State head coach and world record holder in the pole vault.


138

David Carr, Jonny Unitas

winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NFL

Draft.

Two-time NCAA Champion Melissa Price

2006 WAC Player of the Year Mirenda Swearengin

Melvin Ely, two-time WAC player of the

Year and 12th overall pick in

the 2002 NBA Draft.

2006 WAC Baseball tournament and regular season Champions

Two-time All-American and 1988 Olympic gold medalist Tom Goodwin


139

Three-time All-American and PGA card holder

Nick Watney

1998 Softball National Champions

Three-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist Laura Berg

2005 WAC tournament champion soccer team

Katarina Winter-halter, along with Lucia Sainz were runners-up in the

2006 women’s ten-nis doubles NCAA Championships.

140 • JOIN THE STATE: FRESNO STATE FOOTBALL

‘THIS IS COLLEGE FOOTBALL, NOT FOOTBALL COLLEGE.’

THREE THINGS I WANT MY PLAYERS TO BE:by Coach John Baxter (Academic Gameplan © 1999)

1. THINKERYour brain is your No. 1 tool. Our ability to reason is what separates us from all other species. Thinking is the simple process of asking questions and fi nding answers. Successful people simply ask better questions. Successful people examine their options and use their resources to the fullest extent. Problem solving is the most valuable quality anyone can bring to any organization.

2. COMMUNICATORCommunication is how we interact with and learn about the world around us. It’s also how we avoid misunderstandings and confl icts. “Confl ict is merely an opportunity to communicate in disguise.” It’s okay to not understand, but it’s not okay to not understand and not ask a question. The ability to express oneself accurately, effectively and succinctly is a major determining factor in ultimate success.

3. COMPETITORAs technology accelerates, so does technique. As technique improves, so does the competition. Technology breeds technique. Technology simply explained is a new and improved idea or application of resources. You’ll be an athlete for part of your life, but to achieve true competitive greatness you’ll be a student your entire life! A student is simply someone who thinks, communicates and competes seeking competitive greatness in anything!

...AND “A MAN FOR OTHERS”Truly successful people live their life with an “Attitude of Gratitude.” We are given talents and abilities and they are for the expressed purpose of being shared, not buried. The greatest tragedy in life is unrealized potential due to injury, death, not getting an opportunity, or worst of all, lack of effort, because that’s the only one you can control. The Law of Reciprocation is absolute in that whatever emanates from you comes back to you from the world around you. The greatest gift is the gift of giving. ”Never underestimate the power of your infl uence”!

...AND DO IT WITH INTEGRITYIntegrity comes from Latin integrits meaning soundness, whole or complete. Integrity comes from the word integer. An integer is a whole number. Integrity has to do with wholeness or completeness of performance. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness. A person is an indivisible whole and what shows up I one area of perfor-mance usually is a consistent trait throughout their performance regardless of the situation. Integrity has to do with

working toward similar standards of performance and quality in all areas and phases of life.

“WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT EVERY BULLDOG HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN THEIR DEGREE AND ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AT AN EQUALLY HIGH LEVEL AS WE PLAY ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.” — JOHN BAXTER

“The program’s recipe mixes an unusu-ally dedicated coaching staff with a cultish devotion to Baxter’s patented study-skills formula, Academic Game-plan.”

Sports Illustrated (Dec. 1999)

john baxter’s

ACADEMIC GAMEPLAN™

The Academic Game-

plan isn’t just for big

schools. Associate

head coach John

Baxter also gives

individuals an

opportunity to view

the plan through

annual presentations.

“The program’s recipe mixes an unusu-“The program’s recipe mixes an unusu-

“Coach Baxter’s relationship with his players has been highly unique, where-in the results realized academically have been absolutely remarkable.”

Kevin White, Dir. of Athletics, Notre Dame

More than 120 junior highs, high schools and colleges around the country, including Arizona State, California and Nevada use the Academic Gameplan. It didn’t take fi rst-year Fresno State coach Pat Hill long to stamp academics as a priority in his football pro-gram. Just days after being named the Bulldogs’ head coach, Hill scored a coup by luring John Baxter to his coaching staff — but it was as much for Baxter’s experi-ence as an educator as for the national reputation he has earned coaching special teams. “When it comes to academics and football, he’s as good as anybody in the country,” says Hill. Hill should know. The two worked side by side at the University of Arizona in the early 1990s, when Hill wit-nessed fi rst-hand the impact Baxter’s Academic Game-plan had on the players in the Wildcats’ football program. Now, Fresno State football players are reaping the ben-efi ts of the innovative study-skills program developed and patented by Baxter, who earned a master’s degree in higher education in 1987. In fact, the Academic Game-plan has not only drawn favorable reviews from current Bulldog football players using it for the fi rst time, but also from university professors who have noticed a signifi cant change in the way those same play-ers are approaching their classes. Originally designed to improve the aca-demic success of student-athletes, the fun-damentals and techniques taught in the Aca-demic Gameplan can be utilized by all students who want to succeed or improve in the class-room. “The Academic Gameplan eliminates the trial and error process for students and in-stead provides solid fundamentals and simple, effective strategies for learning,” says Baxter, whose program has been adopted and put into practice at a number of other universities across the country. “In turn, this allows for con-centration on the subject matter and greater motivation, making the student experience much more interesting and rewarding. We realize that whether it’s a football game or a math class, ex-ecution fuels emotion in all cases. It’s the ‘big play’ that excites the crowd and infuses the team with spirit and drive. Execution is the bottom line behind win-ning, and the key to execution is a great plan.” “We use athletics and sports as a continual theme in the Academic Gameplan,” says Baxter, “because of the clear correlation we draw between how athletes are pre-pared for competition and how a student must prepare for a test. Mastering the fundamentals is necessary for both athletic and academic success. Through athletic analogies, we draw clear parallels. And by relating the material in this manner, we ensure confi dence with the student as the skills and goals are attained. The analo-gies not only simplify the students’ process but also pro-vide the motivation because the goals become attainable through application of these simple fundamentals. Now they have an academic gameplan!”

The Academic Game-

plan isn’t just for big

schools. Associate

head coach John

Baxter also gives

centration on the subject matter and greater motivation, making the student experience much more interesting and rewarding. We realize that whether it’s a football game or a math class, ex-ecution fuels emotion in all cases. It’s the ‘big play’

THE BULLDOG FOUNDATION IS ON A MISSION...Only the best students from across California can meet the rigorous intellectual and creative requirements for the college. 2. Fresno State

Documents