During the last few years, our slogan for Weber State athletics as been, "It's a Great Time to Be a Wildcat!" Truly, that has been an understatement!
Our success has brought positive attention to the university from across the nation. A few months ago, we announced the hiring of our new football coach, John L. Smith, who brings years of experience and a national presence to our Wildcat football program. Our women's cross country team captured the Big Sky Championship last fall and advanced to the NCAA Championships.
We have upgraded our competitive facilities including lights and a new turf field and track at Stewart Stadium, tennis courts, a state of the art video scoreboard at the Dee Events Center. We recently finished construction on an indoor golf practice facility and plans are in place to continue improvements at Stewart Stadium in an effort to enhance the fan experience.
Weber State has had tremendous success in the classroom as well. Last fall, we had 45 student-athletes earn Big Sky Academic All-Conference honors and our women's track and field team boasted 15 student-athletes who posted perfect 4.0 G.P.A.'s during the fall semester.
Last, and certainly not least, is our men's basketball program, which is having one of the greatest seasons in school history. Already the team has reached the 20-win mark. We have now won 20 or more games 25 times in 50 seasons of Division I basketball. Coach Randy Rahe's team is in a tight battle for the Big Sky Championship with just three games left in the season.
Junior guard Damian Lillard is having perhaps the best season a player has ever had in the history of our program. Already, he is second in school history in career scoring and has led the nation in scoring all year. Several national publications listed Damian as one of the best point guards in the country. We have accommodated scouts from nearly every team in the NBA this season. Damian is surrounded by other great Wildcats like Scott Bamforth, Kyle Tresnak and seniors Kyle Bullinger and Darin Mahoney, as well as the rest of the team members who have made this season such a joy to witness.
Our wonderful fans have taken notice as well. We are on track for one of the best attendance seasons in many years. Our success as a program comes in large part due to the support of this great community. The men's basketball attendance ranks ahead of many prominent schools in the West.
Tonight we play our final regular season home game at 6 p.m. against Texas-Arlington. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN3, and marks the first regular season home game Weber State has ever played on an ESPN network. What a great opportunity to showcase our team, the university, and this great community to the nation.
If you have been a season ticket holder, Wildcat Club member, or fan of our program this season, thank you for making Weber State such a success. We couldn't do it without your support and hope you'll continue as part of our team.
If you haven't had a chance to see this Wildcat team play, please take the opportunity to come to tonight's game and cheer on this outstanding team.
We will honor our seniors tonight and show the nation all that is great about Weber State.
Great seats are still available and I promise, you will not be disappointed!
It really has been a great time to be a Wildcat. Thanks so much for your support; I hope you will come out and pack the Dee tonight for a national audience, as this is your team. Go Wildcats!
Jerry Bovee is director of athletics at Weber State University.
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