New Fresno State AD Jim Bartko on Thursday outlined his plan for the athletics department "in specifics as well as broad strokes" -- from the "reinstatement of a wrestling program and addition of women’s water polo, to staffing and fundraising goals, to facilities upgrades including perhaps the department’s largest underdeveloped resource in Bulldog Stadium," according to Robert Kuwada of the FRESNO BEE. Bartko said of the football stadium, “It’s a great venue, a great setting, it’s just getting old. If we’re going to keep up, it doesn’t matter what I say now, it has got to get upgraded. It has to get fixed to some regard. Whether it’s just the paths and concessions, the restrooms, we need to make it better and if we can make it better and enhance the fan experience, we have to do it." L.A.-based AECOM will "have consultants on campus for a second time Friday and in 90 days is expected to provide an analysis of potential upgrades for the stadium and surrounding area." Scoreboard improvements "could be in place this summer in the initial phase, and the AECOM report will include potential development costs and revenue opportunities." Also in the first phase are "graphics, improved circulation in and around the stadium, fencing, and better parking and tailgating space." Phase 2 includes a "sound system, signage, club seating and sky boxes," while Phase 3 includes "press-box improvements and a training center." The "nine- to 12-month timeline to launch both sports starts with fundraising and setting budgets, which were outlined by Bartko." The "projected budget for wrestling in Year One is $140,000, with $119,000 in coaching salaries and benefits and $21,000 in operating costs." Women’s water polo "would follow a similar track," as the cost is "projected to be $110,175" in Year One. Bartko: "What we’re not going to do is take money from current programs to fund new programs, because that’s not right for those programs" (FRESNO BEE, 2/27).
WHEN THE WELL RUNS DRY: In Fresno, Marek Warszawski writes Bartko's blueprint represents a "fresh start" for the athletic department, or at least that is what it "felt like." Bartko spoke for 43 minutes Thursday in his "first news conference" since becoming AD in November. He also "dropped this disturbing bit of info: Over the past five years, 1,600 donors have stopped giving to the annual scholarship fund." Many of those people "stopped giving because Fresno State didn’t do a good enough job engaging them." The school "didn’t do a good enough job making its donors feel needed and appreciated, or reaching out to new ones." Specifically, former AD Thomas Boeh "didn’t do a good enough job," and "often had the opposite effect." This "gesture, a small courtesy to big donors, is indicative of the new approach." It also "illustrates Bartko’s strategic thinking" (FRESNO BEE, 2/27).
