Not much new here but intereresting just the same
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Bobcat AD talks Football team, The WAC, stadium renovations & more...
by UTSATailgaters Staff July 24, 2011 Posted 6 days ago Share
Over the past five months our staff has brought you exclusives with Athletic Directors from Lamar, UTEP, Montana and Louisiana Lafayette. All programs that at one time or another have been a part of the WAC rumor mill, but four of the AD's from these programs stepped up and cleared the air and said it wasn't happening or had no contact. They've been true to their word thus far.
As of late, another program has had their name repeatedly tied to possible candidacy of the WAC, The Montana State Bobcats. The Bobcats have all the variables making this a legitimate argument, a $10 million dollar renovation and expansion to their football stadium is underway, 2010 defending Big Sky Football Champions and the proximity to what some people still think is a WAC target in The University of Montana.
AD Peter Fields gives us the State of Union address on Montana State Athletics.
1). How are the renovations and expansion going with the football stadium? The project is going very well. We're increasing 5200 seats in the South end zone to make seating a total of 7200 in the South end and building a new 18x36 video board on the North end. We're getting geared up for kickoff in September.
2). You arguably had the best football season in program history going 7-1 in Big Sky Conference play, 9-3 overall and almost beat Washington State in Pullman, falling 23-22. What are expectations coming into 2011? I think our team is going to be better. Every year is so different and every opponent is also different. Our student athletes who were here last year our working and getting better. I'm excited about the year and what can happen. What people don't also see, is the quality of these young men off the field. They do a lot for the community off the field so it's really exciting.
3). The Big Sky started expanding last season adding Cal Poly, UC Davis, Southern Utah and North Dakota. What are your thoughts on the conference's expansion? I think we need to expand. If we're not expanding, we're stagnant. I think it adds diversity to our conference. We needed to get to an even number for our other sports and scheduling purposes. Overall, I think the expansion has been very positive. The football side, Cal Poly and UC Davis are good football playing schools that add recognition and prominence to our league.
4). So with that said, what is the ideal fit for Montana Athletics in the future? I like where we are. I like being able to compete for an FCS Championship. It's important for our student athletes to have success. We only have a population of one million in the State of Montana. Funding becomes an issue and you have to look at the realistic expectations of what you can raise for money. That has to be taken into account. For the future, we're where we need to be and keep getting better for where we are (Big Sky Conference). We need to keep upgrading our program, improve facilities and keep moving forward.
5). Has Montana State been in any conversation or discussions with WAC Commissioner Karl Benson, regarding the programs immediate or distant future? I've had a conversation with Karl. I have indicated to him the same preference. We're happy where we are at the FCS level and we can enjoy successes with our conference. We're going to stay here and that's the message I indicated to Karl.
6). In closing, could you give our UTSA followers an idea of that rivalry between Montana State and Montana? How's it perceived and spoken about by the locals? It is a rivalry and it's a fierce one! You're either a Montana State Bobcat or a Montana Grizzly. For the most part people are very staunch on who they support.
(Special thanks to Montana State Athletic Director Peter Fields for this interview)