Fresno State Athletics
Six Key Questions for A.D. Scott Johnson
 |
Aug. 22, 2003
With the 2003-04 athletics season about to get underway at Fresno State, A.D. Scott Johnson sat down with gobulldogs.com to field some questions frequently asked by Bulldog fans in the Valley and around the nation. Following are his answers to this months "Six Key Questions."
1) How is Bulldog Stadium expansion coming along?
Plans are underway to expand Bulldog Stadium. We have held several meetings with architects and construction professionals on design possibilities. Fresno State will need to secure significant private donors to proceed. We are looking at several prospects for that. In addition, the University is preparing to kickoff a comprehensive capital campaign that has been endorsed by the Bulldog Foundation. That may help us reach our funding goals.
2) Will the Save Mart Center be finished in time and on budget?
The Save Mart Center is ahead of schedule and on budget. It is a magnificant facility and it has been great to see this project grow from a dream into reality. Our first event is a Basketball Extravangza on Nov. 5.
3) When is Fresno State going to hear from the NCAA about the men's basketball program?
Like our fans, the University community has been waiting patiently to hear from the NCAA. We had expected to hear by this time, however our best information leads us to believe we won't hear anything until September.
 | Our goal continues to be the lead dog in the WAC. We likely won't be able to control what happens if and when conferences expand. - Fresno State Athletics Director Scott Johnson about conference expansion and affiliation |
4) What is the future of men's soccer and swimming and diving? Is there still a chance Fresno State could drop those sports, or maybe others?
The Valley Soccer Foundation is working diligently to secure funding for the long-term status of those two programs. Like I have said, I didn't want to cut sports and I'm grateful for the community's support to save the sports. While our financial future does not expect to become appreciably better, we are hopeful that with some increases in revenue, we will not have to face sports cuts again. At this time, the men's soccer and women's swimming and diving programs are proceeding with their seasons for the 2003-04 year.
5) Where does Fresno State stand regarding conference realignment? Is Fresno State going to join the Pac-10 or Mountain West?
Our goal continues to be the lead dog in the WAC. We likely won't be able to control what happens if and when conferences expand. President Welty and I have been working with WAC Commissioner Karl Benson to make the league stronger. Right now, the WAC is as strong as it has been since the break-up. We are going to continue to make our university a model academic and athletics institurion.
6) Can Fresno State ever join the Bowl Championship Series in football?
I believe a lot of the work we have done in regards to our program, specifically our football scheduling and facilties improvement projects, will enhance our opportunuty to become a part of the BCS or a football playoff. We have more work ahead, like Bulldog Stadium expansion, that would solidify our program as one of the best in the West.