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Jim Sterk

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Chat with Washington State Athletic Director Jim Sterk at 1:00 PM PT on Wednesday April 22, 2009 .

Moderator: Good afternoon Cougar fans and thank you for visiting wsucougars.com and today's online chat with WSU Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. Jim, thank you for taking the time to join us today.

Jim Sterk: Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to answer questions from our fans. I totally understand the emotion that every Cougar has for the Apple Cup. Your reaction to hearing of the potential move was the same as mine. However, with the state of the national economy as well as the unprecedented cuts that are coming from the state of Washington to higher education, it has caused me to seriously consider the proposal that is on the table from First & Goal.

Moderator: Okay, thank you Jim. Now let's get to some questions.

Pat Tekoa: Being a fan for 45 years it may be hard for you to understand that our greatest moments in Cougar football history have been Apple Cup wins at Martin Stadium. Do you think you can understand how many of us feel with a life time of memories in Pullman?

Jim Sterk: Pat, as a native of the state, I totally understand the significance of the Apple Cup. It's only been in the last 10 years as an adopted Coug that I have lived and died with each victory and loss but I know many of you have had this feeling your entire life. The history of this series goes back over 100 years and it is one the greatest in the nation. Please know that under ordinary circumstances I would not even have considered this move.

Evan (Pullman): Can you explain how the City of Pullman will be impacted by playing three "home" Apple Cups in Qwest Field? I understand that Pullman will gain six non-conference games over the same span. Does this create a net gain, or loss, for the city of Pullman in your eyes?

Jim Sterk: Evan, as I evaluated the proposal from First & Goal, a huge consideration is the fact that during the six years, three Apple Cups would be leaving WSU and Pullman, a fact I do not take lightly to say the least. As you may know, for the past seven years we have brought a game to Seattle with the goal to expand our influence and reach across the state. The trade-off of this proposal is bringing those annual games back to Pullman for a net gain of three additional games during that six-year period. There is debate about the financial impact to the local businesses to the three Apple Cups leaving versus the six games retuning to Pullman. Some businesses claim they do two or three times the business for an Apple Cup while others feel a game returned in September is better for their business. One issue that clouds the debate is that a normal Apple Cup falls on the Saturday prior to the Thanksgiving break. For instance, I would imagine the impact of 20,000 students leaving for break would increase business for a local gas station owner, and this would happen regardless if there was a game or not. During any home football weekend it is difficult to get any hotel room in Pullman. I believe bringing a September game back will balance this out.

Pullman: Why are we making the sacrifice of moving the Apple Cup to Seattle, when the state legislature is seriously considering funding a Husky Stadium remodel?

Jim Sterk: For the past couple of years the University of Washington has proposed rolling over the hotel/motel tax in King County in an effort to fund their stadium renovation. Washington State University's primary goal during this time was to save as much higher education operating support as possible. They felt that bringing the stadium issues at the University of Washington or at Washington State to the legislature at this uncertain economic time was inappropriate. Moving the Apple Cup to Qwest is independent of this strategy; however, I have always believed that if the University of Washington receives any funding for their stadium renovation, WSU should receive the same.

Chris (Burien): Someone asked me what I think of Apple Cup being played in Seattle instead of Pullman. My response is that I feel like we're selling our soul. The more I think about it the more I think that's true. Pullman truly is the soul of a Cougar. I understand the current state of the economy and I've heard it said that we need the Seattle game payday to become a big-time program. In many Cougs opinion, if this is what it takes to make the big-time, no thanks. We'll take Pullman instead. Some things simply should not be for sale. Thoughts?

Jim Sterk: Chris, many programs over time have played neutral site football rivalry games. Some like Alabama-Auburn, Ole-Miss-Mississippi State have returned those games to their individual campuses after the addition of premium seating and overall capacity to their stadiums has taken place. In recent history, Missouri-Kansas moved their rivalry game to Kansas City. I'd like to point out that in the 1960s WSU's membership in the conference was at stake and only a close vote saved the school from being ousted from the conference. The Pac-10 is one of the most prestigious conferences in the country and allows the WSU athletics program and the university's academic programs to be on the same field and classrooms as Stanford, UC-Berkeley, USC, etc. The athletics program at WSU is the only way this membership is achieved. Our annual budget is currently $14 million below the next lowest member in the conference. If we do not take action to create revenue and level this playing field, we may be at some point in the future be facing another vote. I will do everything that I can on my watch to prevent such an action. This is why I am pushing for Phase III of the renovation and am considering the Apple Cup move.

Robert Anderberg (Spokane): Hi Mr. Sterk, I like many Cougar Fans are very concerned about losing the tradition of playing the Apple Cup in Pullman and losing a competitive advantage at the expense of financial gain. Could this situation be used as a way to galvanize Cougar supporters and fans in a fund raising campaign similar to the basketball excellence fund but on a broader scale? As some people have noted online, our Athletic foundation only numbers around 6500 members, if we could grow this to 15-20 thousand members we would be in a much better situation not only for protecting our home field advantage against PAC-10 opponents, but other important issues such as stadium renovation and general support of other programs.

Jim Sterk: Robert, as far as galvanizing Cougar supporters, I in no way brought this proposal forward as a threat or leverage for increased ticket prices and donations. However, the reality is WSU Athletics needs all Cougars to support this program in order for it to be consistently successful in the Pac-10. Alumni may not know this, but until they express interest by making a donation to athletics or a recorded ticket purchase, WSU Athletics cannot contact these people for support. Each college has a relationship with their recent graduates and only that particular college can contact that individual until they express interest in athletics. As of last year, our Athletic Foundation membership totaled 6,185, which is last in the Pac-10. If we could grow this number to 15-20 thousand annual members, iIt would significantly address some of our financial challenges.

Larry.... Wenatchee: No Question..Just a thank you for the quality coaches you have brought to Pullman in baseball, football, and men and women's basketball ...The Qwest move is difficult but I always know that you weigh and measure very carefully before you make a move that is in the best interests of WSU...I, for one, intend to put a donation into our budget and send it once a month to the Athletic Foundation.. I believe this tempest in an Apple Cup will rally us Cougs to join together and donate whatever we can whether large or small..If we ALL do a little we can better counter act our lack of a well healed sugar daddy...GO COUGS

Jim Sterk: Thank you Larry for your comments.

Pullman: Although the two schools could benefit financially from making the move to Qwest, have you considered the negative impact it would have on local businesses in pullman that rely on huge local events to stay afloat? If so, what ideas would you have to bring more people to the local area should the apple cup be moved?

Jim Sterk: I have been a member of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce Board for the past eight years. In reviewing this proposal I have kept the interests of Pullman at the forefront as I have always done during my tenure as Athletics Director at Washington State. I have strived to not only increase ticket sales to our main attractions (football and men's basketball) but have also pushed the development of many of our facilities, which have had a positive impact on the Pullman economy. For example, the installation of FieldTurf at Bailey-Brayton Field. Although I received some initial resistance to this, the artificial surface allows WSU to play home games in February and March as well as allowing hundreds of high school baseball players and their families to come to Pullman in the summer for tournaments. On a smaller scale, both the indoor tennis facility and the indoor practice facility have allowed Washington State to host athletic contests and bring both participants and parents to Pullman whereas in the past those events have been held elsewhere. Within the last year, I polled a small working group from the Chamber as well as from the University (i.e., Beasley, golf course) in an effort to create a synergy of university-wide events tied around athletic events, which would result in increased traffic in Pullman at a time when the town is able to accommodate the influx of visitors who come to these events, both university and athletic.

Carolee Armfield: Why should we give the Huskies a home field advantage by playing the Apple Cup in Seattle, especially if we have to support their stadium renovation when we are forced to pay extra taxes to stay in Seattle.

Jim Sterk: Carolee, since 2002 we have played an annual game at the stadium and by playing in Qwest Field it would allow twice as many Cougars to attend the game over a two-year span as they have in the past. Currently, when the game is at the University of Washington, WSU receives 4,800 tickets for students and alumni. Under the proposed Qwest Field agreement, we would be able to accommodate every student, alumni and fan who purchased a ticket to the 2008 Apple Cup in Pullman and we would also increase our presence in a game that normally would be played at UW. We would also make this game a part of the student's sports pass as we have with the annual Seattle game so that students on Thanksgiving break could attend the game.

Evan (Pullman): As you contemplate moving the Apple Cup to Qwest Field, the fans keep hearing that this is a "tough decision". Are you suggesting that you are choosing between accepting the substantial financial package or laying off Athletic Department staff and cutting sports? Is that REALLY what is at stake with this decision?

Jim Sterk: Good question. With either scenario, WSU Athletics will be faced with budgets reductions and layoffs in the coming years ahead. The net revenue generated by this agreement could go a long ways towards reducing the overall negative impact of our athletics program.

Jon U (Bellevue): Instead of playing UW at Qwest, why don't we play the likes of Notre Dame, Ohio State, etc instead of the Fresno States? Wouldn't that draw a bigger gate and help in recruiting?

Jim Sterk: Jon, you may not realize that agreements our similar to a contract or a marriage. Both sides have to agree to play. For example, my best friend in the business was the Athletics Director at Notre Dame and I could not get him to agree to a regular home-and-home arrangement. For the 2003 season, I agreed to play one game in South Bend as a special one-time arrangement. This upcoming season we will be playing them in an agreed upon neutral site of San Antonio. In the future, we do have contracts with Wisconsin and Utah as non-conference opponents. With the completion of Phase III we will be able to drive enough revenues to support bringing BCS-level opponents in to Pullman; however, in the end the opponent has to agree to come.

Gabe (Bellevue): Jim, if the deal is finalized, what assurances can you provide that the Apple Cup would move back to campus after the six-year deal with Qwest? If the arrangement is as profitable as is being reported, I have a hard time believing the administrations wouldn't extend the Qwest contract indefinitely.

Jim Sterk: Gabe, my intent with this agreement is that at the conclusion of the six years, WSU would have completed through our Phase III portion of the renovation. I want to see the Apple Cup played in a renovated Martin Stadium. My goal with the agreement is the long-term well-being of WSU Athletics. If this means I have to move three Apple Cups away from Pullman for the betterment of WSU Athletics, I have to consider that.

Pete (Steilacoom): Was there a discussion with the Cougar football players before any decision was made, regarding the Apple Cup? Reactions?

Jim Sterk: First of all no decision has been made. Secondly, when the Apple Cup move was first proposed I met with Coach Wulff to get his input on the proposal. Although he obviously likes to play in Pullman, he expressed to me his delight not having to go to Husky Stadium for six years. I have met with members of the team to get their reactions as well, which were similar to Paul's. They also liked the concept of having the opportunity to play in an NFL stadium.

Moderator: Okay, time for one more question.

Jason (Las Vegas): It has been stated that the revenue generated from Phase III would pay for a large portion of the entire Martin Stadium renovation. Will Phase III begin any time soon?

Jim Sterk: Jason, the funding for the estimated $40 million Phase III portion of the stadium would consist of donations and cash/pledges as well as bonding off a portion of the revenue created from the premium seating sales. Currently, over $16 million in cash and pledges has been raised. Our target prior to the collapse of the financial markets was to raise $22 million in cash and pledges while bonding $20 million from approximately 60 percent of the premium seating revenue. At this time I do not have a specific date when construction can be started. Ideally, I would like to start this project in January 2010; however, that will be determined by having a financial plan approved by the November Board of Regents meeting. This Apple Cup agreement could assist in moving this project forward.

Moderator: Okay, that is all the time we have. Jim, thank you for joining us once again.

Jim Sterk: Thank you. I once again want to state how much I appreciate the fans' passion for the Apple Cup and their interest and support of Cougar Athletics.

Moderator: Thank you to everyone for your questions. We received a record number of questions for this chat and because of time constraints were not able to answer every one. For additional thoughts from Jim on the Apple Cup, please see his Q&A and video from his media gathering on April 18. Remember, to get all the information about WSU Athletics, go no further than wsucougars.com, the official website of Cougar Athletics. Please check back to wsucougars.com for future online chats.