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Bill Moos

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Chat with Washington State Athletic Director Bill Moos on Thursday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m. PT.

Moderator: Good afternoon Cougar fans and thank you for visiting WSUCougars.com and today's online chat with WSU Athletics Director Bill Moos. Bill, welcome to the chat room once again.

Bill Moos: Hello fellow Cougars. I'm happy to be here and have the opportunity to have a chat with you to discuss the future of Cougar Athletics and the Pac-10 Conference.

Moderator: OK. We have a lot of questions so let's get right to answering them.

Joel via Palouse: I wanted to thank you first and formost for taking the AD Job and moving forward. Is the phase III part of our stadium on perm hold or will we start to hear about the directions you have chosen to take it? Will there be any changes to the phase due to demand for larger boxes vs premium seating... Thanks GO COUGS!

Bill Moos: Joel, I am still assessing our facilty needs but do feel that areas that can benefit our student-athletes and help in recruiting should be a priority. The day will come when we will expand Martin Stadium, just when is still in question.

Bruce (Virginia Beach): The current PAC-10 TV contracts have their share of critics. What is your vision of a contract package that would better benefit the conference and our Cougs? Does the Commisioner seem to share that vision? Welcome home, and GO COUGS!

Bill Moos: Bruce, my hope is that the conference will adopt a formula that will share tevelvsion revenue equally among its member institutions. This is the model used by the Big Ten, the SEC, and the NFL. In my opinion, it's the only way to assure parity in the conference and also provide the overall strength needed to be successful.

Chris Ackerman Butte Montana: Hi Bill: I used to sell you radio advertising for your Pullman restaurant back in the 70's. You were a great player... GO COUGS! Chris Ackerman Class of '76

Bill Moos: Thank you Chris. It seems the older I get the better player I was. Hope to see you in Pullman.

Ed in Vancouver: Looks like the Pac-10 expansion to 12 teams is going to happen and I believe that you were not in favor of that(16 might have worked out). What types of demands did Colorado and Utah put to Larry Scott for agreeing to join the Pac-10?

Bill Moos: Ed, the tradionalist in me caused me to be apprehensive of conference expansion. But after learning of the positives that such a move could make, I became a proponent. Both the University of Colorado and the University of Utah fit the profile of Pac-10 member institutions. I think they will be marvelous additions and I'm looking forward to having them at the table.

Corey (Selah): Bill, What facilities are you looking at upgrading first?

Bill Moos: Corey, I believe facilities that will enhance our ability to attract first-rate student-athletes should be the priority.

Tommy G. (Bothell, WA): Hey Bill, I know you have nothing bad to say about Colorado and Utah joining the Pac-10. But how disappointed (if you are at all) that the Pac-16/mega conference scenario did not happen because of the extra TV money Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M would have brought to WSU?

Bill Moos: Tommy, I like the look of the 12-member conference and believe that there will be a significant increase in television revenue as a result of our expansion. There is reason to believe that it could be in the neighborhood of where we hoped the 16-school conference would take us.

Tommy G. (Bothell, WA): Hey Bill, Let me ask you the two questions that EVERY athletic director in America should be asked! Do you support the idea of a playoff tournament in Division I-A (FBS) college football AND when do you think we may see a playoff?

Bill Moos: I am not in favor of a college football playoff, per se, but have always believed that we should take the winners of the four BCS Bowls and bracket them out to determine a true national champiion.

Daniel H. (Los Angeles): As a recent Alumni living in L.A., I very much look forward to every chance I get to see the Cougs in action when playing the L.A. schools every year. It's hard enough not being able to watch the games on T.V. seeing as how I'm in a different media market. Hearing rumors about the supposed PAC-12 geographical divisional split, I am concerned that my ability to watch the Cougs in person AND on T.V. will be made even more difficult. Have you any insight on how someone in my position can get my Cougar Athletics fix?

Bill Moos: Daniel, an expanded conference should help to alleviate your concerns. If all goes as hoped, expanded television coverage is possible. Come see us in Pullman when you can.

Gary (Spokane Valley, WA): Upon hiring, you spoke of the Pac-10's alignment and how you favored no expansion.....have your views changed? and why?

Bill Moos: Gary, please see my answer to Ed's question above.

Roy Elia, Walla Walla: The 2010-11 athletic season is just around the corner. What are your hopes and expectations, both inside and outside the athletic arena?

Bill Moos: Roy, my hope is that we will be competitive in all of our programs for the 2010-11 season. My expectation is that we will be competitive in the years to follow.

Pullman: With the new addition of Colorado and Utah to the Pac ten, it seems that the league will be split up into two divisions, north (being WSU, UW, UO, OST, CU and U of Utah) and south (being the california and arizona schools). Do you think this is how the league will realign? If not, how do you think it will realign and how do you think the new alignment of the Pac 12 will affect Wsu?

Bill Moos: At first glance I believe that a division with the four Northwest schools along with Stanford and Cal would be in Washington State's best interests. It preserves the Northwest rivalries and assures us a presence in the Bay Area on a yearly basis. In football, we would still have three to four "crossover" games that could allow us to have a presence in Southern California in most years.

Jason (San Diego): Hi Bill, what do you think about beverage companines becoming sponsors for the "12-Pac" ?

Bill Moos: Jason, I don't think so. I'm afraid we'd start to be referred to as the "Half Rack."

Tom - Pullman: Bill - Is there a timeline as to when decisions/announcements on facilities (such as phase III)will be made? Thanks for being here.

Bill Moos: Tom, I'm shooting for mid-August.

Ben (Pullman): Can we expect a football game against Idaho at Martin Stadium sometime soon?

Bill Moos: Ben, possibily within the next five years.

Pullman: As a student is there anything I should expect to be different for this up coming school year? All the changes to people joining our conference won't happen for at least 2 seasons, right?

Bill Moos: As it stands now, Utah will be joining us in 2011-12 and Colorado in 2012-13.

Ken (San Diego): Given the option, would you prefer a N/S conference split, or the so-called "Zipper" split?

Bill Moos: Ken, N/S

Alex Reed: With the Pac-10 becoming the Pac-12 and WSU being the smallest school; Do you see that as as hindrance or advantage to expand at the right time? GO COUGS

Bill Moos: Alex, I assume you are referring to the smallest school as being the smallest budget. That being the case, it's a definate advantage to expand at this time because the Cougars can realize a substantial increase in our budget due primarily to increased television revenue.

Alex Reed: Hey Bill Im a sports management major at WSU. We have a great and proud sports history, however its fairly unknown. Do you see us returning to glory soon? The days of Drew Bledsoe and Mike Price seem so long ago!

Bill Moos: Yes.

Tracy from Edwall: What's your opinion about the proposed changes for the PAC 10?

Bill Moos: Tracy, good to hear from you. The answer to your question can be found in my earlier posts. Hello to all my friends and family in Edwall.

Liz (Olympia): It's no Pac-16, but will there be any significant financial impact with the addition of Colorado and Utah?

Bill Moos: Liz, please read my earlier posts to answer your question.

Denver, CO: When is WSU going to have a "respectible" football team? Since CU has joined the PAC 10, the radio stations in Denver have had a field day with WSU and their "high school team".

Bill Moos: By the time we play Colorado, we'll be respectable. See you then.

Brian (California): With the expansion of the Pac-10, WSU is looking to get a lot of additional revenue. What is going to be done with that additional money?

Bill Moos: Brian, any increased revenue will be channeled into areas that will benefit our current and future student-athletes.

Mike (Seattle): Hey Bill, Trying to find out what your thoughts are on getting more publicity for the non-revenue sports at WSU? Looking forward to hearing more about women's swimming, rowing, cross country and track. It is great to hear about the football, basketball and baseball program but what is the administration looking at with other sports?

Bill Moos: Mike, we wil continue to pursue any and all avenues in which to market and promote all of our programs.

Connie Widney, Gig Harbor, WA: Hi Bill, As well as the baseball team plsyed this year, they got little or NO press even when they played in the Regionals. How come?

Bill Moos: Connie, I just returned from two days in Seattle addressing our mutual concern. You can look for improvement in the future.

Tom (Denver): Did WSU ever consider pursuing Mike Leach to be the head football coach of WSU?

Bill Moos: No.

Patrick: What is the likelihood that we build a football only facility in the near future?

Bill Moos: Hopefully good.

Lisa S. (Tucson, AZ): What are your plans to increase fundraising for the AD? We are at the bottom of the Pac substantially?

Bill Moos: Lisa, we have an outstanding fundraising staff that are working very hard. I feel that I can bring additional expertise in that area. Winning does help and we will get back to our winning ways soon.

Rick Evans (Walla Walla, WA): Bill, what would be the best way for Alumni to contribute to athletics? Which fund would help the athletic department the most? Go Cougs!!!

Bill Moos: Rick, an unrestricted gift to athletics goes to fund scholarships, which is always our biggest need.

Ken (San Diego): Colorado doesn't have baseball; WSU doesn't have softball. What are the plans for these two sports - will all 12 schools be required to eventually participate in both, or can you see a 11-team baseball conference?

Bill Moos: Ken, I doubt that there will be a requirement for either sport.

Tara: How does the new weightroom look? Is it open for lifting yet? Did the "Make Jim Pay" campaign bring in adequate funding?

Bill Moos: Yes, yes, and almost.

Rick Evans (Walla Walla, WA): What do you think realistic expectations should be for Cougar football this year? Thanks!

Bill Moos: Rick, to be competitive every Saturday.

Sean (Pullman): Hey Bill, I'm looking forward to the upcoming season. I'd love to get involved in the athletic department. Are there any job opening or volunteer opportunities for alumni?

Bill Moos: Sean, we can always use volunteers. Come by Bohler Gym and see us.

Wendy (Seattle): There's an Excellence Fund for Basketball and Baseball. Is there one for Football? We've looked for one on the Foundation site.

Bill Moos: Yes. Call our Foundation office for details at 1-877-IMA-COUG.

Tyler (Bothell): What is the most significant change you foresee in cougar athletics this school year? phi phi kappa alpha

Bill Moos: Tyler, hopefully a change in attitude.

Rick Evans (Walla Walla, WA): Bill, Would you like to throw out the first pitch at a Walla Walla Sweets game this season? It would be great for our team to have you here. Go Cougs!

Bill Moos: Rick, I blew out my arm but I'm eager to try your wines. Give me a date.

Moderator: Okay, that's all the time we have. Bill, thanks for joining us once again.

Bill Moos: Thanks for your questions and your interest in Cougar Athletics. Hope to see you on campus this coming year. Go Cougs!

Moderator: Thank you to everyone for your questions and sorry we could not get to them all. 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.