WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

220 FTP Server ready.

Bill Moos

Cougar Chats presented by:

Buy Cougar Athletics Tickets Here! | WSU Athletic Foundation

Chat with Washington State Athletic Director Bill Moos on Thursday, Aug. 19 at 10:30 a.m. PT.

Moderator: Good morning 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: Thank you for having me once again. I trust that all of you are as excited as I am for the beginning of the school year and the beginning of competition for our fall programs.

Moderator: We have a lot of questions to answer so let's get right at it.

Corey(Selah): Bill, When will you unveil your facilities plan? Can you give us any hints on what is coming?

Bill Moos: Corey, a strategic plan for facilities is upcoming and could be revealed as early as mid-fall. Having said that our student-athletes are already enjoying improvements to our current facilities, most notably, the new FieldTurf surface on Rogers Field and upgrades in our weight room. Fans will also notice improvements in Hollingbery Fieldhouse and other locations around Martin Stadium.

Rick (Caldwell: I contributed to Phase III with the implied promise that it would become a reality sooner than later. Where are we with it?

Bill Moos: Rick, I'm hoping that Phase III with modifications will occur sooner than later. We are also looking at a number of other facility needs that may have a priority over the Martin Stadium expansion and renovation. A strategic plan that will list these facility needs in order of priority is in the process of being developed. I want to thank you and Cougars everywhere that have contributed to the stadium project, as we cannot move our aggressive agenda in regards to facilities forward without the help of Cougars everywhere.

Jake (Auburn): Are their any truth to the rumors that WSU might build a football only facility; if so where would it be located? Also, as far as the game day expierience, do you know if they will ever hang the big logo banner off of that building near the stadium again? Will we ever hear the canyon ball that use to shoot off when WSU scored again?

Bill Moos: Jake, I would like to explore the prospect of building a facility that would house our football operations. I believe it would benefit us in a number of ways, not the least of which would be recruiting. Where such a building would be located is currently being discussed. In regards to the cannon and other gameday traditions, I am by my very nature one that believes these things are important and, indeed, you will see some new traditions implemented with the upcoming football season.

Connor Zins, Missoula (MT): Bill, I love the Marlow Hire. was this a decision you had been considering since your hire or was it a somewhat more recent development?

Bill Moos: Connor, your Uncle Mike is regarded by many, including myself, as one of the premier administrators in intercollegiate athletics. After observing and assessing the department, of which I am responsible for, I felt that the addition of Mike Marlow could only make us better. Like me, he will be returning to his alma mater and I look for great things from him.

Zach (Seattle): Bill nice job on getting Donnie's deal done it was way overdue if you asked me. With that said what is the plan for the Baseball Facility? I would think the next step is to a facility that we could host the NCAA's. If we do that there is no reason for Donnie to ever leave.

Bill Moos: Zach, Donnie Marbut exemplifies what I am looking for as a head coach at Washington State University. It's important to me that when I see consistent success, it's necessary to reward it by retaining the people responsible. We have seen recent upgrades and additions to Bailey-Brayton Field and will continue to focus on improvements that can help us secure postseason competition and attract the top talent for Cougar Baseball.

Jason (Las Vegas): Beside the obvious answer to win more football games in the near future. How do you plan to peek the interest in WSU football and increase the sell of season tickets?

Bill Moos: Jason, the focus of Cougar Football is, and will always be, on recruiting. I believe we have quality staff that is working very hard, and I believe successfully, in upgrading the caliber of athlete that is competing for the Cougars. In time, that will translate into victories and renew the spirit that has defined Cougar Football in the past.

ed benson: Convince me to buy tickets this year.

Bill Moos: Ed, you will find that a Cougar Football Saturday will be a day-long experience full of fun for family, friends, and Cougars who choose to join us. New traditions, improved facilities, and a welcoming approach from our staff and the Pullman community will accompany the Pac-10 action in Martin Stadium. The product that we will be putting on the field this year will be significantly improved from recent years. Give us a try. I'm confident you will want to come back.

Bob Anderberg (Spokane): Hi Mr. Moos, You have talked about having the Cougs play the Oregon schools in Seattle. Are you concerned about taking a PAC-10 home game and potentially compromising our home field advantage by making it difficult for the students to attend, and also subjecting our student athletes to the same travel rigors as our opponent? This was a big concern of Mike Price when the subject came up during his tenure here. Thanks and Go Cougs!

Bill Moos: Bob, I'm carefully examining the prospect of playing a Pac-10 opponent in Seattle. I believe that the positives clearly outweigh the negatives. If this comes to be, we will still be playing five games in Martin Stadium, including the Apple Cup every other year, and hopefully, BCS opponents as well.

Moderator: That's all the time we have. Bill thank you for joining us once again.

Bill Moos: Thank you all for your questions and for your interest in Cougar Athletics. We truly are entering a new era that wants and needs Cougars everywhere to be involved. I hope to see you this fall. Go Cougs!

Moderator: Thank you all for your questions. I am sorry we could not get to all of them. Stay tuned for future online chats at WSUCougars.com throughout the 2010-11 season.