SPORTS & REC
JANUARY 23, 2018
Timeline of Boise State Baseball
Boise State Baseball: The first nine months.
Addison DeHaven| Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu On April 18, 2017 Boise State announced that it would be cutting the wrestling program and begin the process of restarting the baseball program, which operated as a varsity sport from 1936 - 1980. Set to begin play in 2020, some progress has been made, but a multitude of questions still abound. Timeline of Events April 18 Boise State’s President Bob Kustra announced the decision to cut the program while also announcing that Boise State would begin to pursue a baseball program. May 24 In a press release, Boise State Athletics’ unveils the jerseys for the baseball program. Summer 2017 According to the Idaho Statesman, the City of Boise announces plans to build a downtown soccer/baseball venue, set to be completed by the spring of 2020. It was speculated that Boise State would lease the facility, seeing as it currently had no baseball facility on or near campus. Oct. 26, 2017 In a press release, Boise State announced it would not be a part of the downtown stadium. Instead, it would begin building its own on-or near-campus facility. Nov. 17, 2017 President Bob Kustra announced the location of the new Boise State baseball stadium, north of Beacon street and Grant Street. In the announcement Kustra said the seating would likely be near the NCAA minimum of 500 seats and that access to the facility at all times was a big priority,
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explaining why Boise State left the downtown stadium. Construction is expected to begin this spring. Nov. 28, 2017 In a press release, Boise State Director of Athletics Curt Apsey announced the hiring of new baseball coach, Gary Van Tol. Van Tol is a former manager of the Chicago Cubs affiliate, the Boise Hawks and current Boise resident. He has coached at almost every level of baseball, including being an assistant coach for Gonzaga and the University of Portland. Dec. 22, 2017 Van Tol announced the first commitment for the baseball program, Rocky Mountain High School senior Kase Ogata. Questions The biggest unanswered question regarding the revitalization of the Boise State baseball program is funding. The reasoning for cutting the wrestling program in favor of baseball was funding. According to the Idaho State Board of Education, the wrestling program had a net loss of about $352,000, and the baseball program will cost approximately 1 million per year, according to athletic director Curt Apsey. On top of the budget, Boise State will have to finance the construction of the new stadium. Where this money will come is the biggest question mark and the answer will likely be from private donations, fundraising, or a restructuring of Boise State’s athletic budgets. The most likely answer will be fundraising, which will be a top priority for Van Tol, as stated in the Idaho Statesman. Van Told has a full slate of tasks to get done before the first pitch is thrown out in spring 2020, which will make for a busy 12 months.
Player resting a bat on their shoulder. Graphic by Olivia Tocher