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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU NAMES MIKE BOHN DIRECTOR OF AZTEC ATHLETICS
Former Idaho AD Aims to Make Program ‘Rallying Point’ for Community

SAN DIEGO, Monday, October 6, 2003 – Mike Bohn, who developed new facilities, grew community and corporate support, and produced balanced budgets for the University of Idaho’s athletics program, will be San Diego State University’s new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, SDSU President Stephen L. Weber announced today.

Bohn, 42, will receive a five-year contract and officially begin his tenure with SDSU on Oct. 17.

“Mike brings all the experience, talent and skill that we need to lead our Athletics program,” Weber said at a press conference this afternoon to introduce Bohn to the San Diego community. “He’s been a successful Division I-A athletics director. He’s extremely adept at engaging the community and expanding markets and private support. His energy, accountability and interpersonal skills are outstanding. Most importantly, it’s clear his top priority is serving the student-athletes and the coaches, and making sure they are put in the best possible situation to succeed.”

Bohn’s tenure at Idaho, which stretched more than five years, was marked by improvement in nearly every facet of the Vandals’ athletics department. Under his leadership, Idaho grew external funding to produce consecutive years of balanced budgets, broke ground on a $13 million athletics facilities project, more than doubled home football attendance, and showed dramatic growth in corporate sponsorship and contributions to the Vandal Scholarship Fund.

“My family and I are very honored to have the opportunity to join San Diego State University and lead the Aztecs Athletics department, which has a distinguished history and a bright future,” Bohn said. “There is tremendous coaching talent, outstanding facilities and potential in this program. Our goal is to take advantage of all these things in ways that pull together people from every corner of the campus and the community. The Aztec Athletics program should be a rallying point for building collective pride for this university and for San Diego.”

Bohn’s base (state-supported) salary will be $178,000 a year. He will also serve on President Weber’s cabinet.

SDSU has many advantages compared to Idaho, Bohn said. SDSU already has nationally renowned coaches, a set of new state-of-the-art venues and support facilities, and a more concentrated potential fan base.

“In Idaho we marketed to people statewide – as much as 400 or 500 miles away. SDSU has more than 200,000 alumni, parents, retirees, fans and other potential supporters right here in this county,” he said. “It’s a more intimate situation for building long-term interest and relationships.”

In addition to his external marketing talents, Weber said, Bohn has the ability to build great esprit de corps within a department, even under difficult circumstances.

“He is open and transparent in budgetary and other administrative matters, which many people credit in lauding his success in turning Idaho’s program around,” Weber said. “His focus and commitment are easy to rally around.”

Bohn said his expectations of himself and his department are simple.

“We’ll have three fundamental principles: Don’t cheat, don’t overspend, and work hard,” he said. “When the entire team follows these basic rules, it leads to success on and off the field of competition.”

Bohn is no stranger to the Mountain West Conference. He served administrative stints at league schools Colorado State and Air Force prior to assuming the role of Director of Athletics at Idaho. In Fort Collins, he oversaw all external operations from 1995 to 1998. At Colorado State, one of Bohn’s most noticeable accomplishments was the development of renewed student interest in Colorado State athletics.

From 1992 to 1995, Bohn served as Director of Marketing for the College Football Association. In that role, he was responsible for the promotion of college football on a national level.

Bohn, a Kansas University graduate and former Jayhawk football and baseball letterman, began his career in athletics administration at Air Force. He worked in Colorado Springs from 1984 to 1992, advancing from intern to Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs.

Bohn is a native of Boulder, Colo. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kansas in 1983 and completed work on his master’s degree in sports administration at Ohio University in 1984.

He is married to the former Kim Zeren. They have two children: Michaelyn, 19; and Brandon, 17.

Weber thanked the other finalists for their time and consideration, as well as all members of the campus and community that contributed to the search process.

“I personally spoke to dozens of people regarding this matter, and it’s clear all three finalists were strong, credible individuals,” he said. “It’s a lot of work to conduct a national search for an athletics director, and this is a very successful culmination of that process.”

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 79 areas, master’s degrees in 67 areas and doctorates in 14 areas. SDSU’s more than 34,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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