This column was submitted by Jason Whitmer (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1991, ISU Football Hall of Fame 2008); Phil Meador (longtime ISU booster, owner of local car dealerships); Mike Machurek (ISU class of 1981, ISU Football Hall of Fame 1991); Tom Jewell (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1987); LD Barthlome (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1988); Dave Mattson (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1973); Joe Haber (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1989); John Kalivas (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1980); Dave Vandergriff (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1981); and Don Neves (Football Alumni Team board member, ISU class of 1967, ISU Football Hall of Fame 2010).

On behalf of the Idaho State University alumni and Bengal fans abroad, it is with great concern that we are writing to share our position regarding the lack of leadership, direction and foresight by President Arthur Vailas, the State Board of Education and Athletic Director Jeff Tingey.  

This position is shared by many notable boosters and alumni unable to sign their name to this letter. Recently, President Arthur Vailas extended Athletic Director Jeff Tingey’s contract an additional two years, giving him a $6,000 raise.  

Vailas is quoted as saying “I have confidence in Jeff, and I’m pleased with the progress ISU Athletics continues to make under his leadership. The academic success our student-athletes achieve, including APR, is outstanding. Fundraising for ISU Athletics is up, student conduct is noteworthy, and a number of facility upgrades have been made. By in large, most of our teams are competitive in the Big Sky Conference, both in the classroom and during games. There are growth opportunities in football and men’s basketball, but Jeff remains committed to doing everything he can to raise ISU’s level of success.”  

In truth, we believe the state of ISU athletics is at an all-time low. When comparing ISU to its Big Sky peers, it’s easy to see that ISU is at the bottom of the league in facilities.

Coaches’ pay, fundraising efforts and competitive records for revenue sports are also among the worst in the Big Sky Conference.

This poor performance does not warrant an extension and certainly not a raise.

Both the Academic Progress Rate (APR) and budget shortfalls were issues eight years ago when Jeff Tingey (ISU Vice President Kent Tingey’s son) initially took the job.  

The APR issue was corrected by creating academic standards higher than our Big Sky peers and higher than that of the general ISU student population.

This is an ISU self-imposed standard that has put our programs at a competitive disadvantage. The budget shortfall was not recovered through raising additional funds, rather by requiring the football team to play two top-tier Division I schools every year, which generated approximately $1.5 million annually.

Our sources tell us this revenue was not given to the football team. It was distributed across all ISU athletic teams. This is another disadvantage ISU football faces in contrast to their Big Sky peers.  

The two individuals in charge of academics and budget when ISU experienced APR issues and budget shortfalls are still in these positions.

Currently, our new head football coach makes $32,000 less per year than his lowest-paid peer in the Big Sky. Vailas continued to pay Jim Fletcher, ISU’s former vice president of finance, an annual salary of over $214,000 while Fletcher was on paid leave yet can’t afford to pay the football coach a competitive wage.

The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, reported the University of Idaho committed $30 million to athletic facilities, a fundraising effort led by UI President Rob Spear.

Our sources told us ISU recently had to cancel resurfacing efforts on the track due to lack of funds resulting in ISU’s inability to host the Big Sky Conference Championships. This will ultimately cost Southeast Idaho businesses significant revenue. Holt Arena is in need of major improvements, yet our sources tell us there are no upgrades scheduled or funds in place to do so.  

Currently, the ISU athletic department raises less money than it did 10 years ago with significantly more staff. This administration has no fund-raising strategy, capital campaign plan, nor any one- to three-year plan and certainly no long-term plan.

If Weber State, Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington can manage their athletic programs to be healthy, well-funded and successful, then why can’t ISU?  

We simply need the right people in place.

Art Vailas is ultimately responsible for the failing athletic department and has continued to ignore the declining performance over his tenure. The SBOE has made no commitment over the past 50 years to Idaho State University athletics and refuses to hold Vailas accountable.

Art Vailas may consider this progress but the alumni and fans don’t. Eight years is enough. ISU athletics will continue to fail in comparison to Big Sky peers until the tenure of Vailas and Jeff Tingey is up. It can’t come soon enough.