Paul A. Bubb
Athletic Director
208-282-5694
Paul A. Bubb is entering his third full year as the Director of Athletics for Idaho State University, and he brings with him a breadth of knowledge culled from an athletic administrative career that spans both coasts of America as well as the borders of Idaho.  Bubb comes to Pocatello highly respected among regional and national circles.

Paul came to Idaho State as the Assistant Athletic Director for Development in August of 2003 from the University of Maine, where he served as both Interim Athletic Director and Senior Associate Athletic Director.  Within a year at Idaho State he was promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director. 

As Director of Athletics, Paul has overseen the successful implementation of P.A.W.S. (Proud Athletes Working and Serving), a program which has vastly improved ISU's student-athlete community outreach efforts.  He also has seen three conference titles in his first 15 months, and is currently working with architects, university administration, and community focus groups to help implement ISU's Facilities Master Plan, which was to be unveiled in the summer of 2006

As ISU's Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Bubb oversaw the areas of media relations, development, corporate sales, marketing, promotions and fiscal affairs. In just six short months the corporate sales program grew from $360,000 in partnerships to over $500,000. An additional $380,000 in trade agreements had Bengal Sport Properties generating just under $900,000 for the first time in school history.  In 2006, Bengal Sport Properties surpassed the $1 million mark.

Before coming to Idaho State, Bubb spent the previous two years at the University of Maine as the Sr. Associate Athletic Director and the Interim Athletic Director. Under Bubb's guidance as the Interim Athletic Director, Maine teams excelled both on and off the court. More student-athletes were recognized as Scholar-Athletes than ever before, and Maine teams won or shared conference championships in the sports of football, baseball, women's basketball, and women's field hockey. Bubb directed new fund raising and building initiatives that included a new baseball and softball concession and service facility and the lead gift in a major facility campaign to expand the Alfond Arena with new team locker rooms, coaches' offices, ticket operations and a Hall of Fame concourse.

In addition to heading up the development operations at Idaho State and Maine, Bubb has been responsible for direct oversight or serving on the athletic development programs at Southern Illinois University, Drake University, Cal State Northridge, and Boise State University. At Boise State Bubb implemented a new Scholarship Seating Program that helped take the Broncos from raising just over $900,000 in 1999 to over $1.3 million in three years.

Bubb served Cal State Northridge as the Director of Athletics from July 1995 until November 1998. In his first year as Athletic Director he led the Matadors into the Big Sky Conference and quickly saw Northridge develop as a major force in the league. A majority of Northridge's 20 teams finished in the top third of their respective conference races within the first three years and non-Big Sky sports at Northridge also excelled. Softball advanced to the College World Series, baseball advanced to the NCAA Division I regionals, and men's volleyball consistently ranked among the Top Ten in the nation. Bubb directed major renovations to Matador Gymnasium, Matador Field (softball) and Matador Diamond (baseball). All new scoreboards were installed for baseball, softball, basketball and football under Bubb's direction. The university also received a cash gift of $500,000 from a corporate partner in 1995, the largest cash corporate gift in the university's history at the time.

Bubb holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth College (IL) and earned his master of science degree in Sport Management at Western Illinois University.  Born on January 9, 1957 in Macomb, Illinois, Bubb was married to Susan Lynn Oaks on October 5, 1985 in Monmouth.  The couple has one daughter, Kallan Michelle, born June 1, 1994.


Jim Kramer
Assistant Athletic Director for Financial Services
208-282-2692
kramjame@isu.edu
Jim Kramer enters his third year with Idaho State University as the school's first Assistant Athletic Director for Financial Services, coming to Pocatello from Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, where he served as the fiscal manager for the IUPUI Sport Complex.

With Idaho State, Kramer oversees the athletic budget, and he assists all members of the athletic department with university purchasing policy and procedures.  He coordinates all budgetary matters, including team and individual travel, equipment, and much of ISU's scholarship allocation procedures.

At IUPUI, Kramer was responsible for a $2.3 million operating budget, and managed their accounts payables and receivables and department payroll.  Kramer also handled several facility issues including event ticket sales, overseeing the pro shop and management of the business office staff.

Kramer also served for 10 years with the Indianapolis Star/News, contributing to area coverage of various high school, college, and professional events in the greater Indianapolis area.

Jim earned his B.B.A in finance and marketing from The Ohio State University in 1986, and his master's in business administration from the University of Akron in 1993.  He and his wife Mary have three children Maura, Joseph, and Thomas.


Jeff Tingey
Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and
Corporate Sales
208-282-4068
tingjeff@isu.edu
Jeff Tingey is entering his first year as Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Corporate Sales, bringing with him a vast amount of experience from both the Mountain West and the Big Sky Conference.

As the Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Corporate Sales, Tingey oversees all Bengal Sport Properties and ISU's corporate partner program and he provides leadership and oversight for marketing and promotions. He will also serve as a member of the senior staff for the athletic department.

Tingey had spent the previous year at Brigham Young, where he handled the marketing profile for football, coordinating game-day presentation, scripts, and pre and post-game activities for the football team. Jeff also oversaw the marketing profiles for men's volleyball, women's soccer, women's basketball, softball, golf, cross country, and track and field.  Tingey also coordinated many athletic department special events and trade accounts.

Jeff graduated from Weber State University, where he ran track for two years, from 2000-2002. While there, he worked as an intern in the Weber State marketing department, and was then hired as the Assistant Marketing Director after graduating, staying there for four years. While with the Wildcats, he was responsible for the marketing and promotions for women's soccer, volleyball, and basketball, and he also handled a variety of special events for the Wildcats, including the football tailgate party and Big Sky Conference Tournaments.   He and his wife Amber have one son, Ammon.

 
Jay McMillin
Executive Director of the Bengal Foundation
208-282-3733  
mcmijay@isu.edu

Jay McMillin enters his tenth year with Idaho State University, and his second as the Executive Director of the Bengal Foundation.

As the Executive Director, McMillin handles the day-to-day aspects of the Bengal Foundation, the largest and most visibile arm of ISU's fundraising efforts.  He coordinates all Bengal Foundation activities, including membership drives, athlete to athlete phone-a-thon golf tournaments, and he also oversees ISU's priority seating campaign.

No stranger to ISU athletics, Jay spent eight years on staff as an assistant men's basketball coach, from 1998-2005.  With the squad Jay coached ISU's post players as well as overseeing academics.


Samantha Congdon
Administrative Assistant
208-282-2397
congsama@isu.edu
Samantha Congdon enters her second year with Idaho State University after joining the Bengal Family during the athletic year in 2005-06.

Congdon serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Bengal Foundation, and as such, she assists the Executive Director of the Bengal Foundation in the day-to-day running of the office, including correspondence, mailings, and all data entry for ISU's athletic fundraising efforts.

Congdon served as the office manager at Hydraulics of Texas, based in Houston, where she oversaw payroll, accounts receivable, new employee orientation, and collections.  Prior to that, she has spent time at both US Bank and Zion's Bank, including two Pocatello branches.

Originally from Corsicana, Texas, Samantha and her husband David have a son Dain.


Mike Pritchett
Director of Athletic Facilities and Game Operations
208-282-5703
pritmich@isu.edu
Mike Pritchett enters his tenth year with Idaho State University, and his fourth as ISU's Director of Athletic Facilities and Game Operations. 

As the Director of Game Operations, Pritchett serves as the onsite game manager for numerous athletic events, handling a range of duties from music to security. He coordinates practice schedules and event set up, as well as all in-game activities. He also handles many aspects of ISU's community visibility, leads ISU's promotional efforts and assist with sponsorship sales.

He coordinated all scheduling for the highly successful 2006 Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Tournament.  His duties also include coordinating facility signage and usage and assist with protecting Idaho State's trademarks and logo's.

Pritchett holds a pair of degrees from Idaho State University, including an Athletic Administration master's degree.


Donna Hays
Director of Club & Sport Development
208-282-5773
haysdonn@isu.edu
Donna Hays enters her ninth year with the Idaho State University athletic department.

In her role as Director of Club & Sport Development Hays will help coordinate and cultivate all sport specific gift programs.  She helped develop the successful Quarterback Club, Cage Club (men's basketball) and the Fast Break Club which benefits the women's basketball program.  She will also coordinate the Matchpoint Club (women's volleyball), the Keeper Club (women's soccer), the Black Bat Club (women's softball) and the Birdie Brigade (men's & women's golf).  During the 2000 season she helped develop and still implements the Adopt-a-Grandparent program which teams up with the women's basketball team.  This year she coordinated the inaugural Football 101 Women's Clinic.

Hays coordinates the Bengal Foundation annual auction which is in its 27th year.  She will also continue to organize the Bengals in Boise Golf Tournament and the successful Bengal Challenge golf scramble held each fall in Pocatello and Blackfoot.

Donna is married to Steve Hays. They have one son, Kerry who is currently a student at Idaho State University.  




KaLee Kopp
Director of Marketing & Promotions
208-282-5781
koppkale@isu.edu
KaLee Kopp is entering her fourth year with Idaho State University, and her first as Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions.

At Idaho State, Kopp will create and implement marketing and promotional plans for all sports. During this 2007-2008 athletic season, Kopp will oversee the interns within the marketing department, coordinate activities with student organizations, as well as organize the creation and distribution of all print materials.

Kopp's previous role with the Idaho State athletic department included overseeing ISU's community outreach program, P.A.W.S (Proud Athletes Working and Serving) which logged nearly 1,300 hours of community service during the 2005-2006 school year.

Kopp is from Idaho Falls and a graduate of Hillcrest High School. Kopp earned her bachelor's degree in 2004 from Idaho State University and her master's degree in 2006.


Cory R. Meyer
Assistant Director of Group Sales and Game Operations
208-282-6114
meyecory@isu.edu
Cory Meyer is entering his fourth year with the Idaho State University Athletic Department.

Meyer will serve as the main contact for group sales, as well as assist with the athletic website design and updates.  He will also be involved with the management of game operations.  

Meyer is a native of Southeast Idaho and a graduate of Idaho Falls High School, where he is a member of the athletic hall of fame. He participated in the Down Under Bowl series after graduating from high school. He also has had many experiences which adds value to his role in the athletic department including time with the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meyer was the Guest Services Supervisor and oversaw the admissions/ticketing department as well as the VIP lounge in the theme park. He also helped with group sales and special events.            

Meyer holds a bachelor's degree in Physical Education (Emphasis in Sports Management) from Idaho State University. He is married to the former Camille Miles of Shelley, ID and they have one daughter, Kasidee.


Nancy Graziano
Associate Athletic Director for Student Support Services
& Senior Woman Administrator
208-282-4668
graznanc@isu.edu
Nancy Graziano enters her 17th year with the Idaho State University athletic department.  After six years as an assistant women's basketball coach, Graziano assumed the duties of Director of Student Support, and has served as ISU's NCAA Compliance Coordinator.  As the Associate Athletic Director for Student Support Services, she oversees academics, compliance, the training room, the weight room, and the equipment room.  Graziano has served for the past nine years as Idaho State's Senior Women Administrator.

Nancy also teaches an introductory orientation class for all incoming freshman and transfer student-athletes. Nancy is the liaison between the student-athletes and academic resources at ISU.  She advises and assists the student-athletes in achieving their academic goals.  Nancy works with the Faculty Athletic Representative to monitor the Student Athlete's progress toward graduation and their Big Sky Conference/NCAA academic eligibility. She also works with all coaches, keeping them informed of their student-athlete's academic progress, and she handles all questions regarding compliance and NCAA regulations.  Nancy regularly holds rules education seminars for the athletic staff on compliance and rules education issues, and she keeps the athletic department updated on new issues and bylaws.

She came to Idaho State in 1985 as an assistant women's basketball coach after a highly successful prep coaching career. Graziano compiled a 284-43 basketball record in 15 years at Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California. Her Alemany softball teams were also 214-28 in 12 years, a total which included 12 league championships. A three-sport coach, Graziano's volleyball teams were 165-75.  Graziano was Girls' Athletic Director at Alemany (1977-83), Director of Athletics (1983-85), and chaired the Department of Physical Education from 1975-85.  Nancy completed her undergraduate work at Cal State Northridge, and earned her Master's degree in Athletic Administration from Idaho State University in 1990.


Matt Steuart
Director of Academic Services
208-282-4668
steumatt@isu.edu
Matt Steuart enters his fifth year with Idaho State University, and his third as the athletic department's Director of Academic Services, after serving as a Graduate Assistant for one year.  Steuart aids the Student Support team in a variety of ways including compliance issues, personal and academic counseling with student-athletes, overseeing the athletic study table, meeting with recruits, distribution of the NCAA Special Assistance fund, and coordinating, planning and teaching the Life Skills for Student-Athletes course taught at ISU.  In addition, Steuart serves as an advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee with Nancy Graziano.

Steuart graduated from Idaho State with his bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1997, and he earned a master's degree in 1999 in the field of Mental Health Counseling.  He also earned a second master's degree in Athletic Administration from Idaho State in 2004.


Frank Mercogliano
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
208-282-2621
mercfran@isu.edu
Frank Mercogliano is entering in his tenth year with Idaho State University, and fourth as Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations after previously serving as the Sports Information Director.  At Idaho State he handles all aspects of media relations for football, men's basketball, as well as special honors.  He also oversees all departmental publications.

While at Idaho State, Mercogliano has served as the Media Coordinator for several Big Sky Championships, and he has worked on the media operations staff for the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball West Regional as well as the 2002 NCAA Women's Basketball West Regional, the 1999 NCAA Track and Field National Championships and the 2000 NCAA Gymnastics National Championships.  He also served on the membership board of the Idaho State University Council of Professional Employees (COPE).  In 2003, he served as a panelist for the SID Town Meeting at the CoSIDA Convention, discussing current events in intercollegiate athletics as it relates to sports information.  

Mercogliano had spent the previous four years as the Director of Sports Information at Augusta  State  University, where he helped publicize the Jaguars in eight NCAA national tournament appearances.  At ASU, Mercogliano was responsible for the publicity of 11 sports, 10 on the NCAA Division II level, and the Division I men's golf team, which made three national tournament appearances during his tenure.

He also served as the first full-time SID at Belmont Abbey College, where he also held the dual title of Carolinas Conference Media Relations Director.   While there he also coached South Point High School's soccer team to a two-year record of 30-7-3.  In 1993 he was named "Region X Coach of the Year", and was a runner-up for North Carolina Coach of the Year honors.

During his stay in Augusta, Mercogliano served as the official scorer and musical operations director for the Augusta GreenJackets, the Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Twice, Mercogliano was pressed into emergency service as an umpire for the South Atlantic League when the regular umpires became too ill to work.  He also served as color analyst for Augusta State basketball as well as handling play-by-play duties for the WRDW Game of the Week in football, basketball and baseball.

Mercogliano is a 1992 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he earned a degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.  His wife Melissa graduated from Idaho State and is a Boise native.  They have three daughters: Jessica (20); Kristina (17); and Angela (11).  He earned his master's degree in athletic administration from Idaho State in the summer of 2006.


Jason Erickson
Assistant Director of Media Relations
208-282-3651
ericjaso@isu.edu
Jason Erickson begins his fifth year at Idaho State University, and his third as the Assistant Media Relations Director.  He serves as the primary media contact for women's basketball, volleyball, soccer, and tennis.

While at ISU, Erickson has twice helped publicize the ISU women's basketball team into the WNIT, and he most recently served as media coordinator for the 2006 Big Sky Conference Tennis Championships.

Erickson most recently worked in the sports information office at Otterbein College in Columbus, Ohio, where he was the primary media contact for the women's soccer, women's basketball, tennis, golf and baseball teams.

Erickson worked at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics as a public relations liaison for the speed skating competition at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utah. He also served as a Russian interpreter at the Olympic games.

A 2002 graduate of Southern Utah University where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations and broadcasting, Erickson was the sports editor for the University Journal, sports director of SUTV and the sports director of KSUU radio. In addition, Erickson was the play-by-play voice of SUU women's basketball. He also served as a stringer for the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune.

Erickson is married to the former Marisa Adams of Brigham City, Utah. He earned his master's degree in athletic administration from Idaho State in May 2006. 


Russ Eisenstein
Director of Broadcast Services and Sales
208-282-4668
eiseruss@isu.edu
Russ Eisenstein enters his first season with Idaho State  University as Director of Broadcast Services & Sales.  As the new Voice of the Bengals, Russ will serve as the play-by-play voice for Bengal football and men's basketball.

Eisenstein has a tremendous background for someone all of 27 years old.  For the past two years he has worked with the Eugene Emeralds of the Single A Northwest League and the NBA's New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.  He has also worked for a pair of FCS schools in Illinois State and Southern Illinois.  Russ served as the play-by-play voice for Illinois State baseball and the studio host for Illinois State football and men's basketball from 2003-05, and he held the same duties with Southern Illinois from 2001-03.  He served as the Salukis women's basketball play-by-play voice for the 1999-2000 season.

He also has hosted various radio sport talk programs, and he has served as a reporter and anchor for the 40 station metro News Statewide Network in West Virginia.  He has garnered a pair of Illinois Broadcaster Association Awards, and a pair of Illinois Associated Press Association Awards.  However, Eisenstein's biggest splash was his work with the NBA's New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

Russ served as the studio host for the pregame, halftime, and postgame shows of the 25 station Hornet Radio Network, and he also hosted the "Final Buzz" postgame show.  Eisenstein also saw time on the television side as a host and reporter on "Hornets TV" and "Hornets Insider", and he served as a regular contributor to NBA.com and other NBA outlets.  He also called the play-by-play for several games in each of the last two seasons, becoming one of the youngest NBA play-by-play announcers in recent league history.

The technology savvy Eisenstein originally hails from Chicago.  He graduated from Southern Illinois in 2002 with a B.A. in radio and television, and a minor in journalism.  Along with his broadcast duties of football and men's basketball, Eisenstein will also assist the ISU athletic marketing department and the Bengals Sports Corporate Partner program.


Katie Zigars
Graduate Assistant-Media Relations
zigakath@isu.edu
Katie Zigars enters her first season as a Graduate Assistant For Media Relations at Idaho  State University after spending the past four years on the women's tennis team and working in the media relations office as both a volunteer and as an intern.

Zigars was a four-year starter on the tennis team, earning Big Sky All-Academic honors in all four of her seasons, moving up from a walk-on to a scholarship athlete.  Zigars was consistently one of ISU's best doubles performers, and played singles anywhere from #6 to #3 as a senior.

Zigars was honored at the 2007 Bennion Banquet with the ISU Athletic Advisory Boards Scholar-Athlete Award.  She graduated in May of 2007 with a 3.92 grade point average in mass communications.

While earning her master's degree in Athletic Administration, Zigars will handle the media relations duties for tennis, track, cross country, and golf. Katie, who spent two years as a volunteer in the media relations office, also has two years of internships as well, where she handled media relations for tennis, and helped produce ISU's combined spring sports media guide.