June 27, 2008

Pocatello, ID --- Idaho State University President Dr. Arthur C. Vailas has announced that Pocatello native Jeff Tingey will serve as interim athletic director at Idaho State. The announcement, which comes after an internal search, means a slight change in title for Tingey, who was officially the acting athletic director since early March, replacing Paul Bubb.

"Jeff is a fine leader of great integrity, and I have every confidence in his ability to guide ISU Athletics to greatness," Vailas said. "He has the talents and skills necessary to build a successful and modern athletics program with the cooperation of students, staff and the community."

While the title is more official, it won't change the scope of the duties that Tingey has performed in the last few months. As one of the youngest to lead a Division I Athletics program, Tingey has already hired two new coaches, Chad Teichert in volleyball and Seton Sobolewski in women's basketball. He also has overseen the final aspects of a budget recovery plan that enabled Idaho State to recover from a nearly $800,000 deficit. The department is now in the black as it heads into the 2008-09 season. He has also increased ISU's marketing presence in the community, bringing in nearly $600,000 in corporate dollars to the athletic department, and expanding ISU's influence in the region.

Tingey has improved athletic department communication with the implementation of a "Coaches Cabinet," and he has championed President Vailas' mantra of transparency in managing the division.

Prior to his stint as acting athletic director, Tingey spent a year as the assistant athletic director for marketing and corporate sales. He oversaw all Bengal Sport Properties and ISU's corporate partnership program while providing leadership and oversight for marketing and promotions.

"Jeff is a fine leader of great integrity, and I have every confidence in his ability to guide ISU Athletics to greatness. He has the talents and skills necessary to build a successful and modern athletics program with the cooperation of students, staff and the community." ---ISU President Dr. Arthur C. Vailas

"I really like the way Jeff goes about things," said head football coach John Zamberlin. "He has experiences as a student-athlete and an administrator, and he's been to a couple of different schools and can bring some outside ideas to the table. He also gets a lot of input, and from a coach's standpoint, that's important to know that I can have an opinion, and it is going to be valued."

Nancy Graziano, associate athletic director and one of the longest-tenured employees in the athletic department, said, "Jeff is a hard worker, and his leadership brings enthusiasm and energy to the athletic department and to the university. He encourages everyone to do their best and he sets the example by his strong work ethic and his commitment to excellence."

In 2006-07, Tingey spent a year at Brigham Young University, where he handled the marketing profile for football, coordinating game-day presentation, scripts, and pre- and post-game activities for the football team. Tingey also oversaw the marketing profiles for men's volleyball, women's soccer, women's basketball, softball, golf, cross country, and track and field. Tingey coordinated many athletic department special events and trade accounts.

Tingey 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.

Those experiences resonated with the search committee, including Bill McNabb, who is a member of the Bengal Foundation.

"In checking his references, both at Weber State and Brigham Young University, we found that both places would love to him back. We're glad that he is here." McNabb added, "Our need in an athletic director is someone who can raise money. I think Jeff has the personality that will enable him to approach business and community leaders and energize them about supporting the university that we have here."

Valorie Watkins, former alumni director and longtime Bengal Foundation member, also was on the search committee.

"The president assembled a good search committee representing a good variety of interests throughout campus and community," Watkins said. "I think (Jeff) has demonstrated an ability to listen to the coaches, the staff and the community." Watkins also stated that Tingey's fundraising abilities will serve the interim position well. "He has been successful at raising money, and that will serve him well in achieving the goals to create Bengal Village."

Tingey lettered in track and football at Highland High School in Pocatello. He then went to Ricks College, where he played football and ran track before serving a two-year LDS mission to Fresno, Calif. He and his wife, Amber, have a 3-year old son, Ammon.