July 31, 2009

Pocatello, ID --- The improvements just keep on coming. Idaho State University, which undertook a locker dedication project back publicly on February 10, has raised the funds needed to fully revamp Idaho State's locker room for the 2009 season. The new locker room will feature not only the new lockers, but new carpeting and accustom paint job.

"The football locker room project is of great importance to the department and to the football program. It is part of a series of improvements that we are making to Holt Arena as part of the Bengal Village program including the outdoor Holt Arena sign and the indoor video board," said director of athletics Jeff Tingey. "I am very grateful for the many gifts and donations that we have received to make these additions possible. With continued success and philanthropy we plan to make many more improvements and additions to the athletic department facilities."

The locker project was put in motion by Donna Hays, and she got plenty of support from ISU alumni football players, including Jared Allen, Mike Calley, Donnie Neves and Marvin Lewis, who were all actively involved in the project. The new oak lockers are 50% wider than the previous lockers, which have been in place for over 20 years. The new lockers have a built-in sitting area where the players can lock up their shoes and equipment. There is also a lockable area on top, and plenty of depth to provide room for the players to sit.

"I'd like to personally thank Jared Allen, Marvin Lewis, Mike Machurek and Don Neves to name a few for the tremendous support and help they gave towards this project. Marvin Lewis is personally calling former teammates and coaches to encourage them to support the dedication program. Many great stories have come out of this project also. Mary Whitaker purchased a locker for her husband, Hall of Famer Warren Whitaker as a surprise birthday present. Pauline Thiros dedicated a locker in memory of her brother George Semons who played for the 1981 National Championship team. I also want to thank Athletic Director Jeff Tingey for his help in moving forward with this project and thank the many friends of ISU athletics that have stepped forward to dedicate a locker because of their belief in Coach Zamberlin and the direction of the football program." -- Donna Hays

"The Bengal Football Locker Dedication Program is a very important project for me. Not only is the renovation important to recruiting it is also one of our many projects that are tied to the future of Bengal Village," said Donna Hays. "Former players from all over the United States have dedicated a locker. This has reconnected so many football players to ISU. They have a very special place in their hearts for Bengal football. It has been a lot of fun for me to talk to athletes from many decades. I have received many nice notes and wishes for our success."

Hays added, "I'd like to personally thank Jared Allen, Marvin Lewis, Mike Machurek and Don Neves to name a few for the tremendous support and help they gave towards this project. Marvin Lewis is personally calling former teammates and coaches to encourage them to support the dedication program. Many great stories have come out of this project also. Mary Whitaker purchased a locker for her husband, Hall of Famer Warren Whitaker as a surprise birthday present. Pauline Thiros dedicated a locker in memory of her brother George Semons who played for the 1981 National Championship team. I also want to thank Athletic Director Jeff Tingey for his help in moving forward with this project and thank the many friends of ISU athletics that have stepped forward to dedicate a locker because of their belief in Coach Zamberlin and the direction of the football program."

With the new lockers measuring two feet wide, the locker room will receive a new configuration, as two lockers will take up the space previously used to house three of the older lockers. Lockers will be located alongside the walls of the locker room, and there will now be islands that will contain a bay of lockers. Along with the new lockers, custom nameplates will be installed as well.

"I want to thank Donna Hays for her part in getting this locker program moving in the right direction and her effort and I also want to thank the alums and fans and people who have donated and helped the program, because facilities play such a big part," said head coach John Zamberlin. "The new video board and the new locker room are all signs of making progress."

Zamberlin added, "It's huge for us as we continue to build a program and improve facilities because let's face it, it plays a big part in the recruiting process."

Alumni and fans could purchase lockers in one of two ways. A varsity locker dedication could be dedicated in the contributor's name, or the name of a teammate or coach, and a customized plaque will be placed on the locker with the name, jersey number, and years played. A varsity locker dedication cost $500. For an all-conference locker dedication, which cost $1,000, the donor can designate the position or jersey number for the locker. A similar customized plaque will adorn the locker, along with a short quote of the donor's choosing.

"Our work is not done," added Hays. "There are still lockers available to dedicate and other needs to completely renovate the locker room. We will continue to raise funds until everything is complete."

The old lockers will be torn out by Jeff Tingey and members of the athletic administration on August 22, and the team will be temporarily displaced from their locker room. Senior and juniors will use the visiting team locker room, and the freshman and sophomores will utilize the Tiger's Den cage above the sports information office as a locker room. That area served as a locker area during high school football games. The team should not be displaced very long out of their area, and it will be more than ready prior to the first home game on September 26, but it is estimated they will be back in their new locker room during the first week of September. Zamberlin doesn't think the move will mind the players much. "The players know we are going to be displaced but they know it's because we are getting a first class facility."