Dear Red Wave,
I can't believe it's already been a month since I moved to Fresno. From day one, it's been clear that what makes The Valley special is the people. I've had the privilege of meeting so many of you from Bakersfield to Sacramento, and everywhere in between. There's truly something unique about this place, and we are proud to call it home. My wife and I are excited to raise our family here, surrounded by a community that values grit, determination, hard work, resourcefulness, integrity, and, above all, family and camaraderie.
The Valley DNA is something we all share—it's who we are, and that spirit is alive and well at Fresno State. Your Athletics Department is working tirelessly to make you proud to be a Bulldog. We have incredible leadership at this university that is constantly striving to improve, and it's been inspiring to witness. Right now, I'm on my Look, Listen, and Learn tour to help construct a vision and strategic plan that will continue to elevate your athletic department.
Excitement Surrounding Fresno State Football
Our football team is working day-in and day-out to deliver a product that makes the Red Wave proud. Interim Head Coach Tim Skipper, his staff, and our student-athletes are dedicated to preparing for the upcoming season.
We have a special opportunity to open the season against the defending national champions, Michigan, in the primetime window on NBC. We expect at least 10 million people to tune in, and it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase Fresno State and The Valley on a national stage. As the legendary Coach Pat Hill would say, "Anybody, Anytime, Anywhere."
Tickets for our first home game against Sacramento State on September 7th are going fast, so make sure you secure your spot and support our student-athletes. You can buy your tickets here. Everywhere I go in The Valley, the Red Wave keeps telling me about the amazing tailgating atmosphere at Fresno State. I can't wait to experience it for the first time next weekend!
Fresno State Soccer
Our soccer team is off to an impressive start, remaining unbeaten with a 2-0-1 record. This is only the second time in program history that the Bulldogs have been unbeaten through three matches in a fall season (2006, 2024). Our goalkeeper, Shivani Battaglia, has been stellar, earning her second shutout of the season, and she's yet to allow a goal from the run of play. The Bulldogs have shown their resilience in competition to start the season, and we're excited to see what's next. Fresno State returns to Bulldog Soccer Stadium on Thursday to host Montana at 7 p.m. PT. It will be the first of three straight matches in Fresno for the 'Dogs.
Fresno State Volleyball
Our defending Mountain West Conference Champions are ready to kick off their season on Friday, August 30th, at the GCU Invitational. The team looked strong in their exhibition game against Cal Baptist over the weekend, and this season promises to be another historic one for Fresno State Volleyball. The first time they will be at home is on September 20th for the Central Cal Challenge, so mark your calendars and come out to support your Bulldogs.
Constantly Striving to Get Better
We are committed to constant improvement here at Fresno State Athletics. Recently, our staff participated in a Jon Gordon Power of Positive Leadership Workshop, which focused on key areas like leadership principles, team building, and resilience in the face of challenges. The workshop reinforced our commitment to fostering a connected and collaborative team culture, and we're eager to bring these lessons into everything we do.
Our goal is to ensure that our department is always striving to get better, for you, for our student-athletes, and for Fresno State.
Thank You, Red Wave
Thank you, Red Wave, for welcoming me and my family with open arms. Your support has been incredible. We had over 800 people at our Football Kickoff Dinner, and it's clear that everything you do makes our university, our athletic department, and our Valley stronger. Keep buying tickets, keep donating to the Bulldog Foundation, keep sponsoring our student-athletes through Bulldog Bread, and keep engaging with our social media accounts.
Everything you do—big or small—helps us achieve our goals, and I want everyone in The Valley to know that we are your team. The Bulldogs are The Valley, and The Valley is The Bulldogs. Together, we will continue to build something special. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you in the Red Wave.