The Aztecs take back to the field this weekend on Montezuma Mesa for the start of spring practice. Coming off a 4-8 season, but with a fresh crop of recruits and a year to establish himself, head coach Brady Hoke is looking for bigger and better things from SDSU.
Coach Hoke welcomed 619 Sports into his office this week for an exclusive one-on-one interview:
“Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.” — The Who (”Won’t get fooled again”)
Well, Monday, we all met the new boss. The new Athletic Director at San Diego State is Jim Sterk, 53, formerly the A.D. at Washington State.
If you’re a longtime follower of SDSU athletics, the big thing to hope for is this: that he’s not the same as the old boss. (Apologies to Roger and Pete, though unlike most people, I thought you guys brought it at the Super Bowl).
Now…before we go any further, why don’t you all take a moment to meet him. 619Sports.net was there with complete coverage of Sterk’s introductory press conference. Below, check out our interview with Sterk and our podcast on his hiring. Here, watch video of Sterk’s introductory press conference:
SDSU AD Jim Sterk’s Opening Statement:
More videos after the jump:
So what do you think? I’ll tell you what I think.
I liked him. Liked him a lot. Polished. Sharp. Full of energy. Has a clear vision of what he’d like to accomplish. Said he needs to increase fund-raising. Said the Aztecs’ athletic department needs to connect better with alumni and with students. Said the future of SDSU sports is bubbling-over with opportunities to flourish.
I wish him all the best. I really, really want him to be the right guy.
Now here’s what I think you’re thinking: What’s going to make Jim Sterk any different than any of the SDSU Athletic Directors that came before him? Frankly, I’m thinking the same thing as well.
Headlined by a quintet of players from the two-time state champion Oceanside Pirates, Brady Hoke announced a class of 27 recruits yesterday on National Signing Day. 619 Sports was there to capture Hoke on video and interview defensive coordinator Rocky Long:
Kawhi Leonard, the top high school basketball player in the state a year ago, made his first indelible mark on the college scene, scoring a career-high 23 points and dominating the boards with 18 rebounds as SDSU improved to 7-2 with its fourth-straight victory, a wire-to-wire 82-68 thumping of Cal State Fullerton.
ShareTo say the least, it was a rather tumultuous day on Montezuma Mesa. The evening provided a nice respite from the craziness.
Playing at Viejas Arena, across the street from where it was announced earlier Thursday that Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel had resigned his post after he was caught using University money to help pay for weekend trysts with a [...]
ShareSDSU’s new pitching coach is bullish on the young pitching staff at Montezuma Mesa. 619 Sports sat down in Valenzuela’s office for a preview of this weekend’s first-ever “Red-Black World Series” at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Come get your first look at the 2010 Aztecs and then get your car washed for free on Sunday!
ShareEach year, head coach Chris Carlson has started his season at UCSD by challenging the big boys down the road on Montezuma Mesa. It’s an opportunity for the Division II Tritons to step up their level of competition, while giving the D-I Aztecs a chance to knock off the rust and start the year with [...]
ShareThe question was fired at Brady Hoke the same way so many questions have been fired at so many San Diego State football coaches after so many tough losses over the last so many years.
“Does it feel better to lose a close game,” came the query following the Aztecs’ 38-28 loss to BYU Saturday evening [...]
ShareDavid Brickley joins the 619Sports.Net team, filing this video report from Montezuma Mesa on the Aztecs’ bye week and their upcoming game against the Cougars:
See the video after the jump:
ShareTony Gwynn has filled his vacant pitching coach position at SDSU, and in doing so he has dealt a blow to the USD baseball program. Eric Valenzuela, pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at USD for the past six years, was introduced Tuesday afternoon as Tony Gwynn’s new pitching coach on Montezuma Mesa. 619 Sports caught [...]