Former Aggie Steve Mothersell Making Big Donation to End Zone Facility

Sept. 24, 2006

By Rachel Tucker USU Athletic Media Relations Student Writer

 

Nobody says winning comes cheap. There is always a price to pay and Utah State University is committed to making that happen.

 

Despite circulating scorns of USU football and lack of school spirit, the stands in Romney Stadium at the end of Saturday’s dismal, rainy day were packed with hopeful Aggies for Utah State’s first home game of the season against Utah [Sept 16].

 

“Professional Tailgater” Steve Mothersell, originally a junior college transfer from California, who played tight end at USU in 1973-74, hasn’'t lost his Aggie spirit and is back as well, rising above the gossip to participate in what he believes is the best chemistry for a winning combination he has seen possibly ever. The game strategy? A new athletics facility in the North end zone, which will be housing USU’s football team by next fall.

 

Now part of a successful home building and land development business in Modesto, California, Mothersell has been flying out to Aggie games for years. Attributing his success to the school he loved, now the opportunity to give back was never better.

 

“I’ve wanted to do something for quite awhile,” Mothersell said, “and obviously when you make a donation it’s under the control of a lot of people. I wanted to make sure that the right people would see the project through to completion. From the chemistry of the administration starting at the very top ... it’s the best I’'ve seen in a long time. The time was right, the best in place maybe ever.”

 

Strategy requires great players however, and that is exactly what USU hopes to attract with this new game plan.

 

“Athletics is the front window of the university, getting major attention both locally and nationally, negative or positive. We are light years behind the nation in facilities - lacking renovation in 40 years,” said Aggie Athletics Director Randy Spetman. “To recruit outstanding athletes we need our facilities to be in the same ball park as those we are competing against.”

 

When it comes to recruiting, “the locals grow up hearing about BYU and Utah and when they see our facilities compared to theirs, we don’t have much of a chance,” Mike Strauss, USU Athletic Media Relations director adds.

 

In essence, there is a need for more enticement other than being number one in the WAC academically.

 

“I for one am not willing to let Utah State disappear in obscurity,” said Mothersell. “There are schools out there with wonderful academic and athletic programs. Those are the ones that the country knows best and I’d like to see our program restored to that status. There were times when this athletic program was the admiration of the inter-mountain area. ... It takes money, facilities, and great academic programs — all of those are vital to successful recruiting.”

 

After eight different plans, construction on the endzone project finally began Monday, Sept.11, 2006, when concrete was poured. Although efforts to renovate began a while back, it wasn’t until the student body bonded $10 million three years ago that people began to catch the vision and believe in the project’s completion. Portions of that funding were used to redo the Fieldhouse weight room, field turf, and remodel the stadium”s south entrance and restroom facilities. Further contributions by an anonymous donor, Mothersell, various others, and in-kind donations now make it possible for all except the interior of the second and third floors to be completed.

 

“The excitement and that it is actually happening is helping people to contribute,” Spetman said. “It is a going to be a great recruiting tool for all 16 of our teams ... although we need $1.5 million still.”

 

At least the football team will have a place for their two trailers full of equipment, and new locker rooms for both the Aggies and their visitors.

 

The first floor will also display a Hall of Fame and an extensively improved sports medicine department. In comparison to what currently simulates two tin sinks in a worn-out deck of a large closet, (which at times squishes in two to three athletes) the new facility will boast three hydrotherapy pools, two hot and one cold, with treadmills in the bottom that can lift and accommodate the biggest football player to the smallest gymnast.

 

The second floor will include coaches’ offices and conference rooms, while the third floor will consist of classrooms, computer labs, and tutor rooms. Both floors will have space available for lease and catering to enhance revenue.

 

For more athletics news, see the Athletics Web site.