If you're like me you are always excited about a new year because it always feels like a new beginning. Texas State athletics had several great accomplishments in 2007, and I am excited about the potential 2008 holds for our programs.

Midway through hoops season the men's basketball team is off to a good start with a winning record of 7-5 and good showings against Rice and The University of Texas. Coach Davalos definitely has the Bobcats headed in the right direction as they approach what should be a tough Southland Conference schedule. The women's team is off to a good start as well at 6-6, and Suzanne Fox again has the Bobcats poised to make a run at the Southland Conference title.

Men's golf and women's golf along with tennis are starting their spring seasons and look to make strong bids for the Southland Conference Championship. All of these sports have played in some high profile tournaments which have prepared them to compete in the Southland Conference.

We appreciate the support and attendance from all the fans throughout 2007 which saw several teams excel, as the Bobcat volleyball team captured its fifth Southland Conference Tournament title to advance to the NCAA Tournament and the baseball and softball teams each made it to the SLC Tournament finals. In football, Brad Wright began his reign at the helm of the Bobcats as the program's 15th head coach. After a year under Coach Wright we are excited to see the growth and development of this young team into a championship caliber program for 2008. Don't forget, signing day is right around the corner, and Coach Wright and his staff have been hard at work securing an exciting group of young men to join the Texas State football program as student-athletes in 2008.

Texas State student-athletes also brought success off the field in 2007 with Nick Clark being honored as an Academic All-American finalist in New York this past December. Clark received an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, making him a bright example of how Bobcat student-athletes strive to achieve both academically and athletically. Over 21 student-athletes received their lettermen's ring after four or five years competing on the field and in the classroom at the department's annual ring ceremony. Finally, 57 Bobcats earned a spot in the Fall 2007 Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.

While 2007 was great, 2008 brings great possibilities. By now you have also probably heard or read the President's Athletic Strategic Planning Committee's report on a possible FBS move for football. After six months of research and discussion the committee recommended that Texas State take a serious look and the necessary steps to make the move from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). We are excited about the report and embrace the opportunity to be part of this historic moment. The student election is coming in the next month and they will vote on a possible fee increase and their desire to see us move in a new direction.

Soon you will be able to look for more information about the athletic department on our newly redesigned athletic website. At the end of January we will work with CBS affiliate CSTV on a redesign of txstatebobcats.com. With the redesign will come some exciting new additions to the site to make it more interactive and user-friendly for our fans. The new site will have an expanded online store in conjunction with the Texas State University Bookstore, opportunities to purchase high quality game photos from Pictopia, expanded video content, an online auction and much more. For fans looking for the latest scores, news and highlights on the Bobcats, txstatebobcats.com will be the place to go.

Finally, don't forget to mark your calendars for the annual Bobcat Bonanza coming February 15th at the TDS Wild Game Ranch. As always this will be an event you don't want to miss. This year, all net revenues will assist us in our fifth year, medical, and summer school programs.

Texas State is making moves and growing fast. I thank everyone for their support physically, emotionally and financially in 2007 and say "let's keep it going" in 2008.