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Show WSU's Taylor dedicated to Wildcat athletics program By Joe Daliimore Signpost staff writer As ASWSU athletic promotions director at Weber State University, Ryan Taylor has gone the extra mile for the athletic department and has tried to get students bleeding and wearing purple. "My main goal was to get more students supporting the team at the games and wearing purple at the games' Taylor said. Taylor is the first athletic promotions director ever at Weber State. The position is a part of the studentbody president's cabinet and acts as a liaison between the studentbody and the athletic department. "We created Ryan's position to put students back into athletics," Chris Hatch, studen body president said. Taylor says he has always loved Weber State athletics and he felt honored to be able to work with the coaches and players throughout the year. "This year I got to feel like part of the team and that really felt good. I love Weber State and hope things only continue to improve," Taylor said. Taylor's dedication to Weber State and his support of athletics at the school made the job a perfect match for him. "Ryan would do anything for the athletic department. He's just a true Wildcat," assistant basketball coach Jim Mossel said. Hatch agrees. "You can't separate Ryan Taylor from Weber State," he said. When assuming his duties last summer, Taylor's first major project was to help save the football program. Taylor worked all summer with the athletic department by attending parades, fairs and freshman orientations to muster up support for the endangered football team. Even with the effort put forth by the football team, the athletic department and Taylor, there was still a great deal of tension heading into football season. Taylor believes the students rallied well behind the football team and made a big difference in saving Wildcat football. "The students really came out. I don't think the old athletic director or the administration realizes how many students came out to those football games; they filled one whole side of the stadium," he said. Taylor also focused on women's volleyball and men's and women's bf.sketball. "The men's basketball team had such a great year; it sure made my job a lot easier," Taylor said. However, Taylor found more challenges involved in promoting women's volleyball and basketball. "Not a lot of people come out and support the women, but I went to almost every one of the home games and they are really fun to watch. They work just as hard as the men do, and they deserve better support," Taylor said. Another role of the ASWSU athletic promotions director is to help the coaching staff when potential student-athletes come to campus for visits. Among the future Wildcats Taylor met J i i h BRIAN NICHOLSON THE SIGNPOST In addition to holding the position of ASWSU athletic promotions director, Ryan Taylor also hosts a Sunday evening radio show on KWCR 88.1. and helped introduce to Weber State are basketball players Damien Baskerville, Nathan Miller, Bart Mclntire and "Squirt" Hicks "Ryan was supportive in a variety of ways, whether it was taking recruits on tours of campus or driving to Florida to watch us play. He's a man of action," Mossel said. Taylor says being in Florida to see the men's basketball team in the NCAA tournament was the highlight of the year for him. "Seeing us beat Michigan State like we did, I've never been so proud in all my life," Taylor said. Taylor sees great things on the horizon for Weber State athletics, especially with the department's new athletic director. "I'm excited to see what happens with Dutch Belnap. I think he realizes that he wouldn't have a job if it weren't for the students. He'll do a great job," Taylor said. Pasta By B.C. Sterrett ryfe. SloPp bo.re. y?w Coccjb&V,-k i ; -tffrnd Memorial Day Terry Trailer Sale! Thurs.-Frl., May 25-26, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. & Sat, May 27, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. All models on sale, Including the NEW Expo! Fim popcorn t irtnkj Ffl jack KU on tvry tnilf toll) -101 Hiundng ivilUolt OAC. -At saiu Indudt complin tltditcal & bmlu hook-up Corbet Trailer Sales, Inc. 1562 n, sute. Orem, UT 84057 STEEL PIPE WIRE CABLE Pipe 2's Steel Wire 1" 2A ft 316" 1VT .75 "Black" -"Soft" 3" .69 5o $17.00 4" -69 ioo $29.00 Save Your $ $ $ Call Palmer's for Steel! Steel Cable 38" 16$ ft. Used "As Is" TheOgden LDS Institute of Religion and Missionary Committee presents... (iPI 11 Jill UUUUJCKir an evening of beautiful music and missionary messages unday, May 28th 7:00pm at the Ogden LDS Tabernacle (23rd and Washington Blvd.) All Members and Non - Members Invited "No - Admission Charge" The 100 - voice choir, under the direction of Dan B. Castlelon, will sing a .selection of sacred and patriotic music which will inspire and edify all who attend. This event promises to he an uplifting Sunday evening activity. PALMER'S METALTAART 1200 e. 100 s. Lhi utI Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 to 5:30 Sat 9-12 1-800-947-0249 |