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Show MyWeberMedia.com | April 18, 2019 | 5 WSU plays guaranteed games for extra income during the season. By NIC MURANAKA Desk Editor The 'Cats have lost their last three guaranteed games. The Signpost Archives dealing with 95 to 100 students on just the one squad.” Last year, Weber State’s football team had 99 student athletes on their roster, accounting for 27 percent of the Weber State student athletes. The football roster is three times the size of any other team on campus. “It’s just a huge expense running a Division I football program,” Bovee said. “Right now, we can’t get covered in donors, ticket sales and other income streams.” Bovee and the rest of the front office don’t just look at the money when scheduling these games. They also look at the strategic side. Weber State wants to play in games in which they feel they can compete. “I think the athletes want it,” Bovee said. “A lot of them came here with aspirations of playing at Power 5 schools. They want to play at the highest levels, showing they are elite athletes.” Power 5 schools include the Athletic Coast Conference, PAC 12, Southeastern Conference, the Big Ten and the Big 12. Power 5 schools are considered the top level of college football and will pay smaller Division I programs. Cornerback Parker Preator started his collegiate career at Snow College before transferring to Weber State. Preator took in the experience of playing in a guaranteed game last year against the University of Utah. “As a player, getting to play in front of a sold-out stadium is something special and everyone dreams about playing in them,” Preator said. “One of the biggest things I realized was what money can get you, such as a bigger venue, nicer locker rooms and more fans.” Running back Treshawn Garrett experienced multiple guaranteed games throughout his tenure at Weber State. “I’ve been honored to face teams all over the country and competition at all levels of college football,” Garrett said. “Playing out-of-conference games are always exciting." While there are upsides of guaranteed games, there are some negatives, too. Bovee finds evaluating the team after playing elite schools to be difficult. “It’s hard to measure where we are at,” Bovee said. “We try to play teams that we can compete in, and that’s why we decided to play San Diego State and Nevada next fall.” Last year, Weber State lost to Utah 41– 10. In 2017, the ’Cats lost to Cal Berkeley 33–20. In 2016, they lost to Utah State 45-6. “We go to Colorado State a few years ago and then Cal," Bovee said. "At times, we are just a few snaps away from winning the game. These games just make it really hard for us to evaluate us and see where we are.” Weber State also has had to deal with injuries during guaranteed games the past few years. Garrett found himself sidelined after the Utah State game in 2016 and University of Utah game last year. Garrett missed the whole season in 2016 and was sidelined for the first three games last fall. “Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game,” Garrett said. “I experienced a game-ending injury so early in the game.” Garrett felt he not only let himself down but also his teammates and coaches. Weber State football isn’t the only team on campus that plays guaranteed games. “Some of our men’s and women’s basketball teams also compete in guaranteed games,” Wistrcill said. However, because college football has the greater revenue, they pay more for each game. Weber State and the rest of the smaller Division I programs use guaranteed games to help pay for their expenses and to update their facilities. Although it’s a tough game to start the season, it provides opportunities for the university and its athletes. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com |