Northwest Notes Dec. 15, 2020
Vandal women add game
against No. 6 Arizona
MOSCOW — The University of Idaho women’s basketball team has added a nonconference contest to its 2020-21 schedule.
The Vandals will face the No. 6 Arizona Wildcats on Dec. 23 in Tucson, Ariz., at 11 a.m. PT.
This marks the third Power 5 opponent of the season for the Vandals and is the second from the Pac-12. Idaho took on the No. 23 Texas Longhorns on the road last Wednesday before facing Washington State on Sunday.
This matchup will mark the final nonconference game of the regular season for the Vandals. Idaho will restart conference play on Dec. 31 at Northern Arizona.
Idaho and Arizona last played each other on Mar. 28, 2019; the only meeting in the series. Idaho’s WNIT run fell short in the Sweet 16 68-60 loss to the Wildcats.
WSU's Leger-Walker named Pac-12
women's Freshman of the Week
SAN FRANCISCO — Charlisse Leger-Walker's stellar Washington State women's basketball debut last weekend has earned her Pac-12 Conference Freshman of the Week honors for the week of Dec. 7-13, as announced by the conference on Monday.
Leger-Walker helped the Cougars pick up a pair of victories over Washington and Idaho. The 5-10 guard averaged a Pac-12-best 24.5 points per game this past week, and tallied 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals in her first two games as a Coug.
The Waikato, New Zealand native opened her Washington State career with a 20-point, seven-rebound performance in a 60-52 win at Washington last Friday. Two days later, Leger-Walker scored 29 points and pulled down eight rebounds in WSU's 74-55 home-opening win over Idaho.
Boise State selects search firm for athletic director hire
BOISE — Boise State University will enter into an agreement with Collegiate Sports Associates to coordinate the search for its new athletic director, Boise State University President Dr. Marlene Tromp and the search committee announced Monday.
CSA is a nationally-recognized executive search firm that has conducted more than 120 searches throughout collegiate athletics.
The search committee is chaired by Randy Hales, entrepreneur, business leader and vice president of Boise State’s Foundation Board. Members of the search committee also include Matthew Ewing, Vice President of University Advancement; Lida Uribe-Florez, chair of Educational Technology and faculty representative; Linda Clark, State Board of Education member, Boise State alumna and Athletics supporter; Gordy Presnell, women’s basketball head coach; Jay Larsen, CEO of the Idaho Technology Council and Bronco Athletic Association representative; Nic Hunt, graduate student in kinesiology with training in biomechanical engineering; and Malia Pivec, undergraduate student, cross country runner and leader of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Tromp, the search committee and University and community stakeholders collaborated to develop a list of candidate characteristics that will be targeted in the recruitment effort. With CSA’s engagement, a similar collaborative effort will be undertaken to develop a set of candidate qualifications.
Candidate Characteristics:
-Character and demonstrated integrity
-Academically focused
-Ability to develop and engage campus and community partnerships
-Fiscally responsible; ability to lead revenue generating initiatives
-Strong, blue collar work ethic and practices
-Ability to prioritize, plan, partner and problem solve
-Collaborative, inclusive and visionary team builder
-Track record of developing, promoting and expanding a culture of both inspirational and servant leadership
The search process is anticipated to proceed over the next 8-10 weeks. Boise State is targeting March 2021 to announce the new athletic director.