BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS USU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:
"Seventy to 80 percent of my job is fund-raising. That's true of most athletic director's jobs in the country today. You have to
fund-raise to stay in compliance with Title IX, you have to fund-raise to be able to build buildings, you have to fund-raise to give coaches the resources to win championships. Cutting back in areas is the easier route . . . raising more money so you don't have to make more cuts is the harder part. It's an ongoing challenge, a constant process. You're either moving ahead or falling back."- MAIN DISAPPOINTMENT AT USU:
"Not getting in the WAC. I'm disappointed for the fans of Utah State because they've wanted that since 1963. When I came here that was one of the desires of the trustees and President Emert and the fans. So when the WAC expanded and we weren't selected, that was a disappointment. But I understand. I wish (the decision) could have been made a couple of years later because now we've demonstrated a pattern of winning and building new facilities. I think if (expansion) happened today we would be selected, because of the winning - we've won 16 championships the last five years, the new buildings we have going up - the new softball stadium, the new track, the indoor training center . . . Lots of things have improved dramatically in the facilities."
- ON NEGATIVE PRESS REPORTS AND A SUBSEQUENT STATE AUDIT OF HIS OFFICE OVER EXCESSIVE SPENDING:
"I just want to stay away from that. We've spent three months on that and I don't want to do anything to drag that back up. The university would prefer that any questions in regard to the Herald Journal report I refer to (vice president for university relations) Paul Norton or President Emert. It was painful and lasted for way too long. It's been difficult for me and the university and I want to get beyond it. Let's talk about positive things like beating Utah."
- AS TO WHETHER THERE IS PARANOIA AND A SIEGE MENTALITY IN THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AT UTAH STATE:
"There shouldn't be. We should be as accessible as anybody. I would be disappointed if that was the case. I would hope that myself and the coaches are very accessible. The only subject (off limits) is the Herald Journal report. I think (coach John L. Smith hiding Demario Brown's injury last week) was an isolated coaching decision."
- ON THE LARGE TURNOVER IN THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT DURING HIS FIVE-YEAR TENURE:
"Our slogan is work from daylight till it's done. If you don't do the job or perform and get results, then you don't have a job. I tell my staff when I hire them, here are the parameters: You've got to work hard and if you don't do the job, I've got to let you go. If you do the job and you want to better yourself I'll bust my tail to help you. They all know that. If they choose to stay forever, great, but if they have aspirations (to move on), I help them achieve those dreams."
*****
Additional Information
The book on Bell
Age: 52
Family: Wife, Gloria; daughter, Stephanie Rene, 27; son, Travis Charles, 26; two grandchildren.
Background: Born in Colorado and raised on a small farm in southern Illinois.
Experience: Eight years at University of Wyoming in athletic department and assistant basketball coach; eight years at Colorado State as assistant athletic director and assistant basketball coach.
Interests: Fly fishing, horses, ranching
Favorite book: The Bible
Favorite movie: "Dances With Wolves"