Dear Aggie Nation,

As I reflect on the past two years leading Utah State University Athletics, I'm extremely grateful for what we've accomplished together. These achievements have positioned Utah State strongly within the ever-evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics. I am thankful for everyone who believes in Utah State and Aggie Athletics, and I'm excited about the renewed energy to invest in the athletics department. 

Your support has reached far beyond the playing fields and made a direct impact on the lives of our student-athletes. The Reach and Rise campaign has raised nearly $29 million since its launch. Your generous backing of the Match Madness campaign, which surpassed $1 million in cash and pledges, showcased Aggie Nation's unwavering commitment to a championship-level athletics program. During the 2024 A Day of Giving, USU Athletics exceeded its previous fundraising record by 23%.

On the field, our student-athletes embodied what it means to be true-blooded Aggies, winning six conference championships in the previous two years. Utah State captured a school-record four titles during the 2023-24 academic year. This past season, women's soccer earned its second straight Mountain West Tournament title, while women's gymnastics claimed its first Mountain West championship.

In the classroom, Utah State student-athletes continued to excel, with 266 earning Joe E. and Elma Whitesides Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2024-25 academic year, setting a department record. Following the 2025 spring semester, USU student-athletes achieved a department-best 3.51 cumulative GPA and 3.57 term GPA.

Aggie student-athletes made a significant impact in Logan and the Cache Valley communities, contributing more than 4,000 hours of community service with an economic impact of $144,000. USU finished No. 13 in the 2024-25 NCAA Division I Helper Helper Top 25 for community service and engagement, while six programs ranked in the top 10 in their respective sport categories. 

Our mission has been to modernize operations and position Utah State for long-term success, especially as USU prepares to integrate into the Pac-12 Conference. We've made meaningful progress. While work remains, USU is rising as one of the premier athletics departments in the West.

As Utah State enters its final season in the Mountain West and prepares to join the Pac-12 in 2026, I wish the department continued success in its pursuit of championships and know that I will be cheering you on. I implore you to continue to reach and rise with the energy to lead the pack. 

With appreciation,

Vice President and Director of Athletics Diana Sabau