Nov. 10, 2003

By Bob Hammond
Laramie Daily Boomerang Sports Editor

LARAMIE, Wyo. - University of Wyoming athletics director Gary Barta was hired away from the University of Washington in September, but it took some time for him to take care of his responsibilities in Seattle before moving to the Front Range.

Since 1996, Barta had served as the Huskies' senior associate athletics director for external relations and sports programs. In that position he was responsible for raising more than $100 million in private and corporate funds toward the Huskies' operating budget and capital improvements; for assisting in the hiring of coaches and administrative staff; for coordinating scheduling for men's basketball, as well as sponsorships and radio negotiations; and for working with coaches and student-athletes to achieve academic and athletic success.

Barta also had been a central participant in the design and construction of five major facilities at the University of Washington, including a $44 million renovation of the Bank of America Arena and a $30 million renovation of the Dempsey Indoor Practice Facility. During Barta's tenure, total annual private support has increased from $6.9 million to $15.8 million.

Barta arrived on the Wyoming campus 3½ weeks ago. Now that he has settled in, the Boomerang took some time to visit with him. Barta took time to address the challenges of his new position, what his immediate and long-term plans are for Wyoming, UW's Strategic Plan for Athletics, the Mountain West Conference, the BCS and possible league expansion.

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