Jerry Bovee

A graduate of Ben Lomond High School and Utah State University, Jerry Bovee has accomplished a lot in seven years as Weber State University’s Athletic Director. The attitude and work ethic that has earned him a Distinguished Service Award from the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation became evident long ago, when he worked in sales, marketing and promotions for USU. Whenever anyone asked who was responsible for a particular aspect of the Aggies’ game operations or other athletic department functions, the answer invariably was “Oh, Bovee does that.”

He may be delegating more tasks these days as the Wildcats’ athletic director, but Jerry is still getting things done. And he’s thriving on a campus where he grew up attending Weber State events and developing a love of sports in Utah. After earning a degree from USU and working for three years in the Aggie athletic department, Jerry moved to the Utah High School Activities Association. In his 12 years as an assistant director with the UHSAA, he served as vice-chair of the football rules committee for the National Federation of State High Schools Association. He organized and managed state tournaments and was involved in coaches and officials education programs. Jerry took direct responsibility for football, boys basketball, softball, tennis and wrestling during his UHSAA tenure.

When he moved to Weber State, Jerry initially worked in a campus administrative position, not necessarily intending to become the athletic director. Yet he willingly took on an interim assignment when the job became open in September 2009 and was given the permanent position eight weeks later. Known for what one WSU administrator described as his “boundless energy,” Jerry has earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from WSU and applied his skills to restructuring of the Wildcats’ marketing and promotional efforts with a new branding program and has improved several key facilities to benefit each of WSU’s 16 sports.

Jerry has overseen the Wildcats’ Big Sky Conference championships in basketball, track and field, cross country, soccer and softball during his tenure. He has succeeded in retaining coach Randy Rahe and the WSU football program has made tremendous strides after his hiring of coach Jay Hill. In addition, he has supervised the initiative to improve the Academic Progress Rating in each sport and has been involved in national efforts to raise graduation rates.

Jerry and his wife, Julie, are parents of four children