From the Desk of Garrett Klassy

Director of Athletics, Fresno State

Dear Red Wave,

One of my biggest priorities as Director of Athletics is to keep you informed—not just about what's happening, but about where we're headed. And right now, Fresno State Athletics is on the move.

We're making bold decisions, setting a new tone, and building momentum that will carry us into the next chapter—stronger, louder, and more united than ever.

Pac‑12 News: Now at 9 Members

Big news—Texas State officially joins the Pac‑12, becoming our ninth full member and the eighth football-playing school, meeting NCAA FBS requirements for conference membership as of July 1, 2026.

That means:

We officially have a full eight-team football lineup and nine full-sport members, solidifying the league's structure and competitiveness.

With Texas State's inclusion, our footprint strengthens—more TV exposure, better recruiting territory, and further validation of Fresno State's place in the new Pac‑12 era.

Shakira at Valley Children's Stadium – Let's Make History

This August 7, we're bringing Shakira to Valley Children's Stadium for the first concert in stadium history. It's a monumental moment—not just for Fresno State, but for the entire Valley. This event is proof that we can be a top-tier destination for marquee entertainment and game-changing partnerships.

But here's the deal—we've got to sell it out.

Because when we fill the stadium, we don't just celebrate a concert—we create future opportunities. National acts. Major revenue. Year-round visibility. These are the moments that redefine what's possible.

🎟️ Get your tickets today: Concert ticket link

A New Era of Leadership & Excellence

We've welcomed Charlotte Morgan, a 3x All-American and proven leader, to guide our softball program into its next great era. She brings grit, purpose, and Valley toughness. Charlotte is blue-collar, competitive, and passionate about developing young women both on and off the field—exactly the kind of leadership that resonates here in the Valley. She understands what this place is all about and is ready to recruit and retain the best right here at home.

We also brought in Mary Ritchie, who is already making a strong impact behind the scenes. Her experience, attention to detail, and ability to build relationships will be critical as we continue to grow and evolve. Mary values hard work, loyalty, and the unique spirit that makes the Valley special—she's a perfect cultural fit as we prepare for Pac-12 competition.

On April 14 we hired Ryan McCarthy as our new head women's basketball coach, Ryan arrives with an incredible 323–80 career record and an electrifying, full‑court "Mayhem" style. He's a culture-creator who matches our Valley intensity and brings relentless energy and strategic excellence—brilliantly aligned with our ambition to dominate in the Pac‑12 and ignite Red Wave pride. He and his family are already embracing Fresno State and the Valley, and his bold approach gives us all something exciting to rally around.

Champions Are Rising

Cierra Jackson made history this spring as Fresno State's first-ever NCAA Outdoor Track & Field champion, delivering a dominant, record-breaking discus throw and two All-America honors.

Bulldog Baseball was back in the postseason after winning its second straight Mountain West title and advancing to the NCAA Regional. This program is rolling—and it's just the beginning.

Thank You, Red Wave

None of this happens without you.

To our staff, our fans, our donors, and everyone who shows up day in and day out—thank you. Your passion fuels our progress. Our team is working relentlessly behind the scenes to serve our student-athletes and create something the entire Valley can be proud of. We are building a department that wins the right way—and your support is the difference.

Revenue Is Mission-Critical

As we look toward the Pac-12 era, the reality is clear: revenue determines our reach. We must find new streams. That's why the Shakira concert is so important. And why major apparel and multimedia rights deals coming soon are crucial for our long-term success.

Strategic Planning, Accountability, and the New Era

We are finalizing a new strategic plan that will include clear goals and real accountability—for ourselves and for everyone who believes in Fresno State. You deserve to know where we're headed, and exactly how we're going to get there.

We're also ready for the House Settlement and the new world of revenue sharing. But here's our approach: we're not going to ask for donations to cover athlete compensation. We're going to ask you to continue supporting our programs—because winning programs require winning resources. And we're going to build those programs right here, in the Valley. We want to recruit, develop, and retain the best talent right here at home.

Rooted in the Valley

In my first 11 months, I've visited 53 cities across the Valley—and next year, we'll hit 100 more. Why? Because this place matters. And because every community deserves to feel connected to what we're building together.

We've already:

Installed new turf at Valley Children's Stadium

Repurposed the old turf to create more space for our strength & conditioning staff

Begun working on replacing the V marks at the 25-yard lines—based on your feedback, and made possible through an upcoming corporate partnership

Let's Keep Going

We've made serious strides—but this is just the beginning.

Our mission is clear: grow, compete, elevate, and win. We will never stop pushing. We will never stop building. And we will never stop believing in what's possible at Fresno State.

Let's sell out Shakira. Let's finish summer strong. And let's keep climbing—together.

Go Dogs!

Garrett Klassy

Director of Athletics

Fresno State