Fourteen University of Idaho athletics boosters contacted the Idaho State Board of Education, asking for UI President Chuck Staben’s removal May 14, according to the Idaho Statesman.
According to the Statesman, members of the Vandal Scholarship Fund (VSF) penned the letter to SBOE. VSF President Mark Boatman and First-Vice President Mike Mai both signed the letter.
Chuck Staben
“We have lost all trust, faith and confidence in President Chuck Staben’s ability to lead the University of ldaho,” the letter read, according to the Statesman. “His lack of leadership, mismanagement and poor policy decisions have damaged the relationship between the administration of the University of ldaho and its faculty, students, alumni, and the good citizens of the state of ldaho. … We believe it is imperative and in the best interests of the University of Idaho to engage new leadership that will be devoted to developing a plan to rebuild the university and help move it in a positive direction.”
VSF donates 100 percent of funds to UI student-athletes.
Staben, along with UI Director Rob Spear, announced back in 2016 Idaho would be dropping to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Many independent boosters stated they would withdraw funding from UI if the decision became final. Idaho will compete once again as an FCS team this fall.
“We agree with and appreciate the decision of the State Board of Education,” Boatman and Mai told the Statesman. “The past three years have been filled with many polarizing issues. The time is now for Vandal alumni, fans and stakeholders to band together. There are many challenges facing our great university and its athletic department. We believe by uniting and working together they can be overcome.”
Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected]