Nov. 27, 2000
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina University Director of Athletics, Jeff Compher announced today that the contract of Football Head Coach Bill Bleil has been extended for two years beginning immediately through the 2002 season. "I have thoroughly evaluated our football program and believe that Bill and his staff are doing things the right way and that they will build a winning team," states Compher. "I am especially pleased that Western has recently committed the necessary resources to help Coach Bleil create a top ranked program in our conference. He has also done an excellent job of retaining and graduating players and maintaining high academic and personal standards for our players."
On his extension Bleil stated, "I feel confident we are on track to take this program to the next level. The administration's commitment to facilities and scholarships will allow this program to reach its goal of becoming the prominent athletics program in the Southern Conference. Twenty years from now people will look back on this period and understand how important these improvements were."
Prior to the 2000 season, Western installed a one million dollar state-of-the-art playing surface at Whitmire Stadium along with a new scoreboard. The Sports Medicine facility was recently doubled in size and plans are on the table for the completion of the west side seating area and the expansion of the current weight room. These major renovations, along with the significant increase in available scholarships, are all positives that have the Western Carolina football program heading in the right direction. "My immediate goal is for our football program to take the next step and begin competing for a Southern Conference Championship," said Compher. "I firmly believe that Bill Bleil is the coach who can lead us to this goal."
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