Aggie Nation,

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first-ever Virtual Aggie Auction on Thursday, Nov. 12. It was a great success. There were many unique and special auction items donated; thank you to those who donated items, as well as monetary gifts.

We are gearing up to begin the revised 2020-21 men’s and women’s basketball seasons. Both teams open their respective seasons on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Men’s basketball will begin the season at the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls, S.D., Nov. 25-27. The Aggies are slated to play Wichita State in their opening contest on Wednesday, Nov. 25, tipping against the Shockers at 7:30 p.m. (MT). The matchup with WSU marks the 12th meeting between the two programs, with Utah State leading the all-time series, 6-5, and having won three of the last five.

Information regarding ticketing and fan attendance will be announced in the near future.

Link to: https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2020/11/11/utah-state-mens-basketball-to-open-its-2020- 21-season-on-nov-25.aspx

Graphic Attached; Link to: https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2020/11/17/mens-basketball-mountain- west-releases-revised-2020-21-conference-schedule.aspx The women's basketball team will begin their season with a home opener against Montana on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

No spectators, except for a limited number of players' family members, will be allowed to attend the Aggies women's basketball home opener against Montana on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday's game will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network and available at www.utahstateaggies.com/watch. Aggie fans can also listen to live radio coverage of the game on 92.3 FM KBLU-LP, as well as aggieradio.com. Live stats and play-by-play information will be available via Sidearm through USU's website.

Graphic Attached; Link to: https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2020/11/17/utah-state-womens- basketball-announces-full-2020-21-schedule-with-revised-mw-slate.aspx

Aggie football will host New Mexico on Thanksgiving Day.

Graphic Attached; Link to: https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2020/11/18/utah-state-football-to-host- new-mexico-on-thanksgiving-without-fans.aspx

Help us fill Maverik Stadium and the Spectrum with personalized cutouts - put on your gameday best and upload a photo of yourself (or your child, pet, etc.) so that you can still join us from the comfort and safety of your own home. Aggie fan cutouts are only $50 each, with net proceeds benefiting Aggies Unlimited.

Link to: https://caringcent.org/usu/fancutout

Sam Merrill Drafted by the in the Second Round of the 2020 NBA Draft

Sam Merrill, the second-leading scorer and No. 2 all-time leader in Utah State history, was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. Merrill is the first Aggie selected in the NBA Draft since the 1986 season, when Greg Grant was a sixth-round selection by the Detroit Pistons.

Utah State Student-Athletes Lead Mountain West With 93 Percent Graduation Success Rate

Utah State's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) stands at 93 percent for its student-athletes, it was announced by the NCAA national office Tuesday. This mark leads the Mountain West, while the national average is 90 percent. Utah State had the best or tied for the best GSR in the Mountain West in six sports with football (91), golf (100), men's tennis (100), soccer (100), women's tennis (100) and women's cross country/track & field (97). USU's men's tennis program has now had a perfect GSR for 13 consecutive years, while USU's golf and soccer programs have now hit that mark in each of the last four years.

Utah State Volleyball Signs Seven Players to 2021 Roster

Utah State Softball Announces 2021 Signing Class

USU Soccer Signs Six for the 2021 Season

Utah State Gymnastics Inks Five Future Aggies

Aggies Unlimited Donor Spotlight:

How did you become Aggies? Keith: My wife Joni and I are both Aggies and go way back. The George Nelson Fieldhouse was named after my paternal grandfather and my maternal grandfather played football at USU. My father’s architectural firm has designed many of the buildings on campus. Joni’s family also has a strong Aggie history. Her father, Rod Tueller coached for the men’s basketball team and was an athletic director for Utah State. We both grew up with a solid Aggie history, so being an Aggie is natural to us. It’s just part of our DNA.

What would you like to say to our current student-athletes? Take advantage of all of the opportunities that are provided to you, not only athletically, but educational, as well. Be prepared for all opportunities in life. The secondary opportunities might be those that have the greatest impact in your life. Embrace those and use your educational opportunities to the fullest.

What’s your favorite Aggie athletics moment? While we have several favorite athletics moments, our greatest has been watching our children experience the joy and excitement of representing USU. We have three sons and a daughter. Our sons and our son-in-law all played football at USU and our daughter was on the USU spirit squad. Our fondest memories come from seeing our children first experience that excitement. We will never forget the feelings we felt and how proud we were to watch them go out for the first time donning that Aggie Blue. While we took pride in their successes, we also appreciated watching them not reaching the level of success they hoped for each time. From those instances they were able to learn, improve and grow. Seeing your children grow provides a great sense of accomplishment and pride, which we were able to experience as they proudly represented USU.

Why did you decide to start supporting the education of our Aggie student-athletes? We have some understanding of the expenses required in supporting student-athletes. If we are able to make a difference to help in that manor, we are excited to do so. “The time is now to support these types of things. If you wait until later you will miss the opportunity to participate”. We have really taken to that philosophy and believe “The time is now.”

What advice would you give to others in Aggie Nation who are wondering what they can do to help USU Athletics? Everyone wants to do their best. For example, we might look at an athlete and wonder what they were thinking. What they are thinking is, “What can I do better and how can I work harder to achieve my goals?” USU has many great student-athletes, coaches and administrators. We need to embrace that and contribute in areas we are able. We owe that support to the university and to our wonderful student- athletes.

What does it mean to be an Aggie? It is my belief that USU is the “salt of the earth.” The “salt of the earth” means that individuals have integrity, heart and so forth. I believe from my legacy there is that responsibility to be that “salt of the earth” in my daily life and for all Aggies as we go about the job market, raise families, etc.

We celebrate being Aggies!

Go Aggies!

Link to: https://www.usu.edu/advancement/athletics/