Boise State University Director of Athletics Curt Apsey announced Wednesday that he is leaving his role as athletic director to move into a university-level fundraising position. Bob Carney, the Broncos’ senior associate athletic director for strategic planning and capital projects, will serve as interim director of athletics until a permanent hire is made.
A national search for a permanent director of athletics will begin immediately.
“It has been a privilege for me to be a part of Boise State Athletics for the past 21 years, both as an athletic director and senior level administrator. I am extremely grateful to have been able to work with such incredible people while serving our amazing student-athletes that wore the Blue and Orange. I want to thank each of them for being so committed to the student-athlete experience both academically and athletically. With Dr. Tromp’s leadership and the University administration’s commitment to innovation and growth, Boise State and Bronco Athletics will continue to rise to the next level.
“I will be stepping away from the duties of athletic director and focusing my energy on the financial challenges we currently face by continuing to advance our fundraising efforts at Boise State.
“I also want to sincerely thank our donors, season ticket holders and corporate partners for the role they have played in our continued success both on the field of competition and in the classroom. We would not be where we are today without their support.”
“On behalf of our entire Boise State University community, I want to thank Curt Apsey for the tremendous role that he has played in helping our student-athletes achieve unparalleled successes over the past five years,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president. “In this new role, he will continue to work on behalf of our athletics department but also can put his tremendous skill set to work for our entire university during this critical time.”
Apsey initially joined Boise State in 1998 as senior associate athletic director, working with both corporate and individual donors to make long-lasting improvements to Boise State athletics and athletics facilities. He headed the “Initiative for Athletic Excellence” capital campaign to improve and expand athletic facilities that included the Caven-Williams Indoor Sports Complex ($10 million, 2006), the Stueckle Sky Center ($37 million, 2008), the Arguinchona Basketball Complex ($3 million, 2011) and the Bleymaier Football Center ($22 million, 2013).
He was in his sixth year as the Broncos’ athletic director, and was most recently honored as a finalist for the Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year. In each of the two years prior to the pandemic, Boise State finished as the top athletic department among Group of Five schools in the Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup Standings.
Eight athletics programs combined for 18 conference championships during Apsey’s tenure as athletic director, including football (two), gymnastics (four), men’s cross country (two), soccer (two), softball, swimming & diving (two), women’s basketball (four) and volleyball.
Academically, Boise State Athletics repeatedly has experienced banner years. In spring 2020, the department’s student-athletes overcame a challenging spring semester to post an all-department grade-point average of 3.46. Bronco student-athletes also combined for 125 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Awards this past season, a school record.
Carney initially joined the department in 2005 and served in several capacities before being promoted to his current role in July 2018. An Air Force veteran, Carney earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boise State in August 2008, and his master’s in athletic leadership, also from Boise State, in 2018.
“I have a long history with Boise State and am determined to make sure our department continues its successes across the board as Dr. Tromp seeks a permanent replacement for athletic director,” Carney said.
In his previous role, Carney helped Boise State develop and implement its strategic plan, and helped foster relationships with donors, raising funds for capital projects and facility improvements. He also assisted with the overall management of the athletic department.
Carney developed bids for hosting postseason competition, ultimately helping to secure the 2018 NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds in Boise and then serving as tournament coordinator for the event. He also served as the project manager for all capital projects and facility renovations, including the construction of the Bleymaier Football Center, DeChevrieux Field, Boise State football’s grass practice facility, and Dona Larsen Park, a multi-purpose facility that plays host to the Broncos’ softball and track and field programs, in addition to high school football games.