Graduate Assistant Spotlight: Josh Kraft
2/23/2024 11:00:00 AM | General
Boise State Athletics is spotlighting the graduate assistants who work to help each department within athletics run smoothly while obtaining their master's degree. These features will tell the stories of graduate assistants while also giving information on what each department within Boise State Athletics does.
Josh Kraft is a second-year graduate assistant (GA) working in the Bronco Athletic Association (BAA), the fundraising arm of the athletic department, specifically in premium seating and events, while pursuing a degree in the Master of Athletic Leadership (MAL) program.
"My process of getting this position and into the program was unique," said Kraft. "I didn't start filling out my application until after the summer courses had started, so I wasn't able to start until the fall semester. It was also by luck that the role that needed to be filled was in the BAA because that's the area of athletics I want to work in."
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Kraft spent a year deciding what career path he wanted to pursue, ultimately choosing athletics. Athletics was always something he was passionate about, as he had spent four years as a student-athlete at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., where he obtained his bachelor of business administration.
Kraft ultimately chose Boise State because it presented an opportunity of being able to return to his hometown while pursuing a degree in something he is passionate about.
During his first year as a GA, Kraft focused on helping with events, such as the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and operational tasks like membership and season ticket renewals.
Since then, Kraft has assisted with parking, premium seating, Lyle Smith events for football and basketball and the Boise State Auction Gala. He also helps new GAs with their events and different campaigns they are involved in when needed.
"Josh has been an invaluable part of the BAA team since his arrival," said associate athletic director for development, Bryan Beals. "His flexibility to assist across our team with fundraising, stewardship and serving as an all-around utility player has been extremely impressive. His commitment to professional development is something not seen in many younger staff members and he has made the BAA, and everyone in it, better during our time with him."
Currently, Kraft and the BAA are preparing for Bronco Giving Day, which begins on Feb. 28.
Bronco Giving Day is a 36-hour campaign in support of Boise State University's students, colleges, scholarships, athletics and programs for all members of Bronco Nation. The purpose of Bronco Giving Day is to ensure the continuation of building on Boise State's current foundation to provide beneficial opportunities for current and future students. The support the athletic department receives from Bronco Giving Day not only aids the individual student-athletes, but empowers the department to invest in enhancing the overall student-athlete experience at Boise State.
Kraft's involvement in the BAA's role for Bronco Giving Day has been ensuring the athletic department is properly represented as a pillar. This includes having a fund to donate to for each sport, finding matches or challenges to incentive giving for sport-specific donations, gathering creative content to market the event and utilizing student-athletes in sport-specific posts and thank you videos.
"Josh has truly grown and developed this season," said his supervisor and director of premium seating and events, Jacob Howell. "He took charge of helping restructure our BAA benefit levels and defining future benefits for our fans and donors to help encourage more philanthropic giving and support. He's also assisted in increasing our parking revenue by nearly 30% in comparison to last season."
During his time at Boise State, Kraft has also been able to attend two conferences to help him grow professionally. He attended the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) & Affiliates Convention in June 2023, after receiving the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) stipend, and the 2024 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar in February.
After his time working in Boise State Athletics and obtaining his MAL degree, Kraft wants to take the next steps to becoming an athletic director, hoping to take on a role in development.
"My favorite part about working at Boise State has been the opportunity to be involved in game days," said Kraft. "The atmosphere is on another level, and knowing that the work we are putting in throughout the week is making the student-athletes and fans' experiences great is really rewarding and fun to be a part of."
Josh Kraft is a second-year graduate assistant (GA) working in the Bronco Athletic Association (BAA), the fundraising arm of the athletic department, specifically in premium seating and events, while pursuing a degree in the Master of Athletic Leadership (MAL) program.
"My process of getting this position and into the program was unique," said Kraft. "I didn't start filling out my application until after the summer courses had started, so I wasn't able to start until the fall semester. It was also by luck that the role that needed to be filled was in the BAA because that's the area of athletics I want to work in."
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Kraft spent a year deciding what career path he wanted to pursue, ultimately choosing athletics. Athletics was always something he was passionate about, as he had spent four years as a student-athlete at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., where he obtained his bachelor of business administration.
Kraft ultimately chose Boise State because it presented an opportunity of being able to return to his hometown while pursuing a degree in something he is passionate about.
During his first year as a GA, Kraft focused on helping with events, such as the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and operational tasks like membership and season ticket renewals.
Since then, Kraft has assisted with parking, premium seating, Lyle Smith events for football and basketball and the Boise State Auction Gala. He also helps new GAs with their events and different campaigns they are involved in when needed.
"Josh has been an invaluable part of the BAA team since his arrival," said associate athletic director for development, Bryan Beals. "His flexibility to assist across our team with fundraising, stewardship and serving as an all-around utility player has been extremely impressive. His commitment to professional development is something not seen in many younger staff members and he has made the BAA, and everyone in it, better during our time with him."
Currently, Kraft and the BAA are preparing for Bronco Giving Day, which begins on Feb. 28.
Bronco Giving Day is a 36-hour campaign in support of Boise State University's students, colleges, scholarships, athletics and programs for all members of Bronco Nation. The purpose of Bronco Giving Day is to ensure the continuation of building on Boise State's current foundation to provide beneficial opportunities for current and future students. The support the athletic department receives from Bronco Giving Day not only aids the individual student-athletes, but empowers the department to invest in enhancing the overall student-athlete experience at Boise State.
Kraft's involvement in the BAA's role for Bronco Giving Day has been ensuring the athletic department is properly represented as a pillar. This includes having a fund to donate to for each sport, finding matches or challenges to incentive giving for sport-specific donations, gathering creative content to market the event and utilizing student-athletes in sport-specific posts and thank you videos.
"Josh has truly grown and developed this season," said his supervisor and director of premium seating and events, Jacob Howell. "He took charge of helping restructure our BAA benefit levels and defining future benefits for our fans and donors to help encourage more philanthropic giving and support. He's also assisted in increasing our parking revenue by nearly 30% in comparison to last season."
During his time at Boise State, Kraft has also been able to attend two conferences to help him grow professionally. He attended the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) & Affiliates Convention in June 2023, after receiving the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) stipend, and the 2024 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar in February.
After his time working in Boise State Athletics and obtaining his MAL degree, Kraft wants to take the next steps to becoming an athletic director, hoping to take on a role in development.
"My favorite part about working at Boise State has been the opportunity to be involved in game days," said Kraft. "The atmosphere is on another level, and knowing that the work we are putting in throughout the week is making the student-athletes and fans' experiences great is really rewarding and fun to be a part of."
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