(8th day of blogs looking back on Fresno State athletics in 2007-08.)

Fresno State has some of the Western Athletic Conference's best facilities. But university officials say they aren't good enough if the program expects to remain in the top tier of non-Bowl Championship Series schools.

Of course, that has never been Fresno State's true goal. The university wants to be among the nation's elite.

Since universities can't woo athletes with salaries, they do it with better facilities. The result is what associate athletic director Danny White calls "the facilities arms race .... If your facilities aren't on par with your competitors, you're going to lose the recruiting battle."

Fresno State officials in 2007-08 unveiled ambitious plans for new or improved facilities. They mentioned no price tag, but it will take millions of dollars and many years.

Two new facilities are short-term priorities: an aquatics center for the revived women's swimming and diving team, and a soccer/lacrosse stadium.