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Athletes put Boise State on the map
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Boise State’s athletic teams represent the university as a
NCAA Division I school. They compete at the highest level of
collegiate athletics, and still enjoy the academic advantages of a
small to medium size school. The athletic department provides the
best for Boise State’s student athletes, making the
university an attractive option for prospective athletes. Now, more
than ever, Boise State’s name alone carries national
recognition.
Lori Hays, one of Boise State’s sports information
directors, said Boise State’s student athletes possess the
best of both worlds, the prestige of a Division I school and the
academic focus of a smaller institution. The average class size is
smaller than at larger schools, enabling instructors to give
students more individual attention.
“The biggest advantage a small to medium size Division I
school has over a really large school is that a school the size of
Boise State still looks at students as people and are not just
numbers,” Hays said.
Gymnastics coach Sam Sandmire said the quality of instruction is
also an integral part of any student’s education.
Sandmire said in addition to academic advantages, the
recreational opportunities and amenities surrounding the Boise area
provide another strong selling point for the university.
“The foothills are minutes away from campus, the lake is
just out of town and whitewater rafting is less than an
hour’s drive away. The Greenbelt that runs along the Boise
River provides an area to exercise for 20 minutes without having to
cross a single street. You can ski or snowboard in the morning and
golf in the afternoon. Campus is compact and adjacent to downtown
so you don’t need a car to get around,” Sandmire
said.
Sandmire said Boise, as a community, embraces student athletes
as the university’s most visible ambassadors. Boise is a
smaller city with few professional sports teams. Bronco athletes
get a lot of recognition and media attention.
“The community gets behind us and attends our meets and
games, and the media covers us,” Sandmire said.
Tim Gilligan, a junior wide receiver on the Bronco football team
said he visited Boise State’s campus a number of times prior
to his enrollment at the university. Gilligan said that the Bronco
football program was an up-and-coming tradition he was eager to be
a part of.
“We’re on the rise. The more we win, the more
national attention the university gains,” Gilligan said.
Gilligan said the community provides the support and the fan
base that any Division I football program would covet. In return,
the Boise State faithful expect no less than a premier program.
They have in fact become conditioned to winning seasons, national
rankings and bowl games.
Gilligan said the team has come to expect something from the
fans as well. At Bronco Stadium, sellout crowds – waves of
blue and orange bodies – are a permanent fixture.
Gilligan said, “Whenever we need the fans’ support,
they’re always there.”
Jay Swillie, a senior wide receiver on the Bronco football team,
and a potential NFL candidate, said he had the opportunity to play
football at a number of other NCAA I-A schools. Brigham Young,
Washington State and Idaho all offered Swillie full scholarships.
Swillie said the strength of the program and the outstanding
coaching staff were strong factors in his decision to join Boise
State’s program.
“BSU competes at the highest level, we’re better
than a lot of teams that represent larger schools. The size of the
school doesn’t affect the strength of the program,”
Swillie said.
Boise State’s final ranking of 12th in the USA Today/ESPN
Coaches poll is the highest NCAA I-A ranking in the history of the
program. The unprecedented success of the 2002 season,
Swillie’s final season at BSU, completed his career as a
Bronco. Swillie said he feels that the team and the university have
taken some major steps in the last few years.
“I came to Boise State because I knew we would have a
winning program. After this season, when people hear ‘Boise
State,’ it means something. We put Boise State on the
map,” Swillie said.
Andrea Trujillo, The Arbiter