Buster’s got a brand new bag

Thousands of fans filled Bronco Stadium Friday night to get

another glimpse at this year’s football team. However, there was

another reason for excitement long before the scrimmage even

started. Buster, the beloved mascot of the university, pulled up in

front of Bronco Stadium earlier that evening and was greeted by

hundreds of fans as he jumped out of a city bus to show the eager

crowd his new and improved uniform.

Bigger, with ripped abs and a physique that resembles a superhero,

Buster now can take on the rest of the mascots around the country

and show them who’s boss.

“We put him in the weight room this summer,” said Brad Larrando,

Assistant Athletic Director, Marketing and Promotions.

The idea for a new Buster uniform didn’t directly come from the

Athletic Department or the students, but rather a collection of

Bronco fans from the community. One of those fans that organized

the beginning stages of the fundraising was Paula Spang.

“After the Fort Worth Bowl, Buster looked out of date and smelled

bad. His tail was pinned on to him, and we knew it was time for a

new mascot,” Spang said.

So, she and a group of devoted fans that met each other on

the fan site

“http://www.broncocountry.com”>BroncoCountry.com started a Web

Site thread to raise about $500 of the $2,000 needed for the new

uniform. Spang and Charles Eddy brought the idea to the Boise State

Athletic Department. Larrando, who is in charge of the mascot in

the Athletic Department, knew that this was a great idea and got

the ball rolling earlier this spring. ASBSU put in another $700 and

the Athletic Department fronted the rest of the money.

“We wouldn’t have done this if we didn’t think it would draw more

attention,” Larrando said.

The attention was there, as the Mane Line dancers and Boise State

Spirit Squad line up from the curb to the entrance of the Hall of

Fame entrance to greet Buster with hundreds of fans and a live shot

from one of the local sports anchors.

Buster was first introduced in the fall of 1970 after then

President John Barnes wanted an additional mascot to the horse that

could join teams on road trips. Since then fans have seen a handful

of different uniforms worn by Buster, and the new look is getting

the attention of many around the university.

“I think Buster Bronco looks like a real Bronco now. I think its

great,” said Boise State University President Robert Kustra.

And what does Buster have to say? Well, not much, but he does look

a little happier with his new threads as he hugged a few young fans

during the scrimmage Friday night.

Trevor Horn
Sports Writer

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