Buster breaks into the BIG TIME

“Its not easy being green,” Kermit the Frog once said.

This is true for all colors. Especially when it means that you have to compete with hundreds of others for recognition through a sea of fluff and disproportionate head to body ratio.

Buster Bronco is no different from the rest of the mascots around the nation. The hard work and dedication that comes with being involved in all aspects of Boise State athletics takes its toll when credit isn’t due. Well, the Bronco all Boise State fans know and love is finally in the limelight.

Buster Bronco was named to the Capital One All-Star Mascot Team Sept. 1. No more grazing in the pastures of the north end zone or firing T-shirts into the crowd. Well, maybe not that far.

But he will charge through a field of 11 other mascots representing their home teams for the coveted title of champion.

OK. “So what makes Buster so special?” many will ask.
The simple, yet not so simple, task of performing to the crowd is often times overlooked. A mascot is supposed to do crazy things and interact with the crowd.

There is something that makes him stand apart. The requirements of any candidate include exhilaration of fans, originality with professionalism and awards along with national prominence displayed during the past five years.
Allison Bender, director of promotions at Boise State, submitted the information required for Buster to jump onto the national stage.

The process involved submission of an application to Capital One, “flair” items and a DVD of Buster Bronco performing for live crowds.

“We included things that were everything Buster,” Bender said.
These items consisted of stuffed Broncos, a University of Idaho Vandal pin with their name crossed out and other items that represent strong school spirit.

The business of a mascot entails much more than what fans see on the field. Buster also engages with many off the field. He takes part in multiple events including parties, fund-raisers and other events such as the 2008 Rail Jam. He rode down a rail displaying the ability it takes to pull multiple tasks off in character.

“I think he has done a lot of community service. He is good for the community,” Bender said.

Many fans might have noticed the cosmetic change in their beloved mascot from last season.

“It seems you have had some plastic surgery done,” Boise State junior Nicole Bowman said in a letter to The Arbiter.

A costume malfunction caused the change. Yes, there is a person underneath that brown, blue and orange façade. Who would have guessed?

The old suit was a single piece item that had to be replaced in its entirety.

“The old suit was in dire need of replacement,” Bender said.

“That was apparent when it began falling off at basketball games.”

The nomination to the All-Stars did encourage the new version of Buster. But the change came mostly because the old costume was falling apart, and the desire to have multiple pieces that could be replaced more readily when damaged.

But with the recognition comes the scrutiny.

“I hope you don’t feel as though you had to change your appearance,” Bowman said. “We are all aware of the pressures that celebrities feel to conform to the ‘ideal’ look. Please know that you were perfect, just as you used to be. I miss you floppy jaw and bright blue eyes.”

Such scrutiny comes with the celebrity status that is a heavy weight on the shoulders of recognizable figures, such as Buster.

“When you get more visibility, you get more scrutiny,” Bender said. “That is all part of being in the public eye.”

Despite the public interest in Boise State’s admired mascot, the fans can expect an exceptional year from Buster as he battles for the right to be called numero uno.

The other characters that were chosen to be a part of the Capital One All-Star Mascot Team include: The Bird (Air Force Academy), Aubie (Auburn University), Cosmo Couger (Brigham Young University), Cy (Iowa State University) Mike the Tiger (Louisiana State University), Testudo (University of Maryland), Mr. Wuf (North Carolina State University), Thundar (North Dakota State University), Cocky (University of South Carolina), Smokey (University of Tennessee) and Joe Bruin (UCLA).

The mascots were chosen, behind closed doors, by a team of skilled mascot judges according to the amount of points scored upon review. All programs eligible must have a football program and have Division I-A or I-AA standing with the NCAA. The winner will be announced during the halftime show of the Capital One Bowl Jan. 1, 2009 on ABC.

Starting anytime today you can vote for Buster to win online at
capitalonebowl.com.

KIRK BELL/Sports Coordinator

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