They’re among us: The die-hard members of ‘Bronco Nation’ (9/12)

COURTESY/CHASE JOHNSON

For some, the Boise State Broncos are a football team. For others, it’s a way of life. In part nine of a 12 part series on the most dedicated of Bronco fans, self-professed die-hard member of Bronco Nation and ASBSU senator Chase Johnson answers some questions about his ascension into the ranks of the Broncos’ most passionate supporters.

Q: What is your affiliation with Boise State University?

A: I am a junior double major in History and International Relations. I am also an ASBSU Senator At-Large. I have been involved with the athletic department for three years, working in the Sports Video Department and “Broncovision”.

Q: When did you first catch Bronco fever?

A: I love that saying “I was a bronco before being a bronco was cool.” I can’t say I have been one of those “die-hard” fans my entire life. I first started following Boise State football during the Dan Hawkins era. This was when I became extremely interested in college football, and I was completely enamored with the prospect of a team, just 250 miles down the road (form Idaho Falls), cracking the top 15 rankings. Idaho football is big on the blue collar mentality, and it has been a defining principle of the program for decades. My father, who was my high school football coach, preached the blue collar mentality to us at nausea, so it was a logical connection to make. Anyone who wants an example of institutional blue-collar-ism should look no farther than the Boise State locker room. Those two things combined sparked my interest. I didn’t even expect to go to Boise State for school, but I knew I would always be a fan.

Q: Is there any difference between being a fan now versus when you first became a fan?

A: Oh absolutely… Bronco Nation’s principles have never changed and no matter how many rings we put on our fingers we will always want to be known as the “little guy defining all odds”. The difference now, however, is all the rings! I have to be honest: there is a certain amount of bragging rights that go with all those championships. There is a method to our madness, and it makes for one of the most tight-knit, cohesive fan bases in America.

Q: What is the difference between a die-hard Bronco fan, and a regular fan?

A: Those who show up at a Women’s soccer game or two. There is more to Bronco Nation than football.

Q: What do you think of fair-weather fans?

A: One example from this year’s football season stands out. There is no question the UC-Davis game was frustrating for Bronco Nation. We were just not firing on all cylinders. However the game also served to highlight, quite frankly, the difference between true fans and pretenders. After a failed offensive drive, some of our fans boo’d our offense as they left the field. I was utterly disgusted. The TRUE members of Bronco Nation were the ones who continued to yell at the top of their lungs, and willed the team to victory. Sometimes I think that the crowd doesn’t really think how much of an effect they have on the players. They feed off that energy like they would an all you can eat buffet. The players will respond to the crowd, whether it be the boo’s of pathetic fair weather fans, or that perfectly synchronized, deafening, Boise State chant.

Q: When I say you are a part of Bronco Nation, what does that mean to you?

A: It means that I am part of an idea that is bigger than myself. There is no such thing as an individual accomplishment, and there is no such thing as a one man show. Bronco Nation is not one person, and one person is not Bronco nation. The rings on the fingers of a few are a direct manifestation of the actions of many. Every time a trophy is raised, or a touchdown is scored, every single member of Bronco Nation should look around and say: “that is what WE did.”

Bronco Nation extends beyond the football field, and beyond the realm of athletics. You think the Fiesta Bowl was an accomplishment? Come back in ten years and look what our athletes, students, teachers, administrators will have done. Now that is the true impact of Bronco Nation.

Q: What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to you while traveling to (or while at) away games?

A: The most interesting experience was probably the culture shock that was Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I was there for the 2008 Southern Miss game, and I left with some interesting quotes, my favorite being: “You darn right we know how to cook! If it ain’t fried, it ain’t worth eatin’”… classic.

Q: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve experienced while tailgating?

A: The duties of my job don’t let me tailgate, maybe once I get my degree I will reward myself with a tailgate.

Q: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve experienced while inside the stadium during a game?

A: The Boise State v. Oregon game was the epitome of the potential of Bronco Nation. I don’t think that crowd realizes just how loud they are. I was down on the sidelines shooting highlights for the athletic department. When I when inside after the game I took out the earpiece to my radio and I realized I was almost deaf in the other year… ya that’s right Bronco Nation almost screamed me deaf! The 35,000 people that pack Bronco Stadium week in and week out will forever have my respect as one of the greatest crowds in all of college football.

Q: What is your typical game day attire? If it’s elaborate, how long does it take you to get ready and do you have any stories of costume malfunctions or interesting anecdotes to share?

A: A perfectly structured, Coach’s issue Boise State Nike hat, a BSU Nike Coaches Polo (always blue), My best pair of khaki slacks, and BSU team issue Nike Air Pegasus shoes. And most importantly my sideline pass. (Note the Nike theme here, in my job , if we have any other logo on we have to go home and change).

Q: What do you think about the BCS system?

A: See Senate Resolution 05-2009! I think there is great potential for everyone to be happy with post season college football. But they have to do it right, and that does not mean a total overhaul of the system. One of those reforms has to be the equitable treatment of all college football teams. Look for these T-shirts at the Fiesta Bowl, they say: “earned… not entitled” (another great articulation of Bronco Nation’s Blue Collar-ism) I want Boise State to earn respect, but I think we all expect that respect to be delivered once it is earned. Right now due respect is not given by the organizers of the college football post season system.

Q: What do you think about the BSU vs. TCU match-up?

A: A perfect question to follow my last response! It frustrates me to see Bronco Nation respond negatively to this match-up. Two fellow senators voted against my Senate Resolution, thanking the Fiesta Bowl. Bronco Nation has no right to complain about a system that is generating unparalleled exposure for our university, and the direct benefit the millions of dollars in bowl pay-out money. Also I think it is an insult to the integrity of Gary Patterson’s fantastic leadership of TCU’s football program. The Fiesta Bowl is not a cop-out… and you can quote me on this, Boise State just might be playing the best college football team in the nation, both in athletic ability, as well as personal integrity. And the fact that many people at TCU view Boise State in the same light speaks to the true nature of this match-up. This is the working man’s national championship.

Q: If you could ask Coach Peterson one question, what would it be?

A: Just one time, when I need it most, can I call you for advice? Listening to Coach Peterson give a pep talk is a privilege.

Q: If you could ask Bob Kustra one question, what would it be?

A: Do you want to go get lunch so I can ask you 50 more questions? (That is the true student government official in me coming out)

Q: Who is your favorite player this year and why?

A: Without a doubt, Richie Brockle. Not only does he play the style of football that I like to watch, I don’t think there is a better human being to go through our football program. I could go on forever speaking to Richie’s character, but everyone should just go watch him, and look at the way he carries himself.

Q: Who was the greatest Boise State Quarterback and why?

A: I’m a political science major, and we like to think that we can see into the future so I will have to say Kellen Moore. By the time he leaves Boise State he will have more of an impact on our program than any other player. You know what they say: “Tim Tebow wears Kellen More pajamas”

Q: How do you feel about the Vandals winning the Humanitarian Bowl?

A: I was on the field for that game and it was the greatest game I have seen since the Fiesta Bowl. It brought great attention to our state. Going for the two point conversion and the win was a gutsy call and Rob Akey needs to be commended. His turnaround of the U of I football program speaks to his ability as a football coach. Hear it here and now: I, as a member of Bronco Nation, was really rooting for U of I in that game.

Q: Do you have any advise for fans traveling to the Fiesta Bowl?

A: This will probably be one of those “preaching to the choir” moments, but success at the Fiesta Bowl will require each and every fan to will our team to victory. We need to supply that energy for the team. I was at the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, and I yelled so loud that I couldn’t speak the entire next day. The 2007 Fiesta Bowl was the greatest college football game of the modern era, and for more reasons than the three plays that shocked the world. That was the most electric crowd I have ever been a part of, and if that can be duplicated, the Fiesta Bowl magic will return. I want to see the Bronco Nation that showed up for the Oregon game, now that was true fansmanship (I don’t even know if that is a word, but it should be!)

Q: Are you a first generation Bronco fan, or is your family long standing members of Bronco Nation? If so, do you have any memories of family adventures involving BSU football?

A: I come from a football family. My dad is the head football coach at my alma matter, Idaho Falls High School. My dad is good friends with every BSU coach back to Dirk Koetter. He is the one that introduced me to Boise State football. I think every member of Bronco Nation can tell a story about the Fiesta Bowl, but I got my first taste of Bronco Nation at the 2005 BSU v U of I game. It was a total shellacking, and a great experience, the chants, the noise, the football finesse, I was totally hooked.

Q: Are there any other thoughts you would like to add about what it means to be a die-hard Bronco fan?

A: Like I said earlier, Bronco Nation is much more than sports and football. Just go to our website, look at the news feed, and look at what Bronco Nation is doing… it’s million dollar grants here, international accolades there. Boise State is one of the fastest growing universities in the nation and pretty soon you will see Bronco Nation all over the world, doing incredible things. I think “Metropolitan Research University of Distinction” is just a fancy way of saying “Bronco Nation, doing what they do best”.

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Posted by Josh Gamble on Jan 4 2010. Filed under Bowl Championship Series, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.