One of Boise State’s most iconic landmarks, the blue turf, has put the university on the map once again.
USA Today’s 10Best recently named Albertsons Stadium’s iconic Blue Turf the best sports fan attraction in the country for the third straight year, reinforcing its place as one of college football’s most recognizable landmarks.
“When you look at all the other attractions that were up for this — museums, historic venues — it really is an honor to see The Blue come out on top,” said Suzanne Lavender, senior associate athletic director. “It’s become such a signature of Boise State and the city of Boise. People see it and instantly know who’s playing.”
Bob Behler, longtime play-by-play voice of both Boise State football and men’s basketball, said it belongs in the same conversation as some of the most iconic venues in sports.
“When I think of The Blue, I put it right there with Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and Lambeau Field,” Behler said. “If you’re sitting in a sports bar and see highlights on a blue field, you don’t need a graphic. You know exactly it’s Boise State.”
Lavender recalled a night when a family from Chicago pleaded with staff to unlock the stadium after hours, saying they couldn’t leave Boise without seeing The Blue.
For Isaac Celedon, Boise State’s student body president, stories like these capture the essence of what the turf represents.
“The Blue is the front porch of the university,” Celedon said. “It sparks the conversations that connect students, alumni and fans across the country. This recognition shows our athletics program’s continued commitment to innovation and to building one of the greatest ideas in college sports history.”
Lucas Gebhart, associate director of sports sales for Visit Boise, said the recognition also has ripple effects far beyond campus.“It gives people a reason to come to Boise. Whether that’s coming to a football game or it gives us a venue that we can go out and sell and market for different events that aren’t football related, The Blue is a top attraction.”
The idea for the uniquely colored field dates back to 1986, when a forward-thinking athletic director decided Boise State needed something to set it apart. Nearly 40 years later, it continues to draw more than 18,000 visitors annually on non-game days.
From its junior college days to the Big Sky, Big West, Mountain West and now the Pac-12, Boise State’s rise has been inseparable from its iconic blue turf field.
“The field gave the program an identity, but the success of the teams made it matter,” Behler added.
The recognition affirms The Blue’s place as one of the most powerful symbols in both college football and among other iconic sports landmarks across the nation.
