Under the glow of Albertsons Stadium lights, Idaho foster youth sprinted and played alongside student-athletes on the famous blue turf. For a couple of hours, the focus wasn’t on competition or records, but on community engagement and connection.
Hosted by Boise State Athletics, BroncoLife, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Freedom Youth Foundation, the Fostering Future Broncos event gave hundreds of children in foster care the chance to meet Boise State student-athletes face-to-face.
The Freedom Youth Foundation, led by founder and CEO Shane Hanson, partners with Boise State to help create opportunities for Idaho foster youth through sports and mentorship. The non-profit focuses on building self-esteem, teamwork and confidence by connecting children in foster care with positive role models.
For this event, the foundation helped organize games and activities on The Blue, led by athletes from football, basketball, volleyball, golf and gymnastics.
“We’re excited to once again offer this unforgettable experience for foster youth and families from across Idaho,” said DHW Family and Community Partnerships Administrator Laura Denner. “The blue turf at Albertsons Stadium is a symbol of Idaho pride, and this event gives children in foster care a chance to create memories and connect with inspiring role models.”
At one end of the field, football players taught throwing mechanics and ran passing routes with clusters of kids, while gymnasts guided little ones through somersaults on mats and golfers showed off putting techniques.
The day blended competition with playfulness, as some kids practiced accuracy drills while others joined together in a circle, tossing a beach ball and aimed to keep it from touching the turf. Each moment, whether structured or spontaneous, carried the same purpose — to build confidence, connection and joy.
Starting center for Boise State football, Zach Holmes, said the moment reminded him of what it means to give back.
“We were kids once,” Holmes said. “One thing about playing football is that you can recognize how much this means to people younger than us. We were kids who looked up to football players, and you kind of forget about that until you see it again.”
Across the field, offensive lineman Alma Taleni spent his night making connections by playing basketball with a young boy. The experience hit especially close to home since Taleni grew up with two foster sisters and a foster brother. For Taleni, seeing the children’s excitement brought back powerful memories.
“When I heard about this event, it hit home for me,” he said. “I just wanted to get out here and see how far I’ve come from when I was with my foster sisters and brothers.”
Inside the Hall of Fame building, some kids colored with crayons and markers alongside student-athletes who joined them at the tables. Others took photos and shared pizza amongst themselves. The relaxed setting gave families and athletes a chance to connect beyond the sidelines — to talk, laugh and share stories that went far deeper than sports.
Another offensive lineman for Boise State football, Tyler Keinath, said events like this remind players that community involvement is part of what it means to wear the Bronco uniform. “We’re football players, but we’re also just humans,” Keinath said. “Being with a community of people like this, it’s a blessing.”
The night wasn’t about teaching football, it was about showing up and being a role model. The athletes listened to kids share their dreams, learned their names and helped them feel seen.
Hanson stated that sports play a significant role in helping youth in foster care build self-esteem and life skills.
“Sports empower kids by giving them teamwork, confidence and a sense of belonging,” he said. “Meeting college student-athletes who’ve worked hard to reach their goals can show what’s possible.”
At the end of the night, everyone at the event joined together on the Bronco logo at the center of the field where they posed for a group photo. Collectively, the children yelled out, “Thank you”, to all of the athletes for their love and support.
For Boise State’s athletes, it was a chance to give back to a community that supports them every Saturday. For the kids, it was a night to run free, be seen and believe in what’s possible.
