The Role of the Boise State Mascot in Recruiting and School Pride

By admin

The Boise State Mascot is the beloved Broncos. The Boise State University's athletic teams are known as the Broncos, and the mascot perfectly represents the spirit and energy of the university. The Broncos' mascot is a live horse named Buster Bronco. Buster is a stunning symbol of strength, determination, and power. The university takes great pride in its mascot, and Buster can often be seen at various athletic events, rallies, and community activities, rallying the crowd and igniting school spirit. Buster Bronco is a fan favorite and has become one of the most iconic symbols of Boise State University.



Mascots

During the first year of classes (1932-1933), Boise Junior College students picked the Bronco mascot because it represented the wild horses that roamed the Owyhees. In 1935 and 1936 the student body constructed paper and wooden broncos, nicknamed Elmer. The mascot was paraded downtown and set on fire before each homecoming game, and “From his ashes rises the spirit of new conquests and victories.”

Throughout the 1960s various live animal horses represented the Broncos. The first horse was Spyieche, a white Appaloosa stallion seen in the 1966 yearbook. After other horses were dedicated mascots, President John Barnes recommended the Associated Student Body president and College Union Director encourage the students to create a costumed mascot similar to the Idaho State Bengal.

The first costumed mascot, named Buster Bronco, appeared in Fall 1974. The first mention of his appearance comes from a letter dated October 15, 1974 from Dr. Barnes to Mr. Andy Reynolds, congratulating Andy on a great performance as Buster Bronco at the Idaho State vs. Boise State football game (October 12). Barnes mentioned that Andy’s performance was much better than before, suggesting the first act might have been the football game versus University of Nevada, Reno on October 5th. The Idaho Statesman and Arbiter newspapers make no mention of mascots for any games in October 1974.

In the 1990s, the cheerleaders introduced a second, and female, Buster Bronco. In the late 1990s, the live horse Bronco returned to football games, a tradition that continues into the 2010s. In 2002, Athletics adopted an athletics-specific Bronco logo, which lasted until 2012 when the entire University transition to a unified brand.

Buster Bronco is a fan favorite and has become one of the most iconic symbols of Boise State University. The mascot's presence adds a fun and exciting element to every event, creating a sense of camaraderie and pride among students, faculty, and fans. Buster's presence is not only appreciated by the university community, but it also serves as a symbol of Boise State's commitment to excellence in athletics and academics.

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BSUs Latest Buster Mascot Revealed to be 2014 Miss Idaho

Each year at Boise State University, Buster Bronco takes to the fields and courts of various sports to bring excitement to the crowds and additional fun to the games. The true identity of Buster is usually kept secret for as long as possible. The latest mascot kept the secret for the entire season and only just revealed their identity, and I’m stunned.

The secret identity of Buster Bronco was revealed on Facebook recently and it turned out to be Sierra Sandison. Sierra was able to pull off the mascot duties while keeping on top of her classwork at BSU as she studied mechanical engineering.

The Secret Identity of BSU Bronco Mascot Revealed

Possibly more impressive than keeping her identity secret, she was able to graduate Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s of science and minoring in computer science, biomedical engineering, and applied mathematics.

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Sierra is an inspiration to all as she has worked so hard to achieve so much while setting an example to those who have been told they can’t do something. In an Instagram post, she shares her experience doing all she has done while facing the hardships that come with having type 2 diabetes.

I had the honor of meeting Sierra in 2014 when she became Miss Idaho and helped me participate in the ice bucket challenge. Watch until the middle of the video (or skip to it) for a surprise:

If you want to be the next Buster Bronco, you can find information on how to try out on the BSU Spirit Squad page.

BSU’s Buster Bronco Lives a Double Life as Another College’s Mascot

Buster Bronco is a beloved part of Boise State Athletics. You can see him at every home football game sporting a #0 Boise State football jersey and a #54 orange basketball jersey for basketball games. He is the spirit of Boise State Athletics and the ultimate hype horse. Buster Bronco bleeds blue and orange.. or does he?

Boise State's very own mascot may be leading a double life 1,500 miles away from here in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I was astonished (and a little offended) to learn that Western Michigan University's mascot is ALSO a bronco whose name ALSO happens to be Buster!

For the record, Buster Bronco of Boise State has been around since 1932. He didn't start hanging around Western Michigan until 1981 and wasn't formally adopted by WMU's athletic department until 1988. So yes, Bronco Buster has been with Boise State far longer than he's been with Western Michigan.

Now we know we can't be the only bronco mascot to exist. There are plenty of other broncos out there like the Denver Broncos, of course. They have two official bronco mascots - one named Miles and the other Thunder. These are obviously two completely different broncos. But Buster Bronco?! Sorry WMU, but the college sports scene ain't big enough for the two of us.

If Boise State really wanted to, they could trademark Buster Bronco as a mascot just how they trademarked their iconic blue turf. As for Buster Bronco, it's time to decide where the loyalty lies. Pick a team, Buster.

The resemblance is honestly uncanny!

Boise state mascot

In addition to his work at sporting events, Buster Bronco also makes appearances at various community events, schools, and hospitals. The mascot's friendly and approachable nature makes him a hit with people of all ages. Buster is known for his playful antics, entertaining the crowd and creating memorable experiences for everyone. The Boise State Mascot is not only a representation of the university but also a symbol of the values and character that the institution stands for. The Bronco embodies strength, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of success. The mascot stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the athletes and the entire university community. Overall, the Boise State Mascot, Buster Bronco, is an integral part of the university's identity and plays a significant role in fostering school spirit and community involvement. Through his lively and spirited presence, Buster brings energy and excitement to every Boise State event, reminding everyone of the pride and unity that comes with being a Bronco..

Reviews for "The Boise State Mascot: An Inspiration for Students and Athletes"

1. Sarah - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with the Boise State mascot. It just didn't live up to my expectations. The costume looked cheap and poorly made, and it didn't even resemble the Boise State Broncos' logo accurately. The person inside the costume seemed disinterested and barely interacted with the crowd. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend the Boise State mascot.
2. John - 1 star: The Boise State mascot was a complete letdown. From afar, it looked like a cartoonish horse, but up close, you could see how poorly designed and made it was. The materials used looked cheap, and the whole thing just screamed low budget. The mascot also lacked personality and enthusiasm, which is a huge disappointment when you're trying to rally the crowd. I've seen many mascots before, but this one definitely falls short.
3. Emily - 2 stars: I attended a Boise State game recently, and the mascot was a big disappointment. The costume looked outdated and didn't capture the spirit of the team. The person inside the costume seemed disengaged and didn't interact with the crowd or show any enthusiasm. It felt like they were just going through the motions. Overall, I was underwhelmed and expected a much better mascot representation for such a renowned team like Boise State.

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