What makes The BLUE stand out among sports attractions across the country?
9/19/2024 3:00:00 PM | General, B:1 Features
Meet a group of dedicated ambassadors with a passion for Boise State.
On a Thursday afternoon in September, during a 30-minute visit to the lobby of the Allen Noble Hall of Fame, visitors from Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma and Utah signed in to view the blue artificial turf field, known as The BLUE, at Albertsons Stadium.
Of the visitors one couple was attending a wedding, others were heading up to McCall, two were in town for a business conference, and four had just completed a backpacking trip in the Sawtooth mountains.
Each group was met with a warm smile and friendly hello followed by the most important question, “…are you here to see The BLUE?”
Each visitor responded with an enthusiastic yes.
Yet it was the questions that followed that were much more interesting.
1. Why did you come see The BLUE?
2. Where are you from?
3. How long are you here?
4. Where are you staying?
5. Have you visited any other famous Idaho landmarks?
6. While you are in Boise, you must check out the Greenbelt, the open-air public art gallery, etc.
Depending on the time of day, flexibility of the visitor and the ambassador, the conversation could last anywhere from five to 45 minutes and all before they were escorted out to the Hall of Fame patio to view The BLUE.
Who were these folks who greeted everyone like family, were truly interested in the responses to their questions, offered better concierge service than a five-star hotel and created a welcoming environment, similar to the feeling of sitting on the front porch of a neighbor enjoying a glass of ice tea?
The group of volunteers, or ambassadors, who coordinate the viewing of The BLUE is comprised of 18 people, all retired. They have been recruited by friends or neighbors to join the team. Some grew up here, others graduated from Boise State, a few retired in the Treasure Valley, but all embody the Bronco spirit and are excited to share the story and mystique of The BLUE.
When I first got here, I was very vocal about being on the front porch of the institution and it didn't take me long to realize I was probably selling ourselves short. We are the Dallas Cowboys of Idaho. We are the professional team. A lot of people, whether they went to Boise State or not, have very much embraced The BLUE and what we represent and who we are. We win with people, our work ethic and that blue-collar name that we carry with a lot of pride.Jeramiah Dickey, Director of Athletics, Boise State University, Nevada Sports Net, 2022
Nan Philips has been an ambassador for seven years and schedules all the volunteer shifts. She grew up in Boise and even played on the Bronco women’s basketball team from 1976-81. After graduating with a degree in communications/secondary education, she spent her career in the private sector, most notably 30 years at Blue Cross of Idaho as the manager of administrative services but always wanted to find a way to give back to the Broncos.
“I have enjoyed helping people fulfill a lifelong dream or crossing it off their bucket list,” said Nan. “But even more, volunteering gives me the opportunity to chat with people from all over the world and hear so many interesting life stories. I recently met some people visiting from Nebraska. As we chatted, we discovered they were neighbors to my cousin in Wahoo. Such a small world!”
Pilgrimage and Bucket List
The reasons for visiting The BLUE are varied, but many just want to confirm the turf is actually blue and not a TV trick, ask questions about its origins, and gain a better understanding of the rules that allowed it to be installed in the first place.
Whether they are football traditionalists, like a good underdog story, are looking for directions or just in need of a person-to-person connection, these Bronco ambassadors play an integral role in telling the story of Boise State Athletics, Boise and ultimately the State of Idaho.
Long-time volunteer Dixie Grant is a third generation Idahoan who has spent her entire life right here in the Treasure Valley. After graduating from Boise State, she went to work at Hewlett Packard. After 25 years at HP, she retired to care for her aging parents.
Dixie recalls sitting at the desk and hearing the rumble of more than a dozen motorcycles. Looking up she saw uniformed officers, representing the California Highway Patrol, walking her way. After greeting them, she learned they were all in town for training and couldn’t leave Boise without stopping to see The BLUE.
“It’s really about the people you meet and connecting, even if it is just offering directions.”
Popular questions or comments following a visitor’s viewing of The BLUE.
“If I’m in a place with multiple TVs watching college football, you always know when Boise State is playing because of the blue field.”
“Do you paint it blue?”
“Could I take a tiny piece of the turf for a souvenir?”
“It really is BLUE!”
A Sign
Another ambassador shared the following encounter.
In July 2022 a young mom with two children, a boy and girl approximately 6-years-old and 8-years-old respectively, came into the Hall of Fame (HoF). The mom proceeded to tell me they were from California and were in Boise to see the blue football field.
I escorted the trio out onto the HoF patio to show them The BLUE. I shared the history, answered their questions and took a few pictures of them with the field in the background.
As I visited with the mom, I asked what brought them to Boise. She told me she/they had lost their husband/father in an accident in 2020. With COVID restrictions in place during 2020-21, they weren’t able to do much as a family to start the healing process and she was nervous to go on a trip by herself with her children.
A family friend shared that her husband had always wanted to see the blue turf at Boise State and encouraged her to visit Boise, a safe place for her to travel with lots of activities for the children.
So, a group of her friends donated money and arranged the trip.
After 15 minutes, the family was ready to leave and the mom asked if I could recommend a place nearby to get ice cream or some type of slushy drink. I suggested Westside Drive-In – and their famous Ice Cream Potato. She thanked me for my time and headed out to the HoF Plaza to wait for the Uber.
After a few minutes, I looked out and saw the family walking back toward the HoF door so I stepped outside to see if there was a problem. She said to me “I know this might sound strange, but I have been waiting for some type of sign that things were going to be okay. I got that sign today seeing the blue football field!”
Program Origins
In 2016, Dr. David (Dave) Croft and Don Moe, both Bronco football season ticket holders and Bronco Athletic Association (BAA) members, approached then athletic director, Curt Apsey, about starting a program after noticing how many people were interested in seeing The BLUE. Apsey agreed to the idea.
Dave was a Boise native member of the first undergraduate class at Boise College. After a stint in the Midwest to complete his schooling, Dave, now Dr. Croft, moved his family back to Idaho to start a dental practice in Caldwell where he served the community until his retirement in 2006.
Besides his family, Dave’s number one love was the Broncos. He and wife Jean attended athletic and non-athletic functions to promote, fundraise, and share their passion with others. Dave served as President of the Alumni Association and BAA. Both Dave and Jean were awarded the Bronze Bronco in recognition of their long-time commitment to the university.
Don was familiar with Boise as a frequent traveler to visit his in-laws starting in 1964. He moved to Boise with his wife Sue and their three sons in the fall 1985. He immediately became a football season ticket holder and BAA member.
“Dave embraced the philosophy that it was everyone’s responsibility to make the Treasure Valley a better place to live,” said Don. “This was our opportunity.”
Dave and Don assembled a group of volunteers and set up shop, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. to help with questions, provide facts and tidbits about Boise State’s athletic department and a peek at The BLUE free of charge.
“What I like most about volunteering is meeting people from all over the world,” said Don. “Our dream of showing The BLUE has blossomed to 16,000-20,000 visitors each year from every state in the country and from over 60 countries.”
Today, for tourists and fans on non-game days, the only way to see the blue turf is through the Hall of Fame.
“The most memorable visitors I encountered was the entire crew of the submarine "USS Boise" that was in town on a promotional tour with the Navy. The crew would also be honored at halftime of a football game that weekend,” said Don. “Listening to their stories and adventures along with their excitement to see The BLUE just made my day!”
At 85 years old, Don has given much of the supervision over to others but can still be found every Tuesday at the entrance to the Hall of Fame ready to share his love and passion for the Broncos.
