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Boise State Athletics
Boise State Celebrates 40 Years on The Blue with One-of-a-Kind Anniversary Helmet
8/19/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
Hand-painted design honors four decades of college football's most iconic playing surface
BOISE, Idaho - Boise State will celebrate the legacy of The Blue with a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted 40th anniversary football helmet when the Broncos host Memphis in the Sept. 12 home opener at Albertsons Stadium.
Created by renowned artist Armando Villarreal, the custom helmet transforms Boise State's traditional blue shell into a work of art that pays tribute to four decades of innovation, tradition and Bronco pride. Inspired by the official 40th Anniversary primary logo, unveiled earlier this year, every detail tells the story of a field that became a symbol recognized around the world.
"Forty years ago, Gene Bleymaier made a bold decision that forever changed the trajectory of Boise State Athletics and created one of the most iconic symbols in all of sports," said Boise State Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey. "The Blue isn't just a football field. It's a symbol of innovation and when you believe in what's possible, you can achieve EPIC! It has welcomed thousands of fans from all 50 states and around the world to experience Boise State, Boise and Idaho on gamedays and non-gamedays. We look forward to honoring The Blue and all that it represents with these unique anniversary helmets to be worn by our football program! What's Next!" "
A limited quantity of the hand-painted helmets will be available for purchase for Bronco Athletic Association (BAA) members based on priority ranking.
The helmet features a textured rendering of The Blue, with individually painted blades of turf creating the illusion of the iconic playing surface. Centered on the right side is an oversized "40," using the same numeral font featured by Boise State on the original blue turf in 1986. Seven hashmarks line the top and represent each installation of The Blue throughout its 40-year history.
The left side showcases the historic Boise State retro logo that was painted at midfield when The Blue debuted in 1986. Designed by Boise artist John Collias, the vintage mark features an orange-and-blue bronco over the outline of the state of Idaho. This logo served as Boise State's primary emblem from 1982-2002.
The front bumper displays The Blue and EST. 1986 is centered on the back helmet bumper underneath the U.S. flag and Pac-12 logo.
"As an artist, opportunities like this don't come around often. The Blue is one of the most recognizable symbols in college football, and being asked to create a helmet that honors its 40-year legacy was both an incredible privilege and a responsibility," said artist Armando Villarreal. "I wanted every brushstroke and every detail to tell the story of how one bold idea transformed Boise State into a brand known around the world. My hope is that when fans see this helmet, they don't just see artwork, but see the history, pride, innovation and the generations of Bronco fans who made The Blue legendary."
By the end of 2025, Villarreal had partnered with 10 different college football programs, including BYU, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, UCF and Utah, to design 16 different helmets. On average, he hand-paints a minimum of 100 helmets per school. He will add three more schools in 2026. Due to the high demand, his spouse, Lora, left her career in the U.S. Post Office and now works full-time in his studio.
Each helmet undergoes a detailed process, beginning with sanding to create a surface that ensures proper adhesion for the design and paint. The helmets are then scuffed, airbrushed, and cleaned, with each one requiring a minimum of three hours to complete. Fulfilling an entire order takes no less than two months.
The commemorative helmet is a part of Boise State's celebration honoring the 40th Anniversary of The Blue. Since its debut in 1986, The Blue has become a bucket-list destination for fans across the country and the world, helping elevate Boise State, the City of Boise and the State of Idaho onto the national and international stage.
The helmet and 40th Anniversary marks will be featured on t-shirts, hoodies and hats at the following retail outlets starting today.
Tickets for the Sept. 12 game against Memphis are available online at BroncoSports.com/Tickets, over the phone at (208) 426-4737, or in person at the Boise State Athletics Ticket Office located at the southwest corner of Albertsons Stadium.
Created by renowned artist Armando Villarreal, the custom helmet transforms Boise State's traditional blue shell into a work of art that pays tribute to four decades of innovation, tradition and Bronco pride. Inspired by the official 40th Anniversary primary logo, unveiled earlier this year, every detail tells the story of a field that became a symbol recognized around the world.
"Forty years ago, Gene Bleymaier made a bold decision that forever changed the trajectory of Boise State Athletics and created one of the most iconic symbols in all of sports," said Boise State Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey. "The Blue isn't just a football field. It's a symbol of innovation and when you believe in what's possible, you can achieve EPIC! It has welcomed thousands of fans from all 50 states and around the world to experience Boise State, Boise and Idaho on gamedays and non-gamedays. We look forward to honoring The Blue and all that it represents with these unique anniversary helmets to be worn by our football program! What's Next!" "
A limited quantity of the hand-painted helmets will be available for purchase for Bronco Athletic Association (BAA) members based on priority ranking.
The helmet features a textured rendering of The Blue, with individually painted blades of turf creating the illusion of the iconic playing surface. Centered on the right side is an oversized "40," using the same numeral font featured by Boise State on the original blue turf in 1986. Seven hashmarks line the top and represent each installation of The Blue throughout its 40-year history.
The left side showcases the historic Boise State retro logo that was painted at midfield when The Blue debuted in 1986. Designed by Boise artist John Collias, the vintage mark features an orange-and-blue bronco over the outline of the state of Idaho. This logo served as Boise State's primary emblem from 1982-2002.
The front bumper displays The Blue and EST. 1986 is centered on the back helmet bumper underneath the U.S. flag and Pac-12 logo.
"As an artist, opportunities like this don't come around often. The Blue is one of the most recognizable symbols in college football, and being asked to create a helmet that honors its 40-year legacy was both an incredible privilege and a responsibility," said artist Armando Villarreal. "I wanted every brushstroke and every detail to tell the story of how one bold idea transformed Boise State into a brand known around the world. My hope is that when fans see this helmet, they don't just see artwork, but see the history, pride, innovation and the generations of Bronco fans who made The Blue legendary."
By the end of 2025, Villarreal had partnered with 10 different college football programs, including BYU, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, UCF and Utah, to design 16 different helmets. On average, he hand-paints a minimum of 100 helmets per school. He will add three more schools in 2026. Due to the high demand, his spouse, Lora, left her career in the U.S. Post Office and now works full-time in his studio.
Each helmet undergoes a detailed process, beginning with sanding to create a surface that ensures proper adhesion for the design and paint. The helmets are then scuffed, airbrushed, and cleaned, with each one requiring a minimum of three hours to complete. Fulfilling an entire order takes no less than two months.
The commemorative helmet is a part of Boise State's celebration honoring the 40th Anniversary of The Blue. Since its debut in 1986, The Blue has become a bucket-list destination for fans across the country and the world, helping elevate Boise State, the City of Boise and the State of Idaho onto the national and international stage.
The helmet and 40th Anniversary marks will be featured on t-shirts, hoodies and hats at the following retail outlets starting today.
- The Blue and Orange, Store
- Allen Noble Hall of Fame at Albertsons Stadium
- Boise Towne Square Mall
- Bronco Shop
- Dicks Sporting Goods - Treasure Valley locations
- Scheels - Meridian location
- Fanatics – online
Tickets for the Sept. 12 game against Memphis are available online at BroncoSports.com/Tickets, over the phone at (208) 426-4737, or in person at the Boise State Athletics Ticket Office located at the southwest corner of Albertsons Stadium.
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