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Boise State Athletics
Gene Bleymaier to Raise Blue Chaos Flag Against Memphis
9/10/2026 3:30:00 PM | Football
BOISE, Idaho – Gene Bleymaier, the former Boise State athletic director and the driver behind the transition to The Blue at Albertsons Stadium, along with Nancy Keiser, the wife of former Boise State President John Kesier, will raise the Blue Chaos flag ahead of the Broncos' home opener against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Bleymaier will be on hand as Boise State celebrates 40 years of the famous blue turf. To honor the occasion, the Broncos will wear custom, hand-painted helmets that celebrate the anniversary of the iconic decision. Bleymaier was inducted into the Boise State Hall of Fame in 2020, and his legacy lives on as the namesake of the Bleymaier Football Center, which was completed in 2013.
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"I'm phenomenally honored to be a part of this," Bleymaier said. "It's indescribable to come back here after 40 years and celebrate the blue turf again."
Former University President  John Keiser, who passed away in 2016 and led Boise State from 1978-91, was instrumental in assisting Bleymaier in getting The Blue installed at then-Bronco Stadium. Nancy has been a longtime season ticket holder and regularly attends Boise State games since John's passing.
"Without President Keiser, we wouldn't have blue turf," Bleymaier said. "He was the one that made the decision to go with it. He was so supportive of our athletic department. He's no longer with us but it's an honor to have his wife be a part of this."
Bleymaier came up with the idea of blue turf in January of 1986 as the athletic department weighed a turf replacement. He made the request to Keiser, who was on board with the idea. The department announced The Blue at a press conference that April and has since become known as one of the most iconic fields across college football. The Blue has been named the top attraction for sports across the country for three consecutive years.
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The Blue has been synonymous with the success of Boise State, with Bronco teams claiming 82.6% of contests on the field. Since 2000, the Blue and Orange have won 89.6% of their home games, the third-best in the nation during that time frame.
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"Bronco Nation is second to none," Bleymaier said. "The success of this program from day one can be attributed to the community. None of this happens alone. It takes a village, it takes a city, and it takes a state to get behind a program. That's what happened here at Boise State. We've got that support everywhere we turn."
Saturday's game will mark the first time fans will see the seventh iteration of the blue turf, which was installed over the summer. New additions include orange sideline hashmarks on the 2 and 11-yard lines to honor Bronco legends Ashton Jeanty and Kellen Moore. The field will also consist of images of the state of Idaho on the 35-yard lines and Pac-12 logos.
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Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. MT. and will be broadcast nationally on USA Sports.
Bleymaier will be on hand as Boise State celebrates 40 years of the famous blue turf. To honor the occasion, the Broncos will wear custom, hand-painted helmets that celebrate the anniversary of the iconic decision. Bleymaier was inducted into the Boise State Hall of Fame in 2020, and his legacy lives on as the namesake of the Bleymaier Football Center, which was completed in 2013.
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"I'm phenomenally honored to be a part of this," Bleymaier said. "It's indescribable to come back here after 40 years and celebrate the blue turf again."
Former University President  John Keiser, who passed away in 2016 and led Boise State from 1978-91, was instrumental in assisting Bleymaier in getting The Blue installed at then-Bronco Stadium. Nancy has been a longtime season ticket holder and regularly attends Boise State games since John's passing.
"Without President Keiser, we wouldn't have blue turf," Bleymaier said. "He was the one that made the decision to go with it. He was so supportive of our athletic department. He's no longer with us but it's an honor to have his wife be a part of this."
Bleymaier came up with the idea of blue turf in January of 1986 as the athletic department weighed a turf replacement. He made the request to Keiser, who was on board with the idea. The department announced The Blue at a press conference that April and has since become known as one of the most iconic fields across college football. The Blue has been named the top attraction for sports across the country for three consecutive years.
Â
The Blue has been synonymous with the success of Boise State, with Bronco teams claiming 82.6% of contests on the field. Since 2000, the Blue and Orange have won 89.6% of their home games, the third-best in the nation during that time frame.
Â
"Bronco Nation is second to none," Bleymaier said. "The success of this program from day one can be attributed to the community. None of this happens alone. It takes a village, it takes a city, and it takes a state to get behind a program. That's what happened here at Boise State. We've got that support everywhere we turn."
Saturday's game will mark the first time fans will see the seventh iteration of the blue turf, which was installed over the summer. New additions include orange sideline hashmarks on the 2 and 11-yard lines to honor Bronco legends Ashton Jeanty and Kellen Moore. The field will also consist of images of the state of Idaho on the 35-yard lines and Pac-12 logos.
Â
Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. MT. and will be broadcast nationally on USA Sports.
Monday, September 14
Saturday, September 12
Saturday, September 12
Saturday, September 12
