Boise in Ada County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Bronco Stadium

Treasuring the Past... Shaping the Future

— Boise State University —

Bronco Stadium Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 27, 2023

1. Bronco Stadium Marker

Inscription. There was no blue turf in Bronco Stadium when it opened in 1970, but that didn't hold back the Broncos— the football team won the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 1980. College football’s only blue artificial turf was installed in 1986.

Erected by Boise State University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 43° 36.117′ N, 116° 11.807′ W. Marker is in Boise, Idaho, in Ada County. It is on West Broncos Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boise ID 83706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Idaho’s Snake River Plain.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Father of Bronco Football (a few steps from this marker); Bronco Gymnasium (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Engineering Complex (about 500 feet away);

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Christ Chapel (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Protestant Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crossing the River (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Crossing the River (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Crossing the River (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boise.

Other markers no longer nearby. Airmail Service (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Boise State University (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . On this date 38 years ago, the first blue turf football field debuted.

9/13/2024 - Making its initial debut on this date 38 years ago, Boise State hosted its first game on the now famous blue turf at Bronco Stadium II (now known as Albertsons Stadium).

What might have been a gimmick then is hardly laughed at now. Since the installation of the blue turf (known as “The Blue”), Boise State has compiled a 205-45 (.820) record at home. Since 2018, the Broncos home field advantage on the blue turf often has opponents seeing red – Boise State (and Bronco Nation) has caused
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 27, 2023

2. Bronco Stadium Marker
more opponents to false starts during that timeframe than any other FBS team.

The very first game on blue turf, a 74-0 win over Humboldt State (now known as Cal Poly Humboldt) on Sept. 13, 1986, kicked off with great fanfare. Bronco Stadium was awash in blue and orange balloons, blue and orange cotton candy and Sno Cones were hawked by vendors, Boise State played in orange jerseys, an orange football was used on the first play of the game and the first 5,000 fans were recipients of a free small swatch of blue turf.

Boise State has recorded 16 undefeated seasons in that 38-year time span, failing to lose at home on The Blue in 42% of those years. Boise State's blue turf field is currently in its fifth iteration and today celebrates the 38th anniversary of its debut

(Submitted on February 20, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Bronco Stadium image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen

3. Bronco Stadium

Photo courtesy of Boise State University

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 20, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.