After 35 years, the voice of Idaho’s longest-running sports talk show says goodbye
If there ever was a time for the seemingly unreal to become jaw-dropping reality in the Boise State athletics universe, apparently it is now.
Within a span of days, Bronco Nation has been rocked by news that:
1) The baseball team and swim and dive team have been axed for financial reasons caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
2) Beer sales have been given the green light at Albertsons Stadium — assuming there’s a football season this fall.
3) And now Jeff Caves, the voice and face of “Idaho Sports Talk,” is leaving the radio program he co-founded in 1985.
Caves will host for the final time on Friday, July 17. After his departure, “Idaho Sports Talk” will continue with co-host Mike Prater, producer John Patrick and a third, not-yet-revealed radio personality, Caves said.
“Idaho’s longest-running sports talk show will continue on,” he said.
“Idaho Sports Talk” airs from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays on KTIK 93.1 FM and 1350 AM.
Caves, 58, is relocating to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to be closer to family, he said in a phone interview. Nudged by encouragement from his wife, Lacie, the decision has been in the works for a couple of years, he explained. “My daughter is moving there from Portland. My mother-in-law is moving to Dallas with us from Oklahoma. And my father-in-law lives in Frisco, which is 40 miles northwest of Dallas.”
Still, it wasn’t an easy decision for a man who’s bled blue and orange for decades. A Boise State defensive lineman from 1980 to 1983, Caves brought his unique takes — and unmistakable laugh — to the Treasure Valley airwaves soon after graduation.
“I’ve been in Boise 40 years,” Caves said. “I came to school here in 1980. I’ve been in radio 36 years, and I’ve been doing a talk show for 35 years.”
Caves plans to continue working for station owner Cumulus Media doing sales for the foreseeable future. But, eventually, he hopes to find a sports-related career path in Texas. “I. Love. College. Football,” Caves said. “I love the business of college athletics. I love the business of sports.”
But fear not, Bronco fan. Despite being surrounded by football-crazy Texans, Caves won’t forget BSU anytime soon. As in, ever.
“The No. 1 thing I will miss, easily,” he said, “is every day, always thinking about Boise State — Boise State football, and the future and the present and what it all means.
“I won’t break that habit,” he promised. “That will never change, man.”
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 3:33 PM.