Stadium news, the Pac-12, baseball: Boise State’s AD answers fans’ questions online
The future looks exciting for Boise State sports fans.
After one of the most exciting football seasons in history, Boise State is less than 18 months from joining the reimagined Pac-12. The North End Zone Project at Albertsons Stadium is underway. The men’s basketball team is trying to push its way to a fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth, and next season the Broncos will participate in the prestigious Maui Invitational tournament around Thanksgiving.
Jeramiah Dickey, Boise State’s athletic director since January 2021, took to social media on Saturday during the Broncos’ 70-69 basketball win over Nevada to answer fan questions.
Dickey addressed various topics, from whether new statues might appear around Albertsons Stadium to potential Pac-12 members, from the rebirth of baseball to concession stand options. Dickey answered queries from more than 50 fans, which you can find in tweets below.
Otherwise, here are some highlights.
Who else will join the new Pac-12?
The new-look Pac-12, which will feature five current Mountain West schools and returning members Washington State and Oregon State, still needs one more football member to be eligible to compete in the College Football Playoff system. Gonzaga joined the conference in October as a non-football member.
Multiple schools have been mentioned as possible additions, including Mountain West school UNLV. Sacramento State is way less likely but has been making its own pitch for the Pac-12.
The Hornets are members of the Big Sky, alongside Idaho and Idaho State. Dickey seemingly squashed the Hornets’ hopes of joining the party.
“No,” Dickey wrote when asked by a fan if the Pac-12 is “stuck” with Sac State.
“Plan work … Work plan. There was/is strategy … whether people agree with it or not is a different story. When everyone was freaking out about Memphis, we added Zags. What’s easy isn’t always what’s best. I believe in our process, team & what we’re building. Always opportunity!”
ExtraMile Arena improvements
Dickey told a fan that $4 million has been committed to creating more “premium space” at ExtraMile Arena, where the gymnastics team and basketball teams compete.
“That will happen in the future … no other way,” Dickey wrote. “We need more premium space in arena, re (revenue) share. We also have a plan for (the) aux gym. Have $4m+ committed.”
Dickey previously told the Idaho Statesman that ExtraMile Arena needs to create more club space and loge boxes, which are smaller, premium seating areas. Dickey also wrote over the weekend that the midcourt concourse level would be the best spot for new premium seating.
Without upgrades, it seems unlikely that Boise State’s venue could ever be an NCAA Tournament host again. ExtraMile last was a first- and second-round site in 2018. It was on the books for 2021 as well, but all of March Madness took place in Indiana that year because of the COVID pandemic.
How many tickets for fans at the Maui Invitational?
The men’s basketball team will be in Hawaii for Thanksgiving, competing in its first-ever Maui Invitational. The eight-team tournament, which guarantees every team three games, will be held Nov. 24-26 and likely will see the Broncos face Power 4 competition, with teams like USC, Seton Hall, N.C. State, Arizona State and Texas on hand.
One fan asked how many tickets would be available inside the 2,400-capacity Lahaina Civic Center.
“Required to sell 250,” Dickey wrote. “Packages on sale next week. First come first served. Priority to sell them out. Most tickets are GA in our section.”
A statue outside Albertsons Stadium?
One fan asked whether a statue of NFL-bound running back Ashton Jeanty could be on the cards for outside Albertsons Stadium. While that may be a bit too soon, Dickey said they will “definitely” have a new statue or two in the near future.
“We have a committee working on defining expectations for retiring jerseys, honoring teams, who is qualified/deserving of a statue, etc.,” Dickey wrote. “Ties into Varsity B. Nothing was defined so we are defining expectations. We will definitely be doing a statue or two in the near future.”
The only person with a statue outside of Albertsons Stadium is former football head coach and athletic director Lyle Smith.
Concessions
Dickey wrote that fans may be able to order food and drinks from their mobile phones soon at Albertsons Stadium. They used to be able to order concessions to their seats, but this feature was removed after it didn’t work as well as intended.
“We’ll have more announcements later in spring as we head into fall,” Dickey wrote. “We will consider mobile ordering again. Didn’t work as well. Issue still with (the) east side as it wasn’t built to handle that many people. NEZ should help with that. We usually add different food/beverage options.”
The North End Zone project, which will connect the east concourse to the west, is expected to be completed by August 2026.
Could baseball return to Boise State?
Boise State discontinued its baseball program in July 2020 following budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It had just been resurrected, thanks largely to former school President Bob Kustra, who had made it a priority.
It doesn’t look like the program will make another comeback anytime soon.
“No timetable,” Dickey wrote. “Have answered this before. Until we know where our industry is going, it’s not in our best interest to add a sport right now. I will never say never. I’m really sorry that happened to fans and student-athletes/coaches who were representing us. Unfortunate decision.”
He noted that bringing baseball back would require an investment of at least $2 million, and as things stand, Boise State doesn’t have “enough resources” for the 18 athletic programs it has now.
New blue turf
Ever wanted to get your hands on a piece of Boise State’s famous blue turf?
The next chance will be in the spring of 2026, according to Dickey. He told a fan that the turf would be replaced before joining the Pac-12, and any pieces inside Albertsons Stadium that aren’t reusable will likely be auctioned.
Dickey also said the school is looking at different color options for the end zones, noting that orange doesn’t “keep its color.”
