Game Time

Tailgating with Bronco Nation

Photos by Karen Day

When in Boise, you can tour 50 states in three hours in the parking lot outside the BSU football stadium. In other words, welcome to tailgating Idaho style. Philly cheese steaks, baked potato salad, bratwurst, even potstickers—in this town, college football is as much about great food, cold beer, and orange and blue camaraderie as Bronco touchdowns. Sun or snow, tricked-out vans, gustatory toasts, and big screen TVs abound with multigenerational devotees gathering many hours before the first kick-off. The point is never about eating a meal out of a parked vehicle—it’s more a celebratory lifestyle that is purely American. At this party, nobody is in a bad mood and nobody goes hungry. Everyone is glad to see you—even if you’ve never met them. Welcome to Bronco Nation. Time to eat!

“Tailgating is all about being with family and friends, sharing the excitement of the pre-game and food. We have three generations here—our grandkids, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas—all of us love to see the band, the cheerleaders and high-five the players. We got lucky with this sweet spot with our season tickets. The people tailgating over next to Broadway have had their places for 30 years!” said Erica Larson, recent BSU graduate, pictured with her mother, Michelle. “We have been tailgating with our family for four years and plan to keep going for many more Bronco seasons!” she added.

Dusty Scudder believes that the best part of tailgating is the people—oh, and the football. His dad coached youth football for 20 years, so he’s been around it in some way most of his life. In 1964, Scudder attended his first Boise State Junior College game with his father, now 91. “It’s a real community,” he said. “And my dad still loves BSU football.”