Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. Additional copies can be picked up at The Arbiter offices for free.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
ON THE COVER:
Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty made a name for himself as one of the best Boise State football players of alltime, but his journey to Boise State started nearly 6,000 miles away in Italy. From high school football abroad to dominating the blue, Jeanty's career story is one of a kind.
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Photo of BSU football player #2, Ashton Jeanty, celebrating a touchdown.
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Boise State women’s volleyball forfeits game against San Jose State
The volleyball team forfeited a match f ollowing specualtion that one of their opponents is transgender
Olivia Brandon and Spencer Rentfro | News Team | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
On Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, Boise State’s women’s volleyball team forfeited a match against San Jose State University amidst speculation that San Jose State player Blaire Fleming is transgender.
Governor Brad Little quickly applauded the university’s decision and said it exemplified the effects of Little’s Executive Order, The Defending Women’s Sports Act.
“I applaud @BoiseState for working within the spirit of my Executive Order, The Defending Women’s Sports Act. We need to ensure player safety for all of our female athletes and continue the fight for fairness in women’s sports,” Gov. Little shared in a post on X.
The Defending Women’s Sports Act, which was signed on Aug. 28, 2024, combats the Biden-Harris administration’s changes to Title IX regulations, which went into effect on Aug. 1, 2024. The new Title IX regulations focus on protecting LGBTQ+ students from sex discrimination in federally funded education programs.
Gov. Little’s new executive order instructs the Idaho State Board of Education to work with the Idaho State Board of Education to ensure public schools are properly following all of Idaho’s laws related to fairness in women’s sports and to ensure that every female student in Idaho is provided equal opportunity in sports and school to the fullest extent as guaranteed to them under the original Title IX rules and Idaho law.
In March 2020, Gov. Little signed The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, making Idaho the first state to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in womens’ athletics.
Responses from educational institutions
“The State Board of Education and the Idaho Department of Education look forward to working on any additional steps determined to be needed to help our districts understand the legal lay of the land so they can make sure they’re adhering to the governor’s order and the applicable laws,” Idaho State Board of Education said in a statement to The Arbiter.
The Arbiter requested a comment from Marlene Tromp, head volleyball coach Shawn Garus and senior associate athletic director Christina Van Tol. Chris Kutz. Associate Athletic Director for Boise State spoke on behalf of Tromp, Garus, Van Tol and Athletic Director Jeremiah Dickey, saying they “will refer back to [their] original statement” and “Boise State volleyball will not play its scheduled match at San José State on Saturday, Sept. 28. Per Mountain West Conference policy, the Conference will record the match as a forfeit and a loss for Boise State. The Broncos will next compete on Oct. 3 against Air Force.”
The Arbiter does not have an official statement detailing why the match against San Jose State was forfeited.
San Jose State media relations denied The Arbiter’s request to interview Fleming.
Responses from the trans community
Simon Schabot, Boise State alumni and member of the trans community shared that they believe that Boise State’s decision sends a negative message to prospective trans students.
“It sends a message to people who would potentially come here that they aren’t welcome, necessarily,” Schabot said. “I feel like, as a trans person, you expect
to come across people who don’t support you — but going to class with a member from that volleyball team … it would make me feel very unwelcome.”
Schabot is hopeful that Boise State’s decision will not set a precedent for the treatment of trans athletes.
“I hope that it wouldn’t lead to a standard … but it also just feels unsportsmanlike,” Schabot said.
“Having that be applauded by government officials — I feel like it very much could set that [standard] and I hope it doesn’t become a trend because I feel like that’s just not kind in general, it’s just not.”
Preston Pace, Director of Media Production for Trans Joy Boise, shared in an email to The Arbiter why they believe Boise State’s decision could be dangerous for the trans community.
“When we deny trans athletes the chance to compete, we’re not just excluding them from sports — we’re sending a broader message that trans people aren’t welcome in public spaces,” Pace said. “It’s sending the chilling message that it is not only allowed to openly discriminate against us, but oftentimes celebrated.”
Pace shared what they wish administrators and coaches would understand about
the potential effects on trans individuals.
“I wish they would understand the weight of their decisions. People are seeing this in the news and forming their own opinions on trans athletes without doing any research,” Pace said. “The coaches know that the NCAA has guidelines and requirements for trans athletes to keep things fair; the average person does not. They are putting trans athletes in a bad light by implying that they’re playing the system, which is simply not the case.”
According to the NCAA’s Transgender Student-Athlete Participation Policy, athletes who are transgender must meet the sport standard for documented testosterone levels at three different times: before any regular season competition, before the first competition in an NCAA championship event and before any competition that’s during the non-championship period.
On Oct. 3, 2024, Utah State women’s volleyball forfeited their matchup against San Jose State, joining Southern Utah University, Boise State University and University of Wyoming as the fourth program to forfeit against San Jose State in less than a month.
Photo of Boise State volleyball court. Courtesy of Boise State Athlectis
BSU student arrested at sit-in protest at Trump campaign office in Arizona
Protesters from the Sunrise Movement staged a sit-in to protest climate change
Inside a Trump campaign office in Phoenix, Arizona, various Trump signs cover the walls from floor to ceiling. On the wall next to the front doors, Trump and Vance “Make America Great Again” campaign signs make an American flag. Five protesters from the Sunrise Movement sit in front of the wall holding a check made out to Donald Trump for a billion and one dollars with the memo “To buy you back from big oil”, signed “The youth”.
One of the five youths sitting on the campaign office floor was Amanda Thompson, a Boise State environmental studies major in her senior year.
Thompson and her fellow activists, Nate Scofield, Riya Kumar, Nick Koeing and Joy M. arrived at the campaign office around 11 a.m. on Sept. 23, 2024. They held a giant sign that read “Trump profits, Arizona burns”.
“We wanted to put it out there and have it be known that while Trump is profiting from big oil and oil initiatives, that Arizona is burning,” Thompson said. “Arizona has had record breaking heat for
[a] hundred days in a row.”
People in Arizona have suffered third-degree burns by touching door knobs or pavement due to the unprecedented heat wave.
Thompson participated in the sit-in to call attention to the ever-looming environmental crisis the Earth is facing, one she said will only grow more dire under a Trump presidency.
“I think the Trump agenda is radical and dangerous … The Project 2025 stuff is scary and real, and he’s already cut back on so many environmental protection laws,” Thompson said. “It’s just so essential that he loses this election for the future of climate change. Otherwise, there is no future.”
When Thompson and her fellow protesters arrived, they handed over a check to those working the front desk, then sat next to the front doors in the lobby. According to a video taken by The Sunrise Movement, staff were instructed to call the police 43 seconds after the protesters arrived.
Both staff and fellow Trump supporters
coming to the campaign office to pick up lawn signs or to visit the campaign headquarters “harassed” the protesters according to Thompson.
“They pretty much harassed us from the start, we were just sitting in, like, singing songs and chanting, but they came up with a big speaker and tried to drown us out … They’re screaming into the speaker,” Thompson said. “Trump supporters, like coming into the office to get yard signs or whatever, and they’re screaming at us. One of them pushed one of our press team to the ground.”
19 minutes after the protesters arrived, responding police officers arrested them.
“It [was] pretty much like that … the whole 19 minutes we were in there, and it felt like an eternity,” Thompson said. “It was pretty scary.”
According to Thompson, the police took longer to arrest them because they had to call their superiors to consult them. The Phoenix Police Department faced multiple lawsuits over civil rights violations and violence this year.
As an officer put Thompson in the back of their police car, someone filming asked Thompson, “What are you fighting for?”
“Climate justice for all,” Thompson replied.
After being arrested, Thompson was taken to multiple different holding facilities. Thompson described one of them as the classic holding cell with metal bars, a toilet and metal benches. Another, the Maricopa County Jail, Thompson described as similar to a DMV, with men and women on separate sides of the room.
Thompson claimed that while in jail, police officers would deliberately make a loud noise, such as slamming the doors, roughly every 20 minutes to prevent detainees from sleeping. Even without the police officers’ noise, the jail was far from quiet.
Thompson described detainees in solitary cells who banged on the walls
and screamed. Thompson claims that the officers laughed at the detainees, as well as detainees who said they were going through withdrawal.
The Sunrise Movement calls events like the sit-in “actions”. The Sunrise Movement divides them into three categories: green team, yellow team and red team. Green team members participate in events where there is no chance an individual would get arrested. The yellow team means there is a possibility an individual could get arrested, and the red team means the participants plan on getting arrested.
The sit-in was classified as a red team action, which Thompson knew when she signed on. The Sunrise Movement prepared her with a lawyer and planned to fundraise for the protesters’ bail. Thompson and the other Sunrise members expected to be held for six to seven hours. In the end, they spent over 30 hours in jail.
For Thompson, the sit-in was her first big action of civil disobedience, but she’s always been invested in the climate.
Thompson grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with winters characterized by snowfall so deep she couldn’t see across the street. Thompson witnessed the environmental decline firsthand, as less snow fell year after year and summers became plagued by smoke so thick she couldn’t see well enough to drive.
Thompson appeared in court the following morning after spending the night in jail on Sept. 24, where the judge charged her with 3rd degree trespassing, a misdemeanor. Thompson will need to return to Phoenix, Arizona on Nov. 18 for her trial.
However, Thompson’s environmental advocacy doesn’t end when her trial does. For Thompson, this is a lifelong passion, and she plans to continue working in climate change advocacy.
Photo of Boise State student getting arrested.
Courtesy of the Sunrise Movement
Big City Coffee wins $4 million in lawsuit against Boise State University
Local coffee shop owner wins lawsuit claiming Boise State violated First Amendment rights
Anine-day jury trial that occurred over the span of three weeks ended in a multimillion-dollar victory for Big City Coffee.
In September 2020, Big City Coffee opened on Boise State’s campus in the Albertsons Library.
October 2020
More than a month after the coffee shop opened, Big City Coffee received backlash from students after owner Sarah Fendley expressed support for The Thin Blue Line at her downtown location.
Fendley responded to the backlash via Instagram on Oct. 21, 2020. In the post, Fendley shared a screenshot of a Boise State student’s Snapchat
story asking peers not to support the coffee shop if they support the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community.
The post also includes an image of Fendley’s former fiance, retired Boise police officer Kevin Holtry, who was shot multiple times and lost his leg in November 2016.
On Oct. 22, 2020, Boise State University administrators held a meeting with Fendley in response to the student backlash.
Less than a week after the meeting, Big City Coffee no longer had their spot in Albertsons Library. Boise State University initially claimed that Big City Coffee requested to opt out of their contract due to Boise State
University stating that they couldn’t violate the First Amendment rights for those on campus after Fendley received backlash from students’ due to her personal beliefs.
March 24, 2021
Big City Coffee filed a $10 million tort claim against Boise State University and administration employees President Marlene Tromp, Leslie Webb, Alicia Estey and Francisco Salinas.
The claim said that the defendants involved “interfered” with the Aramark contract and that Big City Coffee was “forced” to shut down its campus location.
Sept. 13, 2024
On the last day of the trial Estey took the stand sharing details of the meeting from her perspective.
Big City Coffee Attorney Mike Roe asked Estey during her testimony why in the recorded part of the meeting, she didn’t request Fendley to bring back the coffee shop.
“I took Sarah at her word, we couldn’t meet under her conditions,” Estey said. “Sarah made a choice and I respected her choice.”
On the final day of the trial, the jury ruled in favor of Big City Coffee. The jury awarded Fendley $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $1 million in punitive damages.
“We respectfully but strongly disagree with the verdict and will challenge it through the court system,” Boise State attorney Keely Duke said in a statement to The Arbiter. “My clients were honoring the First Amend -
ment rights of all and let the owner of Big City [Coffee] know that would not change. As a result, the owner closed her campus location.”
In an interview with The Arbiter, Roe emphasized the importance of the jury’s decision to find “liability” in siding with Big City Coffee.
“After three and a half years of litigation to have a jury unanimously find that you were right and your opponent was wrong, it has that inherent value in itself,” Roe said. “It was very important for Sarah because she felt bad about all this.”
Sept. 6, 2024, new Caffeina Coffee Roasting location opens
Amidst the trial, Big City Coffee closed down its downtown location, replacing the shop with Caffeina Kitchen.
Kelsey Hogg, a former Big City Coffee and now Caffeina Barista, said that the new establishment is similar to Big City Coffee, from the employees to some of their menu items.
“Everybody that [was] working at Big City [Coffee] it’s the same people, so the culture hasn’t really changed very much,” Hogg said. “I guess it’s been so slow that we haven’t really had time to process what we’re doing. We’re still trying to get in the swing of things.”
According to Roe, it is undetermined at this time how Fendley will be compensated and whether it will be through the university or the administrators involved in this case.
Photo of Big City Coffee cafe.
Courtesy of Don Day for BoiseDev
Boise schools experience threats of violence amidst cell phone bans
Boise schools are balancing the implementation of cell phone restrictions with safety measures
On Sept. 23, 2024, Boise School District held a special board meeting to discuss the recent social media threats many schools in the Treasure Valley experienced in the past few weeks.
The Boise Police Department detained a student after they discovered that the individual was creating threatening social media posts that targeted both Capital High School and Fairmont Junior High.
Orlando Saucedo Martinez, a sophomore at Mountain View High School explained that his school received a threat via social media that turned out to be targeting a Mountain View High School in California. Martinez noted that social media allows false information to spread quickly and can cause a sense of uneasiness for students.
“With how big social media is within our school and today’s age in general — it kind of is quick to spread,” Martinez said. “Especially since they recently added high school Snapchat stories. It spreads pretty quickly, and it makes students worry a lot quicker, and it may spread misinformation, because one of the recent threats turned out to be from a whole different Mountain View in California.”
One safety measure Martinez noted was the addition of doors with required student ID scanners which were implemented before he attended Mountain View High. However, Martinez stated that he doesn’t think these measures are enough.
“Since what you’re seeing is … most of the shooters that target these schools typically are students that attend them,” Martinez said. “Obviously, if it’s just a school ID, they’re gonna have it, they’re going to be able to get it.”
Most classrooms in Boise Schools and West Ada have some form of a cell phone ban or restriction. Martinez said his school was more lenient his freshman year [2023] but has “amped it up” this school year.
“When I first heard about the news that you could be punished for not powering off your phone — it’s kind of weird because if something’s happening, you can’t communicate to people,” Martinez said. “Say your possible goodbyes to your loved ones, and, more importantly, calling authorities like something’s happening, to get authorities there as quick as possible. That was one of my first thoughts on the first day when I first heard about the new rule change.”
Dan Hollar, the Public Affairs Administrator for the Boise School District shared that the decision to limit cell phone use in classrooms was influenced by survey results from parents and staff.
Hollar described the district’s security measures as “comprehensive” and detailed multiple safety procedures.
“We understand that part of the issue is making sure like you mentioned, you have a number of items, for example, single access points for schools which we have, we have a raptor system which checks the background of individuals who are accessing our schools,” Hollar said. “There’s a myriad of physical things and procedures that we can do.”
While Hollar highlighted the importance of physical safety measures, he acknowledged the need for mental health resources for students.
“Part of the issue too, is making sure — and this is an equally important initiative, the student mental health and support that our students and our staff need to make sure that they are feeling supported,” Hollar said. “We want and
we’re committed to making sure that each and every student feels like there is a place for them within the Boise school system, that they feel like they belong, that they have the support they need, and that we all support [one] another.”
When asked what Hollar would say to students who are feeling a sense of uneasiness amidst these threats, he explained that documentation is key.
“This is another part of our campaign. If you see something, say something — call 208-343 COPS, advocate for your school,” Hollar said. “Advocate for the safety of your school system, and together, we’ll all be safer because of that. It’s a commitment that we have to make sure that our schools remain safe and secure and that students feel they can learn in a safe and secure environment, because that’s what it’s all about.”
The presentation on Monday Sept. 23, 2024, featured a slideshow presentation that outlined the district’s goals regarding student safety, as well as
building security and threat assessment processes.
The presentation detailed the following safety measures: The locking of exterior or perimeter doors, the locking of internal doors by staff and faculty, the implementation of additional access control systems and cameras in exterior and high-frequency areas.
Additionally, the Raptor Technologies system provides background checks on visitors to the school.
In a written statement shared via email by Dan Hollar, The Boise School District expressed that it “takes the safety and well-being of our students, staff and community very seriously. Like many districts across the nation, we have been dealing with unsubstantiated social media threats. We are working closely with local law enforcement to address and investigate each situation thoroughly.”
Boise and West Ada School Districts will continue to address and respond to potential and current threats as they arise.
Photo of the inside of a classroom. Courtesy of Matt Rourke
OPINION
The retro revival: Gen Z’s obsession with vintage tech
Vintage technology is back, appealing to younger generations seeking authenticity
Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Retro technology is back — Gen Z is obsessed with digital and film cameras, flip phones, vinyl records and CDs. In the past, the target demographic for these products has been older generations reliving memories of their childhood. In recent years however, Gen Z has taken an interest in vintage tech, nostalgic for an era that they never got to experience.
43.2 million vinyl records were sold in 2023, according to data from Statista, an exponential increase compared to the less than a million sold in 2006. Viral social media posts have featured people choosing to take a flip phone instead of their smartphone for nights out, and ads on
TikTok Shop throughout summer 2024 relentlessly promoted inexpensive digital cameras.
Nostalgia for a time past plays a role in this revival, but there are more reasons behind young people’s fascination with retro technology. Members of society today are overwhelmed by the endless barrage of information we receive online. The consumption of media has become impersonal and abstract, and Gen Z is taking a stand.
A primary factor in the revival of retro tech is the tactile experience for consumers. Unlike the immaterial nature of social media and modern technology, using items like vinyl records and film cameras
offers a hands-on, tangible experience. Physically holding records from your collection or developing film from your camera is a completely different experience than streaming from Spotify or opening the camera app.
Brion Rushton, the vinyl purchaser for The Record Exchange in Boise, Idaho described the draw of tangible art and technology.
“It’s a human desire and need to be able to touch things and have a tactile relationship with objects,” Rushton said. “You feel more connected with something. It feels real. This [phone] is ephemeral. It’s nice to be able to hold something. It feels purposeful.”
The concrete nature of retro technology results in more intentional consumption than most modern media requires. While modern technology absolutely has its benefits, and has opened creative opportunities to a wider audience, streaming one of millions of songs or quickly snapping a photo on a smartphone entails a rather passive experience.
Opening Spotify or the camera app takes only a second, leading to a general lack of intention in how people consume and create art. Utilizing retro technology like a record player, film camera or CD player generally requires more time, energy and effort than modern tools, which entails a more purposeful process.
Rushton described this phenomenon using vinyl records as an example.
“Say you want to listen to a David Bowie record,” Rushton said. “You’ve got to take it out, put it on the player, you have to sit with it because you’re going to have to flip it over, and so you have to be present. That becomes the focus — enjoying the music.”
The retro revival has another benefit, particularly in the music industry, in the community fostered between artists and fans and between fans themselves. Purchasing records, CDs and other physical merchandise from artists yields a far larger profit to the creator than streaming does. Spotify, for instance, pays only between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream on average, while physical sales offer much higher per-unit profits for artists.
Not only does the revival of retro allow fans to more directly support their favorite creators, it also instills a sense of community and allows for more meaningful connections over art. The deliberate engagement with music and other forms of retro media, like film and digital cameras, brings people together over a shared love of tangible artistry.
Rushton highlighted the collective appreciation of retro technology that digital formats less frequently inspire.
“It can have a communal aspect to it,” Rushton said. “Whether it’s a party or just two people in a room, they’ve decided they’re going to play this record and everyone gives it their attention. That’s a beautiful thing, everyone gets to experience this music at the same time.”
Gen Z’s fascination with retro technology speaks to a desire for meaningful, tactile experiences in an increasingly digital world. While older generations indulge in nostalgia by revisiting their past, Gen Z’s embrace of film cameras, flip phones, vinyl records and CDs is an attempt to find authenticity and intentionality in a fast-paced, screen-saturated environment. These vintage items offer a break from the convenience of modern technology, allowing users to slow down and more fully engage with their media.
Graphic of record player, alarm clock, film camera, and flip phone.
Graphic by Kelsey Mason
Dopamine on demand: The phenomenon of shortened attention spans
Instant gratification through endless scrolling is reshaping how we think and navigate daily life
Ella Van Leuven| Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
In a typical hour and fifteen-minute class, many young people find themselves checking their phones a number of times. For some, sitting through the entire class without feeling the urge to get up and roam the halls can feel nearly impossible.
Attention spans today are decreasing at an alarming rate. The ability to stay focused is a lost art. The American Psychological Association reports that the average attention span today is just 47 seconds, compared to 75 seconds in 2012 and 180 seconds in 2004. This drastic change in the average person’s ability to focus has in turn taken a toll on their ability to function.
As the digital age advanced, attention spans regressed. Dr. Mary Pritchard, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Boise
State University, outlined how this phenomenon came about.
“We’re constantly scrolling,” Pritchard said. “If you don’t like it, you scroll to the next thing. Milliseconds can go by between one event and the next. 20 years ago before we had all of this, things took as long as they took. There weren’t so many things competing for our attention and we couldn’t so quickly switch from one topic to another.”
Social media set up a system of instant gratification for people online, giving users constant “dopamine hits”. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by the brain to send messages throughout the body, commonly known as the “feelgood” hormone. The neurotransmitter plays a major role in the reward system of the brain, releasing the chemical upon the
experience of something pleasurable. Megan Koehler, LPC, a counselor specializing in clients with ADHD and autism, outlined the role dopamine has played in many people’s inability to function efficiently.
“The phone is primed for any emotional response or elevation,” Koehler said. “No matter what you’re doing, you’re going to be getting a little bit of dopamine because of algorithms, because of immediate gratification, and because of that ‘I don’t have to sit and wait for what I’m looking for’. It’s right there, and you’re getting it fast.”
Koehler went on to discuss how this impacts people’s day-to-day lives.
“We have to wait in line in real life,” Koehler said. “We don’t always have control over what other people are going to say and do. If you’re getting all of that dopamine and all of those feel-good brain chemicals in digital world life, outside of that life where you’re not getting as many hits, then it’s just going to feel awful.”
Social media’s reward system and the digital world have drastically impacted the average person’s ability to stay focused and function. People’s ability online to immediately access the entertainment or information they desire has impacted many facets of everyday life, including education.
Pritchard outlined some of the academic difficulties young people today face due to shortened attention spans.
“For an hour and 15-minute class, it’s probably not a series of 30-second exciting events,” Pritchard said. “It’s just you sitting there. There’s a lot of fidgeting, there’s a lot of boredom, there’s a lot of ‘isn’t this over yet?’ You’re not able to focus, so you’re missing what’s being said, and then you’re not performing well because you were there, but you weren’t present.”
When students can’t pay attention in class, whether they’re thinking about what
they’re going to say next or focused on something else completely, academic performance and grades suffer. This struggle to stay present in the moment and lack of constant engagement in the real world has also affected the workforce.
Pritchard discussed how a similar effect has occurred in many young people’s careers.
“In terms of employment, we’re seeing a lot of issues with Gen Z not showing up for work because they have better things they want to do,” Pritchard said. “They’re getting fired. They’re quitting. They’re not staying in jobs for very long because they expect it to be fun and exciting just like the online world is, but that’s not real life.”
These issues can quickly be attributed to the digital age, but the constant advancement of technology isn’t going to stop anytime soon. Rather, people struggling to stay present in the moment should work to practice mindfulness and intentional consumption of social media.
Koehler discussed some of the tactics she offered clients with attention issues to counter the effects of technology today. Engaging in slower activities like face-toface interaction with loved ones, physical movement, reading books, creating art, listening to audiobooks or long-form podcasts, solving puzzles, and spending time in nature offers a few ways to practice mindfulness and diversify media consumption.
The digital age completely changed how we process information and engage with the world. The constant supply of short-form content and instant gratification rewired our brains, making it more difficult to focus on tasks requiring sustained attention. While the effects are evident in both academic and professional settings, where performance and retention are suffering, we can begin to reclaim our ability to stay present, improving our productivity and overall well-being.
Graphic of a person with a clock in their head. Graphic by Naomi Brown
ASHTON JEANTY: ROAD TO THE HEISMAN
Jeanty's journey from a U.S. Naval base to Boise State
Cainon Rogers | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Grahics by Naomi Brown
Jay Ajayi, Doug Martin, Alexander Mattison and now Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State football program has been producing NFL talent running backs for years, with another potential NFL star in the making.
Though the shoes may be hard to fill for Jeanty, he may be the most talented of the bunch. He’s chasing something that none of his Boise State legend counterparts have done before: Winning the Heisman.
The Heisman candidate has been a force since the day he started at Boise State and is already cementing himself as one of the greatest Boise State football players the program has ever had.
Here is Jeanty’s story: Pre-Bronco: early high school days
Jeanty began his high school football career far from Boise — almost 6,000 miles away, in a town just north of Naples, Italy. Jeanty played his freshman year of high school football in Aversa, Italy, at a U.S. Naval base. While in Italy, because of the team's small roster size, Jeanty played multiple positions, both on offense and defense, learning how to dominate the field at a young age.
After just one season in Italy, Jeanty moved to Dallas, Texas, where he joined a talented Lone Star High School football team. Jeanty joined future NFL talent at the high school, becoming teammates with now Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. and now New Orleans Saints linebacker Jaylan Ford.
Like his year playing in Italy, Jeanty was playing everywhere on the field, not having a set position until his final season.
In Jeanty’s senior season, finally playing as the starting running back and kick returner, he totalled 2826 all purpose yards and 41 total touchdowns. This video game-esque statline made him one of the most talented four star recruits in the entire country.
With offers from prestigious college football schools like University of California, Berkeley, University of Tulane, University of Kansas and other Division I schools, Jeanty signed his letter of intent to play for the Boise State Broncos on Dec. 15, 2021.
The rest is history.
Freshman season: First rodeo Jeanty started his first collegiate football season under the radar, splitting playing time with now NFL running back George Holani.
Holani was entering his third season playing for the Broncos and had already established himself as the starting running back in a run-heavy Boise State offense.
This was until Jeanty stepped foot on the field.
On Sept. 30, 2022, Jeanty scored his first collegiate touchdown in a home win over the San Diego State University Aztecs. Jeanty finished the game with 12 carries and 82 yards, finally showcasing his abilities.
This game started a four game stretch in which the young freshman began to look like a star player on the field for the Broncos. Between the game against the Aztecs all the way to Oct. 29, 2022, in a home game against
the Colorado State University Rams, Jeanty posted 323 total yards and five touchdowns, as the Broncos went on to win all four of these games.
During this time, all eyes were on Holani, as the junior running back posted 436 total yards in one less game during this span, but little did everyone know that the Broncos other running back would soon be the talk of the town.
Though Jeanty did not have the spotlight on him because of the other star in the backfield, this made Jeanty the player that he is today, two years later.
“I was able to learn a lot from George Holani while he was here,” said Jeanty in a recent interview with NFL draft journalist Justin Melo. “Holani taught me how to appropriately lead the running back room. Not only that, he taught me how to lead the entire team.”
Jeanty’s final game of his freshman season was a testament as to what his future at Boise State would look like as the Broncos played the University of North Texas in the 2022 Frisco Bowl. Jeanty had the best game of his season, posting 188 total yards and a touchdown, in the Broncos win, marking the end of the season for Jeanty and the Broncos.
Despite Holani having the best season of his Boise State career, Jeanty had a very strong freshman season, posting 976 total yards and seven total touchdowns. This was a very strong outing from the freshman running back, who happened to be sharing the backfield with a future NFL running back.
Sophomore season: The breakout season
The 2023 season for Jeanty is when things really started to pick up.
Despite the disappointing 0-2 start to the season for the Broncos, Jeanty was one of the few bright spots to a struggling team. In these two games, Jeanty was a force both on the ground and in the air, rushing for 159 yards and one touchdown while receiving nine catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeanty continued this dominance throughout the next few games, putting up video game numbers in his sophomore season. However, similar to his freshman season, his talents were not being displayed to the media, with the Boise State Broncos playing below their normal standard.
The 4-5 Broncos were one loss away from having the most losses in program history since the 1997 season, when the Broncos played in the Big West Conference.
A day after a blowout win against the University of New Mexico mid November of 2023, Boise State Athletic Director Jermiah Dickey announced the firing of Head Coach Andy Avalos. "I am grateful for the passion, effort and dedication Andy has given to our community and his alma mater while serving as our head coach," Dickey said in a statement. "Andy will always be a Bronco and we wish him and his family all the best in their next steps."
Because the Broncos were still in contention for the Mountain West Championship, Jeanty stepped up in a big way, sending the Broncos on a two game winning streak and ultimately to the Mountain West Championship (MWC).
Jeanty totalled 329 yards and three touchdowns in these final two regular season games, putting all of the drama aside, leading the team to the MWC. Jeanty didn’t stop there.
In the Mountain West Championship game, Jeanty ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns, capping off a near perfect season from an individual standpoint.
Jeanty finished the season with 1,916 yards (third in the country) and 19 touchdowns despite playing in only
12 games. Jeanty was later given first team All-American honors, marking the beginning of greatness for the young running back.
Amidst all of the off field drama and the embarrassing losses, Jeanty put the team on his back, leading the team to a MWC and an appearance in the LA Bowl against the UCLA Bruins. 2024-2025 season: Best of the best
In his third, and most likely final season in blue and orange, Jeanty started off with the best game of his career in an away win against Georgia Southern University. His statline for the day was 20 carries, 267 yards and six touchdowns, marking an incredible showcase for the star running back.
“I mean Ashton had 20 carries. It's not like we gave him the ball 55 times,” Boise State Head Coach Spencer Danielson said after the game. “He had 20 carries and had 267 yards rushing … He's a generational talent in regard to who he is as a young man.”
This game caused a lot of buzz throughout social media, officially putting the star running back in contention for the Heisman trophy after just one game.
As proven throughout his career, Jeanty did not stop single handedly taking over games.
In the very next game, Jeanty and the Broncos matched up against one of the best teams in the country, the University of Oregon. Jeanty ran over the Oregon Ducks’ defense, running for 192 yards and three touchdowns just a week after his record breaking performance. Though the Broncos ultimately lost by a field goal in the final seconds of the game, Jeanty and the Broncos were put on the map as one of the toughest opponents in the country.
Two weeks later, after the Broncos bye week, the Broncos beat Portland State University 56-14 in a massacre. Because of the immense score that the Broncos had, Jeanty only played for the first half of the game, but still put up 127 yards on just 11 carries. These 127 yards are the lowest total that Jeanty has had so far in this season, which just shows how good the star really is.
In his most recent showing, Jeanty again displayed why he is one of the
best players that has ever played on the blue. Against an undefeated 4-0 Washington State University, Jeanty ran for 259 yards and four touchdowns in yet another blowout win for the Broncos.
“You dream of games like this and I couldn't be more proud of this team, not just myself but the way we came out and competed in all phases."
- Ashton Jeanty
“It's a dream come true,” said Jeanty postgame of the Washington State game. “You dream of games like this and I couldn't be more proud of this team, not just myself but the way we came out and competed in all phases. Offense, defense, special teams. I mean, that's one of the best games I've been around since I've been here.”
Just four games into the season, Jeanty is leading the country in rushing yards with 845 (160 more than the second place leader) and rushing touchdowns with 13.
Jeanty is on pace to rush for over 2700 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns, which would both break the all-time record set by hall of fame running back Barry Sanders in the year 1988.
The season continues on Oct. 5 against the Utah State Aggies. His future: Heisman and first-round pick
Jeanty’s incredible career is far from over, with many reports about the potential accolades that the running back may achieve.
The first of these is the Heisman trophy, the most prestigious award given to the best college football player in the entire country. As of now, Jeanty is first in Heisman betting odds, according to FanDuel.
The next of these is the NFL Draft. Taking place in April of 2025, Jeanty is likely to declare for the draft and prepare to play in the NFL for the 2025-2026 season. With the talent the Jeanty has bestowed to the country in his years at Boise State, will he find himself as a first round draft pick, maybe even a top 10 draft pick?
Since Jeanty’s early high school days in Italy, he has not only been the hardest runner on whatever field that he has stepped on, but also the hardest worker and best leader that any teammate can ask for.
The Boise State Broncos struck gold with Jeanty, as his incredible career is not even close to being finished.
CULTURE
‘Drawing
Kiana Honarmand and Stephen Aifegha explore political movements and cultural identity
Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
In the latest exhibit located in the Blue Galleries, “Drawing the Sky: Artist as Witness” invites viewers to look closely at the world we live in and the different cultures that contribute to the world around us.
Kiana Honarmand and Stephen Aifegha challenge the boundaries of perception and storytelling through
their art. Honarmand’s raw depiction of Iran politics and human rights as well as Aifegha’s vibrant commentary on social justice offer a compelling dialogue about the role of the artist as a witness to societal change.
Honarmand, originally from Iran, portrays the political movements in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini,
a 22-year-old Iranian woman killed by Iranian morality police for allegedly not wearing a hijab in accordance with government standards.
Her installation titled “A Shadow in the Depth of Light”, is a collection of locks of hair and bright red hands reaching for the sky, each with a name of Iranian citizens who became victims of political unrest.
“That project for me came out of this desperation of just wanting to talk about what’s happening and shed light on it,”Honarmand said. “The installation has all of these hands that each of them is displaying the name of one of the victims of the protest … I wanted to make sure their names are honored and remembered”
Honarmand shared that she felt helpless being far away from Iran during political unrest, specifically the Women, Life, Freedom movement that began in September 2022, and resulted in the arrest and death of hundreds of Iranian citizens.
“Being so far away, and I felt so powerless that I can’t do anything to help,” said Honarmand. “But I wanted to be able to at least talk about it through just this very small platform that I have as an artist. So I started making these hands.”
Stephen Aifegha, a mixed media contemporary artist created “Third World Africa” to depict a contemporary vision of Africa through found material such as newspaper and African fabrics.
“Third World Africa” is a collection of oil and acrylic portraits of people of Africa, often depicted looking directly at the viewer. These portraits invite viewers to look within the artwork, making eye contact with the subjects.
“They [newspapers] are used not only to create texture or as a substitute for paint, but they are also used to create social commentary …” said Aifegha. “I might intentionally put something that has as a political statement, because my works are more political, and then the fabrics are a way to show my identity as an African and as a form of esthetics for the works, both of them together, newspapers and African fabrics together, create a sense of dynamism.”
Aifegha uses his art as a means to create a discussion revolving around the American dream, and what it means to nurture an African identity in America.
“Why do people have to come here to seek jobs? … Why?” said Aifegha. “Because we are, we are all trying to find a greener pasture. And we see America. America is the place for that. We have been painted a picture by the media about the American dream.”
Aifegha creates an intimate moment between both the viewer and the subject, with dark paints on canvas and his subjects facing outwards, he calls the viewer to look back.
“Stories like my works basically revolve around cultural identity and the social political effects of post colonialism, reflecting the third world part of Africa,” Aifegha said.
Art is meant to both entice and confound viewers, both Honarmand and Aifegha invite viewers to look at the world around them and listen to differing cultures.
Both artists’ installations will be in the Blue Galleries, located at the Center for the Visual Arts on Boise State University’s campus until Oct. 30. Admission is free, all are welcome.
Photo of Kiana Honarmand’s piece in the Blue Galleries. Photo by Omar Saucedo
The Boise Flea provides college students with business opportunities
Vintage clothing has quickly become Generation Z’s money maker
Emily Carmela Nelson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
For 11 years, The Boise Flea has been Boise, Idaho’s hot spot for lovers of vintage goods and Sunday strolls.
Erinn Urquiaga, the founder of The Boise Flea, took to social media in February to make a huge announcement — the market would be moving to a new location for the 2024 season.
“We are moving locations this year, and I honestly can’t think of a better location than this,” Urqiuaga said in an Instagram post. “We’re so excited to be at Boise State.”
The Boise Flea, which runs from April to October, allows small and upcoming business owners an opportunity for community outreach. The new location provides space for more vendors, larger booths and shopping accessibility.
Paityne Hume is a Boise State student utilizing The Boise Flea this year as a way to make money and connect with her community.
“It’s super quick in the morning to get everything ready and drive over here,” Hume said. “I am actually able to do what I like. Thrifting, fashion and stuff like that. I’d rather do this for the whole day than sit at a boring job.”
In a shared booth with two friends, Hume is selling a variety of handpicked vintage clothing, accessories and personally designed items. This is her third time hosting a booth at The Boise Flea Market.
“I feel like the first time you do it it’s definitely a lot more preparation. You’re getting stuff like your tables, clothing racks and tent ready. Once you have your base, it gets easier each month,” Hume said.
Hume is in the process of creating her own personal brand called Cinnamon Girl Vintage. She plans to sell handmade jewelry and resell curated vintage clothing.
One of Hume’s favorite parts about reselling clothing at The Boise Flea is the convenience of it, especially as a full-time college student.
“I have another job, but if I could make this my full time job I would love to because it’s on your own time,” Hume said. “There’s plenty of thrift stores around campus, so you don’t have to do much traveling or preparation for it. I think it’s super convenient.”
Grant Procal attends The College of Idaho and is also hosting a clothing booth at The Boise Flea.
“I love it. It keeps me going,” Procal said, reflecting on his first year of manag-
ing his own resale brand. “It may not be the most profitable business, but I love the grind of it.”
Procal’s personal brand is called Granted Vintage. While his current focus is reselling vintage streetwear on Depop and at The Boise Flea, he dreams of growing his business to a larger scale in the future.
“I’d want to scale it to a level where we can travel and sell clothes to people,” Procal said. “Right now, we’re stockpiling money to be able to go and buy a mass amount of clothes. We’re [selling at the flea market] in the meantime to build up that revenue and steady connections to people in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Utah.”
Procal doesn’t run his resale business alone. Campbell McKenzie, Procal’s friend of five years, finds passion in connecting with customers at events like The Boise Flea.
“He likes finding it, I like selling it,” McKenzie said of their collaboration. “I love seeing what people wear and how they express themselves.”
“I like the commitment and I like the people,” Procal said. “I get to talk to people from all different walks of life. It’s a really eye opening experience.”
Procal and McKenzie plan to expand their network and brand as they work through school. They say The Boise Flea has played a key role in helping them reach their goals.
“I really think it’s a great opportunity for students,” Hume said. “There’s always spots available, so you’re never rushing to buy one before anyone else. I also think it’s a really good price, especially if you’re splitting it like [my friends and I] did.”
The Boise Flea is open to any vendors who fit under the categories of antique, vintage or handmade goods. Interested vendors are encouraged to send a direct message to The Boise Flea via their social media pages.
Photo of the Boise Flea Market.
Courtesy of the Boise Flea
CULTURE
Leon Bridges reimagines soul in his latest album ‘Leon’
Leon Bridges’ newest release blends classic R&B influences with contemporary style
Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
For his latest release “Leon”, Leon Bridges dives into the soul of classic R&B while carving out space for a sound that’s unmistakably his own. With soulful melodies and a timeless rhythm, “Leon” introduces itself as a testimony to the R&B genre.
Leon Bridges garnered fame in 2015 with his debut studio album titled “Coming Home”, which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. Bridges is best known for his vintage americana style rhythms, such as his 2015 tracks “Coming Home” and “River”, which both include soulful reverb, female backing vocals, and doo wop style rhythms.
Bridges’ music recalls soul legends such as Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, musical legends whose music nearly demands a close listen, creating a hypnotic blend of both lyrics and musical rhythm.
Within Bridges newest release “Leon”, Bridges modernizes his retro flare with 43 minutes of new-age R&B and love ballads.
The first track of the album titled “When a Man Cries” is a raw depiction of male heartbreak, highlighting what it feels like to be wronged by someone you loved.
The second verse of the song starts with, “Say you wanna start a fire to see how it feels / To see who we are when they burn / Well, take a good look, don’t try me / There’s a limit to my sympathy”.
The opening track of this album is a solid predecessor for the following tracks, with a subtle southern soul modernized vocals.
Bridges strays from his iconic doo wop style and instead takes part in modern soul similar to WILLOW and Childish Gambino.
The third track on the album titled “Laredo” certainly showcases Bridges’ southern roots with an acoustic guitar backing, pizzicato riffing, and steady drum beat. The song confirms Bridges as a powerhouse when it comes to love songs.
Bridges can depict both love, heartbreak, and sensual feelings in a rather cathartic style, almost forcing readers to listen closely as to what his lyrics mean,
“Love, I’m just a beginner / What if I stayed in Laredo? / For just one more night.”
Within the eighth track of the album, Bridges bares his vintage soul briefly in “… Never Satisfied”. The track opens with a joyful reverb organ and subtle drumming as the lyrics start with “I can’t get you off my mind / Let it last all the time / Hope our bodies meet again / Hope I get your love again.”
The meshing of subtle church rhythm alongside sensual and intimate lyrics confirms Bridges’ place within the R&B genre.
Bridges also includes a brief, guitar ballad titled “Teddy’s Tune”. The addition of this track on the album introduces the
idea of an album best listened to from beginning to end, an archaic way of listening to albums but a true testament to Bridges vintage roots.
The last song on the album titled “God Loves Everyone” can be seen as a response to the political unrest that has occurred since Bridges musical absence.
“God sees all the folks on their own / God knows what it’s like to be cold / And the winners and losers and player and fool / For the game.”
Bridges blends old-school influences with modern flair, giving listeners a fresh take on what it means to make soul music in 2024. From the first note, “Leon” invites listeners to stay awhile and listen closely.
Photo of Leon Bridges’ new album.
Photo by Jocelyn Browne
Indulge in these pieces of media while waiting for the next
Percy Jackson
Everything’s coming up Greek: Satisfy cravings for a Greek style story with these epic tales
years after Percy Jackson was first introduced to the world with “The Lightning Thief”, a novel by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson appeared in a new form for the Disney + television. series adaptation. Season one hit screens at home on Dec. 19, 2023, and fans have been anxiously awaiting season two ever since.
Season two comes out in 2025, so in the meantime, here’s some great pieces of media to satisfy any Greek mythology cravings.
Two classic retellings
In the world of Greek inspired literature, Madeline Miller’s name frequently
comes to mind, deservedly so. Miller wrote two famous retellings of classic Greek myths: “Circe” and “The Song of Achilles”. If you’re looking to return to the classics, these are the places to start.
Miller puts a new spin on the myths surrounding the titan Circe, following her from her time with the titans and gods, to her exile to her island — all the way through the conclusion of the events of the Odyssey.
Miller’s retelling focuses on the internal life of Circe, and her path from becoming a meek and sheltered young immortal, to a powerful, self possessed witch. The journey from Circe’s first uncertain days in exile, to the final pages where she takes
her story into her own hands, is deeply satisfying and expertly crafted, and worth every page.
“The Song of Achilles” gained TikTok notoriety for its heart wrenching writing. Miller takes the reader back to Troy and the years in Pythia before the war — this time from Patrcolus’s perspective.
“The Song of Achilles” tells the story of love, loss and legacy as two young men struggle to grapple with dire prophecy, doomed love and a destiny handed down from the gods.
While this retelling gained it’s fame from the doomed lovers who star in it, the soft moments between Patroclus and Thetis had deeper emotional resonance than any other scene in the book, creating a bittersweet but fitting end. An epic trilogy
Rosaria Munda drew inspiration from Plato’s “The Republic” to create a sweeping tale of sacrifice and hope for a better future in her trilogy “The Aurelian Cycle”.
The first book “Fireborne” introduces the audience to the two main characters, Annie and Lee. After the fall of the triarchy, Annie and Lee are left to navigate a new world while grappling with the past. Lee’s family, the former feudal lords, murdered Annie’s family, but the two find themselves relying on each other to survive in an orphanage after the revolution.
As the two grow up and find their place among the dragon riders who make up their countries military, they’re forced to grapple with the question of whether the regime that ruined Lee’s life is truly better than the one that ruined Annie’s.
The two question the idea of who is more deserving, as they fight for democracy and equality. If you’re looking for a thrilling action packed series that forces characters to decide whether to do what’s right, or to protect their friends and family, this is the perfect series for you.
“The Aurelian Cycle” takes readers
through a journey of two young people pushed to the brink as they are forced to question power, and test how far they are willing to go in their attempts to do better than the people who came before them as they strive for justice, democracy and freedom.
A sweeping saga
Percy Jackson achieved such a beloved status among fans for its wit and sarcasm, so if you’re looking to return to the classic with a little bit of humor, “Epic: The Musical” concept album is a great place to start.
“Epic: The Musical” is a concept album for a musical retelling of the Odyssey that the creator, Jorge Rivera-Herrans is releasing in sagas.
Rivera-Herrans’ retelling depicts Odysseus as a noble hearted warrior tired of war, who still maintains his confidence and flippant sense of humor after being separated from his wife and son for a decade.
Even without the visuals, the concept album never fails to capture the grand and mythical atmosphere of Greek Mythology, executing well-laid out emotional arcs and musical refrains steeped in symbolic callbacks.
While the play has moments of humor and levity, Odysseus struggles with how to ethically navigate a world where violence and glory are rewarded at the sake of his humanity. As the saga continues, Rivera-Herran illustrates beautifully that while Odeyss is named for Odysseus’ epic journey, he is not a hero.
The original Percy Jackson series, and its adaption, have heart, humor and weight behind the story, as the lessons the characters learn hold value beyond the pages they’re written in. So while fans excitedly wait to see how season two will keep the legacy alive, these three pieces of media effortlessly pull the audience back into the world of gods, heroes and villains.
Collage of cover art in the shape of Achilles helmet. Graphic by Naomi Brown
SPORTS & REC
October 10, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
Wake up, it’s gameday: The battle with Ticketmaster continues
The chaos behind student ticket sales and scalping
Every Monday before a home game at 8 a.m. the war between Boise State students and Ticketmaster begins in hopes of securing a student football ticket.
Unfortunately, not all students are fighting this battle with intentions to attend the game, many are getting the free ticket with the sole purpose of reselling it.
The immense hype around Boise State football this season has left students paying absurd amounts of money for tickets.
“These are things that we’re trying to work out in real time because the demand is so high,” Cody Gougler, the associate athletic director for external affairs, said. “If something is reported to us as a student ticket being on the secondary market, we do have the right to shut that ticket down to where it doesn’t scan.”
In years past, students were easily able to purchase up to three guest tickets the day after student ticket sales but with how fast tickets have been selling out this year, students are demanding another solution.
YikYak (an anonymous platform for college students) continues to flood with comments with Boise State students responding to the chaos. Here’s what’s being said as of last game day against Utah State University:
“As a senior I swear it’s never been this hard to get a ticket.”
“If you are waiting to get a ticket just to resell it, you should be filling out a job application instead”
“The people offering to buy FREE student tickets are just as much of a problem as the people who are selling them.”
“I think we can all agree we need a bigger stadium”
“You’re an actual piece of sh*t if you got a FREE ticket with the intention of selling it”
“Another Monday, another day I want to hit my computer with a bat trying to get football tickets”
“Just saw some girl selling her student ticket on marketplace for $125”
“Been in queue since 8 a.m.. I have moved 220 spots. Good luck”
“Secured my ticket after a million refreshes. Good luck soldiers”
“Why isn’t the ticketmaster working???”
“ARE TICKETS ALREADY SOLD OUT WTF”
The question as to how to put a stop to students transferring and reselling their ticket remains.
“There’s over 5000 student tickets that are out,” Gougler said. “99% of our students are doing the right things but I would definitely be frustrated if one of my classmates were just claiming their ticket to go make money on the secondary market, that’s really not right. And so we hope our students will not continue to operate like that but that’s also something that happens at just about every school. It’s just a tough thing, it’s hard to stop.”
Reporting those engaging in ticket scalping will ultimately minimize this problem.
Another reason this process has been so stressful for students is the fact that the majority join ticketmaster at exactly 8 a.m.
By logging on just 1-2 hours later, chances of obtaining a ticket are higher
and less chaotic.
Albertsons Stadium beat its previous fan attendance record of 37,663 — set against Fresno State University in 2022 — with a crowd of 37,711 fans at the Washington State game on Sept. 28, 2024, the largest crowd in Boise State history.
“When you look at our ticket sales efforts, the experience that we built in
Albertsons Stadium, and now the success that we’re seeing under Coach Danielson’s leadership with a guy like Ashton Jeanty, who’s a Heisman campaign contender,” Gougler said. “That’s why you’re seeing record crowds right now.”
The atmosphere at Albertsons Stadium is unlike any other and the students play a big part in making the gameday experience so special.
Photo of student buying Boise State football tickets. Photo by Jocelyn Browne
Anabel Kotzakov: The outside hitter’s path to Boise State Culture shock, volleyball journey
Boise State University’s volleyball star Anabel Kotzakov comes from a background unlike most.
Kotzakov spent the first four years of her life living between two countries. She went back and forth every six months between Costa Mesa, California
(her hometown) and Bulgaria, a country in Southeast Europe (her parents hometown).
Kotzakov went to preschool and kindergarten in Bulgaria where she learned Bulgarian as her first language. It wasn’t until first grade that her family got citizenship within the United States
and they fully settled in California. Kotzakov came into class unfamiliar with the English language.
“I didn’t really know English,” said Kotzakov. “The teachers would talk to me and I would just say ‘I don’t know.’”
She continued to spend every summer in Bulgaria to see her extended family and celebrate her birthday.
Kotzakov went on to talk about the culture shock between the two countries.
“I feel like people here are definitely a lot friendly, everybody’s like, smiling and greeting you and talking to you,” said Kotzakov. “And I feel like just in Europe as a whole, if you don’t really speak the language, or you’re not from there, they’re kind of like, you know, the ‘stereotypical Americans.’ But yeah, people here are just a lot nicer.”
Pre-college volleyball journey
Kotzakov grew up doing martial arts and gymnastics, delaying the start to her volleyball career.
“So actually, I didn’t even want to play volleyball,” said Kotzakov. “I really wanted to be a gymnast when I was little. But then obviously I started getting really tall and gymnasts are short. And my mom was like, ‘You should try volleyball.’ And I didn’t want to go. I was crying in the car. But I actually went inside and I tried it, and I loved it. I was like, I want to keep going.”
Kotzakov began playing volleyball at 12 years-old and never looked back.
She was a four year starter and spent three on varsity on Newport Harbor High School’s team.
Kotzakov led her team to its second-straight Surf League title and a 2-1 record in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division I playoffs.
By her senior year she was named the Surf League Most Valuable Player, AllCIF Southern Section Division I Team, Daily Pilot Girls’ Dream Team and Player
of the Year.
Kotzakov recorded 556 kills, 52 service aces, 190 digs and 48 blocks as a senior.
She also played for Balboa Bay Volleyball Club of Newport Beach where her team took second-place at the 2022 Philadelphia Qualifier.
The transition to Boise State
Kotzakov started the recruiting process a little later and after looking mostly at schools in California, she decided to further her volleyball career at Boise State in March.
Kotzakov spoke on the struggles of adjusting to college as a student athlete.
“I’ve learned that change can be really hard,” said Kotzakov. “Transitioning into the first year of college and starting your sport right away, I didn’t get to first settle down. Living alone, making new friends and volleyball was all at the exact same time. It’s definitely a lot getting into a routine first year of college.”
As a freshman, Kotzakov played in all 29 matches with 26 starts as an outside hitter.
By the end of that year she recorded 199 kills, 26 service aces, 208 digs, 50 blocks and 253.0 points.
The current sophomore has served as a top Bronco for almost every match and already tied her career-high of 14 kills, a total she has now hit four times.
The team has a 6-3 record thus far.
What’s next
As the non-conference games are wrapping up, the Broncos are set to begin playing against their Mountain West competitors starting with an away game at Fresno State University on Sept. 26.
“My goal this year is to stay consistent and even if I’m not having the best day, to not get down on myself and just move on to the next play,” said Kotzakov. “Just keep playing at a high level and trust my skills. Everyone has bad days and it’s not good to beat yourself up on it.”
Photo of Annabel Kotzakov. Courtesy of Boise State Athletics
Boise State Broncos send the Utah State Aggies home
The Broncos defend the blue in their 2024 homecoming game
The Broncos improved their record to 4-1 after beating the Utah State Aggies 62-30.
Not only did the Broncos put on a show for their yearly homecoming game, they also picked up their first conference win of the season. This win marks the teams 72nd Boise State homecoming win in program history, but also improving the team to a 3-0 home record.
This win brings Head Coach Spencer Danielson to a 7-2 coaching record as the Broncos are in great hands with him at the helm.
“I’m proud of how our team went out there and battled,” Danielson said in a postgame press conference. “We got a takeaway on defense, we had a couple fourth down stops, but still a lot of things that we need to improve on, and we will.”
The Broncos offense throughout the season has been lights out, scoring a
“We have a lot of playmakers in this building, I don’t think anyone really understands that,”
- Maddux Madsen
season high 62 points on 599 total yards against the Aggies. The offense was hitting on every aspect of the field, rushing for 296 yards and four touchdowns as a team, while having 313 passing yards and three touchdowns in the air.
Starting quarterback Maddux Madsen gave a stellar performance, completing 84% of his passes with 256 passing yards and three touchdowns. Madsen had this performance while spreading the field, completing passes to 10 receivers on the night.
Madsen said in a postgame press conference. “We have a lot of playmakers in this building, I don’t think anyone really understands that. We’ve probably got 12 guys that can go make a play tomorrow, so it’s cool to see those guys get rewarded for all of their hard work.”
The Broncos have put up 450+ yards in all but one of their outings (at University of Oregon, Sep. 7, 369 yards) as the team has been unbelievably consistent on the offensive side of the field. Going into the game, the Broncos were ranked #6 in the country in total points (47.8) as the team will likely climb up in those rankings after today’s performance.
“The most challenging part about us right now is obviously we’ve been extremely efficient,” Madsen continued.
“So how can we not let ourselves get complacent? How can we continuously get better week after week?”
Though the Broncos recent successes have been a testament as to how their season is going, will the team be able to keep it up?
Boise State will have to spend this next week preparing and traveling across the Pacific Ocean to face the University of Hawaii on Saturday Oct. 12.
BSU stat leaders:
Maddux Madsen- 21/25, 256 yards, three touchdowns
Ashton Jeanty- 13 runs, 186 yards, three touchdowns (Only played in the first half)
Austin Bolt- four catches, 24 yards, two touchdowns
USU stat leaders:
Spencer Petras- 27/41, 372 yards, three touchdowns
Rahsul Faison- 26 runs, 109 yards, one touchdown
Jalen Royals- nine catches, 211 yards, two touchdowns
Photo of Ashton Jeanty and another Boise State football player.
Photo by Omar Saucedo
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CAPRICORN
DEC 22 - JAN 19
IF YOU KEEP DOORDASHING FOOD EVERYDAY, YOU’RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY.
PISCES
FEB 19 - MAR 20
GO BUY A PET FISH. WE KNOW YOU KNOW WHY.
TAURUS
APR 20 - MAY 20
YOUR “UNIQUE” TASTE IN MUSIC DOESN’T MAKE YOU COOL.
CANCER
JUN 21 - JUL 22
CRYING ABOUT IT REALLY WON’T HELP, BUT EATING A PINT OF ICE CREAM MIGHT.
VIRGO
AUG 23 - SEPT 22
DRAW YOURSELF A NICE, WARM BATH. FOR ONCE, YOU DESERVE IT.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOV 21
YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO ACHIEVING EVERYTHING YOU’VE WORKED FOR. KEEP GOING.
AQUARIUS
JAN 20 - FEB 18
TRY A NEW RESTAURANT. YOU MUST BE TIRED OF EATING THE SAME COMFORT MEAL.
ARIES
MARCH 21 - APR 19
IN A WORLD OF ODD NUMBERS, YOU’RE AN EVEN. KEEP DOING YOU.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUN 20
YOUR LIFE IS NOT A MOVIE, IT’S A CONCERNING REALITY TELEVISION SHOW.
LEO JUL 23 - AUG 22
STOP TROLLING ON YIKYAK AND FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK.
LIBRA
SEPT 23 - OCT 22
HANG IN THERE… THAT COLD ISN’T GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON.
FLIRTING WITH YOUR COWORKER IS A BAD IDEA! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21
ILLUSTRATIONS BY SYDNEY SMITH
WHEN I PICK UP MY PILLS, HE GRABS FREE CONDOMS.
With over 12 options for birth control, let’s find one that works for you.
