Boise State Broncos Logo PNG
The image of a horse’s head is featured in the Boise State Broncos sports department’s logo at Boise State University. The mascot in the brand color palette symbolizes the impossibility of taming, the difficulty of defeating the team, and pride and endurance.
The Boise State program began in 1932, when students chose the bronco as the mascot, reflecting the junior college identity at the time. In 1933, the first football team, led by Dusty Kline, opened with a modest 1–2–1 record.
From 1947 to 1967, Lyle Smith shaped the program. His teams went undefeated in four seasons, including 1947–1950. In 1958, the Broncos won the junior college national title, marking the first major result.
In 1971, the team joined the Big Sky Conference and moved into higher-competition leagues. A scouting violation led to a playoff ban in 1979, but in 1980 Boise State University won the I-AA national championship, defeating Eastern Kentucky.
A major shift came in 1986 when athletic director Gene Bleymaier installed the blue turf. The first game on September 13 ended 74:0 against Cal Poly Humboldt, and the field became a defining feature.
In 1996, the program entered Division I-A and beat Portland State 33:22 in its first game at that level. By 2001, Boise State had won four straight Western Athletic Conference titles under Dan Hawkins and built a rivalry with Fresno State.
On January 1, 2007, Boise State completed a 13–0 season with a Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma. The team remained a national contender, returning to the bowl in 2009 and 2014.
In 2011, the program joined the Mountain West Conference but faced NCAA sanctions over recruiting violations. In 2024, Boise State announced it would join the Pac-12 starting in 2026, ending a long run in the Mountain West.
Meaning and History
The 1974 logo is based on an image of a horse, the team’s mascot (now known as Buster Bronco). The animal stands on its hind legs, demonstrating a fighting character, spirit of struggle, and determination. It is set against a white map of Idaho, outlined with a double contour. In the lower-left corner is the university’s abbreviated name, BSU (Boise State University). The body of the horse is brown, while the mane, tail, and shadows are blue. This version of the emblem remained in use until 2001.
In 2002, another version appeared, more concise, showing only the horse’s head and withers. The animal’s gaze is menacing, as evidenced by the white eyes. The mane is thrown back as if during a rapid run. Below is the phrase “Boise State,” executed in uppercase white letters. In the modern logo, it is no longer present: only the mascot’s image in close-up remains.
What is Boise State Broncos?
The Boise State Broncos are a participant in the NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic program, affiliated with Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. The team competes in the NCAA’s first division, representing the Mountain West Conference. Its participants have twice won the WAC Cup: in the 2005-2006 and 2009-2010 seasons. The organization has 16 teams.
1957 – 1965
1965 – 1969
1969 – 1974
1974 – 1983
1983 – 2002
2002 – 2012
2012 – 2013
2013 – today
Boise State Broncos Football
The university’s football team is part of the NCAA Division I football bowl. It is a member of the Mountain West Conference. Home games are held at the Albertsons Stadium.
Boise State Broncos Basketball
Both basketball teams compete in the Mountain West Conference and play at the home sports complex, ExtraMile Arena. Leon Rice coaches the men’s team, and Gordy Presnell coaches the women’s team.