Back to the College Football Uniforms
Boise State’s uniforms used to be an eye sore, a bad mix-up of blue and orange simmering on college football’s back burner as an afterthought despite being one of Division I’s all-time winningest programs.
Then head coach Chris Peterson and quarterback Kellen Moore came to town, followed by Nike’s expertise and partnership in the apparel department and the rest was a distant memory.
Boise State is now a swoosh playground, a football program with tons of home, away and alternate options on gamedays.
In 2011, the Broncos and the swoosh agreed to a six-year contract extension that guarantees Boise State $6 million worth of product and equipment. Included in the contract are bonus incentives including checks for appearances in a BCS bowl, Sweet Sixteen or Final Four. The Broncos have donned several different helmet styles in addition to their blue shell, white emblem favorite during their time with the swoosh.
In a nationally-televised 2010 opener against Virginia Tech, Nike’s Pro Combat Bronco threads included an oversized menacing Bronco logo on the helmet without the popular “Boise State” wordmark.
The following season, the same large decal was used but this time on a white shell. The huge “Bronco head” was worn only on the left sides of helmets. The right sides were blank.
Boise State’s success as a BCS-buster has given Nike a premiere stage to showcase its latest uniform innovation and design. Nike has updated Boise State’s color pallet with anthracite grey and black with fade numerals in recent years, giving the Broncos one of the sexiest looks in the Midwest.
Over the last three seasons, Boise State has worn black, white, orange or blue jerseys with a combination of black, white, orange or blue pants. In spring 2013, the NCAA announced that the Broncos would be allowed to wear all-blue garb at home on their blue “smurf turf” after previously being under a two-year ban. The two-toned numerals on Boise State’s black home alternates however must be altered according to a new apparel rule that goes into effect this season in the Football Bowl Subdivision stating that “jersey numbers must be of one solid color that it is clearly in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey.”
