Boise State Athletics Received $1 million Gift

BOISE, ID — Boise State Athletics received the first $1 million commitment to the Lyle Smith Society, Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey announced Tuesday.

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"On behalf of every Boise State student-athlete, coach, staff member and fan, I want to say thank you to this incredibly generous donor," Dickey said. "Thank you for believing in our vision, our commitment to student-athletes and our ability to take Boise State to the next level."

A portion of the money will go toward a new state-of-the-art turf training surface inside the Caven-Williams Sports Complex, an indoor practice facility available to every Bronco student-athlete. The remaining funds will be used to position Bronco student-athletes for success in the classroom, in competition and in life after college.

"This gift is going to have an incredible, immediate impact on the student-athlete experience for the young men in our program, and for all our student-athletes here at Boise State," said Boise State football head coach Andy Avalos. "We believe in the direction of our new leadership, and it is amazing to see those outside of our program want to invest in that vision as well. I offer my sincerest appreciation to the donor for not only the impact this gift will have on the future of Boise State Athletics, but the legacy this support will leave.

""A gift of this size will make an immediate and lasting impact," said Boise State men's basketball head coach Leon Rice. "I am excited about the trajectory of not only our men's basketball program, but the entire Boise State Athletic Department. A donation of this magnitude is proof that others believe in where we are going and what we are doing for our student-athletes. Our deepest gratitude to the generous donor and to all of Bronco Nation for everything you do to ensure we have what we need to compete at the highest level.

"With the $1 million gift, commitments to the Lyle Smith Society have now reached $8 million and a membership of 65 loyal Bronco supporters.

"I said it when I arrived, if we don't have what we need we will go out and get it," Dickey said. "It will take all of Bronco Nation for us to provide the transformational experience we are capable of. We are just getting started and I am excited for what the future holds."

"When we as student-athletes see a donation like that it lets us know that the people around us really believe in us," said Boise State football student-athlete Kekaula Kaniho. "It pushes us harder to go and reach those dreams we have personally as players and as student-athletes to be able to come back and make positive impacts on our community and our environment around us."

"It's really cool to know people are giving so much of their time, of their money and of their life to us," said Boise State gymnastics student-athlete Maddi Nilson. "They find it within themselves to give and I think that's so cool. Hopefully one day I'm in that position to give back as well."

The Lyle Smith Society is a philanthropic giving option launched by the Bronco Athletic Association this past December. Membership begins with a minimum pledge of $25,000 over a five-year period or donating an annual cash gift of $25,000 or more.

The Lyle Smith Society is named after the iconic, longtime Boise State football coach and administrator. A leadership giving society to support Boise State Athletics, the purpose of the Lyle Smith Society is to increase philanthropic revenues, providing consistent funding for scholarships, operational needs and capital projects. Members of the Lyle Smith Society enjoy unique stewardship opportunities and benefits based on giving level, while maintaining the flexibility to designate each gift to the fund of their choice.

For those that are interested in learning more or in making a commitment to the Lyle Smith Society contact the Bronco Athletic Association at (208) 426-3556 or baa@boistestate.edu.

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