Boise State's Nike Deal Proves the Broncos' Historic Rise Continues

This week, it was announced in the Idaho Statesman that Boise State had signed an all-sports contract with Nike. This was the first of its kind for the Broncos.

This was great news for the school, the coaches, players, fans and alumni.

Some, however, would have you believe that this deal was nothing but small potatoes—pun intended. They do this by comparing the Nike deal with the Broncos to other schools and their contracts with similar companies.

However, the Nike deal for Boise State is a historic moment in the history of the Broncos, and that part is being overlooked.

Sure, Pac-12, B1G, Big 12 and SEC teams have larger contracts with sports companies. Even some of the lower-tier teams in those conferences have superior deals. But that does not take away from what the Broncos have landed.

Boise State entered the division I-A football arena in 1996. Since that time, its rise has been nothing less than historic, and this latest news concerning Nike is just the next logical step.

It may not be the kind of contract that the good old boys of college football receive, but it is a start. Besides, those good old boys have, in some cases, a hundred years on the Broncos when it comes to big-time football.

Boise State is the new kid on the block. Of course, it dos not have the fan support, revenue and alumni that major universities with long-standing tradition have, but when you put it in that perspective, it is amazing that Boise State is still mentioned in the same conversation.

The other thing that is amazing is the Broncos' staying power. Some are skeptical and keep predicting the Broncos' demise. However, those same skeptics have no idea what they are talking about. Those same skeptics do not understand, nor have they researched Boise State's history.

Sure, the Broncos started as a junior college. They also won a national title in football while they were just a J.C.

Then Boise State became a four-year school in the 1960s. It competed in the NAIA for a couple seasons before jumping up to the NCAA in 1970. In 1978, the Broncos moved up to Division I-AA (now the FCS), and won another national title in football in 1980.

In 1996, the Broncos moved up to Division I-A (now FBS), and since that time have enjoyed much success. They won the Big West title twice, and then stepped up to the WAC. They won the WAC eight times and then stepped up to the Mountain West.

Along the way they have won eight bowl games, including the historic Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma in 2007 and the Fiesta Bowl again against TCU in 2009. In both of those seasons, the Broncos finished the year undefeated and ranked in the top 10 in the nation.

Now, Boise State is continuing its ascent with a flurry of exciting activity which includes a stadium expansion, the largest contract in history for the head football coach, another brand new conference with better competition and revenue and, last but certainly not least, a brand new all-sports contract with Nike.

Say what you want about the Broncos. You can keep predicting their failure and diminishing their progress. However, it has never been their history to go gentle into that good night.

At every turn they have taken the opportunity to step up and succeed. After all, it was the immortal words of a Nike ad campaign that challenged us all to "Just Do It".

Well, in the case of the Broncos, they are—like it or not.