The Boise State Broncos: 5 Steps to a Big 12 Conference Invitation

If you have read any conference expansion talk the last few days, you know that a few articles have hit the presses talking about the possibility of Boise State joining the Big 12.  Now, I don't know if it will ever happen, but the way conferences are changing, on what seems to be a daily basis lately, you just never know. 

Boise State being invited to the Big 12 five years ago would have been unheard of. Boise State joining the Big 12 last year, probably considered an extreme long shot. Boise State being invited to the Big 12 today, probably just a regular long shot. But, since some are talking about it, I thought I would explore the idea.  

I came up with five things that would probably help their chances.  Now even if Boise State did these five things, it would probably still be a long shot for them to be invited to the Big 12.  However, I know that the Broncos have no problem being the underdog.  It has worked out for them great over the years.     

Keep Winning

Winning! 

Boise State needs to keep the momentum going.  An undefeated season in 2011 would pour more fuel on the fire.  Over the years, Boise State has made it impossible for people to ignore them by simply doing one thing: Winning. 

With a 64-5 record under current coach Chris Petersen, the Broncos are a force to be reckoned with, and this will need to continue if they want to be included in any conference expansion talks. 

Continue to Improve the Campus

If you have been to the Boise State Campus lately you might not recognize it.  Many amazing additions and current construction fill the skyline. Additional student housing, academic buildings, sports complexes and a brand new College of Business and Economics are all now present at Boise State.

If Boise State wants to be included with the Oklahoma's and Texas's of the world, they will need to continue this trend.  The theme on some of the Boise State advertising materials simply proclaims "The New U Rising".  Well, it will have to continue to rise if it wants to be included in the Big 12 Conference. 

President Bob Kustra Has a Couple Things to Do

If Boise State wants to receive an invitation from the Big 12 Conference, the President of Boise Sate, Bob Kustra, will need to do a couple things. 

First, he must lobby for his school.  He might very well be doing that already, I don't know.  But, if Boise State wants to be a part of any conference expansion discussions President Kustra needs to let people know that Boise would be interested in possibilities. 

Second, President Kustra must hire a new Athletic Director that has spent time in the Big 12.  Someone who is respected in that conference, and knows the people involved.  Not only that, but that person needs to be a genius when it comes to fund raising.  Boise State cannot continue to grow and expand unless they have the funds to do it. 

Boise State Bronco Fans Need to Take It to the Next Level

The Bronco faithful, have been just that. 

However, it is time to take it to the next level.

If Boise State is ever going to be invited to a major conference it will have a lot to do with what the fans do.  Fans should step up their game.  Write more on your blogs, call more radio programs, answer more poll questions, and most importantly keep showing up in large numbers.  Every home game must be overflowing, and every road game needs to have a good traveling turn out. 

If the fans want to see their beloved Broncos take it to the next level and be invited to the Big 12, then they need to make it impossible for Big 12 schools and the rest of the nation to ignore them.  

Expand Bronco Stadium Now!

Bronco Stadium currently only seats about 34,000 fans.  If Boise State wants to be included in the Big 12 they will have to expand the stadium, and it will need to be done in a hurry. 

Plans have been made to expand Bronco Stadium to over 50,000 seats in the somewhat near future.  I am not sure the timeline, but if BSU wants to take a step up, then boosters, donors, administrators, coaches, players and fans all need to give support and make this happen now! 

Everyone needs to do their part. If the expansion of the stadium happens in the next two years, I would say chances are good that Boise State will be included in any discussions about conference expansion.