Find out what everyone is buzzing about above the Student Union Building.
10 Inside Haunted World, Idaho’s largest haunted attraction
Ready for a scare? Meet the scarers behind the corn maze where hundreds gather each night to chase fear-induced thrill.
04 Government shutdown
What the 2025 government shutdown means for students, according to professors.
07 New Music Technology Lab Department of Music debuts the Morrison Center’s new Music Technology Lab.
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PROFESSORS WEIGH IN ON CAPITOL GRIDLOCK
What
students need to know about the government shutdown
Grace Stark | News Editor | Photos by Omar Saucedo
On Oct. 1, the federal government shut down after failure to pass a bill funding government services. Under the U.S. system, all branches of government must agree on spending plans before they become law. In instances where failure to do so occurs, a government shutdown takes place.
This year, Republicans hold the majority in both chambers of Congress but are short 60 votes in the Senate needed to pass the spending bill. On Sept. 30, Senate Democrats rejected a bill that would extend federal funding into November in a 55-45 vote. Republicans were just short of the 60 votes required to pass this bill.
The consequences of a federal shutdown can be found in government activity, federal funding and loans, and federal workers, many of whom have since been furloughed, or temporarily suspended from returning to work.
On Oct. 2, Boise State gave a notice about the shutdown and its possible effects to the university. With little to no impact on grants and federal appointments and contracts only facing possible impacts on a case-by-case basis, the university expects minimal effects during the shutdown.
Although this shutdown has had little to no impact on higher education, professors at Boise State note there are a few aspects of the shutdown students should be aware of.
“A government shutdown really illustrates some of the challenges our country’s experiencing due to partisan polarization,” said Associate Professor of Political Science Jaclyn Kettler. “That’s where we can see the ideological
differences between the parties and the challenges in bipartisan compromise.”
Kettler highlighted this leads to “onthe-ground consequences” that impact federal workers and people relying on federal benefits, as well as broader ones that can affect the government and country as a whole.
“But I think that is an interesting question, can a government shut down and how the parties respond to it actually further polarization in some ways and not deepen those partisan divisions, distrust or dislike of the other side?” Kettler continued.
In previous shutdowns, like the most recent shutdown in late 2018, negotiation dynamics differed. While President Donald Trump was in office for his first term, the Democratic party had control of the House. Today, the Republican party holds a majority in the House by just a few seats.
Kettler described several questions and arguments for young voters to consider when analyzing not just the shutdown, but disputes between political parties, which suggest that “partisan identities are impacting our politics up and down the ballot”.
These include whether or not most Americans are deeply divided on all issues, or if more attention is directed to the few issues experiencing more polarization.
“Everything is politicized, and it’s hard to focus on what seems like a local issue without national and global issues being the front of the conversation,” Kettler said.
School of Public Service Professor Jeffrey Lyons also highlighted the crucial role of polarization and compromise in the shutdown, noting this topic is prominent in political science courses.
Lyons referenced the United State’s political climate before the 2000s, which he believed was less polarized. He said with enough voters expressing their aversion to compromise, and both political parties becoming more divided than they were in the late 1900s, many would argue that compromise would be seen as a weakness.
As a faculty member in The School of Public Service, Lyons emphasized the importance of raising the “next generation of [students] who are going to go solve problems in the public and in the world”. He commended the abilities of students on all sides at the university to discuss important political and social topics, as well as initiatives such as organizations and events students hold to do so.
“I think our students are definitely interested in these current events,” Lyons said. “This broader polarization is something that this country, and higher education has a role here to find similarities and have different conversations.”
With not only decision-making and the shutdown on the line, many members of Congress are also thinking about the next primary election and how their decisions now will affect voters. This provides reasons for people to analyze not just the potential compromises and decisions that will be made, but also the behaviors of government officials.
“Try to think about the incentives of the people involved. To what extent are voters carrying about this — and to what extent are politicians being pushed by their constituents to solve the problem?” Lyons said.
Lyons believes higher education and institutions like Boise State have a responsibility to foster conversations and collaboration among students who will later take on roles in government or society as a whole.
“Our system is set up on a need for compromise in order to get stuff done,” Lyons said. “It’s hard to be able to learn how to problem solve without being able to listen or consider viewpoints you haven’t considered, or maybe you have and disagree with.”
THOUSANDS ATTEND ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST AT CAPITOL BUILDING
Cole McAdams | Online Editor | Photo by Omar Saucedo
Thousands of Boiseans gathered outside of the Idaho State Capitol Building on Oct. 18, making their way through downtown with handmade signs for the nationwide “No Kings Protest” taking place in over 2,000 U.S. cities.
This past summer saw the first iteration of the nationwide “No Kings Protest”. Millions throughout the country and thousands of Idahoans attended the June 14 rallies, disapproving of government policies and actions under President Trump’s administration.
The official website for the demonstration references the efforts made at stopping “his attempt to turn June 14 into a coronation”. The website also adds, “In America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption and cruelty”.
Protest slogans such as “Hey-hey, ho-ho, Donald Trump has got to go” and “No more pedophiles in the White House” were chanted as Boiseans crowded downtown streets.
Speeches given at the Capitol drew a crowd American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho board member Sam Linnet described as the “largest demonstration in the history of Idaho”. Linnet and other speakers spoke on a variety of issues such as deportations, the war in Gaza, military tensions with Venezuela and women’s rights.
“Our democracy is in peril… the president and his confederates… are bold, they are dishonest [and] they are diligent in their work to pit red against blue, right against left, us against them. It must stop,” said Terri Pickens, Democratic gubernatorial candidate. “Let me tell you something that I think everybody here will understand in plain English — bullshit is still bullshit, no matter if you spray paint it in gold.”
The majority of Idahoans attending the No Kings Rally supported the cause, but some disapproved of the rally as they watched from the sidelines of Cecil D. Andrus Park.
“We’re teaching our kids [to] fight for what they stand for,” said Celyna Evans, a mother in the Treasure Valley carrying an American flag with “Make America Great Again” draped across it. Paul Evans, Celyna’s husband, noted many protesters were butting in on their conversations during the rally.
“Very disrespectful. It really is,” Paul said of the demonstration. “A lot of people take for granted what we have, and they don’t know what it’s like in a third-world country; they’ve never been in the military. They’ve never fought for anything, and they’re down here following.”
Organizations that planned the Boise event consisted of Idaho 50501, with partners Indivisible and the ACLU joining in. Attendees were encouraged to support a food drive benefiting rural Idaho food banks, as well as give donations to support the organizations’ missions.
“You are not going to miss a single election for the rest of your lives,” Linnet said. “You are going to–” Linnet shouted on the stoop of the Idaho State Capitol building.
“Do the work,” the crowd of thousands chanted back.
STUDENTS LEAD SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES ON CAMPUS
Campus Sustainability Challenge provides opportunity to lead small-scale sustainability initiatives across
Grace Stark | News Editor | Graphic by Naomi Brown
With student-run and university initiatives taking place across campus, students are joining and spearheading sustainability efforts each year. The annual Campus Sustainability Challenge gives students the opportunity to pitch their ideas for small-scale sustainability projects and receive grants up to $5,000.
The Office of Sustainability’s main goal is to improve efficiency on campus and save money, energy and resources, according to Sustainability Director Amy Parrish.
Parrish noted in addition to employing students, the Office of Sustainability gains student participation through initiatives like the Campus
Sustainability Challenge.
“For students that notice something that they think we could be doing a better job at, this is an opportunity for them to implement that and make the change themselves,” Parrish said.
The Campus Sustainability Challenge will take place on Oct. 29 from 1-4 p.m.. Applicants pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and have the opportunity to answer questions about their ideas.
The challenge was first established in spring 2024, awarding senior and Computer Science major Kade Bolen the grant for his project idea of building a machine to recycle plastic waste into 3D printer filament.
He said he saw the Campus Sustainability Challenge as a way to begin the
process of bringing his idea to life.
Once awarded the grant, Bolen purchased and assembled a machine that recycled unused or failed 3D printed projects into reusable filament.
After receiving the grant, Bolen continues to perfect his initial idea of recycling plastic waste to make filament. He noted this opportunity led him to collaborate with the engineering and material science departments and sees his momentum towards sustainability efforts in the MakerLab continuing after he graduates this semester.
Since its first year, the Campus Sustainability Challenge has seen many different ideas for projects and increased its grant to $5,000.
In Spring 2025, Mallory Picl was awarded the grant for her pitch to replace plastic water jugs in the Environmental Research Building with water fountains. Picl is pursuing her master’s degree in Geosciences and minored in sustainability as an undergraduate student.
“I always had the idea, but I didn’t really think it would be feasible until I found this grant,” Picl said.
Before applying for the grant, Picl said she noticed the plastic water jugs in the kitchenettes on each floor of the building and wondered if there was a way to replace them. She brought the idea to facilities workers and sent out a poll to students and people who frequently use the building.
The response made it clear there was strong support for her idea, with facilities even offering to do the replacement at no charge.
“They aren’t reusable, it’s a lot of plastic, and it takes a lot of carbon emissions to have the company haul water jugs each month and replace them,” Picl said.
However, many people included in Picl’s poll voiced their concerns about
campus
not having access to hot water — a feature of the plastic water jugs. This led her to reach out to Parrish about putting electric kettles in the kitchenettes so students and workers could still have hot water.
“The sustainability grant was my last step to get everyone on board with replacing the water jugs, and it definitely worked,” Picl said.
Since she was awarded the grant, the Environmental Research Building has implemented the electric kettles and newly installed water fountains, replacing the use of plastic water jugs.
Bolen and Picl highlighted the valuable experience they gained from being able to see their ideas come to fruition, with both noting more students should take advantage of opportunities like the Campus Sustainability Challenge.
Aside from the sustainability effort itself, Bolen said the challenge taught him how to write and give proposals, communicate with others and ask the right questions to achieve his desired results.
The project also shifted Picl’s focus to a career in sustainability and helped her make connections with people who work in sustainability efforts for the City of Boise.
“My whole shift towards sustainability and thinking about doing it long term really started with this grant,” Picl said. “You learn so much, you connect with so many people, and it’s helping me enter the job world.”
She also encouraged students to bring any ideas they have to the Office of Sustainability or reach out to Parrish to “workshop” ideas and different ways to get involved with sustainability efforts on campus
“If you have any small want to get involved with the sustainability program, I think this grant is a great way to do that,” Picl said.
INSIDE THE NEWLY RENOVATED MUSIC TECHNOLOGY LAB
Julianna Kelsey | Culture Editor | Photos by Julianna Kelsey
The Department of Music is turning up the volume on innovation and preparing students for careers in modern music production. The department hosted an open house on Thursday, Oct. 9, to introduce the Morrison Center’s newly renovated Music Technology Lab to the public.
The Music Technology Lab gives students hands-on music experience in music production. Classes held in the lab teach students about the software, tools and techniques used by professionals in the music production industry.
The lab functions as a live recording studio. Artists perform in the adjacent room, while students watch and listen through a live feed, mirroring a professional recording environment.
“It’s amazing to have a space where students get that hands-on experience,” said Logan Frewen, assistant professor of Music Technology and Commercial Music.
The room was originally designed as a keyboard lab. Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Derek Ganong described the former setup as “pieced together”, and felt the space would be better suited as a functional workspace equipped with modern technology.
“The idea behind this room was [to create] a space where we could teach music production, music technology and
also provide a setup to do more high-level recordings in the accompanying recording space,” Ganong.
Now, the lab is more cohesive and useful for different educational activities.
Large desks offer more workspace, pullout keyboards create versatile class options, and professional recording equipment allows students to get creative.
The funding used for the renovation came from the Innovation Hub Grant, which was awarded to the department to redesign the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music. The new BA, which is available for the first time this semester, aims to make music education more accessible for “non-traditional” music students.
The Music Technology Lab is an integral piece of the redesigned BA because it provides the experimental and career-focused experience that students need to prepare for careers on non-traditional music pathways.
“Music Performance is often geared towards classical musicians, and Music Education is geared towards music teachers,” said Dr. Matthew Castner, assistant professor of music. “How does a rock band fit into what we offer in the music department? The new BA was designed to capture those kinds of students and give them these technical skills.”
Students without years of classical training can now study music without needing to audition for the program.
“We’re one of the few universities in the country that are accepting students into a Music degree without an audition on an instrument, which is huge, and really shows that we’re on the forefront,” Ganong said.
The BA adds new faculty and class options in music production and technology. These educational opportunities prepare students for careers in the modern music industry by teaching professional skills needed in music production, recording engineering and media project management.
“Academia is historically lethargic and lacks agility to adapt to new things and change,” Ganong added. He noted the importance of honoring the past while embracing new technologies in music.
“We’ve been very thoughtful about how to make this honor both sides,” he added.
Ganong and Castner worked tirelessly throughout the summer to bring the renovations to life.
“We had to be really creative, and we told ourselves we weren’t going to sacrifice on quality of equipment, but behind all of it is a kind of DIY approach,” Castner explained. “[Ganong] and I were in here a lot over the summer, building desks and running cables.”
After months of work, they’re still not done. There are more upgrades to make and equipment to add.
“I think that’s important for the students to see, because the reality is most of them are not going to walk into a multimillion-dollar studio,” Castner said. “The fact that it is still evolving has been really important for them, so they can understand that sometimes you have to lay on the ground and run cables for three hours – and that’s part of this work, too.”
“On the flip side of that, you don’t have to be in a multimillion-dollar studio to make something really special,” Frewen added. “You can be in a converted classroom and green room and record a hit. I think that’s important for students to understand — you may not walk into a million-dollar studio, but you don’t need that to make art.”
The entire department has one goal in common: continued growth. Dedicated professors, external support from faculty and the College of Arts and Sciences and excited students are driving Music Education at Boise State forward.
“We’re getting to a point where traditional music school is changing and evolving, and that doesn’t mean leaving behind what it’s been, and it doesn’t mean trying to reject what is new, but figuring out how they work together,” Frewen said.
BRONCO CONVOS FACILITATES CIVIL POLITICAL DIALOGUE ON CAMPUS
Hudson Lehew | News Reporter | Graphic by Amber Jansson
Discussions about polarizing political topics are being held around campus, inviting students and faculty alike to join in.
Bronco Convos, an initiative recently launched by The Institute for Advancing American Values (IAAV), facilitates conversations about hot political topics on campus. The program debuted on Aug. 29 and is set to consist of eight events throughout the semester.
Dr. Isaac Castellano, associate director of IAAV, said the first three events have been a success, noting civil conversation between attendees.
On Oct. 9, seven members of the community from a variety of backgrounds took part in a Bronco Convos session centered on immigration and Portland’s recent deployment of the National Guard
The meeting began with Allen Dalton, an advisor at IAAV, reviewing ground rules focused on maintaining respect and emphasizing open-mindedness among participants. He remained present as a designated mediator to ensure attendees used the correct terminology during the conversation.
Dalton notes that the IAAV was launched in the spring of 2021 to inspire people to respectfully and directly interact with polarizing issues shaping our country. Castellano emphasized the institute hopes to “reestablish the trust that public institutions of higher education are places where exchange of ideas and dialogue can occur”.
“Bronco Convos is an extension of that general attempt to get people to talk to one another,” Dalton said. “It’s the natural outgrowth of our program.”
“We want students to come and faculty and staff to both get educated here and articulate their views,” Castellano added. “It’s about really trying to understand what the other side thinks, and what the issues are here.”
Dalton hopes the program will have a ripple effect outside of campus, encouraging students and faculty to continue conversations outside of sessions.
“It’s, in some sense, a grassroots-oriented attempt to carry out a model of conversation that can be applied to groups larger than the institute,” Dalton said.
Several colleges have made efforts to begin similar political conversation series, such as the University of Chicago and Brown University.
Castellano became motivated to create Bronco Convos due to his feeling that the current national conversation has devolved into “name-calling” rather than respectful discussion. He hopes that Bronco Convos will contribute to filling this need by encouraging productive conversation.
Dalton compared Bronco Convos to Boise State Listens, another similarly structured program run by the IAAV. Boise State Listens asks students from different backgrounds to identify and
discuss their core values in front of an audience.
One consistent issue Dalton identified with Boise State Listens was the difficulty in encouraging students to speak in depth about how their values tie into their political views.
“We thought that the Bronco Convos program, by emphasizing contentious issues, would hopefully get us to the next step,” Dalton said.
While Castellano and Dalton are both enthusiastic about the program, they are also wary of the possibility of conflict arising.
“You’re always running the risk that things might get out of hand,” Dalton said. “There’s a lot that can go wrong, but that’s why we always start with a set of ground rules.”
The group opened the semester with two training sessions from a group called Braver Angels, a national organization made up of local volunteers to depolarize the country’s national dialogue. The trainings touched on disagreeing
better, practicing active listening, and voicing one’s opinions without putting others down.
Each event has a designated mediator who can fact-check statements in real time and is knowledgeable about the topic being discussed.
“An hour is not going to resolve all the questions or positions on any of these topics, but the hope is that we move the needle on just illuminating some of the details so people walk out just a little bit better informed,” Castellano said.
The next Bronco Convo will be hosted by Ty Jordan, an undergraduate member of Advancing American Values. The discussion will take place in the Lookout Room at the Student Union Building on Oct. 24, where attendees will discuss freedom of speech in the United States.
“I feel pretty confident that we’re gonna facilitate meaningful and responsible dialogue,” Jordan said. “I just hope they leave with the feeling that they can express themselves.”
ASBSU VICE PRESIDENT KATE PERKES RESIGNS, ETHAN MARINER APPOINTED AS SUCCESSOR
Emily Carmela Nelson | Editor-in-Chief | Photo courtesy of Kate Perkes
Kate Perkes formally resigned as Student Body Vice President of the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU), marking an early close to her second term.
Perkes said she chose to step down due to significant ongoing health challenges within her family and the opportunity to study abroad in Lyon, France.
“After the encouragement of my family to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and reflecting on the experiences I could gain from this, I feel as though it’s best for me to prioritize myself and my family for the last couple of moments I have with them before my departure in January,” Perkes said.
Student Body President Isaac Celedon appointed Ethan Mariner, Vice President of Academic Affairs, to succeed Perkes. The Academic Senate confirmed Mariner’s appointment in a unanimous 15-0 vote on Oct. 13.
Celedon also appointed Carson Cole, Non-Traditional Student Representative, to fill Mariner’s former role. The Academic Senate approved Cole’s appointment 14-0, with School of Public Service Senator K’Lee Burbank abstaining. The confirmation leaves the Non-Traditional Student Representative seat temporarily vacant.
Formal conversations within ASBSU regarding Perkes’ resignation began in late September, with her prospective resignation date announced during an Oct. 6 Senate and Assembly joint meeting.
“[Isaac Celedon, Ethan Mariner, Carson Cole] and I had formal conversations that Ethan Mariner would be the best fit,” Perkes said. “Not only because he’s been in the organization for the past year as Vice President of Student Relations, but also because he has worked alongside almost every exec member on our team right now.”
“We feel confident with Carson Cole’s appointment because he ran for Vice President of Academic Affairs through the election period, running against Ethan Mariner,” Perkes added. “There was a lot of research, drive and passion. If you’re continuing to show up, even after all of the stress that elections may bring, there’s something there.”
With a background in high school student council, serving as a resident assistant and being a member of The Corral, Perkes was elected vice president during the 2024 ASBSU elections. At the time, she was a second-semester freshman and entirely new to ASBSU.
Reflecting on her time as vice president, Perkes highlighted several projects she is most proud of, including Bill #8, a $23,357 initiative that funded the installation of electrical power infrastructure in The Quad; Bill #9, which extended the Campus Food Pantry’s ability to provide free hygiene products to students; and Bill #10, which allocated $4,500 from the ASBSU Sponsored Budget to include mental health resources on the back of each Bronco Card printed in fall 2025.
“I can confidently say that I do feel like I’ve grown as a leader, as a person. I know what it takes to be a leader and have people look up to you,” Perkes said. “That’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Along the way, I’ve made wonderful friends.”
While Perkes is formally resigning from ASBSU, she described her departure as “not a goodbye”, but rather a “see you later”. She is considering taking a step back from leadership positions and potentially becoming a general assembly member or joining a committee during her senior year.
“It could be a beautiful thing to see new leadership [in ASBSU],” Perkes said. “I could provide insights and background, or help mentor in certain
ways. You can learn a lot by being on the outside.”
Perkes will continue to attend the next two Senate and Assembly joint meetings to ensure a “seamless transition”.
In a statement to The Arbiter, Celedon said he fully supports Perkes’ decision and commends her for prioritizing her personal growth and well-being.
“As we move through this transition, our team is focused on ensuring stability, continuity and support for all the
projects already underway. I’m confident that Ethan Mariner, who was previously the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, will bring in the experience and values to fulfill the role of Vice President,” Celedon said. “ASBSU will never forget the values Kate brought to this organization of empathy, determination and deep care for others. This will continue to remain at the heart of ASBSU’s work as we move forward.”
INSIDE HAUNTED WORLD
Distant chainsaws echo, fog settles low to the ground and screams cut through the cold October air. This is Haunted World, Idaho’s largest haunted attraction, where hundreds gather each night to chase the fear-induced thrill.
What started as a small corn maze 26 years ago has transformed into an iconic local Halloween attraction with two haunted walkthroughs and an elaborate, spooky village for visitors to linger in.
Co-owner Scott Ethington still remembers the early days when the setup took just a few weeks. Now, the operation begins in January and spans nearly 40 acres of elaborate sets, costumed actors and a sea of headlights from cars lined up for miles.
“It takes about eight months to get everything ready,” Ethington said. “By the end of October, the road will be backed up for miles. That’s how many people will come.”
Haunted World’s scale and detail have earned it a reputation far beyond the Treasure Valley, drawing in guests from Oregon, Washington and California.
Each year brings new sets, with this season featuring a gothic cathedral, a
cannibal cafe and an alien crash site — a renewed commitment to making every scream count.
“We’ve just focused on making it the best we can have,” Ethington said. “Every year, we add something new.”
Ethington owns the attraction with his brother, Steve. Together, the brothers work to make Haunted World as impressive as possible, visiting attractions around the country to learn more about the industry and find inspiration for improvements.
“[Steve] makes it so one of us doesn’t have to carry the whole load,” Ethington said. “There is so much to coordinate. It’s a very big production.”
The production quality has even drawn attention from the big leagues. Creative teams from major attractions across the country visit Haunted World to see how Ethington and his crew make it happen.
“Two years ago, we had the entire staff from Disneyland that flew up from California and asked me for a private tour,” Ethington said.
Haunted World’s success results from a massive effort by the Ethington family through decades of trying new things
and investing in the details.
“We put everything we earned back into it, and it took us a long time to get it where we wanted it,” Ethington said.
When the gates open at the start of each night, the world transforms. Guests weave through haunted farmlands, fogfilled corridors, abandoned churches and dark caverns while listening to distant screams.
The main walkthrough takes about 45 minutes to complete, while the smaller walkthrough, Skullvania, takes about 15 minutes.
The main walkthrough feels like a descent into another world. Fog wraps around your legs as the scent of damp corn and earth, immersed by fear, fills the air. The path stretches on for nearly an hour, winding through barns, graveyards, mineshafts and a 55-foot slide that plunges guests down into even more scares.
Every few steps, someone — or something — is waiting. Scare actors lurk behind fences, crouch beside cornrows and appear out of nowhere. Some are silent and wait for just the right moment to strike a scare, while others will sprint straight at you.
The rooms grow stranger as you move deeper. You encounter strobe-lit clown chambers where walls seem to shrink, a dizzying spiral hallway that spins like a funhouse gone wrong and a gothic cathedral where robed nuns pray among flickering candles. Each section builds to a relentless rhythm of fear and adrenaline.
If the main walkthrough feels like a nightmare in the open, Skullvania traps you inside it. Themed like an abandoned asylum, it’s a maze of tight hallways, flickering lights and echoing screams.
Visitors brush past peeling walls, stumble through hospital-inspired rooms and cross an illusory floor that makes it seem like they are walking over a bottomless pit. Cages rattle with zombies and eerie nuns chant from the shadows
Aidan Mattingly, Julianna Kelsey | Sports Reporter, Culture editor | Photos by Julianna Kelsey, Graphics by Naomi Brown
before lunging toward the crowd. It’s a claustrophobic experience that leaves most people gasping for air when they finally reach the exit.
Behind every scream at Haunted World is the dedicated team of scare actors who hide in the shadows, ready to terrify visitors at every twist and turn. Between the hours of preparation and self-confidence it takes to be truly scary, the job isn’t for the faint of heart.
On any given night, there can be up to 80 actors roaming the grounds.
Kadance Myers, a Boise State psychology student, has been scaring guests for four years. Her night begins in the makeup trailer, where actors transform into monsters before gathering for a preshow chant.
“We say ‘Let’s go chicken hunting’ because that’s what we’re after,” Myers said. Actors are given creative freedom to craft their own characters. Some are inspired by animals, while others are twisted versions of humanity. Many have spent years perfecting the art of making someone jump without ever touching them.
Myers explained actors are encouraged to scare from a distance but approach from the sides or behind to bring out the most effective scare.
“Everybody loves jump scares, so that is everybody’s first go-to, but scares don’t always have to be that way,” Myers explained.
Haunted World scare actor Caleb Bess said scaring should be simple. You don’t need an elaborate costume or a bunch of gore, he explained, but you do need the element of surprise. If people are expecting a jumpscare, it won’t work.
Bess, dressed in a handmade costume he’s been curating over several years, complete with crocheted voodoo dolls and a skull mask, shared his character was inspired by a “creepypasta”.
The fictional story follows Charles Sumner, a 1920s pianist who won $10,000 in a contest but was then killed
by his fiancée’s secret lover. After his death, Mama Creole, his mother and a voodoo priestess, revived her son. Ever since then, he’s run a half-price voodoo shop. The catch?
“Anyone who wishes for anything is damned for taking the easy way out,” said Bess.
Eventually, you’ll run into actor Kevin Chiu, also known as “Buddy”, who scares alongside his actor relatives at his farm. Chiu mixes dark humor with ghost stories as he works, blurring the line between myth and performance.
“Many years ago, a couple of men were hanged here after murdering dozens and now their spirits still roam the grounds,” Chiu said, embodying his character. “I’m not saying we use people as fertilizer – but yes, if you need a snack, you got a snack right here.”
The entire production has spooky lore behind it — guests can read the legend of murderous farmer Gustav Gristle before entering the haunted walkthroughs,
adding to the immersive and terrifying experience.
Generations of guests have attended Haunted World over the years, and the attention to detail, spooky atmosphere and terrifying thrills are what keep them coming back every October.
Boise State freshman Riley Ogilvie described her first visit as “the scariest thing in the world”. She recalled being chased out of the haunted house by a scare actor with a chainsaw.
That kind of reaction is exactly what makes the hard work worth it for Ethington and his team.
Haunted World has become more than just a business — the talented actors, innovative spirit and large crowds have made it a seasonal tradition that has lasted for decades.
Contributions by Olivia Brandon.
CULTURE
SPEND A DAY WITH THE BEE TEAM
Samantha Caccamo | Culture Reporter | Photos by Omar Saucedo
Almost every student finds themself at the Student Union Building to study, grab a bite to eat, stop by the information desk or enjoy a game of bowling. What those students may not know, however, is that the building rooftop is home to a colony of bees.
The Bee Team, a group of students dedicated to taking care of this colony, aims to create awareness on campus of the positive environmental impact bees have on the environment. The team receives their hives and beekeeping necessities from the Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club, a local group centered on educating and supporting local beekeepers.
“Bees are sometimes taken for granted,” Financial Officer Lillian Massie said. “They really are the framework for our environment and climate.”
The Bee Team led The Arbiter into their hive to learn more about some of campus’ hardest workers — with wings, of course.
At the first Bee Team meeting of the semester, attendees were zipped into beekeeping suits while bees buzzed behind the glass of the lookout room.
The weight of the suit added to the feelings of excitement and anxiety, with the group sharing a collective disbelief as they lifted the netted hoods over their heads.
The sweet aroma of honey filled the air as the group approached the wooden hives. The colony was whirring with activity as members of the Bee Team tried to calm the crowd’s nerves, noting the durability of the suits.
“Our mission is to make everyone safe and comfortable,” Bee Team President Krystal Sosa said. “We aim for the highest level of accommodation and really ensure everyone’s feeling okay. It’s 100 percent judgement free here.”
As the group surrounded the hives, Sosa revealed hundreds of the honey-making insects within honeycomb-shaped frames. Visitors moved in closer as she brought the first bee-covered frame into view. The group watched the honeybees work frantically, their fuzzy bodies moving faster than the speed of light throughout the honeycombs.
The team taught new attendees about the bees’ patterns and society. Attendees
learned a majority of the hive consists of females. Male bees, also known as drones, are responsible for mating with the queen and temperature regulation as wintertime approaches. The drones lack stingers and have rounder, larger bodies.
Sustainability is an important part of the beekeeping process. The Bee Team purifies beeswax for a variety of uses, from skincare to candle making. The group also harvests gallons of honey each month to fill the shelves of the Bronco Shop.
Sosa added that the team gets “first dibs” and receives a free share after each session.
“After each honey harvest, everyone gets a free jar,” Sosa said. “If you bring your reusable jar, we’ll fill it up.”
The Bee Team is open to all interested in honeybees. Whether you’re scratching beekeeping off of your bucket list or tending to the hive, the club prioritizes inclusivity.
“It’s a super welcoming community,” Sosa said. “I feel like a lot of students don’t even know we’re here, and it’s great to take the lead of such an amazing team.”
Members of the team come from a variety of backgrounds. Many of them, like Massie, joined as beginners.
“I came in without any experience other than loving bees,” Massie said. “As you go, you learn everything about beekeeping, and how to do it with the team. It’s very inclusive.”
While the experience may have been intimidating at the start, the team’s professionalism melted away nerves and created a highly educational experience for visitors.
“It was super exciting,” freshman attendee Siena Walker said. “I was too fascinated to be afraid, and it was the coolest thing to watch.”
The Bee Team has been a tradition for student beekeepers for over a decade, with members who buzz with as much passion for the hives as the pollinators themselves.
“I can’t wait to come back,” freshman attendee Janeli Baez said. “This was one of the best days of my year so far, and everybody should take the opportunity to try it out.”
FOUR STUDENT FILMS TO BE FEATURED AT BOISE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Julianna Kelsey | Culture Editor | Photos courtesy of Justin Buss, Tucker Hoggan and Jaeojah Hunter, Graphics by Naomi Brown
Four Boise State students will showcase their short films alongside directors from around the world at the Boise International Short Film Festival.
The Boise State Cinema Club planned the event and participated in the film selection process.
Films were judged based on criteria such as storytelling, cinematography and production quality. Student films were judged by professors to keep the selection process fair and impartial.
“This festival is all about showcasing talent from around the world,” Cinema Club President Jaeojah Hunter said. “We get submissions from around the world, and it’s so cool to see all that talent roll in.”
Written and directed independently, each film showcases the talent of the student directors and crews who worked and acted in the productions.
“Haruspex” by Tucker Hoggan
“Haruspex” is a short horror film written, directed and edited by Tucker Hoggan, a senior studying Film and Television Arts. The film follows a young woman as she tries to run away from her past life, as mysterious forces reveal secrets from her past.
The film was shot over three days with a cast and crew of over 15 people. Hog -
gan described the production process as “stressful, but worth it”.
“It’s a lot of fun to be out there and film and work with everyone,” he said. “It’s a lot of different creative forces trying to mesh and create something.”
Hoggan made “Haruspex” for a directing class in spring 2025 taught by film professor Darius Dawson. Hoggan said the class was rewarding and helped him work toward his goals of creating films professionally.
“When I discovered screenwriting and filmmaking, it just kind of struck me,” Hoggan said. “This is what I want to do, and I’m going to do whatever I can to make this my career and make this work.”
“We’re All Pieces of Shit” by Grace Galvan
“We’re All Pieces of Shit” is an absurdist comedy short film written and directed by Grace Galvan, a senior studying Film and Television Arts. The film follows a burnt-out retail worker who experiences one frustrating customer interaction after another, building up until they all collide in a dramatic finish.
Galvan’s approach to creating the short film was particularly ambitious — the entire film is done in one shot. She noted this filmmaking method requires extensive planning and practice.
“If you’re going to do a single take, it’s very important to have the camera positioned and for everyone to know where the camera is going to be at all times,” Galvan said.
Galvan said her biggest takeaway from the filming process was to never doubt herself. When she pitched the idea to her class as a one-shot film, she was afraid people would react negatively.
“What I thought were other people’s negative reactions to my idea was actually myself being afraid to create the art,” Galvan shared.
“Sloppy Joe” by Justin Buss
“Sloppy Joe” is a silent comedy short film written and directed by Justin Buss, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in Film and Television Arts. The film follows a personal chef who has to overcome challenges to please a dissatisfied client.
Buss created the film for his senior thesis. Passionate about cinematography, he wanted to challenge himself to create an entire film with no dialogue or exposition.
Shot over multiple days in multiple locations, the film taught Buss how to lead a crew and delegate to create a final product he was proud of.
“It’s been really rewarding,” Buss said. “It’s one of the few things I’ve made that
I can personally watch and still enjoy.”
“Twin Flame” by Jaeojah Hunter
“Twin Flame” is a silent film made by Jaeojah Hunter, Cinema Club President and senior studying Film and Television Arts. The story follows a grieving man who discovers the spirit of his dead girlfriend dwelling in a candle flame.
“The whole story is about grief,” Hunter said. “It’s okay to let go of people and still remember them, but you have to process that grief.”
Hunter chose to make a silent film to test her camera abilities, experimenting with lighting and angles to tell a dynamic story.
Hunter submitted films to the festival three years in a row, and said she is “very grateful to show [her] work” after not being selected her first two years. She hopes her work will be shown in more festivals in the future and that she’ll be able to create films professionally after college.
“I want to work on feature films in Hollywood, New York — wherever the wind takes me,” she said. “I want to be working on feature films and just creating the best visual story I can.”
The films will be featured at the festival on Sunday, Oct. 26 in the Special Events Center at the Student Union Building.
CULTURE
‘FAMILY GATHERING’ EXHIBITION EXPLORES FAMILY DYNAMICS THROUGH ART
Emily Carmela Nelson | Editor-in-Chief | Photos by Omar Saucedo
Student artist Jacob Wilson’s first solo exhibition, “Family Gathering”, invites viewers to consider family structure through photography, video installation and found-object sculpture.
After receiving an invitation to host their exhibit in the Student Union Building’s Fine Arts Gallery, Wilson spent the summer solidifying sculptural elements and capturing additional photographs for the body of work.
“When I first viewed Jacob’s proposal, what stood out to me the most was the approachability of their art and how a variety of gallery viewers can see themselves and their childhood memories reflected in the pieces,” Curatorial Assistant Kat Watson said.
Working closely with Watson and Art Curator and Collections Manager Fonda Portales, Wilson visualized the floor plan of the exhibition to evoke the feeling of a home. Upon entering the exhibit, viewers immediately notice ‘L’ shaped walls, mimicking hallways.
“I spent a lot of time trying to be conscious of the space and its capabilities, while also thinking about the context of each piece and how I wanted it to be viewed,” Wilson said. “I wanted to place this exhibition in more of a family context. Even though I’m not wallpapering the walls, I wanted the layout to feel slightly familial, like a house.”
The far-left wall of the exhibition greets viewers with “Family Portrait”, a black-and-white photographic series composed of archival photos from Wilson’s youth paired with modern film images of plant structures found in Idaho parks.
Inspired by the emotiveness of nature, the series compares subtle parallels between plant and family structures, highlighting how each supports the other’s growth, “for better or for worse”. In one pairing, Wilson and their siblings wrap their arms around their
father’s neck as he gazes into the camera. Mirroring the image is a photograph of an isolated thistle plant, a single strong stem intertwined with smaller ones.
“I was really interested in this idea that family isn’t a social concept, but rather a worldly concept,” Wilson said. “Making that connection through connective visuals and the parallels that we can see in plant structures — the way they group and support each other, in the same way we do within family structures.”
On the opposite wall hangs a wide shot of the view of Wilson’s grandmother’s backyard, bathed in soft dusk light.
“I picked the back of the house because I think it’s very grounded. It’s intimate, in a sense,” Wilson said. “Anybody could look at the front of the house, but not everyone gets the opportunity to see the backyard. It innately felt like childhood.”
During a May trip to visit family in California, Wilson documented spaces that shaped their upbringing — many of which appear throughout the exhibition.
“I have a complex relationship with my family, so sometimes I find it is best for me to process that through my art,” Wilson continued. “As a queer individual, I think our histories are often underrepresented or erased at times. Centering my work around this idea of historical documentation is really important to me.”
At the center of the exhibition, surrounded by white walls, a video installation titled “Recollection Nonlinear” is projected onto a three-by-three grid of air filters stained with acrylic paint. Designed to look and smell as though they had been smoked in, the piece is an ode to Wilson’s grandmother, a longtime smoker.
The projection combines archival family footage with audio from a phone call between Wilson and their grandmother. Throughout the eight-minute video, she
recounts stories and fond memories from Wilson’s childhood. The piece explores memory recall through scent, with a faint cigarette smell that grows stronger as the viewer moves closer to the piece.
“I feel so strongly attached [to this piece], especially as my grandmother is getting older. It is something so deeply personal that I feel very comfortable displaying,” Wilson said. “I have it centered in the exhibition, so everything kind of leads to it, like a hallway.”
Wilson credited Professor and Art Foundations Coordinator Laurie Blakeslee as a mentor in preparing for the exhibition.
It’s really wonderful,” Blakslee said of “Recollection Nonlinear”, noting that Wilson would often stop by her office to bounce ideas around during the creative process. “Jacob continually experiments and challenges themself in their art.”
The heart of the exhibition is Wilson’s sculptural works, “Trace Evidence” and “On the Mend”.
Through a sanded wooden chair and a dismantled foldable chair, Wilson represents tumultuous relationships with their father and brother while exploring the complexities of gender identity within the American nuclear family.
“I took these [chairs] and altered the meaning behind them through additive and subtractive processes like carving, drawing and pastel work,” Wilson said.
“I was really interested in exploring the idea of chairs in the connotation of a family dinner setting — the ways that we all have a place at the table and how that correlates to our relationships with other people at the table.”
“Family Gathering” will be exhibited in the Student Union Building Fine Arts Gallery until Dec. 21.
“I’ve been working for months to see this come to fruition, so to see it all up was a really emotional process for me,” Wilson said. “I feel accomplished in this moment, and I’m very proud of myself
for being able to execute something at this scale in my third year.”
ROCKETRY CLUB IS DEFYING ODDS — AND GRAVITY
Olivia Brandon | Managing Editor | Photos Courtesy of Rocketry Club, Graphic by Amber Jansson
Chances are, you probably haven’t heard of Boise State’s Rocketry Club — a group of students whose expertise ranges from aerospace to mechanical engineering. The club creates fully functional rockets and races against teams, some international, that have hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding. Affectionately referred to as “scrappy” by co-founders of Rocketry Club, Hunter Gregory and Brayden Wadsworth, the passion behind this team is undeniable.
Gregory founded his high school’s Rocketry Club, which he said was financed entirely “out of his mom’s pocket”, but he had a fascination with the process long before that.
“I started doing rocketry stuff in ninth grade, making my own rocket motors and little model rockets,” Gregory said.
“Continuing that, [I] kept studying the math and physics and everything behind it, up until senior year, when I started making much more professional and mathematically defined rockets that had better calculated performance. In high school, I started a rocketry club that focused around making our own rocket motors.”
When Gregory got to Boise State, he was initially unimpressed with what was then called Rocket Club.
“I was a member of the old rocketry club, [and] it was a much different vibe,” Brayden Wadsworth, former member and current advisor for the club, said. “They ended up getting [removed from] campus because of some safety issues, because they were doing a hybrid rocket rather than a solid. BSU didn’t like their safety — and neither did I.”
A hybrid rocket, Wadsworth explained, requires liquid oxygen and a solid propellant, which is highly explosive, compared to a purely liquid rocket, which simply mixes two liquid substances.
After the original club shut down, it was a matter of rebranding and rebuilding with new leadership in place.
“It was me, [Wadsworth], and two other people, Madison Long and Connor Newport. In the second semester of freshman year, we started talking about forming a new rocketry club,” Gregory said. “We decided to restart our own. That’s why that one is technically called Rocket Club, whereas ours is Rocketry.”
Gregory said the group started to realize that for clubs to get funding, especially STEM clubs, there needed to be stakes.
The two competitions Rocketry Club decided on were NASA Launch and Spaceport America, which became the International Rocket Engineering Competition. “It has pretty much everything that NASA launch has, but [is] much greater in scale,” Gregory added.
To compete, Gregory explained, competitors submit a preliminary design for the rocket and category they intend to fly in based on the model. Many Team members responsible for directly working on the rocket’s mechanics must also be certified by using a rocket kit to illustrate their engineering competency. These kits can cost hundreds of dollars, but the club’s mentor, astronaut Steve Swanson, paid out of pocket for club members.
“The one thing that compensated for our [lack of] funding is that Steve was extremely generous with us,” Wadsworth said. “To even get into this competition, you have to have what’s called an L1 or L2 certification. It verifies that you know how to safely operate a rocket.”
Last year, Space Point, an organization that provides local STEM talks and lectures, sponsored the team’s travel expenses. The team received an additional $4,000 from ASBSU early in the semester before the funding cut. In their first year, the team of six launched with only a couple thousand dollars in funding.
Dylan Brown wears many hats within the Rocketry Club. As financial officer, outreach officer and payload specialist, Brown is responsible for securing club funding and creating the payload. A payload, he said, is anything you put inside a rocket. It could be anything, ranging from weights to sea urchin sperm — something a competing team actually utilized in the 2025 competition.
The team solidifies its presence on campus by participating in competitions, speaking at schools across the Treasure Valley and recruiting team members.
“For the outreach side … we go out to schools, and we go to their STEM nights
and some [schools] are doing STEAM nights now, and we present what we do [and] try to get the kids interested in any STEAM majors and engage with the community,” Brown said. “It helps so much to have evidence of what we’ve done, because the engineering clubs have just been gutted,” Wadsworth said.
Additionally, Wadsworth and Gregory want to make it clear Rocketry Club is for everyone.
“We try to make clear to ASBSU this isn’t just for engineering students; any part of BSU could benefit from joining a club like this, because these competitions are massive,” Wadsworth said. “It’s an entire school effort. They represent their school, and it looks amazing to say this underground scrappy school is able to score highly.”
Boise State’s Rocketry Club will participate in the International Rocket Engineering Competition this spring, in Midland, Texas, where their elevenfoot-tall rocket will take to the skies, solidifying that while this team may be “scrappy”, their dedication remains unparalleled.
23, 2025
WHAT RIVALRY? BRONCOS COMMAND REBELS IN STATEMENT VICTORY
Jake Zamora | Sports Editor | Photos by Carter Nash
The Broncos capitalized on a dominant second-half performance to wallop the UNLV Rebels 56-31 Saturday afternoon on The Blue.
The Boise State rushing attack continued to be a strong point, with sophomore Dylan Riley rushing for 201 yards on 15 carries for one touchdown. Fellow back Sire Gaines picked up two touchdowns of his own, marking his second consecutive multi-touchdown game.
The Broncos used the halftime intermission to their advantage, mentally and physically resetting and exploding in the second half to pull away from the Rebels.
Following the game, Dylan Riley attributed his 200-yard performance, along with his other four 100-yard performances this season, to his consistency and discipline.
“It’s really just about being consistent and making sure I keep my mental straight and my body straight,” Riley said. “I can’t afford to take any weeks off.”
The aerial attack was rolling for the Broncos, too.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen completed 14 of his 23 passes for 253 yards, and his four touchdown passes matched his career-high. The Utah native finished the game with 6,075 career passing yards, becoming the eighth player in program history to throw for 6,000 yards. Maddog shared the wealth, connecting with ten different receivers throughout the game.
Senior Chris Marshall led the receiving corps, catching three passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Boise State’s defense put points on the board, as well. Cornerback A’Mar -
ion McCoy returned an interception 60 yards for his second pick-six of the season. McCoy became the first Bronco since Donte Deayon in 2014 to run back two interceptions for touchdowns.
Saturday’s game was the third time this season the Broncos’ defense made seven or more tackles for loss. The defense has had at least five in every game this season. Jaden Mickey matched his career-high with seven tackles, leading the team in the box score alongside safety Ty Benefield. Senior linebacker Marco Notarainni recorded his first career sack on the first play of the game from scrimmage
A’Marion McCoy spoke on the team’s growth since their week one loss to South Florida.
“It’s great to see it all come together,” McCoy said. “Being able to grow week in and week out is something we love
to see and something we’re building off of. As long as we stack days and keep growing, we’re going to be the team we want to be.”
The scoring for the Broncos was jump-started by a 2-yard Sire Gaines rushing touchdown on Boise State’s first offensive possession. The Rebels responded swiftly with a field goal, but a Cameron Bates rushing touchdown grew the Bronco lead to 14-3 entering the second quarter.
UNLV running back Jai’Den Thomas scored the first Rebel touchdown, kicking down the Broncos’ door from the one-yard line. Shortly after, an explosive 65-yard rush from Dylan Riley put the Broncos in a perfect position for a 7-yard touchdown reception from Latrell Caples. Another Rebel score, this one a 35-yard receiving touchdown from Jaden Bradley, made it a one-possession game.
Riley showed evidence of his high school track and field days when he burst for a 49-yard touchdown run to put the Broncos up 28-17. Another UNLV touchdown cut their deficit to just four points entering halftime.
Touchdown passes to Sire Gaines and Chris Marshall gave the Broncos a 42-24 lead, with A’Marion McCoy’s pick-six and another touchdown catch from Malik Sherrrod serving as the nails in the Rebels’ coffin.
Boise State’s statement win over the UNLV Rebels, who received votes in last week’s AP Poll, marked the Broncos’ 16th consecutive home victory. They are tied with Alabama for the longest active home winning streak in the entire country.
“You protect what matters most,” head coach Spencer Danielson said when asked what allows the team to be so successful at Albertsons Stadium. “It matters to us playing at home. It matters playing in front of Bronco Nation. It matters that we protect this place.”
Danielson, a former player himself at Azusa Pacific, is in his second full season
WHAT NCAA ELIGIBILITY REFORM COULD MEAN FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES
Aidan Mattingly | Sports Reporter | Photo by Omar Saucedo
From NIL deals to the transfer portal, today’s student-athletes have more control over their careers than ever.
Another change could reshape the college landscape once again — a new NCAA proposal that would give athletes five full seasons to compete, essentially redefining the traditional redshirt year.
Under the current system, student-athletes have five years to play four competitive seasons, with one year often reserved for development or recovery. The extra year gives programs flexibility to develop young players while maintaining roster depth.
push athletes to leave prematurely.
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal and new roster regulations have already redefined how athletes approach their careers — giving them more freedom to transfer, market themselves and make financial decisions.
David Dietrich, Boise State’s assistant director of sports communications, sees that shift as part of a bigger cultural movement.
as the Broncos’ head coach. In 2023, after winning the three regular-season games he coached as the interim after the firing of Andy Avalos, Danielson was named the 12th head coach in program history. Saturday afternoon’s win made Danielson the fifth of those coaches to win at least 20 of his first 25 games as head coach.
The Broncos’ steamrolling of the Rebels was their 10th straight defeat of UNLV. They move to a 12-3 record against the conference foe, with last year’s Mountain West Championship being the most notable victory. Additionally, Boise State’s 56 points were the most they’ve scored this year, and they’ve now scored at least 40 points in every game of the season.
After a dominant win over their most dangerous conference opponent, the Broncos seek to shred through the remainder of their schedule and bring another conference championship trophy to The Blue.
Boise State will travel to Mackay Stadium to take on the Nevada Wolfpack on Oct. 24.
“Redshirting gives athletes a really valuable chance to grow without the pressure of performing right away,” said Luke Retna, a junior who works in creative services and athletic operations. “Whether it’s learning a new system, getting stronger or coming back from an injury, that extra year can make a big difference. It also helps players adjust to college life, which can be a big jump from high school.”
Cody Gougler, Boise State’s deputy athletic director for external affairs, believes the change would bring both benefits and challenges, offering more flexibility for athletes but forcing coaches to rethink how they manage rosters and player development.
“If the NCAA lets athletes have five full years of eligibility, it would definitely change things,” he said. “Coaches wouldn’t have to hold players back for development as often, and players could get more time on the field or court.”
The shift could benefit athletes ready to contribute early. But without a redshirt year, freshmen who need more time to adjust could face increased pressure to perform before they’re fully prepared. With transfer rates already high, programs worry the added pressure could
“All these changes are totally reshaping college sports,” Dietrich said. “It feels like athletes have more control over their careers than ever before. College sports used to be about staying loyal to one school, but now it’s also about building your brand and making the most of your opportunities while you can.”
As the sense of independence grows, expectations have changed about what it means to be a college athlete. The traditional redshirt year — once a period of patience and preparation — may not fit as neatly in an era focused on exposure and immediate impact.
Still, the value of development remains. Many coaches view redshirting as more than sitting out a season. It’s viewed as a disciplined approach to mastering the game and maturing as a person.
If the NCAA moves forward with its proposal, programs like Boise State will have to rethink how they recruit, train and retain athletes in a faster-paced system with fewer pauses for growth.
SPORTS
MEN’S BASKETBALL LOOKS TO REBOUND AND RETURN TO MARCH MADNESS WITH REVAMPED ROSTER
Jake Zamora | Sports Editor | Photo by Omar Saucedo
Programs throughout the country are in their final stages of preparation for the 2025-26 basketball season.
Depth charts are getting finalized, playbooks are being drawn up and teams are defining their identities and goals. For the Boise State Broncos, associate head coach Mike Burns describes this year’s squad with two words: “Competitive. Selfless.”
The Broncos finished last year with a 26-11 overall record and were 14-6 in Mountain West play, finishing sixth in the final conference standings and falling short to Colorado State in the conference tournament championship game.
After missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021, Boise State was selected to play in the inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas. They were eliminated after losing to the eventual tournament champion Nebraska Cornhuskers, in the semifinals.
As the Broncos inch closer to their season opener against Hawaii Pacific on Nov. 3, coach Burns said the team’s goals are clear.
“The mindset is what it always is around here. They want to get back to the NCAA Tournament,” Burns said. “We want to sustain what we’ve been. Bronco basketball has an identity. There’s a standard here that we’re trying to live up to every day.”
To help reach these goals, this year’s Broncos boast a deep and talented roster. The mix of experienced returners and new faces puts the team in a position for success, with strength and talent at every position.
Burns noted forwards Javan Buchanan, Pearson Carmichael and Andrew Meadow, as well as guard Julian Bowie as the returning players most likely to make the biggest impacts on the team.
Buchanan won Mountain West Sixth
Man of the Year for the 2024-25 season. Despite not being a starter, he was hugely impactful. Carmichael and Meadow, Burns added, are arguably two of the best shooters in the Mountain West. Carmichael shot 42% from the field last season, and Meadow averaged 12.6 points per game. Burns calls Bowie a “deadly shooter,” whose ball handling has improved tremendously since last season. For Andrew Meadow, leadership and leading by example were focal points during his offseason work.
“Something I was trying to make an emphasis on going into the offseason was being that leader,” Meadow said. “Whether that’s vocally, or just showing guys how I work to get them to learn those little things.”
Another Bronco who is set to be a powerful presence on the floor and in the locker room is UCLA transfer Dylan Andrews. The senior point guard signed with Boise this April.
“He’s got high-level NCAA Tournament experience. He’s played in those Sweet 16 games,” Burns said. “He’s been a starter for a really significant program at UCLA. We were extraordinarily fortunate to get Dylan.”
Burns believes Andrews’ big-game experience will be an asset not only to Andrews himself, but to the rest of the team, who can look to Andrews for leadership and guidance.
RJ Keene II is another player Burns expects to make a difference. Keene’s defensive prowess and rebounding ability were extremely effective for the Broncos last season, and Burns referred to much of his play last year as selfless. To further complement the Texas native, head coach Leon Rice added that Keene, “would run through a wall to bleed blue and orange”, citing his loyalty to the program as a testament to his character. Additionally, guards Aginaldo Neto,
Spencer Ahrens and Bhan Buom are all freshmen to look out for.
“Bhan Buom has been a surprise,” Burns said. “He’s long, he’s athletic and he’s another guy you start looking at when you look at all these options you have to put on the floor.”
In the front court, Ethan Lathan and Dominic Parolin are two versatile forwards who will be contributors for the Broncos this year as well.
Parolin, who did not play last year during his first season in Boise as he redshirted due to injury, previously played for Lehigh University. As a senior at Lehigh in 2024, Parolin averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Lathan, a redshirt freshman, saw little action last year. Lathan was a three-star recruit and was ranked as one of the top high school center prospects in the class of 2024.
When asked about the mesh between returning players and freshmen, head Coach ceon Rice had high praise for his team.
“We feel like a team. We act like a winning gym, and we’re starting to get our culture,” Rice said. “I’ve been really pleased with how these guys are connected as a group.”
Fans got a chance to witness the connection Rice referred to on Oct. 17 when the Broncos took on the Idaho Vandals in an exhibition game at Idaho Central Arena. The Broncos won by a score of 89-83, with Drew Fielder, Andrew Meadow and Javan Buchanan each finishing with double-digit points. The game served as a revival of the historic Gem State rivalry, something that both schools’ athletic directors have sought to do in the past.
The regular season will begin on Nov. 3 when the Broncos take on Hawaii Pacific at home.
As the team puts the finishing touches on their promising squad, Boise State basketball seeks to make a return to March Madness and bring the national basketball spotlight to the Treasure Valley.
3. Bronco ____ : aiming to bring civil political dialogue to campus
5. The Bee Team has been building a community of ___ and honeybee enthusiasts for over ten years
7. Men’s Basketball looks to rebound and return to March ___ in 2026
1. Former Student Body Vice President
2. The mascot of the opposing team of Boise State from the game Oct. 18
4. Campus __ Challenge: Grants students the opportunity to pitch their ideas for small-scale sustainability projects and grants up to $5,000. 6. No ___ protest Oct. 18
