The Arbiter Vol. 42, Issue 12 | 3.5.26

Vol. 38, Issue 12 March 5, 2026 Idaho

04 LAUNCH

Independent Student voice of Boise State since 1933

Student leaders across the state urge the Idaho Legislature to preserve the program.

05

University Apartments

After housing students for over 50 years, the University Manor apartments now sit empty.

Senior Day bookmarks a season of record wins Collage

Women’s

10 History Month

12 night

Celebrate Women’s History Month by reading about some of the influential women who made Boise State the university it is today.

One man’s trash is another crafter’s treasure. Every few weeks, Realms Arcade transforms into a creative’s dream with a pay-what-you-can collage night.

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NEWS NEWS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU | ARBITERONLINE.COM

STUDENT LEADERS URGE THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE TO PRESERVE IDAHO LAUNCH Emily Carmela Nelson | Editor-in-Chief | Photo by Omar Saucedo

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ineteen of Idaho’s student leaders representing ten student government organizations have one message for the Idaho Legislature –- protect the Idaho LAUNCH program.

In response to discussions at the Capitol sparking uncertainty about the future of the Idaho LAUNCH program, student government leaders issued a joint statement urging the Idaho Legislature to preserve LAUNCH without reduction, restriction or repeal.

At Boise State, roughly 2,000 students rely on the program for tuition assistance.

“You can’t expect someone to do something or see something if you haven’t told them,” Isaac Celedon, student body president of Boise State University, said.

“Until you voice that concern, even if they are still doing it, at least you can say they have heard my voice or the voices I represent.”

The joint statement, released in February, was first developed in early November. In the process of drafting the statement, each participating university provided insight as to what the program looks like on their campus.

“We took a lot of different steps in order to get this project done, whether that be collecting information from our campuses on how many students utilize LAUNCH to coordinate with other schools to get their information and signatures,” Seyi Arogundade, student body president of the University of Idaho, said. “We really tried to come together for the students.”

During the 2024-25 academic year, 767 students at the University of Idaho received the LAUNCH scholarship.

Bryant Sitts, the student body vice

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president of the University of Idaho, is one of those students.

“I definitely would not be where I am today as the student body vice president, or even living on my own successfully without the program,” Sitts said.

“It’s a very powerful thing when we are able to gather institutions from around the state to come together and advocate for our student bodies,” Arogundade added. “We as students are a part of the constituents as well. When decisions are made and we don’t have a seat at the table, it is disheartening.”

At Lewis-Clark State College, roughly 7% of the student body receives the

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LAUNCH scholarship, translating to about 300 students.

“We have a lot of students in in-demand fields at LC State — lots of teacher education, lots of nursing, lots of CTE students,” Rayne Martinez, student body president of Lewis-Clark State college said, noting those are the three primary fields students attending the college pursue.

Celedon said the statement has received responses from the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, with most of them expressing general support for Idaho LAUNCH. In response, Celedon urges them to continue the program

without any further reductions.

“I really hope that this leaves an impression in everybody’s mind that we, as student leaders, really care for the students that we represent. I hope that this sends a message to the legislature that shows more people will be affected by minimizing the LAUNCH grant than they think might be affected by it, especially small schools like LC State,” Martinez said. “It would be really unfortunate for people to not be able to attend college simply because they don’t have the funding to do so.”

NEWS

DOWNTOWN BOISE ENTERS PIVOTAL SURGE OF GROWTH Aidan Mattingly | Sports Reporter | Photo courtesy of Sarah A. Miller, Idaho Statesman

C

ranes tower over downtown Boise as a sign of long-term growth, even as cones and detours below test commuters’ patience in the short term.

A wave of large-scale construction projects scheduled for completion in 2026 is moving through downtown, accelerating the city’s housing and hospitality growth while simultaneously increasing congestion on key commuter routes.

Among the most visible projects is a 296-room dual-brand Marriott hotel rising on the west side of downtown. The development, which combines AC Hotels and Element, is expected to open in spring 2026 and expand lodging capacity in downtown Boise.

Residential construction is advancing at a similar pace. The Bannock Towers project, expected to open in summer 2026, will add hundreds of housing units downtown, with a focus on affordability alongside market-rate options.

The increase in downtown residents is expected to raise population density in the city center while placing additional demand on surrounding streets and infrastructure.

For commuters, these projects often result in lane reductions, detours and longer drive times. Junior Josh Brown, who drives from Veteran’s Park to reach campus, said closures rarely stay confined to one area. Traffic spills onto nearby residential streets that were not built for heavy volume, creating backups in areas that used to move steadily.

“The most annoying part is the domino effect,” Brown said. “Backroads and alternate routes get even more congested because everyone has no other choice.”

Brown said shifting timelines makes planning around closures difficult, especially when reopening dates extend beyond original estimates.

Commuters on Boise’s west side face similar challenges. Colby Sweet, a Boise resident who drives from Boise to Me-

ridian for work, said construction along Chinden Boulevard frequently slows traffic and pushes drivers onto unfamiliar streets. He said detours turn routine drives into longer, less predictable trips, particularly for newer residents still learning the area.

Even with the disruptions, Sweet said he understands why the projects are happening.

“Construction is a major piece in the overall growth of Boise,” Sweet said.

“Like it or not, people are moving here and the city has to keep expanding.”

City officials frame the construction surge as part of that broader effort to expand housing and infrastructure responsibly. In a December statement, Mayor Lauren McLean emphasized increasing housing supply as a priority

as Boise continues to see more development projects.

“Investing in affordable housing is a clear indicator that we are advancing our highest priority — making sure that every Boisean has a place to call home within their budget,” McLean said.

The project drawing the most attention from local developers and downtown property owners is a proposed high-rise apartment tower at 11th and Front streets. BoiseDev reports the tower would rise 128 feet above Boise’s current tallest building, making it the tallest structure in Idaho if approved.

The project requires zoning and design adjustments, with final decisions resting with Boise’s Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.

Supporters of the tower say it reflects sustained demand for downtown housing. Sean Canady, a principal with GGLO and an architect involved in the project, said developers see continued long-term growth in Boise.

“This is a project that we had initially looked at several years ago,” Canady said. “They’re bullish on Boise and the Treasure Valley in general.”

As Boise pushes toward another year of major development, construction zones will remain a regular part of commuting for many residents.

Projects scheduled for completion in 2026 promise more housing, more lodging and a denser downtown core, but the work required to get there continues to reshape how people travel through the city.

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NEWS BOISE STATE REDUCES STUDENT APARTMENT OPTIONS, LIMITS ELIGIBILITY Emily Carmela Nelson | Editor-in-Chief | Photos by Omar Saucedo

O

n the corner of Boise Avenue and Beacon Street, the University Manor apartments sit empty. Shrubbery creeps over garden-level windows, a sign on the mailbox reads “No need to deliver mail” and wooden chairs crowd the living room of a ground-floor unit.

For more than 50 years, the brick building housed hundreds of students.

The closure of University Manor marks not only the end of a single apartment complex, but a reduction in the number of apartment-style housing options the university owns, shrinking affordable alternatives for upperclassmen while tightening eligibility requirements for the units that remain.

On April 1, 2024, students residing in the University Manor apartments received an email informing them they would only be eligible to renew their lease for one final year.

Kate Benefield, a graduate student who had called the building home since 2018, said she felt “dismissed” by how the closure was communicated.

“It was a horrible situation,” Benefield said. “That was my home for seven years, and then all of a sudden we get an email saying you have to move. There was no description of why we had to move, and

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really no help in making that transition.”

Benefield and her partner, Makale Fitzgerald, immediately reached out to the Apartments Office, hoping for clarification and guidance on finding affordable alternative housing. They were directed to check the available apartments listing each week, but none became available.

“Going from an affordable housing option like Manor to now trying to find something else in that price range, we’re risking safety,” Benefield said. “We were not going to find anything that cheap and [close] to the school.”

As a participant in the Graduate Assistantship program, Benefield said she is restricted from seeking outside employment, limiting her ability to supplement her income and narrowing her housing options near campus.

“I was told by the apartment lead there was going to be a couple [of apartments] available after Christmas Break, but their website went down for weeks and we were not alerted of that,” Benefield said. “Every week, we were checking that website and it was up in the air for the longest time. Finally, in February, we gave up.”

The couple eventually secured off-campus housing after Fitzgerald found a new

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Stairway leading down to a garden-level apartment at the vacant University Manor property. job. Their new one-bedroom apartment costs more than double the $825 monthly rent they paid for their two-bedroom unit at University Manor in its final year.

“I feel like we were dragged along with false hope that we would get into student housing,” Fitzgerald said. “That was really frustrating. [If the apartment leads] had told us, ‘Options are very slim, you should probably look elsewhere,’ that might have been better.”

Kylie Nelson, an undergraduate student who lived in University Manor during her sophomore and junior year, described similar frustrations.

“I think a lot of the [apartment staff] thought the property doesn’t matter anymore because students won’t be living there anymore, so it wasn’t as big of a priority as other apartment complexes were,” Nelson said. “If they weren’t transparent with the people living there, maybe they also weren’t transparent with the other staff and they had no idea what to expect either.”

Nelson added the office was “very uninvolved” throughout the transition. She described a lack of care from the maintenance team, mail going missing and miscommunications with staff through-

out her final year on the property.

Months before Nelson’s official moveout date, an apartment staff member knocked on her door to ask why she was still occupying the property. Despite informing the staff member that her lease did not end til May, the university stopped charging her rent for over three months, leading her to pay the delayed lump sum as the move-out day neared.

“We offered as many resources and support as we could for these students,” Andi Fielder, Apartments Property Manager, said. “There were maybe only a dozen still living on the property by December.”

“It was such a sudden shift that we wanted to make sure they felt supported,” Verentize Beltran, Associate Director of Operations, added. “If any students wanted to move over [to University Village and University Heights], we offered that as well. As soon as units open, we’ll post it.”

When The Arbiter asked about the availability of alternative university apartments at the time of the closure, Beltran said she did not remember.

While the university never explicitly gave a reason for the closure, rumors

NEWS

A playground located outside of University Village. circulated throughout the community.

Benefield explained she was told the building would be transformed into Section 8 housing or sold, and Nelson said she heard conflicting explanations.

“We heard through the grapevine from someone in the [Apartment Office] that there was lead in the paint. That could’ve been the reasoning, but it was never confirmed,” Nelson said. “I’ve also ure how to do thheard it could become a new apartment complex or a new classroom.

It’s been very vague — I don’t think anyone really knows. I drive by it all the time and never see any construction.”

Lynda Tieck, Senior Director of Housing and Residence Life, attributes the closure to safety and facility concerns associated with the aging building. “[At University Manor], you know what you’re paying for — not a lot. It needs new carpet, it needs new appliances, it needs new plumbing, it needs a lot.

If we were to [make these changes], it would not be cheap,” Tieck said.

According to Tieck, the garden-level units of Manor lack the technical egress required for safe exit in the event of a fire. Severe structural issues with the roof, including a hole Tieck compares to an “unwanted skylight,” would cost nearly half a million dollars to repair.

“If we raise the costs to buy a roof and do the egress, it’s no longer affordable,” Tieck said. “We’re not even talking

Ethan Lewis in an interview with The Arbiter in April 2025. Lewis lived in University Village for two years. about [renovating the complex] to a level where people are like ‘Oh, this is nice.’

This would just be meeting basic needs.”

The university continues to own the property and is preparing the complex for demolition. Tieck said the location could potentially be utilized for additional parking as the university continues to grow.

“The question now is who is going to pay to take down the building and who has the money to take down the building,” Tieck added, noting that Housing and Residence Life is in conversation with Campus Operations to decide which department will take on the brunt of the demolition costs.

University Manor is not the first affordable university-owned apartment to disappear. In 2023, Boise State sold University Park, a 47-unit complex in the Lusk District, to the city for over $8 million. The city initially planned to convert the property into supportive housing, but later determined the building would be demolished after finding rehabilitation costs “exorbitant,” according to Director of Planning and Development Maureen Brewer With Manor closed and University Park sold, only two of the university’s original four apartment-style housing options remain.

Some students believe the shift reflects

Wooden chairs flood a ground-floor unit at University Manor. The building, built in 1972, housed hundreds of students over the years. a reliance on private developers to house upperclassmen.

“I think Boise State focuses super hard on freshman housing in hopes that private contractors continue building sophomore and upperclassmen housing, like Verve or The 208,” said Ethan Lewis, an alumnus who lived in University Village for two years.

Lewis said affordability is what makes living in university-owned apartments valuable. “[Living at University Village], I [could] work a part-time job and still live,” he said. “I wish there was more planning from Boise State to try and find room for more sophomore and above housing.”

Large off-campus student apartment complexes typically charge upward of $700 for a single room in a shared apartment, while a two-bedroom apartment unit in University Village currently costs $1,184. Other on-campus options, such as The Osprey and University Suites, carry similar price tags and do not offer lease renewals beyond the academic year.

As affordable housing options become slimmer, the line of eligibility narrows, too.

Beginning in January 2026, students interested in university apartments must be graduate students enrolled in a min-

imum of 9 credits or an undergraduate student with dependents, defined as a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent or sibling.

Fielder said Housing and Residence Life has historically prioritized graduate students and students with families for apartment housing, with the new policy allowing them to better focus on those demographics.

Tieck added that the changes create additional possibilities for international graduate students, who often face barriers leasing off-campus.

“A lot of the time, [international students] don’t have a social security card, they don’t have a driver’s license, they don’t have credit,” Tieck said. “For them, leasing a space off-campus is nearly impossible.”

Jenna Halle, a junior living in University Heights with her spouse, said the affordability and proximity provided by the apartment housing are critical to her experience at Boise State. “[Living in the University Heights] has been super helpful, because not only are they close to campus, but they’re really affordable for students,” Halle said. “When we were trying to move, it was very difficult to find anything close to campus within our price range. It’s such a blessing to be able to be here and go to campus and come back to work on homework.”

The university currently has no plans to build additional apartment-style housing, however Tieck said her team are considering reclassifying Jade, the University Square dorm closest to University Village, into family and graduate student housing once its bond is paid off in 2028 or 2029.

“It kind of hurts a little bit,” Fitzgerald said of seeing the Manor apartments remain vacant. “If it was being used for Section 8 housing or women from domestic violence backgrounds, I’d be all for it. But seeing it sit there for over eight months, it’s hard.”

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OPINION OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU | ARBITERONLINE.COM

DON’T ASSUME LEFT OR RIGHT WITH A SWIPE Zaccary Kimes | Opinion Editor | Graphic by Amber Jansson

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here’s always one section in Barnes and Noble you cannot be bothered to walk through because all you can think about is the watered-down storytelling or the 2-D personalities of the characters.

Surely there’s an old adage for this kind of thing.

It’s hard to stroll into the less-frequented sections of our lives that expose us to differing ideas, especially in the online dating scene where assumptions can be made within seconds based on a few labels.

Dating apps reflect preferences for sure, but they also avoid discomfort.

When something like political identity becomes another filter alongside height and hobbies, we risk eliminating meaningful exposure to individuals who think differently.

Personal values are not as black and white (or red and blue) as they are made out to be and when a dating profile presents one way, it can be easily misinterpreted.

“It might give off the impression you’re something that you’re not and with dating apps you can’t really get the full nuance of a person,” said Sophia Lee, a sophomore and former dating app user. “I try my best not to put people in these boxes, but it’s definitely hard. Especially now with how fast-paced dating apps can be.”

Fast-paced is putting it lightly. A survey conducted by Forbes Health found a quarter of users spend around 31-60 seconds per profile. One of the main contributors to these snap judgments is today’s muddied political climate, which makes it hard to separate party from person.

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The terms Democrat, Republican, Liberal and Conservative carry a lot of political baggage, making it easy to associate any of their values with a profile donning their label. With a seemingly infinite amount of potential partners at a user’s disposal, many may feel compelled to seek ideologically compatible suitors.

Lee believes the current political climate necessitates finding someone of similar values, especially as political platforms shift to “morals and ethics rather than actual politics,” a stark difference from how our society dated in the past.

There was, at one point, a willingness to date across the aisle. Dr. Charles Hunt, an associate professor at the school of public service, described dating someone of the opposing party as less of a challenge back in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

The combination of the current climate and the design of modern dating platforms may be accelerating us away from that willingness. Even if dating app users don’t explicitly state their political identity on their profile, it’s become significantly easier to assume based on stereotypical characteristics.

“Being a Democrat or being a Republican is more predictable than it used to be,” said Hunt. “To the point where if you know three pieces of information about somebody, you can make a more educated guess about which party they probably support.”

A potential partner’s beliefs displayed on their online profile can be more telling of their character than a personal ad in the paper 50 or 60 years ago. Once a few fun facts are presented, it’s not too difficult to package a potential prospect into a box and ship them off to the left or right with a swipe.

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Chloe Sellers, a Tinder and Hinge user, prefers learning the “demographics of a person” like height, sobriety and political affiliation on a profile because it helps gauge if someone is a potential match, rather than just going off visuals.

“On Tinder, most of the time it’ll just say what they’re looking for with pictures of themselves,” said Sellers. “You’re not actually getting a viewpoint of who they are as a person, only what they look like, which isn’t a great indicator.”

While the additional information is intended to humanize users, it also puts them in a box, as Sellers noted that even the absence of a political label invites assumptions.

“For guys that don’t put their political affiliation, I can normally assume which way it’s going to go,” said Sellers. “If you’re apolitical, it can be bad, especially right now. It’s important to be involved, so seeing whether or not people are is important.”

College years are the time when political identities are still forming.

According to Hunt, it’s when we’re the most “malleable” in our belief system.

Intentional or not, dating apps encourage users to seek ideological alignment during a formative period in building those systems — trying to shift those stances later in life is like trying to leave waist-high quicksand.

“After that period [mid 20s], it becomes more difficult to change your mind about which political party you’re going to support,” Hunt said. “Those things are really sticky the farther you go down in life.”

These modern platforms offer something unique to younger generations in finding a partner — endless choice.

However, that abundance encourages us to filter out our differences rather than discuss them. You do not have to finish every book in the store, but refusing to open one ensures your perception remains as 2-D as the characters on the page.

Reporting contributed by Cole McAdams.

OPINION THERE IS MORE ROOM ON THIS SOAPBOX Zaccary Kimes | Opinion Editor

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ave you ever walked around on a campus littered with Lime scooters? Sat through a class so awkwardly silent that you wished anyone would raise their hand? Been massively disappointed in public officials who can’t seem to just act their age?

To stop beating around the bush — do you have a bone to pick?

Then we implore you to read on.

At this positively lovely print publication (totally unbiased take by the way), the opinion section provides the opportunity to express various hot takes, stances and perspectives regarding any subject that comes to mind. Yes, from Lime scooters to legislation, this page functions as a forum to discuss the issues that affect everyday students and Boise residents.

However, various voices on campus often go unheard, and frankly, The Arbiter would be remiss if an attempt were not made to reach out for some fresh voices to include in the section.

The purpose of the opinion section is not to be a soapbox for one individual to stand on and spout off their ideas. Hell, this section wouldn’t be complete without the opinions of the student body and beyond. There’s more than enough room on this soapbox for a whole choir of voices to express their concerns.

Unsurprisingly, students are an integral part of our university’s culture and we’d like to make The Arbiter a place for their voices to be heard. So, if there’s an issue, problem or movement you care about and want to give your two cents on, we’d like to encourage you to write a letter to the editor (that’s me!) by emailing opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu.

The more voices chiming in, the better, because right now this Opinion Editor is singing solo on stage. Adding in some new harmonies would only enrich the melody.

GOVERNMENT OVERREACH IN MY CONSERVATIVE STATE? Zaccary Kimes | Opinion Editor | Photo by Keara Antonelli

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ong has Idaho stood as a pillar of conservative politics, consistently bucking federal power when it meddles in state business, aiming for self-governance above all else.

Those standards do not apply to the cities and counties that reside within.

A new legislation (HB557) passed the Idaho House at the beginning of February, giving the state legislature complete authority over local government entities in discrimination practices concerning gender or sexuality.

Though this bill preaches “uniformity” in anti-discrimination laws, it instead sends the message that the state government would rather consolidate these decisions than allow local citizens and individual businesses to decide for themselves.

For local Boise businesses, this bill amplifies the fear and prejudice felt by the communities that depend on them.

Local nondiscriminatory ordinances shape workplace culture and customer trust — factors state lawmakers cannot

account for or anticipate hundreds of miles away.

“It puts a lot of fear in people,” said Jessica Pallante, the gift shop manager of Flying-M coffee. “It should be about what the city feels like and the fact that some are choosing to not be inclusive is upsetting.”

Boise voters and city leaders repeatedly chose to enact their own nondiscrimination standards to serve their citizens and businesses. HB 557 overrides those decisions and replaces them with a onesize-fits-all mandate from the statehouse while stripping the LGBTQ community of its local voice.

Small businesses rely heavily on perception and community trust. Without those protections, owners may face economic challenges from staffing shortages to reputational damage.

Mullet Proof, a beauty salon located in Boise, posted a statement in response to the bill on their Instagram, echoing these sentiments: “Our business, being mostly queer operated and patroned could stand to

lose everything. The safe space we have created could be jeopardized. We must fight back.”

Supporters argue adequate protections already exist at the state and federal levels. However, the Idaho Human Rights Act does not currently include protections for sexual orientation or gender, which is precisely why many local policies were enacted to pick up the slack.

Idaho consistently champions local control when it comes to federal decisions, from public land disputes to mask mandates, emphasizing that decision-making belongs in the hands of individuals affected. The Idaho legislature now asks cities to surrender their agency to the state — despite the outcries from the citizens the state represents.

If enacted, HB 557 redefines who gets to decide what kind of community Idaho’s cities can be at the expense of local businesses, reinforcing the new motto of hypocrisy for our state legislature: Rules for thee and not for me.

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CELEBRATING THE HISTORY-MAKING WOMEN OF BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY

Julianna Kelsey | Culture Editor | Photos courtesy of Albertsons Library Special Collections, Design by Naomi Brown

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trong women have held up Boise State University from the beginning. In fact, back in the school’s earliest days, it was originally supposed to be an all-girls school.

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the lack of higher education opportunities in the Treasure Valley inspired educational leadership in Idaho to convert Boise’s St. Margaret’s School for Girls into an accredited all-girls two-year school — Boise Junior College (BJC).

After young men in Idaho fought to also have access to the opportunities offered by a junior college and garnered the support of the Boise community, school leadership changed their plan.

Boise Junior College officially opened its doors in 1932, allowing both men and women to enroll. “[Many] colleges or universities started out as all-boys institutions, and only after decades of existence were women finally admitted,” said Gwyn Hervochon, archivist in the Albertsons Library Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a really fun fact that we’re almost the opposite. The original idea behind Boise Junior College was that it would be a school for women.”

Since then, the school has undergone countless changes, eventually evolving into the university we know today.

Through all of those changes, the women of Boise State have continually broken glass ceilings, become leaders in innovation and shaped the school’s history and future.

Although Boise Junior College was co-educational, there were key separations for male and female students. For example, women studying at BJC had their own dean, known as the “Dean of Women,” a position that existed from 1932 until 1973.

The first Dean of Women at BJC was Dorothy F. Atkinson, whose responsibility was to ensure the general welfare of all female students. She served as a counselor for women facing personal or educational conflicts, organized women’s housing and advised women’s student organizations.

In the school’s first year, eight of the 12 faculty were women. Two of those women had PhDs, one of whom was Atkinson.

In the earliest days of the school, students were making history, too. The first international student at the school was a woman named Carmen Monsanto from Guatemala, who arrived in Boise in 1946.

According to the Boise State archives, Monsanto’s mother lived in Boise during World War II, where she met Camille Power, a French and Spanish professor and Dean of Women. After meeting Power, Monsanto’s mother decided to send her to school at BJC. While studying at Boise Junior College, Monsanto also worked as an assistant instructor in the Spanish Department. According to The Arbiter’s archives, Monsanto greatly contributed to the school’s Spanish club, cooking Guatemalan meals and sharing her culture with her classmates. Monsanto’s father, who was the Guatemalan ambassador to Mexico, would often visit for his daughter’s birthday and speak to BJC students about his work and his country.

In 1965, BJC became a four-year college, known as Boise College. It remained that way until 1974, when the school finally became known as Boise State University.

Two years before that, in 1972, a woman named Mamie Oliver became the first Black professor to teach at the school, where she would stay for 16 years.

During her time teaching social work, sociology and education at Boise State, Oliver spoke out against racial discrimination and documented the history of Black Idahoans, often enlisting the help of her students. She always aimed to engage her students, exposing them to stories and cultures other than their own.

In 2020, Oliver was awarded the Esto Perpetua Award from the Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS), a distinguished award that “honors those who go above and beyond to preserve and promote Idaho’s rich historical and cultural legacy,” according to the ISHS. In November of 2025, Oliver, who still lives in the Boise area today, celebrated her 90th birthday.

While many influential women have worked as professors at Boise State, many women have had a powerful impact on Boise State athletics as well.

Connie Thorngren was one of them, playing an essential role in bringing women’s athletics programs to Boise State University.

Shirley Byrne

Elaine Elliot

When Thorngren started teaching at the school in 1970, Boise College only permitted women to play club sports.

Thorngren coached four women’s teams at the time: volleyball, basketball, field hockey and track and field. The club teams didn’t receive any funding, so Thorngren and her players made their own uniforms and carpooled to games.

Following the passage of Title IX, Thorngren oversaw the transition of women’s club sports into a full athletics program and became Boise State’s first women’s athletic director. That change in women’s athletics allowed for women’s sports to receive funding, offer athletic scholarships and grow into the program it is today. Thorngren coached several championship-winning women’s teams and played a pivotal role in opening the door for future generations of girls and women.

“Sports history is super important here, and rightly so, but the emphasis has often been on football and men’s sports, but Connie was a real leader in women’s sports and women’s athletics,” Hervochon said. “It’s fun to have a legend to point to who is a woman and who really helped make the athletic program for women so robust and strong like it is now.”

Thorngren spent many years studying and advocating for female coaches and athletes in Idaho, as well as writing against homophobia in the public perception of female athletes. She was inducted into the Boise State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 before her retirement in 2000. She passed away in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of empowering women in sports.

The first woman to be inducted into the Boise State Athletics Hall of Fame was Elaine Elliott in 1983. Elliott was a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball, volleyball, softball and field hockey.

Elliott was honored for her standout performances in both basketball and field hockey. Following her collegiate career as a player, Elliott became the head coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of Utah, where she became the winningest coach in program history.

Since those early days of women’s athletics at Boise State, many Bronco women have gone on to win national championships, be honored as All-Americans, compete in the Olympics and carry on the legacy of the pioneers of Boise State women’s athletics.

Even in top leadership roles at Boise State, many women have paved the way, bringing forth meaningful change and shaping curriculum, policy and the student experience.

In 1996, the first woman became a college dean at Boise State University.

Jane C. Ollenburger served as Dean for the College of Social Science and Public Affairs from 1996-2001.

During her time at Boise State, Ollenburger engaged students outside of the classroom by speaking at women’s leadership conferences and bringing new research opportunities to those studying in her program. Since Ollenburger, fourteen women have served as college deans at Boise State.

In 1980, Boise State students elected their first female ASBSU president, a student named Sally Thomas.

Connie Thorngren

Sally Thomas (Bottom right) Thomas held more leadership positions than just ASBSU president. From 1978 to 1980, Thomas was also the Editor-in-Chief of The Arbiter, becoming the fifth woman to hold that title. Since then, 29 women at The Arbiter have served as Editor-In-Chief.

In 2019, Dr. Marlene Tromp became the seventh president of Boise State University and the first woman at Boise State to serve in the role.

“Women have been involved since the very beginning, and that’s continued right up until most recently, having our first woman president. It was super exciting to crack that glass ceiling when that finally happened,” Hervochon said.

Tromp served as university president for six years. In 2025, she left Boise State to become the 28th President of the University of Vermont.

From the day Boise Junior College opened its doors in 1932 to today, the women of Boise State have shaped history.

“In history, a lot of times women’s voices aren’t as elevated as men’s,” Hervochon said. “It’s super important that we as archivists make sure we’re preserving and telling women’s stories.”

Standing on the shoulders of the women who came before, current and future women at Boise State University have more doors open to them than ever before.

“Obviously women have been able to [go to college] for a long time now, but at one point they weren’t able to, so I definitely don’t take that for granted,” said Grace Oberg, a senior studying psychology.

Mary Teel, a freshman studying film, said the women she looks up to at Boise State inspire her to have an open mind and work toward her goals.

“It’s really encouraging to see that as a woman in a certain field of study, you can make progress and be an expert in that field, even though you may have obstacles,” Teel said.

As Boise State grows, there is no doubt the future generations of women who study, work and excel here will continue to break records, create change and shape the future of the university.

“You can’t help but be proud of the fact that women have always been a focus here,” Hervochon said. “The importance of education for women was part of what got our University started in the first place.”

CULTURE CULTURE@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU | ARBITERONLINE.COM

LOCAL ARCADE TEMPORARILY TRANSFORMS INTO AN ARTISTIC OASIS Isabella Williams | Culture Reporter | Photos by Keara Antonelli

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ast the flashing arcade game lights and the hum of pinball machines, a large back room tucked away at Realms Arcade transforms into a different kind of space every few weeks on a Sunday night.

Tables are stacked with magazines, stickers and enough glue to stock up a small craft store. For four hours, the arcade becomes a creative hideaway — an all-ages collage night where you don’t have to call yourself an artist to belong.

At the center of it all is Simon Schabot, who started the event after noticing a lack of public creative spaces in Boise that don’t require money, experience or an existing social circle to enter.

“I didn’t really feel that there were a lot of craft nights in my area,” they said.

“I wanted to create a third space that actually felt accessible to people.”

The original idea grew out of small collage hangouts held at a friend’s house, but soon became much larger when Schabot asked Realms if they could try it on a larger scale.

As they prepared to take collage night from a small living room gathering to a bigger space at Realms, they realized they would need more materials to accommodate everyone.

“I thrifted all of the supplies at first and asked people to donate supplies when they participated,” they said. “And now it’s honestly overload — I have more magazines than any one person should have in their home.”

The abundance is intentional. They recently switched to a sliding scale instead of a fixed fee so that anyone could join in, no matter their budget.

“Sincerely, just pay what you are able,” Schabot wrote in the announcement for the event. “I don’t want a cover to be a barrier to entry.”

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Despite hosting the events, Schabot rarely participates in the collage-making.

Their main focus is watching the room come alive and helping participants explore their creativity.

“I love seeing what people create and watching them all talk to each other,” they said. “There’s been many times where I’ve seen groups of strangers leave as friends — it’s so crazy.”

Attendee Sophia Wheeler, working on a piece filled with playful stickers and googly eyes, said she felt that sense of connection herself.

“It’s such an awesome space to make art, hangout and just create new things with my friends,” she said.

At the same table, first-time attendee Ivy Poulin was finishing her collage and

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turning it in the light to look at it from different angles.

“This was my first collage night,” Poulin said. “I haven’t made art like this in years. My inner child would be so happy right now.”

Moments like that are what Schabot measures the night by. Around the room, strangers traded scissors, passed stacks of magazines back and forth and compared how differently their pieces had turned out despite pulling from the same source.

“You just get in the flow, and everything else disappears,” Schabot said.

“You’re surrounded by a whole bunch of creative energy.”

That energy often carries beyond the night itself, leaving people motivated to

keep creating, experimenting and exploring new ideas in their own time even after they leave.

“I’ve had people tell me they were so inspired by collage night that they went home and made other art,” they said.

“That’s one of the most gratifying feelings in the world.”

By the end of the night, the tables were a colorful mess of finished collages and paper scraps. People lingered, admiring each other’s work and exchanging contact information with new friends, reluctant to leave the space they had created together.

“Seeing this all happen in real time is the sweetest experience ever,” Schabot said. “It’s exactly what I always wanted this to be.”

CULTURE

‘I WANTED TO CREATE A SPACE I WISH I HAD WHEN I WAS YOUNG’

Alumnus co-founds Boise Rock School, a nonprofit founded to give Idahoans access to affordable music education Isabella Williams | Culture Reporter | Photo by Omar Saucedo

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yan Peck’s career has never followed a straight path.

Weaving between classrooms, research projects, music spaces and leadership, Peck sought opportunities, usually with the end goal of helping someone else grow.

Over the course of his career, Peck co-founded a massively successful nonprofit music school, taught anatomy and physiology to future doctors and even ran for Boise City Council.

“I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to pursue all of the things that I’m passionate about,” he said. “A lot of people fall into a career where they don’t have a lot of choice. That’s not my world.”

Boise Rock School, the nonprofit he co-founded alongside longtime friend Jared Goodpaster, is a perfect example.

Founded to give young people access to affordable, contemporary music education, the school helps students learn instruments, form bands, write original songs and perform live.

Over time, what began as a small, experimental space grew into a seven-thousand-square-foot hub with classrooms, a recording studio and a performance venue.

As the school expanded, so did Peck’s responsibilities. While he still steps into classrooms when needed, much of his work happens behind-the-scenes by managing budgets, coordinating fundraising efforts and writing grants to keep the nonprofit sustainable.

More than 20% of the school’s budget comes from charitable support, funding Peck helps secure and oversee.

“It’s more really broad macro-view stuff,” Peck said. “A lot of that is budget and finances and fundraising and grant writing, the big stuff that keeps the organization running.”

That behind-the-scenes work shapes the culture of the organization just as much as the music itself. Allie Morgan,

a colleague at the school, said Ryan’s dedication shows up in every corner of the program.

“Ryan is a wonderful friend, mentor, and community partner who truly wants what’s best for Boise,” she said.

“His tenacity for making our city better is contagious.”

Each week, hundreds of students walk through the doors to plug in, turn up and try something unfamiliar. In rehearsal rooms humming with amps and feedback, they don’t just learn chords and cover songs — they learn to listen to one another, collaborate and take creative risks.

“When young people do something hard like learning an instrument or getting on stage, they prove to themselves they can do hard things,” Peck said.

“That builds real confidence and resilience, and they carry that with them into the rest of their lives.”

His hands-on approach extends to academia as well.

Peck earned a Ph.D. in environmental policy from Boise State University, focusing on how outdoor recreation can coexist with ecosystem preservation, what he calls “regenerative recreation.”

One project involved planting sagebrush seedlings along a trail and inviting hikers to water them. About 10% of hikers participated.

“It was small, but it showed people want to help if they’re asked in the right way,” Peck said. “It’s this balance — recreation heals humans, but it can hurt the land if we aren’t careful.”

Emily Wakild, his Ph.D committee chair and current research collaborator, praised Peck’s innovative approach to community building and faith in the next generation.

“Ryan’s approach to giving young people new opportunities to engage with meaningful purpose and artistic or recreational excellence is a breath of fresh

air,“ Wakild said. “He has so much faith in the potential of this next generation to do big things.”

That philosophy carries over into his teaching as well. Peck began by instructing doctors and nurses in anatomy and physiology, drawing on his master’s degree in biology and early academic focus on natural sciences.

Before turning his attention toward environmental policy and regenerative recreation research, he spent years studying ecosystems and wildlife. At the same time, he taught the building blocks of human biology at Boise State, guiding future medical professionals through the complexities of the human body. His focus has since expanded to public service and environmental courses.

“I’m not just giving students facts,” he said. “I’m giving them confidence to ask questions, to tackle problems, to shape the world they live in.”

For Peck, music, teaching and research are all connected pieces of his vision for fostering growth.

“I wanted to create a space I wish I had when I was young,” he explained.

“Somewhere to fail, learn and make friends, somewhere that’s just inclusive and empowering. Watching that happen every week is unreal.”

His leadership style even extended into local politics. In 2019, Peck ran for Boise City Council to advocate for young people and community spaces.

“I wasn’t aiming to win,” Peck said. “I wanted to shine a light on the need for youth spaces, opportunities and all-ages venues. The conversation mattered more than the title.”

Though he didn’t take the seat, the campaign highlighted his commitment to youth engagement and community development. By bringing attention to underrepresented voices, Peck helped open the discussion for more all-ages venues and stronger support for youth mental health programs in Boise.

“What mattered most was creating awareness, and over time, we’ve seen more venues and more programs develop for youth downtown,” he said. “That’s the success.”

From music to public service, Peck’s career is defined by impact. He believes even small efforts can lead to lasting change and that shaping a community doesn’t require a predetermined plan.

“I don’t have to follow a strict nineto-five or a path that someone else set for me,” he said. “I get to decide how to allocate my time … and how to make a difference in the community.”

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CULTURE MAIN STREET SPIRITS Inside Boise’s college bar scene Addysen Bale | Staff Writer | Photos by Keara Antonelli

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very weekend, Main Street in Downtown Boise becomes a current of students flowing toward the illuminated signs of the city’s most iconic bars. Heels click on the pavement, bass pulses through the brick walls and conversation blurs into the hum of the night.

For many students, college bar culture is about more than just cheap drinks and loud music. It offers a space away from academic stress and the worries of everyday college life.

In a city where campus blends into Downtown, places like The Reef, Cactus Bar, Tom Grainey’s and other beloved local bars become extensions of Boise State’s social scene and a treasure trove where many college memories are made.

After nearly 20 years of business, The Reef continues to serve the Boise community as one of these must-visit nightlife hubs.

Beyond its signature torches and specialty cocktails, the tiki-inspired restaurant and rooftop bar cultivated an identity rooted in live music. The venue regularly features reggae and acoustic artists alongside house DJs. The Reef has even welcomed well-known performers such as Common Kings, MGMT and Macklemore.

“With all the stresses of life… you come in here and forget your phone and the distractions and just truly connect with those around you through great music,” said Justin Johnson, a longtime employee.

In October 2025, The Reef launched the event “College Night,” a weekly Thursday event aimed at drawing Boise State students downtown to enjoy rotating DJ sets and drink specials. From 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., house rhythms move through the space as the crowd dances under colorful lights, leis draped over their shoulders.

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Just down Main Street, Cactus Bar offers a different energy but plays a similar role in Boise’s bar scene. While The Reef leans into music and themed nights, Cactus Bar thrives on students buying cheap well drinks, playing divebar games and squeezing into the photo booth with a few too many friends. After decades of operation, the bar is known as the city’s oldest dive.

Established in 1936, Cactus Bar originally served as a cigarette and cigar shop, according to Cactus Bar’s website.

It received its alcohol license a few years later and gradually evolved into the bar it is today.

Despite the changes, Cactus held onto its prevailing charm and its loyal regulars. The longstanding traditions continue to draw students and locals alike, week after week, keeping the bar at the heart of Boise’s college nightlife.

By peak hours, both the indoor bar and outdoor patio are packed, with a line forming outside the door. Once inside, the full bar and patio are buzzing with people connecting, laughing and keeping Boise’s late-night hot spots alive and well.

Miryssa Venable, a bartender at Cactus Bar, appreciates the wide range of customers the hub attracts. From 21-yearolds to regulars in their 80s, they all come to enjoy each other’s company and the low prices.

“Keep doing you because you guys are fun,” Venable said about the college crowd. “Keep coming in.”

Boise State senior, Brooke Williams, finds herself moving through the scene in her own way.

Some Thursday nights are spent at The Reef, enjoying the rotating DJs with friends. Other nights, Williams chooses her scene at her favorite bar, Tom Grainey’s, moving between the low-lit, quiet upstairs and the high-energy basement.

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In these bars, the mix of familiar faces, new friends and the lively atmospheres creates a sense of community that goes beyond the counter.

“Before you’re 21, social life is mostly house parties, which can feel overwhelming,” Williams said. “Personally, I felt way more connected to people my age once I could go downtown. It made

Boise State feel more social, balanced and grown-up.”

Social environments like The Reef, Cactus Bar and Tom Grainey’s offer both nightlife and community. For students navigating the unpredictable pace of college, these spaces are a reliable setting for connection, shared experiences and memories that define their college experience.

CULTURE COFFEE CLUB Julianna Kelsey | Culture Editor | Graphic by Amber Jansson

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or many people, making friends in adulthood can be a challenge.

Finding opportunities outside of school or work to socialize and try new things isn’t always easy.

When Kimmie Horton came to Boise State in 2022, she experienced that struggle firsthand. She was having trouble turning the connections she made in classes into real friendships outside of school.

Horton heard about local clubs where members can pay to attend social events, but these weren’t affordable for her as a student. Horton decided to take matters into her own hands.

“There’s a budget for everyone, but for me as a student, it was [unreasonable] to pay $45 to meet someone and drink coffee,” Horton, a junior studying Integrated Media and Strategic Communications, said.

Horton began hosting gatherings for girls, especially Boise State students, to make new friends and enjoy shared interests. Some of her main events are her “Coffee Club” meetings, where they try out different local coffee shops.

“All these girls have the same story — how hard it was to make friends, even when you’re on campus,” Horton said, explaining that many attendees are commuter students who don’t have as many built-in connections at school. “You have to search for a community of people.”

Horton has several “clubs” for girls to get involved in, including a “Bagels Club,” game nights, movie nights, fitness classes and dog-walking to name a few.

For all events, the only cost is the price of the activity — the cup of coffee, the bagel or the movie ticket. If it’s a dinner party or girls’ night in, Horton hosts it potluck-style, letting the girls vote on the budget.

Horton also prioritizes supporting local businesses whenever possible.

“If we’re getting all together, and each one of us is going to purchase a coffee,

‘IT SHAPES BOISE JUST AS MUCH AS BOISE SHAPES IT’: TREEFORT RETURNS Phoenix Willard, Dylan Wood | Staff Writers | Photo by Kenzie Murphy

E let’s do it for the local small businesses,” she said.

For Horton, the event planning and hosting were never about profit — it was always about bringing people together.

“We’re humans. We need connection,” she said. “That’s what keeps us active, happy and alive. If you’re going through something, it’s always better when you have people around you.”

According to Layla Abdulhameed, a junior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and regular attendee of the gatherings, Horton truly cares about the girls in her club.

“She likes to check in on people,” Abdulhameed said, explaining Horton reaches out to girls who are regular event attendees and haven’t shown up in a while.

Abdulhameed said the group does a great job of bringing people together, just like Horton had always hoped for.

“I’m getting closer to people in the group, and I’m having more community and connections,” she said. “ Finding those people has been such a blessing.”

Horton uses social media to spread the word about her events. Her Instagram accounts, @theboisegirlie and @theboisegirlie.events, feature content from the gatherings and other posts about life in Boise.

Horton recently created her own website, too. Those interested in joining Horton for her events can find more information on theboisegirlie.com.

very spring, a team of over 1,000 volunteers and staff members works behind the scenes to transform Downtown Boise into a citywide space for artists and residents to celebrate culture and community: Treefort Music Festival.

Since its debut in 2012, the festival’s crew and volunteers work months in advance, to tirelessly build the indie-rock music festival from the ground up.

While festival attendees see just one week of activities, for Marketing Assistants Katie Jones and Mae Blakeman, Treefort season is year-round. According to Blakeman, the team began discussing the theme and plans for the next festival just weeks after the previous one ended.

“It feels like it creeps up on us,” Jones said.

Jones and Blakeman work with press from all around the world, with teams flying in from England and Australia.

“A lot of people don’t realize we have really cool high-level press coming,” Blakeman said, referencing The Line of Best Fit, a well-known music magazine based in London covering this year’s festival.

Staff plug away to pull everything together as the festival fast approaches year after year.

“One memory I have from last Treefort is me and Katie running around, doing odd jobs and being so excited,” Blakeman said, relishing in “being in the madness and the music.”

With each passing day, anticipation builds and the workload increases.

“We have a pretty small team here, and it’s kind of insane what a smaller city can pull together,” Jones said.

For those seeking escape from boisterous crowds and blaring music, Storyfort is the place to go. The literary fort features a multitude of skilled storytellers from all disciplines.

“We have 60 people coming into Boise for our part of [the festival],” Max Schwartz, Storyfort’s assistant director, said. “It’s a lot of planning and running around.”

That dedication, collaboration and passion for local community-building is what brings the festival together.

“You wear many hats when you’re in this position and working with such a big festival,” Blakeman said. “It’s a labor of love.”

The Treefort team’s pride shines through in every event, turning the festival into a local staple and creating its uniquely Boise feel.

“It’s remarkably local,” Schwartz said.

“There’s a whole breathing organism that is the city of Boise. And I don’t think anything encapsulates what that’s like to be a part of it better than Treefort does.”

Whether you are a band headlining the main stage at Julia Davis Park, a college student walking the Treefortadorned streets of Downtown Boise or a staff member working tirelessly behind the scenes, the reciprocal relationship between Treefort and its city is undeniable.

“My favorite part is feeling [like] a part of something bigger,” Blakeman said, referencing the love poured into the music festival and back into the community.

For Treefort staff, the community and family feel is real. Bringing together the city means working diligently with each other.

“It’s the most literal act of community I’ve seen,” Schwartz said. “It shapes Boise just as much as Boise shapes it.”

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SPORTS SPORTS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU | ARBITERONLINE.COM

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SHINES ON SENIOR DAY Jake Zamora | Sports Editor | Photos by Carter Nash

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oise State women’s basketball honored its seniors with a 75-59 win over Utah State on Saturday, Feb. 28, in their final home game of the season.

With one regular season game remaining before the Mountain West tournament, a bounce-back victory after a tough loss to San Diego State on Feb. 25 is exactly the confidence boost the squad needs before it enters postseason play.

The Broncos closed out their season with 15 wins at ExtraMile Arena, the most in a single season since 2007-08.

The environment that Bronco Nation creates, combined with the team’s commitment to defending its home floor, makes the X one of the more challenging arenas for opponents in the Mountain West.

On a day dedicated to celebrating their growth, senior players shone the brightest.

Senior forward Tatum Thompson led the team in scoring, dropping 19 points while grabbing seven boards and picking up five assists. Thompson’s relentless hunt for open looks allowed her to consistently knock down jumpers throughout the contest.

Senior guard Dani Bayes, a native of Brisbane, Australia, was right behind Thompson in the score sheet, pouring in 18 points of her own. A big boost to Boise State’s offensive production came in the form of a career-high 10 assists from Mya Hansen, another fourth-year player.

“We were really flat in the first half,” head coach Gordy Presnell said. “It was a tough loss on Wednesday and maybe we didn’t bounce back like we should. But, Dani [Bayes] hit those big shots for us and it really helped, plus Mya [Hansen] was really solid. I am happy for the team

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and the seniors. It’s been a good home season, that’s for sure.”

The Broncos’ flat first half, as Presnell calls it, began with Utah State winning the opening tipoff and striking first on a layup from Karyn Sanford.

Just nine seconds later, redshirt senior Josee Steadman lit the spark for Boise State’s offense with a layup that started an 8-0 Bronco run. She followed up by draining a 3 before Bayes knocked down one of her own.

The second quarter was a back-andforth battle, with both teams trading baskets before Boise State carried a 28-27 lead into halftime. The frame opened with two made free throws from Thompson before back-to-back scores by the Aggies put them back in front. A key 3 from Hansen and a handful of buckets from Thompson throughout the remainder of the first half kept the game tight.

Thompson highlighted the bond between her and her fellow seniors who have stayed in Boise throughout their careers, crediting Boise’s culture as a main factor in their decisions to stay.

“I’ve been roommates a couple of times with Dani [Bayes], and Mya [Hansen] is just great to be around. Having us all be able to stay here for four years, especially with the transfer portal, has been huge for our chemistry,” Thompson said. “Everywhere we go [in Boise] it’s great people. You don’t want to leave because the people are so good.”

In the third quarter, the Broncos took control with an impressive 14-0 run. The run started with a layup from forward Libby Hutton before Bayes buried two 3s. Hutton and center Emily Howard each finished layups during the stretch and the Broncos took a 51-44 lead into the final period.

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Thompson opened the fourth quarter with a jumper to ignite a 9-0 Boise State run, with Bayes drilling her fifth 3 of the night. However, Elise Livingston and Rosello Lopez kept the Aggies within reach.

After multiple scoring possessions that included two Natalie Pasco 3s and an and-one from Bayes, the Broncos pulled away and secured the 75-59 win.

For Bayes, only one thing remains on her mind.

“Looking back, it’s been a really special time with really special people,” Bayes said when speaking on her Boise State career. “But, I really want a ring.

That would be the icing on top for sure.”

After an exceptional regular season fueled by strong shooting, a title, and a ring, are well within Boise State’s reach as they near the Mountain West tournament.

The Broncos currently sit in second place in the Mountain West, carrying a 14-5 conference record into their final regular season matchup at UNLV on March 4.

With a balanced offense, firm perimeter defense and leadership from an experienced senior core, the team has knocked off competitive opponents all year, establishing itself as one of the most complete teams in the league. After UNLV, Boise State’s sights will be dead set on the Mountain West tournament, aiming to capture the title and clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

SPORTS

KAGE CASEY’S JOURNEY TO DRAFT DAY Jake Zamora | Sports Editor | Photo by Omar Saucedo

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ith the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine now in the books, over 300 players representing college programs across the country showcased their skills to all 32 NFL franchises inside Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium from Feb. 26 to March 1.

Big-time schools like Texas A&M and Alabama lead the charge in terms of representation, with the two SEC powerhouses sending 13 and 12 players to the event, respectively. Fellow SEC school LSU and Big Ten juggernaut Ohio State follow closely behind, each sending 11.

In smaller conferences like the Mountain West, only three players received Combine invites.

The lone Boise State Bronco?

Left tackle and former team captain Kage Casey.

The redshirt junior, whose decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft was confirmed by head coach Spencer Danielson on Nov. 20, is projected to be a Day 2 pick. He opted out of the LA Bowl on Dec. 13, which the Broncos lost 38-10.

The Happy Valley, Oregon native’s college football career resume speaks for itself, but what Casey says he wants NFL teams to see is his character and work ethic.

“I just want scouts and coaches to see what I’m all about, who I genuinely am as a person,” Casey told the Draft Network before the Senior Bowl. “My work ethic will speak for itself. Who I am on and off the field is going to shine through.”

What will undoubtedly shine through is his aforementioned resume.

After redshirting in 2022, Casey started 41 consecutive games at left tackle for the Broncos. He anchored an O-line that ranked 13th nationally in sacks allowed in 2023 and led the nation’s 10th-best rushing attack in 2024. A two-time First Team All-Mountain West selection, he also earned an 80 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025, fifth among FBS tackles.

“You’re going to get a very, very loyal human being,” Tamalpais High School head coach James Holan said when asked what he wants NFL teams to know about Casey. “He’s somebody who is going to do what you tell him to do and is going to do it the right way. He’s never going to embarrass your franchise. He’s just an awesome person.”

Casey played football at Clackamas High School where he was a two-year starter at left tackle while also playing defensive end. During his junior and senior seasons, he played under head coach James Holan, who served as the Clackamas head coach starting in 2020 until his hiring at California’s Tamalpais High School this February.

According to Holan, Casey’s natural tools set him apart early on. The 18year coaching veteran pointed to his rare blend of natural size, mobility and exceptional fundamentals as difference makers in his recruiting process. “[Casey] just immediately popped off on the field with his athleticism and natural size,” Holan said. “He’s just got a lot of those uncoachable gifts.”

Holan recalled a crucial conversation he had with Casey shortly before the first game of his junior season.

In the parking lot after practice, Holan asked Casey what he wanted to do with football. Primarily a wrestler at the time and unsure of his future, Casey hadn’t been told he had college potential.

However, Holan saw a Division I player in him and says he would’ve offered him on the spot had he still been a college coach.

With encouragement from Holan and support from his mother, Melody, Casey became a three-star recruit in the 2022 class and committed to the Boise State Broncos. Four years later, after a strong showing at the NFL Combine, he’s projected as a Day 2 draft pick, a rise Holan credits to Casey’s relentless work ethic.

“He was always one of the first guys in the weight room, one of the last guys

to leave, always pushing himself. Very intrinsically motivated,” Holan said. “He didn’t need me to constantly ask him to put more weight on the bar. Sometimes, it was honestly the opposite where it was like, ‘dude, you need to take a break.’”

At left tackle, Casey is a polished technician whose strong fundamentals anchor his game. At 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, he moves fluidly in space and provides reliable pass protection. Though some scouts point to hand placement and strength as areas to refine, he plays with a physical edge and has the range to mirror edge rushers.

At the Combine, Casey put up solid numbers during his workout. His 1.85 second 10-yard split and 8.01 second 3-cone drill reflect his quickness,

explosiveness and change-of-direction ability, things that scouts value in today’s space-oriented game. Additionally, his overall Combine production grade of 69 ranks 10th among all offensive tackles.

Projected as a Day 2 selection, Casey is confident in his ability and is ready for whatever comes his way.

“I love playing out in space and displaying my athleticism. I also love a good deuce block though,” Casey said when asked if he describes himself as more of a mauler in a phone booth or an athletic blocker in space. “I love down blocking a guy right there. I’m ready for whatever. However I can showcase my abilities. I think I’ll be fully ready to unleash my skill set.”

march 5, 2026

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SPORTS INSIDE THE LIVES OF BOISE STATE’S CLUB LACROSSE PLAYERS Aidan Mattingly | Sports Reporter | Photo by Carter Nash

W

hile most students are winding down after class on weeknights, members of the men’s club lacrosse team are just getting started. Starting at 6:30 p.m., practices stretch late into the evening, followed by homework, jobs and preparation for weekends often filled with long road trips. For these athletes, lacrosse is only one part of a tightly packed schedule demanding constant balance.

Boise State club lacrosse operates with varsity-level expectations without varsity-level resources. The program practices three nights a week and travels across the western United States aiming to make nationals each year. What separates the team from NCAA programs is not the commitment, but the responsibility placed on the players themselves.

“We try to make it as close to a varsity experience as we can,” co-head coach and offensive coordinator Ryan Henning said. “But at the end of the day, these guys are paying their way, handling their schoolwork, working jobs and still showing up ready to compete.”

Players manage more than just time.

The club is player-funded, meaning travel, gear and competition costs fall largely on the team. Flights alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars, a burden requiring constant financial activity.

The team covers those costs through player dues, fundraising efforts and limited support from Boise State’s Club Sports Council, with the president, treasurer and travel coordinator managing the budget and travel throughout the season.

Bond Barnette, a junior goalie, expressed the immense pressure he feels to balance lacrosse with other obligations. Between practices, games and travel, Barnette estimates he spends 15 to 18 hours per week dedicated solely to lacrosse, not including classwork or studying.

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“We have weights Monday night, practice Tuesday through Thursday and then games on Friday or Saturday,” Barnette said. “Sometimes it’s two games in a weekend. You have to plan your whole week around it.”

Classes are often scheduled with practice in mind, and weekends once reserved for rest are frequently spent on buses or flights. Still, Barnette said the structure has helped him develop time-management skills he didn’t have before college.

“You learn pretty quickly how to manage your time,” he said. “You don’t really have the option not to.”

For sophomore Charlie Lyons, the balancing act extends far beyond the field. Boise State lacrosse is run almost entirely by its players, with roughly eight leadership positions handling the logistics behind the scenes.

“We’re basically a player-run program,” Lyons said. “We make sure the budget’s right, that we’re not overspending, that everyone has the gear they need and that travel is planned out.”

Lyons also sits on Boise State’s Club Sports Council, which helps allocate funding across nearly two dozen club teams on campus. Through his role, he sees how quickly costs can add up, especially during seasons with heavy travel schedules.

Last season, Lyons estimated the team spent well into six figures, driven largely by flights, hotels and rental cars for trips including their postseason run to Texas.

Despite the financial strain and time demands, players continue to buy into the brotherhood-like lacrosse community. Henning said commitment shapes the team’s culture.

“They mature faster,” Henning said.

“They learn responsibility, they learn how to adapt and they learn how to handle pressure.”

During last season’s conference championship, the team rallied from a

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seven-goal deficit to win the title and earn an automatic bid to nationals.

Barnette said moments like those justify the sacrifices.

“It’s stuff you’ll never forget,” he said.

“Winning with your teammates, having your parents there, celebrating together — it makes everything worth it.”

Outside of games and practice, the team’s bond expands into everyday college life. Players spend weekends together, watch other Boise State sports and find time to relax between classes and practices. Lyons described the group as a family built through a shared sense of commitment, rather than convenience.

“When you’re with each other that much, on and off the field, it brings you closer,” Lyons said. “Everyone’s all in.”

Boise State club lacrosse players juggle the same academic and social pressures as any other student. What separates them is also managing the demands of a program they largely run themselves.

In the process, they’ve built more than a team, creating a structure that extends beyond the field.

Club lacrosse offers something varsity sports cannot: ownership. Without scholarships or external guarantees, the experience is driven by choice. Players choose to show up, to pay dues, to fundraise and to compete.

ENTERTAINMENT ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Life might be a bit hectic.

This is the perfect time to pick up some fun hobbies to get your mind off the state of the world right now.

You are glowing babe.

Dance in the sunlight and have fun with your friends. This is the perfect time to make deep soul connections.

Your ruling planet is in retrograde right now, so everything’s falling apart. Listen to your intuition, it will guide you through the storm.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Your personal life may feel like it’s falling apart and your closest friends might be your foes. Stay suspicious.

There’s a lot of plans up in the air right now.

Choose wisely and avoid double booking yourself.

Your friends may be extra dependent on you right now. You are their rock.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

The irritation monster might be rising in you recently. Stay calm, diva.

Everyone wants to start a fight with you right now. You are so mysterious people can’t handle it.

Luck and abundance is entering your family and social life. Also, your boss might hate you.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Think before you speak. Things are getting heated and speaking impulsively might feel very tempting.

You have been gifted by the gods to be the leader of the friend group. Great power comes with great responsibility.

Retrograde may make your mind wander to the worst case scenario. Surround yourself with those you love and just keep swimming.

ACROSS 1. Sandwich with turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

4. We must do this to live in this economy.

5. Seven ate them.

7. Ghost or Liquor.

DOWN 2. Past __.

3. Beer from a keg or cask.

6. Not day.

8. The action people make when deciding to match or not with people in dating apps.

Illustrations by Mia Strand

1. Club 3. Draft 5. Nine 7. Spirits 2. Lives 4. Work 6. Night 8. Swipe