The dismissal of longtime Boise State Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier struck many blue-and-orange faithful like a sucker punch to the gut.
“For him to be let go so suddenly and seemingly not really justified. ... It’s just outrageous,” said Alexandro Rangel, a 28-year-old BSU student who is studying criminal justice. Rangel has been a Bronco fan for 15 years.
“Gene has done an outstanding job as athletic director,” Rangel said.
He and others cited Bleymaier’s hiring and cultivation of top coaches — coaches with great talent and character — as perhaps his greatest achievement, followed closely by his vision for the branding possibilities of the blue turf.
Kathy Ingraham, a Bronco fan for more than three decades and season ticket holder, said fundraising also will be one of Bleymaier’s legacies.
“Look at all the buildings he has gotten built,” said Ingraham, who this season plans to follow the football team to Georgia, Colorado and possibly San Diego. “He’s been a driving force in the community and for Boise State.”
Ingraham and other fans said they didn’t think what the NCAA uncovered in its investigation should warrant his firing.
“Unless there’s a smoking gun somewhere, it seems odd that they’re firing a man with 30 years at the university,” Ingraham said. “It seems like there has to be something else.”
Brad Cozzens, a 46-year-old Eagle resident who has taken classes at BSU, echoed Ingraham’s sentiments. “Unless there’s a lot more to the NCAA investigation that we’re not being told, firing him for secondary violations is ludicrous,” he said.
Cozzens is a fan of many BSU programs, including football, basketball, track and field and tennis. The success of all of the programs is impressive, he said.
“From his inception as athletic director until today, we’ve gone from a Division II school to Division I,” Cozens said. “We’ve made two high caliber bowl games (Fiesta Bowl). We’ve been ranked continuously in the Top 25 for the last three years in football, and we’ve established ourselves as a national contender.”
Former football player Vinny Perretta said he was shocked about the firing.
“I think he pretty much helped revive not only the university, but the town of Boise,” the 25-year-old Boisean said. “It’s come a long way since he’s been the athletic director.
“I got an education and got to play for a damn good football team. It all starts from him and just thank him for that opportunity. At the end oft he day, you’ve got to tip your hat and say he did a damn good job.”
Kevin Larson, a 45-year-old booster who lives in Nampa, said he didn’t feel like he had enough information to know whether the decision was a good one.
“Obviously, something went on that he probably should have caught,” Larson said. “We’re getting ready to start football season. The timing, I think, is kind of strange.”
Katy Moeller: 377-6413
