Lights revolutionize Boise State Soccer

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Something as simple as a light bulb can have a considerable impact. One light bulb can light a room, and a few dozen light bulbs can light up an entire soccer field, and those lights can change the course of a program.

That is what happened to Boise State Soccer.

Boise State announced earlier in the summer that lights were coming to the Boas Soccer Complex. Since then, players and coaches eagerly waited until August, when the lights finally went up at the stadium.

And within one game, the lights helped to create an experience that had never happened before at Boas.

Boise State's home opener versus No. 11 BYU (No. 1 currently) saw 1,620 spectators, a record for the program. Fans took to the bleachers, fences, and grass to watch the game.

"BYU was just a different atmosphere," goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw said. "It was crazy. We had people all around the field."

A big reason Boise State saw attendance figures that high and continues to see over 1,000 spectators is the time of the games. Most of Boise State's home games this season start at 7 p.m. Traditionally, the Broncos had to start weekday games at 4 or 5 because of sunset.

Attendance has skyrocketed now that the team can play when many are out of work or class. Head Coach Jim Thomas remarked on what it is like to have an influx of additional fans.

"Yeah, I mean, they're everywhere. They're climbing over the fences, and we've had to get security here to keep them out. It's like all of a sudden, we're like the Beatles of soccer around here," Thomas said jokingly.

Fans at Boas are close to the field, with the bleachers only a few feet from the playing area. Thomas said the environment was already intimate, and the additional fans created an even sizable impact on the game.

"Your words do carry onto the field... The interaction between the players and the fans really does influence the game itself."

Thomas also said that the lights create an ambiance; Crenshaw agreed, mentioning that she felt the new environment had a huge effect.

"Everything just feels more real. Everything just feels more intense... there's just a different vibe about it. I don't know how to explain it," Crenshaw said.

Thomas' quest to get lights at Boas was a long one. He joined Boise State in 2013 and immediately sought to light up the stadium.

"It's been a project for over 11 years. I mean, I've been here, and this is my 11th season now, and it's the first thing I've wanted and the first thing that I think would change the experience for our student-athletes," Thomas said.

The introduction of Jeramiah Dickey as athletic director in 2021 was a turning point. Thomas said that Dickey and his staff worked to make his vision a reality.

After 11 years, Thomas has his wish: a lit-up Boas Soccer Complex and a thriving fanbase. His next goal?

"The next thing will be to win the league (the Mountain West) and try and host the tournament here, and at that point, I think the thousands will go up and up and up, and the experience will only get greater."

Crenshaw mentioned she would like to see what is possible with the stadium regarding how many people Boas can fit, calling the atmosphere this season "unreal."

Thomas mentioned the complex could potentially expand soon, going up to nearly 3,000 spectators. A new soccer stadium is part of Boise State's Athletics Master Village, a long-term project that Dickey hopes to bring to life over the coming years.

With unprecedented attendance figures, Boise State's soccer program looks to be trending in the right direction. Crenshaw encouraged more fans to come out, noting her excitement for Mountain West play.

"Just keep showing up, Bronco Nation. It's been a really fun time already, and we haven't even hit [MW] season, so I can't wait till those games come around," Crenshaw said.

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