Boise State---A Dream with a Price

In 1996 Boise State was a new member in Division 1A football.  Just like numerous other programs that had made the move to the current FBS classification, the Broncos dreamed of the glory, recognition and national exposure of competing at the highest level.  The majority of college athletics  viewed BSU as just another wannabe with no real reason to expect them to be any more than numerous other schools with lofty aspirations but no ability to elevate their program to a top 10 status.  Many schools with more resources and tradition could not maintain a nationally competitive program.  But Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier  (who became AD in 1982) accepted the credo, "The difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline."  So the vision became the goal and the Broncos have built and maintained a football program that has become the main target for expansion by the Big East.  If Bleymaier would have told someone in 1996 that Boise would be highly sought after by the Big East and be crucial to the Big East long term survival, people would have laughed in his face.  Realizing the Broncos had to create their own plan and model for success, Bleymaier created a strategy different from everyone else typified  by constructing "the blue", the only field in the BCS that is not green.  He managed the success through three different conference and two BCS bowl appearances.  Without his vision and confidence to follow the dream,  Boise State might still be in the Big Sky without the national reputation and name recognition.  As leaders,  understand that dreams do happen when you are willing to take action and perservere through the rough waters.  Bleymaier did not let the naysayers interfere with his dreams and goals.  Unfortunately in the last few months the president at Boise State terminated AD Gene Bleymaier because the Broncos had been found to have violated NCAA rules in five sports.  While the response from Bleymaier and Boise State was commended by the NCAA, Boise State president Bob Kustra "lost confidence" in Gene's ability to handle the compliance function and fired him immediately.  While the incredible success of the Boise State Broncos is totally the efforts of Gene Bleymaier, everyone must realize that every aspect of leadership becomes a potential source of trouble.  Leaders need to make sure that they leave no area vulnerable or even with incredible success, the  leader becomes expendable.  So two great lessons to be learned from a Boise State case study are:

1.  Dreams can be true if you have an unflappable determination and a strategy to turn that dream into a goal.

2.  Even when everything in your dream is coming together, you must pay attention to every aspect of reaching your goal.  One mistake or omission of responsibility can bring you down.