Boise State plans to install a new video board in the south end zone of Albertsons Stadium that will make it the largest video board in the Mountain West Conference, the school announced Thursday.
The project, which still needs approval from the Idaho State Board of Education in April, will be funded by a $4.5 million gift from Melaleuca, a privately held health products manufacturer in Idaho Falls. It’s the largest one-time facility gift in Boise State Athletics history.
A Boise State release said “the state-of-the-art video board is slated to be 120 feet wide and 50 feet tall. At 6,000 square feet, the new board would be roughly 1,800 square feet larger than the largest video board in the conference. By providing fans with a crystal-clear, 10-millimeter visual experience, the high-resolution board ensures each event’s finest details will visually impact the fan experience at Albertsons Stadium.”
The current video board in the south end zone will be relocated for either the softball team or soccer team to use moving forward.
Boise State said the commitment makes Melaleuca the 135th member in the Lyle Smith Society (minimum commitment of $25,000), which has now raised more than $17 million for Boise State Athletics in 16 months.
It’s the first major renovation to Albertsons Stadium (aside from new turf) since the north end zone received a new video board in 2013.
“Melaleuca’s investment in the fan experience is the most impactful enhancement at Albertsons Stadium in more than a decade,” Dickey said. “This donation – the largest in the history of our department – goes far beyond the gameday impact; it signifies the impact our program has on our state, and we couldn’t be more appreciative that an Idaho company is investing back into Idaho’s flagship collegiate football program.
“I want to thank Frank, Cole and Melaleuca for their investment in our student-athletes, our coaches, our fans and our vision for Bronco Athletics.”
Here’s the full press release from Boise State…
BOISE, Idaho – Thanks to a $4.5 million gift from Melaleuca, a privately held health products manufacturer based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Boise State Athletics intends to install the largest video board in the Mountain West in the south end zone of Albertsons Stadium, director of athletics Jeramiah Dickey announced Thursday.
Melaleuca’s donation is the largest one-time facility gift in the history of Boise State Athletics.
The project will be celebrated as a milestone commitment to the student-athlete and fan experience at Albertsons Stadium, following consideration and approval by the State Board of Education at its April meeting.
The state-of-the-art video board is slated to be 120 feet wide and 50 feet tall. At 6,000 square feet, the new board would be roughly 1,800 square feet larger than the largest video board in the conference. By providing fans with a crystal-clear, 10-millimeter visual experience, the high-resolution board ensures each event’s finest details will visually impact the fan experience at Albertsons Stadium.
This commitment also makes Melaleuca the 135th member of the Lyle Smith Society. To date, the Lyle Smith Society has raised more than $17 million for Boise State Athletics.
“We are incredibly grateful to Melaleuca for the company’s investment in Boise State University,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president. “Not only will this new screen showcase football excitement in Albertsons Stadium, but it also will enhance the experience at all events held in the stadium, including our spring commencement ceremonies, student movie nights, concerts and more. This is a gift that will impact our entire community.”
Upon SBOE approval, Boise State will partner with the Boise State University Foundation to select a vendor to produce and install the high-definition LED board.
Founded in 1985 in Idaho Falls, Melaleuca has grown into one of America’s largest online retailers, offering more than 450 wellness products in the categories of nutrition, personal care, home cleaning and cosmetics. The company generates $2 billion in annual revenue, serves more than 2 million customers each month and employs 5,400 people around the world. Melaleuca is the state of Idaho’s largest e-commerce company and is ranked as one of America’s best employers by Forbes magazine.
“Melaleuca’s investment in the fan experience is the most impactful enhancement at Albertsons Stadium in more than a decade,” Dickey said. “This donation – the largest in the history of our department – goes far beyond the gameday impact; it signifies the impact our program has on our state, and we couldn’t be more appreciative that an Idaho company is investing back into Idaho’s flagship collegiate football program.
“I want to thank Frank, Cole and Melaleuca for their investment in our student-athletes, our coaches, our fans and our vision for Bronco Athletics.”
“Melaleuca is partnering with Boise State Athletics because of the program’s timeless values, blue-collar mentality, strong work ethic and championship tradition,” said Melaleuca President Cole Clinger, a 2004 Boise State graduate. “It’s clear that Melaleuca and Boise State University share these values. Melaleuca is certainly not one of the largest companies in the nation, but we show up and compete with the goliaths each and every day. We strive to be the best through ingenuity, hard work and executing as a team. We provide an opportunity to the ‘little guy’ who has been overlooked, and we have found that when they get that opportunity, the ‘little guy’ can go toe to toe with anyone out there. So is the case with Boise State.”
While a completion date will not be established until a vendor has been selected, should the project be approved, it is anticipated that the installation of the video board will be completed during the 2022 season.
Melaleuca is Idaho’s fifth-largest privately held company, according to the 2021 Idaho Private 100 report published in the Idaho Statesman. Melaleuca and the Melaleuca Foundation contribute to a variety of worthy charitable causes, regularly donating time, money and resources to do good where good is needed.
WHAT’S NEXT INITIATIVE
The state-of-the-art video board signals a new milestone as part of the athletic department’s What’s Next Initiative and will significantly impact Boise State’s goals and objectives within all four pillars of the initiative – infrastructure, student-athlete experience, revenue generation and marketability. Recently selected members of the Experience Blue Committee, a fan-led initiative to enhance the gameday experience at Albertsons Stadium, will begin meetings in April to prepare for activation elements of the new video board, among other exciting facets of Bronco Football gameday.
