Single in Sandpoint: A lone Bronco in Vandal country

     I went to school at Boise State University. Many people will read that sentence and think, "Who cares?" Or, "She went to college?" Yes, I have a degree and I have been using it ever since the day I graduated. Thank you very much.

     But some of you will start frothing at the mouth, glaring with red eyes, snorting and talking about how horrible BSU is and how overrated and terrible its football team is. 

     Those people are called Vandals.

     I don't get it, and I’m not alone either. Seriously the Vandal vs. Bronco thing is soooooooo 1986 – unless, that is, you are a Vandal. No one I went to school with in the late ’90s even gave a rat's arse about Vandals and their football team. My sister is a student at BSU now and she could care less.

     You may think I'm exaggerating, and I get it, I'm prone to that behavior, but in this case I am speaking the truth.

     Vandals: BSU just isn't that into you. And I say this at the risk of my facebook page being shat on by the hundreds of Vandals who are rabid for Bronco blood.

     Every single time BSU plays a game there are about a million posts on facebook from Vandal fans: "OMG BSU is going to get their ASS KICKED,” and, “DIE Donkeys,” and, “I can't wait to see Boise State get killed by Virginia Tech.”

     Never once have I seen a post from any of my Boise State alumni or current student friends acknowledging a Vandal game. Never once.

     Therefore, I'd like to address these comments – just once – and then I will go back to ignoring them.

     First off: Boise State beat Virginia Tech. That should have silenced quite a few of you. It was a good game and it was close, but a win is a win and Boise State is nationally ranked.

     Boise State has also played back-to-back, undefeated seasons and won not one, but two Fiesta Bowls in four years. And what? BSU is also within breathing distance of being the first non-AQ school to play for the national championship.

     I don't even know what that means, but I do know that this simple fact has left several Vandal fans in a deep depression. Trust me, I read it on your facebook statuses (stati?).

     I never "comment" on these status updates because, like I said before, I generally don't care and sometimes even feel sorry for the Vandals, so I hate to rub things in; but, inside I'm wondering why you hate BSU so much? Isn't it nice to see a team from Idaho beat a huge team from Virginia or go to a national championship? Regardless of which city it’s from?

     Secondly: I know you Vandals are all outraged because of some business about a BSU athletic director (or some important scheduling dude) possibly taking U of I off the roster for the Broncos next year. 

     Now, U of I has a host of things to hate Boise State for. According to the several blog post links and status updates on facebook that I used to research this column, Boise State and its football team are: stuck up, don't drink enough beer, have lower GPAs, are "scared" to be beat by the Vandals, not that good anyway and, perhaps most damning of all, "WAAAH. BSU Won't PLAY WITH US ANY MORE.”

     I'm not really sure if any of these allegations are true, and my caring level is actually far lower than it should be, but really? Could it be that Boise State – for now – has just outgrown the rivalry? Is BSU contractually, morally and ethically obligated to play U of I for the rest of eternity? Or do the Vandals have a serious case of PTSD from being beaten time and time again? Is there a special kind of therapist who can solve the latent anger issues of an entire university, student body and pack of alums?

     I don’t know, but I did go to a Vandal fundraiser this summer – well, I was being paid to be there – and at one point there were all these boosters well past college age chanting: "Who do we hate? … Boise State." (I remembered the cheer, vaguely, as I did attend BSU vs. Vandal games when I was in college. I loved them because I got to see all of my high school friends who went to U of I, and usually the beer flowed in a heavy stream for at least three days.) 

     As I looked around I noticed that rich people, housewives and children, all clad in yellow and black, were chanting this together.

     It was freaky. I mean, it had been at least 18 years since any of them had even attended U of I (and in some cases it would be at least 10 more years before they could even apply to the school).

     When I think of rabid fans I think of the Uncle Rico’s of this world, women who are romantically involved with players or people who are actually playing in the game. Not a granny in pleated khakis and a Hawaiian shirt with the look of rage in her eyes. It gives me chills just thinking about it. Evil.

     But after the fundraiser experience, something weird happened down in the forgotten places of my soul: I started caring.

     Just a little – nothing overwhelming – but I felt guilty when I put on my husband's Vandal sweatshirt. Once upon a time I didn't care if my shirt said “Vandal” on it – I just appreciated the comfort. But then, suddenly, I felt strange supporting such hatred; like I was betraying a key component to my existence... a degree from Boise State.

     You see, my husband is a Vandal and I am a Bronco, and we co-exist. He doesn't care that much either. He is a rare gem, especially since he actually played college football (not for U of I though, so maybe that explains the indifference).

     He loves the game, but he doesn't have unrelenting rage for any one team. He will go see a Vandal game or a Bronco game or a high school game for the simple love of a good party and a good sport. 

     A Vandal and a Bronco living under one roof… like John Lennon said: “IMAGINE.”

     Any-go-ahead-and-hate-Boise-State-anyway-way, football has always meant the same things to me. Football signifies the changing of a season, golden leaves, cold air, school clothes, Friday night lights, beer, hot wings, tailgating.

     I remember the fall in college and the games and the new sweatshirts with fondness. I liked winning, as it makes the season just a little longer, but as for “the rivalry”? Pshhh... are you serious?  The Vandals haven't beat BSU since, when was it? Oh yeah, 1998. Personally I'm sick of hearing about it.

     Every dog has its day though, and this year the Vandals will play BSU on November 12 for what could be the last time. The winner of this game will have the last word.

     For the rest of eternity, or until U of I gets really good and Boise sucks, one team will get to claim that win; and though it’s against my nature to be cold or care about football, I might dust of that BSU hoody break out a couple of beers and  watch the game.

     Until then I encourage all the haters to keep talking their trash, as it seems to have done nothing in the last 12 years except make BSU a stronger, better football team. Who can resist watching a good fight?

     One thing is for sure: The day that U of I and BSU play for the last time, keyboards will crumble, facebook will crash and college football in the state of Idaho will never be the same.

A lone Bronco in Vandal country,

Scarlette Quille