Cliff Marks chief cook and bottle washer
I began following Boise State football after moving to Boise in 1997. I was a first year season ticket holder for the newly expanded arches on the east side somewhere near the top. The following year and for the next five years I migrated to the rowdy “NEZ” the end zone to the north not because I’m rowdy or anything, just because I thought the view was better and the seats were cheaper!
In 2002 I went to work for KBOI – Broncos Radio and moved from fan status to “involved”. For the last seven years I’ve held a variety of “reporter” status positions from the tailgates to the sidelines from pre to post-game. One year I even co-hosted a football focused weekly sports program (short lived). I have done pregame reports for a variety of road games including; BYU, Oregon State, Nevada, Utah, Washington and in 2007 The Fiesta Bowl is where I put a Sooner fan on the air to sing their team song – turns out it’s only two words over and over and over again (Boomer Sooner)! It was funny as hell.
I will share my story about leaving early at the Fiesta Bowl and yes it’s embarrassing. I left the press box just before the famous interception and subsequently missed the most amazing comeback in college football. I was is the area of the stadium near the exit where my bus was parked and I witness the “pick” from Z and I proceeded to the gate thinking thats it, game over. While sitting on the bus my phone was alive with texts about what was going on inside the stadium. I had to settle to listening to the events unfold on ESPN radio (first I had to educate the bus driver what ESPN radio actually was.) I was sitting on the bus in the stadium parking lot (I wasn’t alone there were about a dozen or so on the bus just like me – “The idiots who left after the pick”). Has to be one of the dumbest things I have ever done. Wait, no I left a no hitter in the 7th inning (being pitched by Nolan Ryan) in 1990 in Oakland. That was pretty dumb too!
I’ve been the personal driver for Coach Hawks and Coach Pete (I just drove them from the stadium to The Coaches Show every week… But I like to make a big deal out of it). Last season Coach Pete decided my services were no longer needed and I wound up emceeing the KIDO Coaches show (they had to find something for me to do and they knew I wouldn’t sweep the floors).
After many years in radio broadcast media with KBOI and KIDO I have recently engaged in a new endeavor. I have teamed up with The Blue, a magazine devoted to Bronco Nation. The Blue is the official publication of Boise State Athletics. I’m a Sales Consultant and Writer. I’d love to introduce your business to the many marketing opportunities with The Blue.
(NOTE: This is an independent unofficial blog adventure and is not endorsed or directly associated with Boise State Athletics). I hope you enjoy Blue Turf Nation, conversation with the Blue Turf Nation.
Guest contributors
You may hear from previous players, fans or anyone else that might have something worthwhile to add to conversation. There are two regulars “JT the Fan” and “DJ” that you will hear from frequently. If you think you might have something to say, contact BTN at blueturfnation@gmail.com .
