Thursday, May 31, 2012

Bryant Lemon Donates $1 Million Towards Bronco Stadium Expansion

It's the time that your university needs you, and Bryant Lemon and his family have stepped up with a $1 million donation to the Bronco Football Complex.  The Lemon family asked that the donation be designated for the new recruiting lounge and therefore it will be named the Bryant Lemon Recruiting Lounge. 
Lyle Smith and Bryant Lemon
Work is underway on the new $22 million football complex, a 68,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that will include coaches' offices, meeting rooms, an academic center weight room, athletic training room, equipment and the locker room for the Boise State team. 


"The Lemon family's generosity in supporting our student-athletes is greatly appreciated," Bronco head football coach Chris Petersen stated.  "It's great when former student-athletes remain involved in our program.  Their willingness to give back is proof they valued their time at Boise State."

Lemon played for former Boise State head football coach Lyle Smith in 1953 and 1954, helping the Broncos to a 17-1-1 record.  Lemon received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the University of Idaho in 1958, and his master's degree in engineering administration from George Washington University in 1961.  He worked on several high-profile projects throughout the country before forming BRYCON Corporation in 1990, one of the largest industrial contractors in the Southwest.  BRYCON has worked on projects such as advanced technology, manufacturing, industrial, cleanroom, healthcare and office build-out.

Bill Lemon, president of BRYCON, noted his father was a great Bronco fan:

"He has watched the growth and development of the program for many years.  It is with great pleasure we are able to support the future advancement of Boise State and its athletic program in my Dad's name."

BRYCON is located in Rio Rancho, N.M., a suburb of Albuquerque. 

Student-Athletes at Boise State Set Academic Record

Student-athletes at Boise State recorded the highest grade-point average on record this past semester, combining for an average of 3.00.


Sixty-five percent of Bronco student-athletes were above 3.0, the highest in a semester.  The women's golf team led the way for Boise State with a combined 3.68 G.P.A. while the women's tennis team has a cumulative GPA of 3.54.  Teams from football, softball, volleyball, women's golf, women's tennis and wrestling all set team GPA records during the spring, either for the spring semester, cumulative, or both.

Nate Potter (football) and Jake Swartz (wrestling) were named Academic All-Americans while Potter, Tyler Shoemaker (football) and Amanda Burnett (swimming and diving) each earned all-district academic honors.

The Bronco football team recorded the second-highest academic score of schools competing in bowl games for the second straight year, according to the Higher Ed Watch's academic report.

Vujovic Signs with Boise State

Vukasin Vujovic has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Boise State, according to head basketball coach Leon Rice.

Bujovic is a 6-9, 220-pound forward from Belgrade, Serbia, who averaged 16 points and 5.8 rebounds a game last year for S Beograd, the junior team of Euroleague member Partizan.

“Vukasin is one of the top power forwards in his age group in Serbia, one of the top basketball playing countries in the world,” Rice said. “We are excited about the impact he will have on our team next season.”

New Banners Being Installed at Bronco Stadium

Boise State banners
Banners of four Boise State senior football players are being installed on the east side of Bronco Stadium.  Wide receiver Mitch Burroughs, cornerback Jerrell Gavins, running back D.J. Harper and cornerback Jamar Taylor are featured this year.


Burroughs hopes to be more of a factor this fall, having started seven games last season.  He caught 49 passes for 500 yards and one touhdown and led the Broncos and the Mountain West Conference and was ranked 8th in the nation in punt returns with a 13.3 average.  


Gavins was off to a great start  in the first three games of 2011 with three interceptions and 11 tackles before a season-ending injury.  His absence was a key reason why Boise State did not go undefeated.  


Taylor started nine games and posted 27 tackles and two interceptions, including one he returned a school record 100 yards for a touchdown against Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl.