The Idaho House unanimously passed resolutions honoring the University of Idaho and Boise State University football teams for their wins during the 2009-2010 bowl season.
The first resolution, honoring the BSU Broncos, was presented by Rep. Steven Crane, R-Nampa, to recognize the team's 17-10 victory over the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz. The bowl game, one of five Bowl Championship Series contests, was held on Jan. 4, 2010, and featured BSU for the second time in for years. Crane's resolution also honored BSU coach Chris Peterson, who was recently honored as the nation's top collegiate football coach for the season. Peterson was honored with the same award following the 2007 season and is the first coach to receive the award twice.
The measure was passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Rep. Pete Nielson, R-Mountain Home, spoke on behalf of his resolution recognizing the UI Vandal football team, saying that the team's attitude during its bowl game was admirable and Vandal coach Rob Akey deserved congratulations for believing in the team. The Vandals bested the Bowling Green Falcons by a score of 43-42 in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. It was the Vandals first appearance in a bowl since 1998. The team, with a 7-5 regular season record, posted its first winning season in ten years.
Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, gave thanks to BSU for allowing the bowl to be held in its facilities, but was jokingly critical of the actual environment.
"I, myself, am not personally fond of the blue turf, but it does keep the BSU mascot from grazing during games," said Ringo. BSU's mascot is a Bronco names Buster.
Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow, said that the Vandal football team should also be recognized for its academic efforts due to its continual appearance in the top ranks of academic achievement within its conference.
Nielson's resolutions also passed on a unanimous voice vote. The two resolutions will now be sent to the Senate for further votes.
You can read IdahoReporter.com's coverage of the Vandal resolution here and the Br0nco resolution here. You can also read Rep. Grant Burgoyne's, D-Boise, thoughts on the resolution, which some believe are wasteful, here.
