January 22, 2023

Former Boise State President Bob Kustra Discusses A President's "Learning Curve" Around Athletics-Especially With A Top 25 Football Program

36 minutes

Boise State burst on the to the national stage in football over 20 years ago and made a mark few non-Power 5 schools have done. From the famous "Blue Turf" in the stadium, to 3 Fiesta Bowl victories, football put a regional state school in the national discussion. Along with the Mountain West Conference's first mover status in creating its own television network, the Broncos became a national phenomenon that still resonates today.

My guest today is former Boise State President Dr. Robert Kustra. His bio states "Arriving in 2003, Dr. Kustra led a transformation that turned Boise State into a metropolitan research university of distinction. There was an increase in the number of full-time and out-of-state students, a focus on maintaining a vibrant undergraduate experience, and growth in graduate degrees offered. In 2016, Boise State was officially designated a Carnegie doctoral research university — a goal of Dr. Kustra’s since he started."

In addition to leading for 15 years, he also held the presidency at Eastern Kentucky. Bob also served in the Illinois House of Representatives, and was Illinois' Lt. Governor from 1991-1998, bringing a unique perspective to our conversation, especially since the NCAA's new President is the former two term Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker. Now retired, he writes for the Idaho Statesman, and has been a regular contributor to Boise's NPR station via the "Reader's Corner".

Bob shares candid observations and reflections on where college athletics is today, and how his thinking has evolved since joining the Broncos in 2003. And, because he was a politician before he became a college president, he offers his insight on the NCAA's new President, Charlie Baker.

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