GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Fiesta Bowl win in 2007 was not just a defining moment for the BSU football team, but also the university.
The team's national exposure for the Broncos has made people more aware about Boise State and has generated more interest from those looking to further their education.
"Boise State describes itself as the new U rising. I think when you look at all those things from student enrollment to the overall growth of the university it's gone hand in hand with the football program." said Boise State spokesman Frank Zang.
The statistics speak to the impact from the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Student applications to BSU increased nine percent that year.
That resulted in the student population rising four percent in the fall of 2007.
The Boise book store which shipped merchandise to all 50 states returned $1.75 million back to the university.
Over the past three years, seven new buildings have gone up on campus.
Boise State researchers have been awarded more than $51 million.
The school has also started up a handful of new education programs.
BSU now offers a doctoral degree in public policy, and a masters degree in anthropology, nursing, community and regional planning and chemistry.
The benefits from the 2007 Fiesta Bowl go beyond the millions of dollars received in payout money.
"The intangible results are just as beneficial because of the increased awareness and exposure for the university. We have more faculty that are interested in Boise State and brining their research here. We have students from all over the country that are interested in coming to Boise State." said Zang.
Roughly 19,000 students now go to BSU.
We learened this week that 170 students are from Arizona, perhaps students who got excited about the Broncos after they had that thrilling win three years ago.
