Boise State University was founded in 1932 as Boise Junior College by the Episcopal Church. After two years the school became independent, and in 1940 it moved from St. Margaret's Hall to its present site, along the south bank of the Boise River, between Capitol Boulevard and Broadway Avenue, formerly the Boise Airport.
In 1965, it gained four-year status as Boise College and began awarding baccalaureate degrees. Four years later, the school joined the Idaho state system of higher education and was renamed Boise State College. In 1974, Boise State gained university status to become Idaho's third university.
1892 – St. Margaret's School was founded in Christ Chapel (Boise, Idaho), a forerunner to Boise Junior College 1932 – BSU was founded as Boise Junior College by the Episcopal Church at St. Margaret's Hall 1933 – first season of football 1934 – Episcopal Church ends its affiliation and board of directors after assumes leadership. 1940 – campus is moved to present site on the south bank of the Boise River – formerly the Boise Airport – (photo – 1930s) – (photo – 1940s) Administration Building opens, built by WPA – (photo – 1940s) College Field (1940–49), the first football stadium, opens at site of present Student Union Building – (photo 1) – (photo 2) 1942 – old Student Union opens – (photo – 1940s) – (photo – 1950s) 1947 – after a year as an assistant, Lyle Smith is elevated to head coach of the football team. overall record of 156-26-8 (.848) with five undefeated seasons, 16 conference titles, and a national JC championship (1958); – steps down after 1967 season to become athletic director 1950 – first Bronco Stadium (1950–69), on present site – replaced in 1970 1951 – completion of first dormitories: Driscoll Hall (men) and Morrison Hall (women) 1955 – Bronco Gymnasium constructed – (photo) 1958 – football team wins NJCAA national championship 1964 – Library opens – (photo) 1965 – baccalaureate degrees introduced; becomes Boise College Alumni Association is formed, enrollment reaches 5,000 1966 – Liberal Arts Building constructed – (photo 1) – (photo 2) 1967 – new Student Union Building constructed – (photo) Chaffee Hall dormitories constructed – (photo) final football season as a two-year school John Barnes becomes the college's third president 1968 – football team begins competition as a four-year school, competing as an independent in NAIA for two seasons new athletic director Lyle Smith hires Tony Knap to replace himself as head football coach 1969 – state system of higher education assumes control, becomes Boise State College final football season in second Bronco Stadium (northwest–southeast alignment) – (photo – late 1960s) (photo – 1968) 1970 – Construction of multiple buildings: Business, Vocational Education, and Towers dormitories BSC joins the Big Sky Conference for men's athletics, moves to NCAA Division II ("College Division" until 1973) new Bronco Stadium opens September 11 (now a north–south alignment) – seating capacity of 14,500 and a green AstroTurf field – (photo – 1971) 1971 – Begins publishing the Western Writers Series, monographs focusing on authors of the American Frontier and American West 1971 – expansion of Student Union Building (1967); Auxiliary Gymnasium completed 1972 – four-story addition to Library (1964) completed 1974 – university status granted, becomes Boise State University 1975 – Bronco Stadium adds upper deck to east side: 20,000 capacity – (photo) football team wins third consecutive Big Sky title 1976 – Tony Knap departs for UNLV; UCLA assistant coach Jim Criner is named head football coach for 1976 season 1978 – Science/Nursing building opens John Keiser becomes president on August 1 Big Sky (& BSU) moves up to the new Division I-AA 1979 – seven-story Education building dedicated in January enrollment reaches 10,000 1980 – construction of BSU Pavilion begins in February, (photo 1981) – displaces tennis courts and baseball field – (photo – 1971) (photo – late 1970s) final baseball season (played at Borah Field), dropped as a varsity sport in June, due to Title IX football field at Bronco Stadium dedicated as "Lyle Smith Field" on November 8. football team wins the I-AA national championship on December 20 in Sacramento 1981 – Lyle Smith retires after 35 years at BSU, last 13 as athletic director. football team advances to I-AA semifinals 1982 – BSU Pavilion (multi-purpose arena) opens in mid-May for commencement – (photo – mid 1980s) tennis courts relocated to former baseball infield 1983 – Jim Criner departs for Iowa State, defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich promoted to head football coach for 1983 season 1984 – Velma V.