Randy Hales, of St. George, Utah, became a fan of Boise State football in 2001 when the Broncos defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs and launched a decades-long rivalry. So, years later, after then-football Coach Chris Petersen and his wife, Barbara, made a gift to the College of Business and Economics’ new home, the Micron Business and Economics Building, Hales and his wife, Lisa, pledged to match Coach Pete’s generosity.
“That was our first real step toward coming out from behind the scenes of watching football to getting involved,” Randy Hales said.
Since then, Randy and Lisa Hales have deepened their relationship with Boise State. Lisa Hales, a retired educator, principal and education consultant, earned her Executive MBA from Boise State in 2019 and sits on the College of Business and Economics advisory board. She holds degrees from numerous higher education institutions but said Boise State’s is the only alumni association she felt inspired to join: “It’s because of my deep engagement with the university, where I feel like I’m connected.”
Randy Hales, the CEO of Next Level Apparel, is a Boise State Foundation board member and the Unbridled campaign chair.
Randy and Lisa Hales are members of the Lyle Smith Society, which supports Boise State Athletics. They have established numerous endowed scholarships and donated to building funds for the College of Business and Economics, the Stueckle Sky Center and the Center for the Visual Arts.
The spirit of philanthropy lives on in the Hales children, one of whom, Alec Hales (BA, entrepreneurship management, 2019), is a Boise State graduate. The Hales family included the children in giving decisions and now want to help others see the benefit of supporting their alma mater, even as students or young professionals.
“If you say ‘I’ll do it someday; I’ll do it when I’m rich,’ well, that day can be very elusive,” Randy Hales said. “I think it’s important to engage early on and get into the habit of giving back.”
By Harrison Berry