John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner Award - 2011
Vance Balstad
In 1974, Vance took a temporary job in BSU athletics that turned into a thirty-six year career. As equipment manager, Vance served as friend, mentor, disciplinarian, laundryman, doorman, protector, surrogate-parent, zamboni driver, organizer, university ambassador, and the greeter who welcomes every alumnus and former coach home when they return to BSU. He was the person who made sure everything was set up and ready for each athletic contest, and who was there after every game to take things down and put them away. He is the unsung hero who went about his job without expecting praise, and having no idea how many lives he touched. This award is meant to honor him for all he's done to help build the BSU athletic program.