Business major’s dream takes flight at hot air balloon fest

In August 2025, senior business major Cooper Dill took to the skies at the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic. This was his first year flying in the festival, marking the achievement of a long-time goal.

A native of Lake Tapps, Washington, Dill has been involved in hot air ballooning since he was in high school. At the age of 16, he got a summer job at Seattle Ballooning, a large balloon ride company offering rides over scenic locations like Mt. Rainier and the Seattle skyline. There, Dill began crewing - helping to set up and inflate the balloon, load passengers and secure landing locations.

At Seattle Ballooning, Dill was surrounded by passionate hot air balloon pilots with a vested interest in inspiring the next generation.

"The cool thing about ballooning is that any commercial pilot can train you," Dill said. "I had multiple pilots who basically told me if I bought a balloon, they would help me get my license."

Dill started racking up training hours. Then, when he was just 17, he and a friend bought their first hot air balloon together.

When it came time for Dill to begin browsing colleges, Boise State emerged as an unexpected favorite. Dill had imagined himself in a smaller college town, not a city. But Boise impressed him with its ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, especially the Spirit of Boise festival, an annual event at Ann Morrison Park that brings balloons from across the country to Boise's skies.

"Coming to Boise State, I knew they had the festival, and it was just a dream to fly in it," Dill said. "I wasn't quite ready; I was still working on my license."

Dill continued working at Seattle Ballooning in the summers. He received his private license at the age of 20, his commercial license at 21.

The summer before his senior year, Dill applied to participate in the Spirit of Boise. When he got the email that a spot had opened up, it was July of 2025. He had just completed a morning flight in his home state of Washington with his sister and her husband.

"We were kind of celebrating the flight, and then I got the email," he remembered. "It was the cherry on top. I was hoping for that email all summer long."

At the festival, Dill flew a hot air balloon he calls Kaleidoscope, named for its many colors. Dill said it was a great honor to fly in the festival, especially with so many children in attendance. He hopes to inspire some of them to start ballooning, just like his mentors inspired him.

Ever-passionate about flying, Dill hopes to pursue a career as a plane salesman. Ballooning will play a vital role in his business career. Dill plans to take colleagues up in his hot air balloon for meetings - a memorable stand-in for rounds of golf.

Dill said his Boise State professors have encouraged him to think big.

"I think the coolest thing has just been hearing all my professors' background and experience, and getting their guidance on different paths that you can take in life."

McKenna Secrist, Dill's friend and a fellow young balloon pilot, said she is proud of all Dill has accomplished.

"It's been awesome to see him start from not knowing anything about ballooning to saving up and buying his own balloon," Secrist said. "I think him doing it at such a young age really shows his work ethic and his tenacity."

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