BYU-I Sports

From ancient arenas to modern stadiums, sports have been central to human societies. They provide more than entertainment; they shape culture, instill values, and foster unity. Whether on professional stages or college campuses, athletics play a vital role in developing individuals and strengthening communities.

At their core, sports are a school for life. They teach discipline, teamwork, resilience, and perseverance in ways few other activities can replicate. A practice field becomes a classroom where students learn to set goals, handle setbacks, and celebrate shared achievements. These lessons translate into leadership, conflict resolution, and adaptability—skills that serve individuals long after their playing days end.

In society at large, sports create shared experiences that cut across social, cultural, and economic divides. Fans of different backgrounds rally behind a team, momentarily setting aside differences in pursuit of common victory. The Olympic Games, for example, showcase not just competition but cooperation and national pride, offering a stage where athletic performance inspires unity and admiration worldwide.

College campuses mirror this broader dynamic. Athletics often provide the heartbeat of student life. Games and matches bring students, faculty, alumni, and local residents together, creating traditions that strengthen institutional identity. The presence of intercollegiate sports can increase school visibility, enhance recruitment, and instill pride in both current students and graduates.

Beyond spirit and identity, sports contribute to health and wellness. Student-athletes, while balancing rigorous schedules, often report higher levels of time management and resilience. Spectators and peers also benefit from an environment that values physical activity and competition. In many cases, athletics are the most visible representation of a college to the outside world, shaping public perception of academic institutions.

The history of Ricks College Athletics offers a compelling example of this value. Known as the Vikings, Ricks fielded teams from 1919 until 2002 and became a national powerhouse at the junior college level. Over those decades, Ricks College secured 17 national team championships, 61 individual national titles, and produced nearly 100 first-team All-Americans.

Programs like women’s cross country and men’s cross country were dynasties, winning multiple national titles and cementing the school’s reputation for excellence. Women’s volleyball brought home a national championship in 1974, while women’s track and field claimed another in 1997. The football program sent more than two dozen athletes to the NFL or CFL, including Jason Buck, Rulon Gardner, and Edwin Mulitalo. These accomplishments not only brought national recognition to a small college in Rexburg, Idaho, but also united the community, giving alumni and locals shared pride that still resonates today.

When the LDS Church transitioned Ricks College into BYU–Idaho in 2000, intercollegiate athletics were discontinued in favor of a broad student activities model. While that decision changed the athletic landscape, it did not erase the legacy of Viking sports or the lasting impact athletics can have on a community.

Sports matter because they enrich lives, develop character, and build connections. On college campuses, they serve as rallying points, sources of pride, and engines of personal growth. The story of Ricks College Athletics reminds us that the influence of sports extends far beyond wins and losses—it shapes identity, strengthens society, and leaves a legacy that endures.