Collegiate athletics in Idaho spans every level of competition, from the national spotlight of NCAA Division I football at Boise State to powerhouse junior college programs at the College of Southern Idaho. The state features a diverse mix of public universities, private colleges, and community colleges that collectively offer student-athletes opportunities in nearly every major sport. With schools competing in the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA, Idaho’s athletic landscape blends nationally recognized programs with smaller institutions that excel regionally and in select sports. This variety makes Idaho a unique case study in how different tiers of college athletics coexist within a single state.
NCAA Division I
Boise State Broncos (FBS)
Boise State University is Idaho’s flagship athletic program, competing at the Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos are nationally recognized for football, particularly their 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory, which propelled the program to national prominence. Beyond football, Boise State sponsors a wide range of sports including men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, track and field, cross country, gymnastics, and more. The school’s Albertsons Stadium, with its iconic blue turf, is one of the most recognizable venues in college sports. Boise State has leveraged its athletic success into broader institutional growth, using visibility from football and basketball to strengthen enrollment and brand identity.
Idaho Vandals (FCS)
The University of Idaho competes in the Big Sky Conference, sponsoring a balanced lineup of men’s and women’s sports. The Vandals’ football program, which has shifted between the FBS and FCS levels, currently competes in the Big Sky and plays home games in the unique Kibbie Dome, an enclosed stadium that also hosts basketball and track. Beyond football, Idaho supports basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf, tennis, track, and cross country. The Vandals have a strong tradition in track and field and distance running, with multiple conference titles. Located in Moscow, the program plays a key role in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho’s sports landscape, maintaining regional rivalries with Eastern Washington, Montana, and Idaho State.
Idaho State Bengals (FCS)
Idaho State University, located in Pocatello, competes in the Big Sky Conference at the FCS level. The Bengals sponsor football, basketball, volleyball, cross country, track and field, softball, and tennis, with Holt Arena serving as the centerpiece facility. Built in 1970, Holt Arena was one of the first indoor domed stadiums in college athletics and continues to host ISU’s football and track teams. Idaho State athletics emphasize accessibility and regional identity, drawing heavily from Southeast Idaho’s high schools for student-athletes and fan support. Rivalries with the University of Idaho and Weber State are central to ISU’s sports culture, particularly in football and basketball.
NCAA Division II
Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks
Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) is Idaho’s only NCAA Division II member, competing in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). The Nighthawks sponsor basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, golf, and track and field. NNU emphasizes a balance between athletic competition and its Christian mission, providing student-athletes the chance to compete regionally against schools from Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Alaska. The school’s baseball program has been a GNAC contender, while men’s basketball and women’s soccer have also enjoyed postseason appearances. NNU offers Idaho athletes a unique niche: a private, faith-based option to play NCAA sports at a highly competitive level without leaving the state.
NCAA Division III
N/A
Currently, there are no universities in Idaho that compete at the NCAA DIII level.
NAIA
College of Idaho Coyotes
The College of Idaho, a private liberal arts institution in Caldwell, competes in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) of the NAIA. The Coyotes field more than 20 varsity teams, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, track, cross country, swimming, and lacrosse. Football was reinstated in 2014 and has since become a point of pride, with the team competing in the Frontier Conference. The Yotes emphasize a well-rounded athletic culture, excelling in distance running and baseball while steadily growing in football and basketball. With a strong commitment to small-college athletics, the College of Idaho has established itself as one of the most successful NAIA programs in the Northwest.
Lewis–Clark State Warriors
Lewis–Clark State College, located in Lewiston, is nationally known for its powerhouse baseball program. The Warriors host the annual NAIA World Series, which has cemented their reputation as one of the premier small-college baseball programs in the country. Beyond baseball, LCSC competes in the Cascade Collegiate Conference in basketball, cross country, track and field, golf, and tennis. The school’s emphasis on athletic excellence is paired with a mission to serve the educational and community needs of North-Central Idaho. The Warriors’ consistent NAIA baseball dominance has made the program a national brand, while other sports continue to thrive regionally within the CCC.
NJCAA
North Idaho Cardinals
North Idaho College, a two-year institution in Coeur d’Alene, competes in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) after years in the NJCAA. The Cardinals sponsor men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, wrestling, golf, and volleyball. Wrestling has been a particular point of pride, with NIC producing multiple NJCAA national champions before transitioning to the NWAC. The college provides a strong athletic pathway for Idaho athletes looking to compete at the junior college level, often serving as a launching point to NCAA and NAIA programs. The school’s location near the Washington border makes it a natural competitor for Spokane and Eastern Washington colleges.
Southern Idaho Golden Eagles
The College of Southern Idaho (CSI) is one of the most successful junior college athletic programs in the nation. Based in Twin Falls, CSI has earned national championships in men’s basketball and volleyball, along with strong programs in baseball, softball, track and field, and rodeo. The Golden Eagles’ men’s basketball program is legendary at the NJCAA level, with multiple national titles and a reputation for producing Division I transfers. CSI’s volleyball team has also won national championships, establishing the school as a consistent power in multiple sports. With strong local support and a tradition of excellence, CSI is a cornerstone of junior college athletics in Idaho.
| Institution | Governing Body | Location | Key Sports | Athletic Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State Broncos | NCAA Division I FBS (Mountain West) | Boise | Football, Basketball, Soccer, Track, Gymnastics | Famous for blue turf; 2007 Fiesta Bowl win; nationally recognized football program |
| Idaho Vandals | NCAA Division I FCS (Big Sky) | Moscow | Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Track, Cross Country | Football in Kibbie Dome; strong track tradition; rivalries with Idaho State and Montana schools |
| Idaho State Bengals | NCAA Division I FCS (Big Sky) | Pocatello | Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Track | Holt Arena—first domed stadium; key rivalries with Idaho and Weber State |
| Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks | NCAA Division II (GNAC) | Nampa | Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Track, Golf | Only NCAA DII school in Idaho; faith-based private program; competitive in baseball and basketball |
| College of Idaho Coyotes | NAIA (CCC / Frontier for Football) | Caldwell | Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Track, Swimming | Football reinstated 2014; nationally strong in cross country, baseball; broad sport offerings |
| Lewis–Clark State Warriors | NAIA (CCC) | Lewiston | Baseball, Basketball, Track, Golf, Tennis | Hosts NAIA World Series; baseball dynasty with multiple national titles |
| North Idaho Cardinals | NJCAA (NWAC) | Coeur d’Alene | Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling, Golf | Strong wrestling tradition; produces NCAA/NAIA transfers; competes heavily with Spokane-area schools |
| Southern Idaho Golden Eagles | NJCAA (no conference) | Twin Falls | Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Track, Rodeo | Men’s basketball national powerhouse; volleyball national titles; consistent NJCAA dominance |
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