BYU-I Sports

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, something remarkable happened inside the John W. Hart Building. For the first time since athletics were cut in 2000, a BYU–Idaho basketball team faced outside competition, squaring off against a group of students from Provo in an exhibition matchup. What unfolded that night was more than a basketball game; it was a living example of the energy, unity, and educational value that varsity sports can bring to campus life.

The game itself was a runaway success. BYU–Idaho dominated from start to finish, securing a 96–79 win with balanced scoring, relentless defense, and sharpshooting from beyond the arc. The Hart was packed, with tickets selling out in just three days. Another 900 students filled an overflow watch party in the MC, and 200 more streamed the game live from home.

The crowd was electric. Students rose to their feet after every big play. The energy peaked during the Financial Aid Scholarship skills challenges, where students competed for four $500 awards and one full-tuition scholarship. When Luke Yorgesen hit a half-court shot to secure the full ride, the student section stormed the court. The celebration rivaled any NCAA upset moment.

For many in attendance, the night felt like a glimpse into what BYU–Idaho could once again become: a campus united, a community energized, and a student body experiencing the unique thrill of college sports. “It was so much fun to finally have a real athletics event here,” said sophomore Emily Carter. “I’ve always wished BYU–Idaho had teams to cheer for, and tonight felt like something we’ve been missing.”

Others echoed the sense of community. “I’ve never seen the Hart that loud or that full,” said junior Jacob Hansen. “It didn’t matter what ward you were from or what major you’re in. Everyone came together as one student body. That’s something we don’t get very often outside of devotional.”

Sports have always been a conduit for unity. From the global spectacle of the Olympics to a pickup game on a neighborhood court, they bridge divides of race, religion, and socioeconomic status. On a campus level, they provide a rallying point for identity and belonging. The BYU–Idaho exhibition proved this firsthand. Students who might never cross paths in class found themselves shoulder to shoulder in the Hart, chanting for the same team. Intramurals are strong at BYU–Idaho, but organized intercollegiate competition opens doors for underrepresented groups, fosters school pride, and creates communal traditions that strengthen bonds between students and alumni.

The educational value of athletics cannot be overlooked. Varsity sports are classrooms in disguise, teaching discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership. A basketball player learns how to set goals and persevere through adversity. A track athlete develops time management skills balancing training and coursework. These lessons translate far beyond the court or field, shaping well-rounded graduates who lead in business, family, and community life. Team environments cultivate communication and leadership skills, while sportsmanship—whether shaking hands after a hard-fought contest or helping an injured opponent—models civility and respect in a polarized world.

Sports are also culture, tied to rituals, traditions, and collective memory. For BYU–Idaho, Ricks College athletics once provided that cultural heartbeat. Championships, rivalries, and game-day traditions became part of the school’s story. Reintroducing varsity sports would restore that cultural identity, linking past generations of Vikings with future students. The economics matter too. College athletics create jobs, stimulate local economies, and attract visitors. On campus, they drive enrollment, increase alumni engagement, and strengthen the institution’s brand. The February exhibition demonstrated how one game could generate buzz across Rexburg and beyond—imagine that multiplied across multiple sports and seasons.

Educationally, sports open pathways for social change. Title IX is the most obvious example, providing women equal access to athletics and reshaping higher education. Sports also create leadership opportunities for underrepresented students, build bridges between faculty and administration, and provide applied learning in sports management, communication, and related fields. College athletics occupy a unique space between education and commerce. They are not professional teams driven by profit, but neither are they simply student clubs. They operate in what scholars call an “emotional economy,” fueled by loyalty, identity, and tradition. For alumni, supporting a college team is an extension of identity. The emotional return on that investment is often stronger than any financial return.

Commercialization has reshaped the landscape as well. Broadcasting, streaming, and sponsorships allow even smaller schools to generate visibility and revenue. The February 8 game, streamed online to hundreds of viewers, demonstrated the appetite for BYU–Idaho athletics in the digital age. At the same time, varsity sports support the university mission by integrating athletics into academics. Student-athletes must balance coursework with training, and programs provide tutoring, mentoring, and leadership development. Rather than detracting from education, well-run athletics enhance it.

The exhibition game against the Provo team revealed three truths:

First, there is demand. A sellout crowd, overflow watch parties, and livestream viewership proved the student body is hungry for athletic competition.

Second, there is value. Scholarships, campus unity, and media attention turned one game into a memorable, institution-wide event.

Third, there is precedent. For over 80 years, Ricks College athletics built traditions, produced national champions, and united the community. That heritage remains a powerful asset.

Varsity sports are not about nostalgia alone. They are about aligning athletics with BYU–Idaho’s mission: preparing disciples of Christ who excel in every aspect of life. Sports provide a natural laboratory for discipline, leadership, integrity, and community building. The February 8 game was fun, but it was also instructive. It showed what sports can do, ignite a crowd, unite a campus, and create memories that last. It gave BYU–Idaho students a taste of what generations before them experienced when Ricks College was a national power in junior college athletics.

Sports matter because they are more than entertainment. They are education, culture, health, economy, and unity wrapped into one. BYU–Idaho has the facilities, the history, and now the proof of concept. The only question is whether the institution will seize the opportunity to restore varsity athletics and let sports once again play their vital role on campus.

Video of this event can be watched here: https://video.byui.edu/media/t/1_lgklvzg7