Idaho State University Athletics

Idaho State competes in NCAA Division I, meaning serious athletic programs with full scholarships and regional television coverage. The Bengals field 11 varsity sports with 336 total athletes, representing about 4.6% of the 7,260-student body. The school awards $5.3 million in athletic scholarships annually. Idaho State plays in the Big Sky Conference alongside other western schools like Montana State and Weber State. The Bengals have a heated rivalry with the University of Idaho Vandals, dating back over a century. Football and basketball draw the most attention, though the programs have struggled to achieve consistent success at the Division I level. The relatively small enrollment makes it challenging to compete with larger state universities, but Bengal fans remain loyal supporters of their hometown teams.