University Idaho State University NCAA Division I/FCS Location Pocatello, Idaho | Conference Big Sky Conference Athletic director Jeff Tingey Varsity teams 13 | |
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The Idaho State Bengals are the varsity athletic teams representing Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho in intercollegiate athletics. The university sponsors thirteen teams including men and women's basketball, cross country, tennis, and track and field; women's-only golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball; and men's-only football. The Bengals compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level (Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for college football) and are currently a member institution of the Big Sky Conference. The Bengals' in-state athletic rivals are the Boise State University Broncos (located in Boise) and the University of Idaho Vandals (located in Moscow).
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Football
In the 2009 campaign, Bengal football boasted a one win record, which wasn't an improvement over the 2008 campaign. Bengal football's last winning season was the 2014 campaign when they posted a record of 8-4. Previously they had not had a season above .500 since the 2003 campaign (8-4).
In October 2009 Idaho State University Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey announced that the contract of head football coach John Zamberlin would be extended for two more years, meaning Zamberin will be on the Bengal sidelines manning the program through the 2011 season.
Hired in late December 2006, Zamberlin's record at ISU is just 4-25. The decision has been highly criticized by many students, faculty, and community members. The administration have stood by their decision, citing an increase in athlete attendance in classes and graduation rates as a direct result of Zamberlin's coaching.
In 2010, the Bengals went 1-10 overall and 0-8 in the Big Sky Conference. Zamberlin was fired and former Eastern Washington and Montana State coach, Mike Kramer, was hired. Among his assistants are former University of Alabama football players Todd Bates and Rudy Griffin.
Idaho State used to enjoy healthy rivalries with both the University of Idaho and Boise State University when all three schools were members of the Big Sky Conference. When both Idaho and BSU left the Big Sky in 1996 to move up to Division I-A, Idaho State University lost their main rivals. Both Idaho and BSU still occasionally play Idaho State in football, however since 1996, both Idaho and BSU's dominance over Idaho State has solidified. Despite this, many students at both the University of Idaho and at Idaho State University would like to see this rivalry renewed into an annual event.
Since 1996, an old rivalry with the Weber State University Wildcats of nearby Ogden, Utah has intensified to become ISU's main rival in football. The Bengals also enjoy intense rivalries with both the University of Montana Grizzlies, and Montana State University Bobcats.
Basketball
In March 1977, the men's basketball team made national headlines by defeating the UCLA Bruins 76-75 in the West regional semifinal of that year's NCAA tournament. The win qualified the Bengals for their only appearance to date in the Elite Eight. This is by far the high-water mark for Bengals basketball, and marked the first time since 1966 that UCLA failed to reach the Final Four. The Bengals were subsequently eliminated in the West regional final by the UNLV Runnin' Rebels.
The men's basketball team plays their home games at Holt Arena, with a seating capacity of 8,000 for basketball. Their most recent appearance in the NCAA tournament was in 1987, when ISU was eliminated 70-95 in the first round by top-ranked UNLV.
Women's basketball
ISU's women's basketball team plays their home games at Reed Gym, which has a seating capacity of 3,040 for basketball. The most recent appearance of the women's team in the NCAA tournament was in 2012, when it was eliminated 41-70 in the first round by the Miami Hurricanes. The women's program maintained an active rivalry in basketball with both Idaho and Boise State. In recent years, ISU has dominated UI, but in turn been dominated by BSU.
Baseball
The baseball program at ISU was discontinued 43 years ago after the 1974 season, following the Big Sky's decision to drop baseball and four other sports. The Bengals won the southern division in their final season, and met north champion Gonzaga in the best-of-three championship series in Pocatello. The underdog Bengals won the first game 6-4, but then lost a doubleheader delayed by snow, 14-3 and 13-0.
Wrestling
Idaho State won multiple Big Sky titles in wrestling, starting with its first in 1967; the sport was dropped by the conference 30 years ago, after the 1987 season.