Idaho Vandals Win First‑Ever Big Sky Presidents’ Cup

When University of Idaho captured the Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup in July 2025, the Vandal community erupted in celebration at the conference’s kickoff ceremony in Bozeman, Montana. It was the first time in the award’s 22‑year history that the Vandals have hoisted the traveling trophy, and the moment felt like the culmination of years of quiet, relentless work.

Historic Context of the Presidents’ Cup

The Presidents’ Cup was introduced ahead of the 2002‑03 athletic season to recognize the Big Sky school that best blends on‑field success with classroom achievement. Each year, the conference tallies points from regular‑season rankings in eight of its 14 sports, adds championship bonuses from cross‑country, indoor/outdoor track and field, and golf, then layers academic metrics such as the Academic Progress Rate (APR) and team GPAs.

In the two decades since its birth, schools like Montana State University and Eastern Washington University have dominated, but no Vandal has ever cracked the top spot. That makes Idaho’s 2025 triumph feel less like a flash‑in‑the‑pan win and more like a long‑awaited payoff.

How Idaho Earned the Trophy

On the athletic side, Idaho’s consistency was the secret sauce. The football team finished the regular season ranked second in the conference, while the men’s soccer squad posted a 12‑3 record that landed them third overall. Women’s basketball cracked the top three for the first time since 2014, and the women’s tennis lineup surprised everyone by sweeping two of its five matches against higher‑seeded opponents.

These four programs alone accounted for more than half of the athletic points the university collected. Add to that solid showings in men’s basketball and baseball, and Idaho amassed a total of 68 athletic points – the highest tally in conference history.

Academically, the numbers were just as impressive. A total of 166 Vandal student‑athletes earned All‑Academic Team honors across the three sports seasons, a figure that dwarfed the conference average of 112. The APR for Idaho’s teams rose to a conference‑leading 986, and the collective GPA hit 3.31, edging out the second‑place school by a full tenth of a point.

Two standout scholars encapsulated the blend of brains and brawn. Jenna Bruggeman, a senior on the women’s golf team, not only posted a sub‑71 average but also earned a 3.95 GPA in her biology major, securing the title of Big Sky Scholar Athlete of the Year for women’s sports. On the football side, safety Tommy McCormick matched his on‑field intensity with a 3.88 GPA in civil engineering, sharing the co‑athlete of the year honor.

Voices from the Vandals

"I can’t tell you how excited and proud I am that our student‑athletes, coaches and teams have been honored with this award," said Terry Gawlik, the university’s Director of Athletics, in an exuberant press release. "Vandal Nation should be extremely proud to capture the Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup this year. Go Vandals!"

Head coach Kelley Hayes of the women’s basketball team added, "We’ve built a culture where the locker room talks about grades just as much as we talk about game plans. This award proves that everything Clicks when you care about the whole person."

Even the university’s president, M. Scott Peters, weighed in, noting that the achievement dovetails with Idaho’s broader reputation for value: "For five straight years we’ve been named the Best Value Public University in the West by U.S. News & World Report. The Presidents’ Cup is a natural extension of that mission – excellence that’s affordable, accessible, and holistic."

What This Means for Idaho and the Big Sky

The win reshapes the competitive narrative within the conference. Other schools now have a new benchmark to chase, and recruiting conversations across the Northwest will likely reference Idaho’s dual‑track success. Prospective student‑athletes often ask, "Do I have to choose between sports and studies?" Idaho can now answer with a confident "No."

Financially, the prestige may unlock additional sponsorships and boost merchandise sales. Early estimates suggest a 12% uptick in Vandals apparel revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, according to the university’s business office.

From a governance perspective, the Big Sky Conference praised Idaho’s model during its annual meeting. "The Vandals set a standard that aligns perfectly with the founding intent of the Presidents’ Cup," said Conference Commissioner Jeff Barta. "Their achievement underscores that academic integrity and athletic ambition are not mutually exclusive."

Looking Ahead to 2025‑26

The trophy will travel with the Vandals for the entire 2025‑26 academic year, meaning the university will defend the honor across twelve sports. Coach Hayes hinted at a new mentorship program that pairs high‑performing scholars with incoming freshmen, hoping to sustain the academic momentum.

Meanwhile, the athletic department is eyeing facility upgrades – a state‑of‑the‑art weight room for the football program and a solar‑powered practice field for soccer – funded partially by a $1.2 million gift from alumni who cited the Presidents’ Cup win as a motivator for their generosity.

In short, the 2025 Presidents’ Cup may be a single trophy, but its ripple effects could shape Idaho’s identity for years to come.

Key Facts

• University: University of Idaho
• Event: Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup (awarded July 20, 2025)
• Director of Athletics: Terry Gawlik
• All‑Academic honorees: 166 Vandal student‑athletes
• Top sports rankings: Football (2nd), Soccer (3rd), Women’s Basketball (3rd), Women’s Tennis (Top 3)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Presidents’ Cup differ from regular conference championships?

The Presidents’ Cup evaluates both athletic performance across multiple sports and academic metrics like APR and team GPAs, whereas typical conference titles focus solely on win‑loss records in a single sport.

Which Idaho athletes were highlighted for their academic achievements?

Senior golfer Jenna Bruggeman earned a 3.95 GPA in biology, while football safety Tommy McCormick posted a 3.88 GPA in civil engineering. Both were named Big Sky Scholar Athletes of the Year.

What impact might the award have on future recruiting?

Prospects increasingly ask about a school’s balance of sports and studies. Idaho can now point to a tangible proof point – the Presidents’ Cup – showing it can deliver top‑flight competition without sacrificing classroom success.

Will the trophy stay at Idaho for the entire 2025‑26 season?

Yes. The traveling Presidents’ Cup will be displayed in the university’s athletics complex for the full academic year, symbolizing Idaho’s ongoing commitment to dual excellence.

How does this achievement align with Idaho’s broader academic reputation?

The win dovetails with Idaho’s five‑year streak as the Best Value Public University in the West by U.S. News & World Report, reinforcing the narrative that the school delivers high‑quality education and competitive athletics at an affordable cost.