MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho Vandals defensive lineman Sam Brown, and offensive lineman Nate Azzopardi will join Head Coach Thomas Ford at Big Sky Kickoff this weekend. The three-day event takes place at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airways Heights, Washington. 

The event takes place from Saturday, July 19 to Monday, July 21. Fans can follow along on Idaho's official social media channels for behind-the-scenes content and coverage of the event. Monday's events will begin with a Commissioner's Conference Address at 8:00 a.m. PT and will feature four hours of coverage starting at 9:00 a.m. PT on ESPN+. Coach Ford's interview will be at 12:36 p.m., with Azzopardi and Brown airing at 12:43 p.m.

Ford enters his first season as Vandals Head Coach in 2025, aiming to continue Idaho's most recent run of success. Ford served as running backs coach and special teams coordinator for Idaho from 2022-23, he then went to Oregon State as the Beavers running backs coach. Upon arrival in Moscow, Ford has proven to be one of the best recruiters in the west. He's landed several top student-athletes out of the transfer portal with FBS and power four experience.

Azzopardi has played his entire career with Idaho. He has been a team captain since 2023 and appeared in 26 games over the last two seasons. Azzopardi has played more than 2,000 snaps and established himself as one of the best pass blockers in the conference. He earned an 87.7 pass block rate per Pro Football Focus. 

On the defensive side of the trenches, Spokane native, Sam Brown, has been a defensive leader in the locker room for the Vandals since 2021. He's played in 27 games over the last two seasons and is the leader of Idaho's iconic "Way Down in the Valley" chant after wins. He came to Idaho as a walk-on and earned a scholarship following a great spring in 2022. 

The 2025 Big Sky Hall of Fame class will also be inducted at the event at the Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday evening. Olympic decathlon gold medalist Dan O'Brien and Walter Payton Award winner Doug Nussmeier will be inducted into this year's hall of fame. 

SOCIAL MEDIA:  Stay up to date with everything happening with the Vandals by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

TICKETS: Season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets can be purchased here or by calling the Idaho ticket office at (208)885-6466.