SPOKANE, Wash. – The 2024-25 Idaho Vandals athletic department made history on Sunday, as it was announced that the Vandals were the winners of the 2024-25 Big Sky Conference Presidents' Cup. This is the first time in school history that Idaho has won the prestigious award.

The trophy, which was created prior to the 2002-03 athletic year, is annually awarded to the Big Sky school that excels academically and athletically throughout the year. It was awarded to the Vandals on Sunday evening at Big Sky Kickoff. 

"I can't tell you how excited and proud I am that our student-athletes, coaches, and teams have been honored with this award," Idaho Director of Athletics, Terry Gawlik, proudly stated. "Vandal Nation should be extremely proud to capture the Big  Sky Conference Presidents' Cup this year. Go Vandals!"

Points are awarded through final regular-season standings in eight of the conference's 14 sports, and also awarded to men's and women's cross-country, indoor and outdoor track and field, and golf according to where the team ranks at their respective Big Sky Championships.

The Vandals finished in the top three in the conference in football, soccer, women's basketball, and women's tennis this past season.

On the academic side, the academic progress rate (APR) from the prior year and the grade point average for each team in a Big Sky-sponsored sport are taken into consideration.

It was another wonderful academic year for the Vandals as there were 166 (78 in fall, 46 in winter, 42 in spring) total Vandals named to All-Academic Teams this year, highlighted by Jenna Bruggeman (women's golf) and Tommy McCormick (football) who were recently dubbed Idaho's Big Sky Scholar Athletes for the year.

The final standings of the 2024-25 Presidents' Cup were as follows:

1 – Idaho
2 – Northern Arizona
3 – Weber State
4 – Montana State
5 – Idaho State
T6 – Eastern Washington 
T6 – Northern Colorado
8 – Montana
9 – Sacramento State
10 – Portland State
 
Idaho will retain the traveling trophy throughout the 2025-26 season.