This blog is to discuss how the University of Idaho can continue to grow and prosper in Northern Idaho.

The "Vision" is that in the long term the U of I has it's own area to grow and expand that isn't located 8 miles from WSU and the PAC-12.

Recent events have indicated that growth is needed outside of the Moscow area.  This includes, but isn't limited to NCAA realignment. Long term all athletic facilities would be moved to CDA.

In the near term build a Events Center partnering with NIC and play early season games and Jazz Festival Week games in CDA. IDAHO is only drawing 400-500 fans now so it isn't like we would be leaving a fan base in Moscow during the early part of the season. Buses could take students to those games if necessary and out of town alumni would have plenty to do if they came up for a Thursday-Saturday weekend of basketball. (unlike staying in Moscow) NIC and IDAHO students would be eligible to go to any games in Moscow or CDA with their activity cards.

1 - Moscow - nothing changes. CDA is where all new buildings are built - 2 inter-connected campuses under 1 U of I banner

2 - You build where the people are. Demand and Opportunity are the driving issues when it comes to "Long Term" Health & Growth of the U of I.

In Moscow the U of I is never going to grow like it should "kinda" like Kinison's reason for not living in a desert if you don't want to starve.


3 - Vandal Athletics: Athletic conferences want easy access into and out of conference cities:

International airport - GEG & Interstate Hwy I-90 would be huge +++'s in conference realignment.

4 - WSU, EWU and Gonzaga are building a cooperative campus in Spokane.

Q - why?

A - they see demand and opportunity where the people are.

5 - IDAHO can compete with the new WSU, EWU and Gonzaga Spokane campus:

a - enrollment caps at WSU and Gonzaga

b - cost/credit advantages

c - CDA is a resort town - Spokane isn't

6 - Cda has everything that Moscow doesn't for fans, students and alumni (pre and post game)
Cda is a destination resort town with unlimited recreation and all levels of accommodations and dining - including luxury accommodations, world class golf courses, gaming etc. etc. etc.

7 - Win-Win for the U of I and the Cda/PF area.
north Idaho businesses, people and potential students in the Cda & PF area and the U of I all benefit and grow.

8 - Money - how do we finance a Cda campus. here are a few ideas.

a - area businesses/corp./resorts,
b - the Idaho permanent building fund,
c - partner with the local Native American tribes-resorts for qualifying federal grants,
d - conventional fund raising with IDAHO alumni and start by using funds from the current U of I fund raising campaign.
e - partner with NIC on buildings like a new Events Center/Arena.

Short Term IDAHO may have no choice but to move down to the BSC if the WAC falls apart and the MWC will not give IDAHO an invitation. Long Term there is no limit to IDAHO's athletic future if we "build the future in Cda".

A Moscow only based U of I will always be a tough sell to FBS or D-1 Conferences. There is no future for Vandal athletics in Moscow as a D-1 / FBS school except for the BSC. There is still time to make the future incredible but the "Window of Opportunity" will not be available much longer.

BSU and WSU are growing rapidly and the gap between those 2 and the U of I is widening. A Moscow only based U of I can not grow or compete like we should now or in the future in athletics and ultimately academics in the long run.

Bottom line: Moscow loses nothing that it has now. Moscow stays the same just like the Mayor and the people of Moscow want it. The U of I will have a place to grow, Cda, while still keeping it's traditional roots in Moscow.

Like Sam Kinison said - "You need to live where the food is if you don't want to starve "

or

in Idaho's case we need to go where the people and demand are if we want to grow and prosper athletically and academically.