‘Significant’ donation will revitalize Idaho State University women’s sports, AD says
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POCATELLO — The Idaho State University, thanks to a massive donation from boosters Donald and Candice Wykoff, plans to rejuvenate its already thriving women’s sports programs.
Athletic Director Pauline Thiros told EastIdahoSports.com that ISU is lucky to have supportive boosters like the Wykoffs — who have done so much for Bengal student-athletes for years.
“We have a great relationship with Don and Candy,” Thiros said. “We spend a lot of time together because they love to be with the student-athletes — over the years, they’ve not missed very many games at all. They’re always there and present, and they love to know the kids. … For Don and Candy, supporting our women’s teams was what was important to them.”
Support and love from the Wykoffs goes beyond their presence at games, Thiros added. They welcome Bengal athletes into their home regularly.
“They’ve hosted most of our women’s teams, at their home, for a meal — and almost every year,” she said.
After their years of support, the Wykoffs told Thiros this year that they wanted to do “something special” and settled on donating to women’s athletics. And though they did not want an exact dollar amount made public, Thiros said it is a “significant” amount — “six figures annually.”
Women’s basketball is just a few years removed from a berth in NCAA Tournament and is looking to return to that level this year; the volleyball team, this years, earned its first postseason win since 2018 and tournament invite since 2013; Led by freshman goalie and All-Conference Honorable Mention standout Trinity Hale, the soccer team hopes it is building a conference contender; the softball team will open its new field this year with plans for a competitive season.
The cross country and track and field teams have high hopes of their own, as do the golf and tennis teams.
And now, all of them will get some help.
The money donated by the Wykoffs, Thiros said, will go to improving things like travel and nutrition for the student-athletes. It will also help ISU host more games.
“We want to be able to host more home competition, because our women spend so much time on the road,” Thiros said, adding that the road-heavy schedules schooling more difficult.. … “It’s also hard on you physically, emotionally, and it’s hard to win.”
More home games means opportunities for the community to show its support and enjoy the teams in-person. It will give boosters like Donald and Candice Wykoff more opportunities to see the teams they love, and allow the student-athletes they support to show their own love in return.
“We try to make people see that they’re making a difference and have a great experience giving,” Thiros said. “We’re just really, really fortunate to have such generous friends.”