HELENA – The University of Idaho is returning to the Big Sky Conference for all sports but football starting with the 2014-15 school year.
League Commissioner Doug Fullerton and Idaho President Duane Nellis made the announcement Friday. Nellis signed an agreement with the league at its Oct. 16 meeting in Park City, Utah.
Idaho was a charter member of the Big Sky Conference when it was created in July 1963 and left following the 1995-96 season. Since 2005 it has been a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
Idaho’s football team plans to play an independent Football Bowl Subdivision schedule starting next season.
Athletic director Rob Spear says the move renews historic rivalries, while Nellis says student athletes will spend less time away from school with games against regional teams such as Idaho State, Eastern Washington, Portland State, Montana and Montana State.