College of Western Idaho, Idaho’s largest two-year institution, is moving forward with plans to launch an intercollegiate athletics program using a funding model rarely seen at community colleges—relying on an endowment to sustain sports operations indefinitely rather than annual budgets. The initiative reflects CWI’s commitment to building student engagement while navigating significant financial hurdles that could determine which sports actually take the field.
The college hired Athletic Director Mahmood Sheikh in late May to lead the effort. With more than 34,000 students—77 percent from Ada and Canyon counties—CWI represents a substantial enrollment base for a community college athletics program, though the institution faces unique constraints that will shape its approach.
The Endowment Strategy and Financial Reality
CWI’s plan departs from the typical annual-budget model used by most schools. Instead, the college aims to build permanent endowments for each sport, ensuring long-term sustainability without competing for year-to-year operational funding. Sheikh indicated that he knows of no other two-year institutions employing this strategy.
The financial commitment required is substantial. Some CWI athletic programs could operate on roughly $200,000 annually, but fully endowing a single team would require raising $5 million upfront. That endowment would cover scholarships, staff salaries, employee benefits, equipment, and travel expenses—the full operational spectrum for a viable program.
CWI will not field any team until it is fully funded, a disciplined approach that avoids the cash-flow problems many schools face when launching sports without adequate resources. “We’re going to be doing the same, in finding what excites folks from an intercollegiate athletics perspective,” Sheikh said, signaling that community input will shape which sports the college pursues.
Sports on the Table and Title IX Requirements
Rodeo and men’s and women’s basketball emerge as the most likely candidates for CWI’s initial roster. Women’s lacrosse and football, by contrast, are deemed unlikely given their higher operational costs and the college’s geographic and residential constraints.
CWI operates no dormitories and has no plans to build them—a significant limitation for a school recruiting athletes who might otherwise live on campus. Nearly 98 percent of CWI’s student body hails from Idaho, and the vast majority live within commuting distance of the Nampa and Caldwell campuses.
Any sports CWI launches will need to comply with Title IX, the federal law requiring gender balance in athletic opportunities. That means for every men’s team funded, the college must provide comparable opportunities for women—a requirement that will influence the endowment strategy and which sports get prioritized.
Community Interest and Campus Culture
CWI’s push into athletics stems partly from student feedback. Two-thirds of respondents in college surveys expressed a desire for campus activities that foster a sense of belonging—a traditional function of athletics at residential institutions. For a largely commuter-based community college, sports programs could serve as anchors drawing students to campus beyond classes.
Sheikh emphasized that appeal: “Students will want to come watch them compete, no matter where they live.” That comment reflects CWI’s challenge—building community identity at a school where most students attend classes and leave rather than spending extended time on campus.
The college has established athletics@cwi.edu to solicit input from the community, signaling that fundraising and planning will be transparent and inclusive.
The Broader Idaho Athletics Landscape
CWI’s timing coincides with broader shifts in college athletics. Governor Brad Little assigned a task force in June to examine Idaho’s place in the evolving college athletics landscape, reflecting statewide concern about how recent NCAA changes—including rules making it easier for student-athletes to transfer after two years at community colleges—affect Idaho institutions.
Those NCAA transfer rules could work in CWI’s favor, potentially allowing the college to develop a pipeline of skilled athletes who later transfer to four-year universities. It could also complicate recruitment if strong CWI athletes depart after two years, requiring constant roster rebuilding.
What Comes Next
CWI will need to raise substantial funds to launch even its first endowed team. The college’s success will depend on whether donors, local businesses, and alumni embrace the vision—and whether the endowment model proves viable at an institution where most students are focused on workforce training or transfer credentials rather than collegiate athletics.
The college’s decision to move deliberately, funding only when fully capitalized, suggests CWI leadership recognizes that rushed expansion could undermine the program’s credibility and long-term viability. For Canyon County families and Treasure Valley residents with ties to CWI, the coming months will reveal whether intercollegiate athletics becomes a fixture on the campus or remains an aspirational goal.