Idaho, Ncaa Officials To Discuss I-A Situation

The University of Idaho, which has a losing record with the NCAA in regard to earning Division I-A football classification, is scheduled for another round of talks on the subject this week.

Idaho officials are meeting with the NCAA’s Board of Directors Monday or Tuesday in Kansas City. Idaho is asking for a waiver of I-A criteria, athletic director Oval Jaynes said.

No ruling is expected until January, Jaynes said. The board is comprised of nine I-A presidents.

Idaho is considering playing home games at Washington State’s Martin Stadium to help meet I-A criteria, Jaynes said, “or until we decide whether we’re going to do something on our own campus, or something jointly (with WSU). Those decisions have not been made.”

WSU and UI have talked about jointly building a new stadium.

“It would be in our best interests if there were nothing in the paper until a decision is made,” Jaynes said. “Unfortunately that’s not the media’s intention and they present the case before the people have a chance to review it. They (the NCAA) feel like they’re being put into scrutiny before they’ve had an opportunity to review it.”

Idaho moved into the I-A Big West Conference two years ago, but doesn’t meet I-A stadium or attendance requirements. Hence, the Vandals remain classified at I-AA.

, DataTimes