The University of Idaho is facing a bit of a budget crisis. In a rare feat of dumb luck, misfortune and geography, Idaho may be able to get creative in generating new revenue during the upcoming fall season in midst of the current pandemic.

The State of Idaho, for right or wrong, is moving along quicker than some neighboring states at reopening. With the recent announcement that students will be returning to campus in August, along with rumors the football team could report to campus as soon as early June, everything is pointing towards Idaho hosting sports come fall.

States like Oregon have said no sporting events until October. The California State University system has said it doesn’t expect students back in the fall. It does not seem out of the realm of possibility that the state of Washington could say something similar and not allow sports within its state borders, seeing as the three states are apart of a joint COVID Coalition.

This puts our neighbors to the west in a particularly tough place. What if Washington State is not allowed to play sporting events in Martin Stadium come fall 2020? Is there a way to almost repay the “favor” they did for us back in late 90’s and early 2000’s?

Idaho at this point will have, we assume, already put into place proper precautions, procedures, and rules to be as safe a place as possible to host sports during the pandemic. All Washington State would have to do is bus the 8 miles to their new temporary home, play their home games in the Kibbie Dome, and then bus back. Idaho would obviously work out some sort of monetary deal for renting the Kibbie Dome. Whether it be a portion of ticket sales, concession, other game-day revenue, or just a flat fee depending on what the decided attendance structure even is (students only, season ticket holders only, completely empty?)

It also just so happens there is another school in a similar boat 77 miles away. It would be pretty cool having Coug, Eagle & Vandal doubleheaders in Moscow this fall.

 

Here is a hypothetical season in the Kibbie:

September 5^th

• Afternoon Kickoff: Idaho v Western Oregon

September 12^th

• Noon Kickoff: Eastern Washington v Western Illinois
• Evening Kickoff: Washington State v Houston

September 19^th (AKA Palousefest 2020)

• Noon Kickoff: Eastern Washington v Northern Arizona
• Evening Kickoff: Washington State v Idaho

October 3^rd

• Noon Kickoff: Eastern Washington v Montana
• Evening Kickoff: Washington State v Cal

October 10^th

• Noon Kickoff: Idaho v Portland State
• Evening Kickoff: Washington State v Utah

October 17^th

• Afternoon Kickoff: Eastern Washington v Idaho

October 24^th

• Afternoon Kickoff: Idaho v Montana

October 31st

• Noon Kickoff: Idaho v Northern Arizona
• Evening Kickoff: Washington State v Arizona State

November 7^th

• Noon Kickoff: Eastern Washington v Montana State
• Evening Kickoff: Idaho v Southern Utah

November 21^st

• Evening Kickoff: Washington State v Oregon

November 27^th

• Afternoon Kickoff: Washington State v Washington

 

Big Sky at noon, followed up by ‘Pac-12 After Dark.’ That would be something else. Not to mention the added foot traffic coming to town to help those businesses that just penny-pinched to keep the lights on.

I understand that there are other logistics and more important health concerns that would need to be worked out to make this even remotely possible. We also aren’t even sure what the 2020 schedule will evolve into, as news is changing by the moment. It is an interesting scenario and alternative that the FBS & FCS programs in Palouse could look at. This is the outside-the-box thinking Idaho needs to be doing to conquer our financial woes. This call should at least be placed to the respective athletic directors on interest, if possible.

One last thought on this hypothetical, Just imagine the Kibbie Dome parking lot on September 19^th or even October 3^rd…Heaven won’t be the only place without beer!