History of the Bengals
The Idaho State Bengals are the varsity intercollegiate athletic teams representing Idaho State University, located in Pocatello, Idaho. The university sponsors thirteen teams, including men's and women's basketball, cross country, tennis, and track and field; women's-only golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball; and men's-only football. The Bengals compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level (Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for college football) and are currently a member institution of the Big Sky Conference. The Bengals' in-state athletic rivals are the University of Idaho Vandals (located in Moscow).
College Sports Established
1901
Location
Pocatello, Idaho
College Name
Idaho State University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1901 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
1963 – Present / Big Sky Conference
1948 - 1958 / Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
1901 - 1947 / Independent
Nickname
Bengals - The Bengal mascot has a long and storied tradition at Idaho State. When ISU was known as the Idaho Technical Institute, athletes were dubbed the "Bantams", but since neither their size or behavior conformed with the name, it was never very popular. In 1921, Ralph H. Hutchinson became Director of Physical Education and Athletics. A graduate of Princeton, Hutchinson immediately organized an "I" Club, and the group's members adopted Princeton's Bengal Tiger as its mascot. In 1931, the tiger clawed The Idaho Techniad off the school newspaper's masthead, and replaced it with The Idaho Bengal. In Merrill Beal's 1952 publication History of Idaho State College, he noted of the Bengal Tiger: ". . . a creature that has never been found hereabouts, living or dead."
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
