CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho has been named the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) School of Character for the 2025-26 academic year, earning the distinction for the first time in just the second year of the award's existence.
While the recognition is new, the culture it celebrates is not. Built through years of intentional programming, community engagement, and daily accountability, The College of Idaho has established a tradition of character-driven athletics that has become a defining part of its identity in Caldwell.
"Receiving the Cascade Collegiate Conference School of Character award is a tremendous honor for The College of Idaho," Vice President of Athletics Reagn Rossi said. "This recognition reflects the commitment of our student-athletes, coaches and staff to uphold the NAIA's core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership both in and out of competition."
Impact Beyond the Playing Field
At the heart of The College of Idaho's selection is the tangible impact its student-athletes make beyond competition, consistently embracing opportunities to serve others and lead with purpose.
One of the department's most significant initiatives is its involvement with Be The Match. Through donor registry drives led by the football program and supported across all teams, student-athletes have stepped forward to become potential bone marrow and stem cell donors. In the past year alone, more than five College of Idaho student-athletes were identified as matches and chose to proceed with life-saving donations, often stepping away from competition during the recovery process in order to help individuals they had never met.
Mental health advocacy is another pillar of the department's outreach. Through its partnership with the Jae Foundation, student-athletes participate in leadership experiences at "Jae's Place," engaging in guided discussions focused on vulnerability, accountability, and peer support. These experiences equip student-athletes to better care for teammates while helping create environments where mental health is openly discussed and supported.
The College of Idaho also maintains a deep connection with the local community through the Legacy Program, which reaches more than 7,000 elementary school students across two school districts. Student-athletes visit each school twice, first encouraging students to complete acts of service, then returning to reinforce those lessons through reading, interaction, and continued engagement. Students who complete their service hours are then invited to a pair of Yotes basketball games to receive courtside recognition for their efforts.
Another key initiative is Run Your City, a program supported by College of Idaho cross country student-athletes that provides opportunities for local youth to participate in running and develop confidence, relationships, and healthy habits. The men's and women's cross country programs launched a Run Your City chapter in Caldwell, further strengthening the department's commitment to mentorship and community impact.
Recognition at the conference level reinforces the strength of this culture. Head volleyball coach Liz Mendiola was named CCC Coach of Character of the Year, while Keylee Wilson earned CCC Female Champion of Character of the Year honors after demonstrating exceptional resilience, leadership, and service, including her participation in the Be The Match program. The men's cross country team also earned CCC Team of Character of the Year recognition for its commitment to accountability, service, and leadership initiatives such as Run Your City.
A Department-Wide Commitment
The Champions of Character philosophy is fully integrated into every aspect of Yotes athletics and remains highly visible throughout the year.
At all home contests, Champions of Character messaging is prominently displayed on videoboards, while the NAIA Champions of Character statement is read publicly to reinforce expectations for sportsmanship and conduct among student-athletes, coaches, and fans.
Student-athletes themselves play an active role in delivering that message. At football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball events, they are featured in pre-produced videos and participate in reading the statement, creating a sense of ownership and accountability in representing the program's values.
Each academic year begins with a department-wide student-athlete kickoff meeting, which introduces and reinforces the NAIA's five core values and establishes a unified standard for behavior and representation across all programs.
Through the Association of Student-Athletes, individuals help lead service opportunities and initiatives, ensuring that character development is a shared responsibility across the department and not limited to any one program.
A Culture Rooted in Daily Action
The CCC School of Character award recognizes institutions that demonstrate the NAIA's five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. At The College of Idaho, those values are embedded in daily practice across all teams.
Integrity is emphasized through accountability-focused systems such as the baseball program's "accountability court," where student-athletes address missed responsibilities and accept team-assigned consequences, reinforcing honesty and ownership.
Respect is cultivated through team-driven recognition. Programs such as volleyball and softball conduct post-practice reflections in which student-athletes highlight teammates who demonstrate strong work ethic, leadership, and positive attitudes, strengthening team culture.
Responsibility is demonstrated through a proactive approach to student-athlete well-being, including mental health awareness initiatives in partnership with organizations like the Jae Foundation and The Hidden Opponent.
Sportsmanship continues to define Yote Athletics, highlighted by the golf programs, which have earned the CCC Team Sportsmanship Award for three consecutive years due to consistent displays of fairness, respect, and integrity.
Servant leadership is a cornerstone of the department's identity, with student-athletes actively participating in initiatives such as Be The Match, Run Your City, the Legacy Program, and additional community engagement opportunities designed to make a lasting impact.
Tradition Meets Recognition
Though the CCC School of Character award is in only its second year, The College of Idaho's selection reflects a long-standing commitment to building a program rooted in service, accountability, and leadership. Many of the initiatives that contributed to this honor have been in place for years, becoming a tradition within the athletic department and the Caldwell community.
"We are proud of the culture we have built and are grateful our Yote Fam who strive to live out these values every day," Rossi added.
Through consistent messaging, meaningful partnerships, and sustained engagement, The College of Idaho has created an environment where character is not simply emphasized, but lived daily by its student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
