Pocatello, Idaho – The Idaho State University Athletics Department is proud to announce that it has received an extraordinary commitment totaling six figures from Donald ‘92 & ‘13 and Candice ‘79 & ‘99 Wyckoff that will be allocated towards the Women’s Cost of Attendance Fund and create the Women’s Sports Excellence Fund. Their multi-year commitment to the nine women’s sports teams signifies unparalleled support and sets these Bengal programs up for success for years to come.
Having met during their graduate school careers at ISU, and residing in Pocatello ever since, the Wyckoffs have become a staple in the community. Despite busy professional careers — Candie as a speech-language pathologist followed by nearly two decades working in early childhood education and Don with the state crime lab — and frequent volunteer activities with many close friends through their church and the local Kiwanis Club, they are seen faithfully at nearly all home Bengal sporting events, proudly cheering on the Orange and Black.
“The decision to make this contribution is about giving back to ISU for the great educational experience we received, enabling us to contribute much within our professions — in Idaho, around the US, and even in other parts of the world,” voiced Don and Candie.
The Wyckoff’s commitment, which is one of the largest gifts by a pair of individuals ever made to ISU Athletics, will allow each women’s coaching staff to provide elite-level resources and experiences to their teams ranging from best-in-class nutrition, state-of-the-art equipment, more accommodating travel, and other key programmatic needs. In addition, their gifts will also provide substantial funds to be used solely for student-athlete recruitment and retention via scholarships and financial aid support which is a growing competitive advantage for Bengal Athletics in comparison to peer Big Sky Conference institutions.
“The Wyckoffs’ extraordinary generosity marks a modern transformative moment for women’s sports at Idaho State University. Their commitment will not only elevate the resources and experiences available to our female student-athletes but is a huge source of inspiration and encouragement to each of our young women. This gift underscores the belief in the strength and championship caliber of our women’s programs and positions us to continue competing at the highest level within the Big Sky Conference. We are deeply grateful for their vision and investment in the future of the women of Bengal Athletics,” said Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros.
This investment in ISU women’s sports comes on the heels of the Bengals having won a Big Sky Conference championship each season for the past four years — with the most recent being the women’s tennis team in 2023-24. Without question, the Bengal women are in a strong stretch of history and are poised for success with strong outlooks across the board which will be aided by the Wyckoff’s contribution.
“We are incredibly grateful for Don and Candie’s commitment to Idaho State University women’s sports,” shares Head Women’s Basketball Coach Seton Sobolewski. “The Wyckoffs have been extremely generous for so many years and we really appreciate the value they see in us and their help enhancing everything that we are doing”.
Head Women’s Tennis Coach Gretchen Maloney expressed, “On behalf of our program and all of our women’s teams at ISU, we truly cannot thank Don and Candie enough! Their unending support for our lady athletes will go so far and we look forward to making them proud in all that we do, on and off the court. We could not be more grateful, thank you!”.
“Since we didn’t have children, this was an opportunity to give to young people who may not be able to continue their education without assistance, while furthering their skills in the sports they love. We have met so many students and student-athletes at ISU and have found them to be bright, friendly, polite, and dedicated, making this a no-brainer for us. We are proud to be Bengals!” noted Don and Candie.
Interested in making a contribution to the Women’s Sports Excellence Fund or a different area within the Bengal athletics? You can do so by visiting this page, or by reaching out to Crew Keller, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and External Relations, via email (crewkeller@isu.edu) for more information.
