For junior Jessica Stires, who transferred to The College of Idaho from a junior college, she admits her nerves kept her from sleeping well on Tuesday night.
“I shouldn’t have been anxious at all,” said Stires, who will major in exercise science. “It was so much fun. All of my professors were very cool and understanding.”
Wednesday marked the first day of classes for the 2024-25 academic year at The College of Idaho and, though most students returned to campus within the past few days, Stires is one of many student-athletes who have been here for weeks, training for her sport.
Student-athletes make up nearly 50 percent of the College’s undergraduate population. Students participating in fall sports – football, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and cross-country – began arriving as early as August 1st.
That made the first day of classes for Stires, a member of the Yotes’ volleyball team, a welcomed change.
“Whenever we’d go to lunch or dinner at the ‘Caf’ (Simplot Dining Hall), it was usually just the volleyball team in there. It felt like we were the only people on campus,” she said. “Seeing so many people walk by (on Wednesday), it’s crazy, but I love it.”
Liz Mendiola, who graduated from the College in 1996, is in her 24th season as the head volleyball coach at her alma mater. She says her players always arrive well before other students so they can prepare for the upcoming season. So, she’s very familiar with the transition.
“When we’re here those first few weeks, it’s just volleyball, volleyball, volleyball,” Mendiola said. “Now you add on the class load, time management, and a lot more responsibility outside of volleyball. It can take a little bit of time to settle in and find a good rhythm.”
Though very real, Mendiola says the adjustment for all students, including student-athletes, usually works itself out because of the College’s environment and culture of academic excellence.
“We recruit student-athletes that fit our College,” she explained. “They’re high-achieving, and they work hard at both their sport and their academics.”
One of those students is incoming freshman Kadence Boyd, who also arrived early for volleyball and who plans to major in biomedical science. Her family helped move her to Caldwell, which included two College alums – her father, Riley ’95, and her grandmother, Carol ’68. After sharing a lot of memories of their time at the College, her dad left her with a parting message.
“He did tell me I was going to love it here,” said Boyd. “He loved it here, and same with my grandma. They were both very excited that I chose the College.” And, her father’s message is already proving accurate. After attending her first classes on Wednesday, Boyd reflected, “I have friends in most of my classes. I think it’s going to be a fun semester.”
Establishing a balance between athletics, academics, and student life is something both Boyd and Stires are excited to do.
“First day actually being in school,” Stires said with a big smile. “It was so awesome.”
The College of Idaho has a 133-year-old legacy of excellence. The College is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition, and history of producing successful graduates, including eight Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.