BOISE -- Wednesday is kickoff for the Humanitarian Bowl where the Idaho Vandals square off against the Bowling Green Falcons.
For the first time in 10 years that the Vandals are playing in a bowl game.
Administrators and Vandal faithful are hoping this Vandal exposure will benefit all aspects of the school.
"It's on a national stage, we get to have a three, four hour commercial about the University of Idaho," said University of Idaho Athletic Marketing Director Nick Popplewell.
Standing in front of hundreds of fans at Tuesday evening's pep rally, University of Idaho President Duane Nellis, pumped up Vandal Nation for Wednesday's bowl game. For Nellis, he has another reason to get excited.
"It's great national visibility. Our name is up there ever day on ESPN, and in the national newspapers and great visibility, and it's certainly has excited our national alumni base as well," said Dr. Duane Nellis.
"The number one thing is the visibility and exposure, and when you get that it's certainly going to help you with recruitment, and this puts the University of Idaho back on the map athletically, and I really think that it also ties in makes us a complete university," said University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear.
Visibility, exposure and excitement all coming from one post-season bowl game.
"Like all universities, alumni kick in a little bit more cash because a winning program any kind, basketball, football, any kind of a winning program increases the donations to the University both academically and scholastically," said Walt Nelson who graduated from the University of Idaho in 1959.
"Here in Southern Idaho we need exposure as the rounded university that we are," said Pat Nelson who graduated from the University of Idaho in 1959.
"This is a good time for our boys to learn about the University of Idaho, the success and the football team. It's an experience that they will hopefully cherish for the rest of their lives," said Robert Blair who is a University of Idaho alumni.
"From a recruiting stand point it's huge. Not only for future students, but for our athletic programs as well," said Spear.
The payout for the Humanitarian Bowl will cover the costs associated with the game. U of I will have a little left over to put back into the program.
