The Bengals represent the Idaho State University in the NCAA Division I-A. They a member of the Big Sky Conference. The University was established as the academy of Idaho in the year 1901. It became the Idaho Technical Institute in the year 1915. It was in the year 1963 that it gained University status and came to be known as the Idaho State University. In between the period till the year 1963 it had undergone many name changes in its history. It is located in Pocatello, Idaho. The University sponsors men's athletic programs in football, basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, track & field and women's programs in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
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The Idaho State Bengals football team competes in the NCAA Division I-AA level. The team has won the Division I-AA national championship in the year 1981. Some of the notable players of the team include Jared Allen, Wally Buono, Matt Gutierrez, Mike Hancock, Merril Hoge, Dirk Koetter, Marvin Lewis, Kennedy Nkeyasen, William Petersen, Pago Togafau and Dwaine Wilson. John Zamberlin is the current head coach of the Bengals. Previously, he was the head football coach at the Central Washington University from the years 1997 to 2006.
The Holt Arena is home to the Idaho State Bengals football team. It was inaugurated in September 1970. Apart from the football team, the arena has also been home to the University's track & field team and men's basketball team. It can seat up to 12,000 attendees during football games and 8,000 attendees during basketball games. This multi-purpose arena plays host to many other sporting events, rodeos and concerts.