Northwest Notes Sept. 4, 2026

Vandal men to play Boise State in exhibition again

For the second straight season, Idaho men’s basketball will raise the curtain on its season with an exhibition game against in-state rival Boise State in the state’s capital on Saturday, Oct. 10. 

The rivalry was renewed for the first time since November 2014 with last year’s exhibition game in Boise, which drew over 4,000 and was won by Boise State, 89-83. This year’s meeting, set for 4 p.m. PT on Oct. 10, will see two teams that reached the 20-win mark in 2025-26. Boise State is one of Idaho’s most played opponents, with the two sides facing off in 91 competitive games between 1933 and 2014 and on a yearly basis as members of the WAC, Big West, and Big Sky.

The Broncos posted their fifth straight 20-win season in six years during the 2025-26 campaign, their final in the Mountain West and 16th under head coach Leon Rice. Rice has led BSU to nine postseason appearances during his tenure, including five berths in the NCAA Tournament.

Like 2025, the game is set to be held at Idaho Central Arena, the site of the Big Sky Conference Tournament. In addition to the October exhibition, Idaho played six games in downtown Boise during the 2025-26 season, racking up a 5-1 record in the building across the Holiday Hoops Classic and Starch Madness, on their way to winning the 2026 Big Sky Conference title. 

Tickets for the exhibition matchup go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, Sept. 10, through the Idaho Central Arena box office at idahocentralarena.com

Gove second in Senior PGA Professional Championship at Hayden Lake Country Club

HAYDEN LAKE — Jeff Gove, director of instruction at The Idaho Club outside Sandpoint, finished second at the Senior PGA Professional Championship at the Hayden Lake Country Club, which concluded Thursday.

Gove lost on the first hole of a playoff to PGA Professional Mark Knowles of McCormick Woods Golf Club in Port Orchard, Wash.  

Knowles (70-67) and Gove (65-72) each finished at 5-under 139.

Billy Bomar (Bomar Putting Company), former co-owner of Prairie Falls Golf Club in Post Falls, finished tied for 11th at 7-over 149 (77-72).

Other local finishers: Matt Bunn, Hayden Lake Country Club, 21st, 73-79—152; Mike DeLong, Dalton Gardens, T-27, 75-80—155; Mike Elmore, Coeur d'Alene Golf Club, T-32, 83-74—157; Kelly DeShaw, Post Falls, T-37, 74-84—158.

In addition to Knowles, Mitch Lowe of Glendoveer Golf Course, Brian Thornton of Meridian Valley Country Club, Bob Rannow of Ocean Dunes Golf Links, Birk Nelson of Orange Whip Golf & Fitness, and Tom Dyer of Whitefish, Mont., will advance to the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship scheduled for Oct. 22-25 at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club in Gold Canyon, Ariz. Gove, Ryan Malby and Jeff Coston were exempt prior to this championship based on past play at the national level.

From there, top finishers at the 38th Senior PGA Professional Championship will earn a berth in the 2027 Senior PGA Championship.

EWU to move ahead with second phase of Roos Field renovations

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University is moving ahead with the second phase of a series of transformational upgrades to Roos Field, with plans to build an elevated press box above the eastern grandstands, across from the current press box.

The project is one of many investments EWU is making to its facilities. In all, EWU expects to spend nearly $250 million on projects over a 10-year period.

Driven by donors and supported by the university, the next phase of development at Roos Field is expected to get underway next year and to be completed in time for the 2028 football season. EWU will host a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $8 million project during its homecoming weekend, on Oct. 10, to celebrate the launch of the project and to recognize those who are making it possible.

“The new press box is a critical project that will improve space for those covering events at Roos Field, but it’s so much more than that,” EWU athletic director Tim Collins said. “Once completed, the project will free up space on the west side of the stadium (where the press box currently sits) to enhance the amenities that our fans and alumni want. A more diverse selection of premium spaces will improve the fan experience and create more revenue opportunities for Eastern Athletics.”

Private donations lead all phases of the $25 million stadium renovation.

The press box project follows a $2.5 million track renovation that was completed in late August as the first phase of enhancements at Roos Field. That project enables the university to host more track meets at the high school and collegiate levels.