<P> Known as the Vikings, Ricks College fielded an intercollegiate athletics program from 1919 - 2002 in the National Junior College Athletic Association, earning 17 national championships, 61 individual national titles, and producing nearly 100 first - team All - Americans . National title wins included Women's Cross Country (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001), Men's Cross Country (1965, 1966, 1986, 1999, 2000, 2001), Women's Track and Field (1997), and Women's Volleyball (1974; AIAW). More than 25 alumni who played football for Ricks went on to play professionally in the National Football League or Canadian Football League . </P> <P> It was announced in June 2000 that the athletics program would be phased out as part of the change from a junior college to a four - year college, due mainly to the costs associated with running a college athletic department, and the desire to develop a more comprehensive participatory student activities program . </P> <P> Since becoming a four - year institution, BYU - Idaho no longer hosts intercollegiate athletic teams but instead developed a competitive (or, as the school uses, "intracollegiate") athletics program which functions as part of Student Activities . Several teams from within the school compete against one another in a variety of sports throughout the year, complete with regular seasons and playoffs . </P> <P> The atmosphere at BYU--Idaho is different from most other universities due to its affiliation with the LDS Church . For example, almost every Tuesday that school is in session, a devotional is held on campus . During the devotional, no classes are held, administrative offices close, and students and faculty are encouraged to attend the hour - long worship service either in person (in the BYU - Idaho Center), via campus TV, or on the radio at KBYI 94.3 FM . Speakers are selected from the campus and local communities, as well as from LDS Church general authorities who share a spiritually uplifting message . The school's honor code also requires students to regularly attend church services, which are held every Sunday . </P>

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