Spirit Week
2025 Theme: "A Steady Upward Course"
BYU-Idaho students, staff, alumni, and friends around the world are invited to participate in this week of celebration and reflection of "A Steady Upward Course." This theme highlights and commemorates the 25 years since President Gordon B. Hinckley announced that Ricks College would change from a two-year junior college to a four-year university to be called BYU-Idaho.
Former BYU-Idaho President Henry B. Eyring said, “Each of us can follow the example we have seen here. We can follow a steady, upward course in a world of change without fear, welcoming the opportunities.
"The way is a simple one, clearly marked. It is to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on that which is unchangeable. We must have an eye of faith fixed on eternal life."
Spirit Week Schedule
Service Day
Spirit Week Headquarters/Display
Stop by the Taylor Quad to view the various Spirit Week displays, booths, games, and daily Spirit of Ricks Challenge.
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spirit of Ricks Challenge
Text a friend the schedule = Rice Crispy Treat
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Deck the Halls
Decorate offices, faculty doors, and housing complexes according to the Spirit Week Theme: "A Steady Upward Course."
Judging begins Monday, October 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Art & Essay Contests
Deadline: October 1, 2025
Open to all current BYU–Idaho students
Explore this year’s theme, “A Steady Upward Course,” through visual art or writing. Reflect on your spiritual journey, personal growth, or BYU–Idaho’s legacy.
Let your creativity or testimony shine as part of Spirit Week 2025!
Helping Hands Service Night
Students, wards, FHE groups, employees, and families can serve the community or campus as part of your home evening. Sign up to reserve your service spot and a free ticket to a potato SPUD bar dinner!
Stadium Parking Lot
Check-ins at 5:00 p.m.
Event Starts at 5:45 p.m.
Spud Bar at 7:00 p.m.
Legacy Day
Spirit Week Headquarters/Display
Stop by the Taylor Quad to view the various Spirit Week displays, booths, games, and daily Spirit of Ricks Challenge.
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spirit of Ricks Challenge
Mini Carnival Game = Ice cream
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
President Russell M. Nelson's Funeral Broadcast
BYU-Idaho Center
12:00 p.m.
Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. in the I-Center. Please be seated by 11:30 a.m.
Founders' Ice Cream Social
Following President Nelson's Funeral Broadcast, come to the BYUI Center Courts for the Founder's Ice Cream social. Here you can also share your favorite teaching and/or memory from President Russell M. Nelson.
Ice cream flavors include:
- Bednar's Peanut Butter Cup
- Christensen's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Clarke's Cookies & Cream*
- Eliza R's Vanilla Snow
- Hinckley's Huckleberry*
- Manwaring's Strawberry Cheesecake
- Meredith's Mint Cookie
Brownie something
* Dairy free options available for these flavors
BYUI Center Courts
1:00 p.m.
Fall Carnival
Upper Playing Fields
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
Axe Throwing
Pumpkin Bashing
Straw Bale Slide
Photo Ops & Seasonal Crafts
Food Trucks & Eating Contests
Paintball Arena
Whether you're in it for the games, the food, or just great fall vibes, there’s something for everyone. Bring your friends and come enjoy a crisp evening of excitement, laughter, and community!
True Blue Day
Spirit Week Headquarters/Display
Stop by the Taylor Quad to view the various Spirit Week displays, booths, games, and daily Spirit of Ricks Challenge.
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spirit of Ricks Challenge
Wear BYUI Blue = Donut
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Find Blue
Find Spirit Week mini lawn flags on campus and redeem them for prizes. Limit 1 flag per person.
Campus Locations
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Battle For Blue - BYUI Box Challenge
Compete for blue boxes filled with BYUI swag and prizes.
Campus Locations
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Bleed Blue – Red Cross Blood Drive
Donate blood and help us break our one-day donation record. Treats will be provided.
BYUI Center Court 2
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Spirit Week Rodeo (Turn Blue)
Students can sign up to ride steers. Employees and students can sign up for barrel racing and calf roping (must provide own horse), and students and employees with children ages 5–8 and under 70 lb. can be signed up to participate in “mutton bustin.” There will also be other contests and giveaways for spectators, along with a variety of food truck concessions.
Location: Madison County Fairgrounds
460 West 2nd North, Rexburg, ID 83440
Food, Games, Booths & Activities Begin: 5:30 p.m.
Rodeo Starts: 6:30 p.m.
Country Dance
Following the Spirit Week Rodeo
Madison County Fairgrounds Arena
Dance will begin once the rodeo ends
Spirit of Ricks Day
Spirit Week Headquarters/Display
Stop by the Taylor Quad to view the various Spirit Week displays, booths, games, and daily Spirit of Ricks Challenge.
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spirit of Ricks Challenge
Invite friend to torch lighting = Brownies
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spirit of Ricks – Cultural Showcase
Taylor Quad
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Bleed Blue – Red Cross Blood Drive
Donate blood and help us break our one-day donation record. Treats will be provided.
BYUI Center Court 2
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Soapbox Racing
Center Street
7:00 p.m.
Join Us for Founders' Day Friday!
Founder's Day
Spirit Week Headquarters/Display
Stop by the Taylor Quad to view the various Spirit Week displays, booths, games, and daily Spirit of Ricks Challenge.
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spirit of Ricks Challenge
Write BYUI love = Cotton Candy
Taylor Quad
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Bleed Blue – Red Cross Blood Drive
Donate blood and help us break our one-day donation record. Treats will be provided.
BYUI Center Court 2
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Baby Contests
Married students and employees with infants (children/grandchildren) can enter their child in the baby crawling and walking races and costume contest and receive a free digital photo. The costume contest is based on the Spirit Week theme, "A Steady Upward Course."
MC Crossroads
5:00 p.m.
Founders' Day Night Light Parade
Come watch the parade then join it by marching in with your Spirit Week luminary which you will receive from an entry during the parade. The parade ends at the corner of 1st West and 2nd South. Once you arrive there, proceed to the BYUI Stadium for the Torch Lighting Ceremony.
Everyone will receive a free luminary after the last parade entry passes. You will then proceed to the BYUI Stadium for the Torch Lighting Ceremony & Drone Show.
Starts STC Parking Lot and 1st West
7:30 p.m.
Torch Lighting Ceremony
Celebrate 25 years since President Hinckley announced that Ricks College would become BYU-Idaho.
- Luminary Activity
- Lighting of the BYUI Torch
- Sky Divers
- Crowd Activities
- 25th anniversary Drone Show
- And more
BYU-Idaho Stadium
Begins after the Night Light Parade
Approx 8:30 p.m.
Spirit Day
Color Fun Run
Participate in the Color Fun Run. Choose your level of participation: 1-, 2-, or 3-mile route.
The cost is $10 for students/employees and $20 for families. Tickets include chalk and a bandana. T-shirts are available to purchase for $10 at the event.
Check-in is at 10:00 a.m. and the race starts at 10:30 a.m.
College Avenue Playfields
10:00 a.m.
Spirit Day Breakfast
Enjoy free blue pancakes with your roommates, classmates, friends, family, or fellow Color Run participants.
BYUI Stadium
10:00 a.m.
The Golden Gala
Hart Gym
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7 Students | $10 Community
Dress Code: 1920s Style
Step into the Roaring Twenties and experience a night you won’t forget! The Golden Gala is your chance to dress to impress, dance to live music and upbeat tunes, and capture Insta-worthy moments with your friends. Think glitz, glam —complete with lights, laughter, and plenty of energy to keep the party alive all night.
Don’t miss the chance to show off your 1920s look, enjoy some refreshments, and make memories with your crew. You’ll want to be there!
BYU-Idaho Football: Season Kickoff
It’s game time, Vikings! The first competitive football game of the semester is here, and you don’t want to miss it.
BYU-Idaho Stadium
2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free Admission
Refreshments available for purchase
The Hype Squad will be out in full force, the energy will be electric, and the stadium will be shaking with Viking pride. Get ready for big plays, nonstop action, and the loudest crowd Rexburg has ever seen.
Bring your crew. Bring your energy. Bring the noise. This is more than a game—it’s the start of something epic.
Sign-up Links & Information
