College of Western Idaho has selected Mahmood Sheikh as its first athletic director, tasking him with building intercollegiate and intramural sports programs from the ground up at Idaho’s largest community college.
Sheikh, who joined CWI in September as assistant chief advancement officer for strategic initiatives, will transition to the athletic director role on June 1. The position carries an annual salary of $175,000, funded through student fees, according to CWI spokesman Ashley Smith. Sheikh previously earned $125,000 in his strategic initiatives position.
Launching Sports Through Endowment Model
CWI President Gordon Jones announced Wednesday that the college plans to establish athletic programs using an endowment-funded approach rather than traditional annual fundraising. The model aims to secure operational costs before any sport begins competition.
“This approach enables us to build high-quality, sustainable athletics supported by philanthropic contributions, in areas of interest to the Treasure Valley community,” Jones said in a statement.
The college currently operates no athletic programs, making Sheikh’s appointment a foundational step in creating competitive sports opportunities for students.
Athletic Leadership Experience
Sheikh brings 14 years of intercollegiate athletics experience to the role. Before joining CWI last year, he spent more than six years at the University of Idaho serving as senior associate athletic director for development and executive director of the Vandal Scholarship Fund.
A Moscow native and University of Idaho graduate, Sheikh said he welcomes the chance to serve students who share his Idaho roots. CWI reports that 98.6 percent of its student body comes from Idaho.
“Our work in athletics and intramurals will align with CWI’s role of championing accessibility, safeguarding affordability, and designing strong pathways for students and student athletes,” Sheikh stated.
Recent Acquisition of Ford Idaho Center
The athletic director appointment follows CWI’s acquisition of the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa late last year. The city transferred the facility to the college without exchanging cash in the transaction.
The complex includes an indoor arena that hosts rodeos and sporting events, plus an outdoor horse park. The venue provides CWI with established infrastructure that could support future athletic programs.
What Comes Next
Sheikh will begin developing the framework for CWI athletic programs when he assumes the director position in June. The college has not announced which sports it plans to launch first or provided a timeline for competition to begin.
The endowment-funded model represents a departure from how many community colleges finance athletics, with CWI seeking permanent funding sources before launching teams. Success will depend on attracting philanthropic support from donors interested in expanding sports opportunities in the Treasure Valley.
For Twin Falls County students considering community college options, CWI’s move into athletics could create new pathways for continuing education closer to home while maintaining eligibility for intercollegiate competition.