Two CSI Women’s Basketball Players Sign with Utah Tech’s Division I Program
Stoker and Hess Commit to Utah Tech After Strong Season at College of Southern Idaho
TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The College of Southern Idaho women’s basketball program is sending two players to the Division I level after a successful season, with All-American forward Savannah Stoker and forward Maci Hess both signing with Utah Tech University on Friday afternoon.
The signings represent a significant achievement for the CSI Golden Eagles program and highlight the quality of talent developed within Idaho’s junior college system. Both players appeared in all 34 games for CSI during the past season, and both will bring their abilities to Utah Tech as the program transitions into the Big Sky Conference next year.
Stoker, widely regarded as the standout player of the Golden Eagles’ season, earned NJCAA All-American honors and was named Region 18 Player of the Year. She started all 34 games and led the team in scoring with a 16-point-per-game average, while also contributing 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists per game. She earned All-Tournament honors at both the national tournament and the Region 18 tournament, capping an impressive campaign with CSI.
CSI head coach Randy Rogers described Stoker as the rock of the Golden Eagles — a characterization backed by her statistics and her leadership on the court throughout the season. With two years of eligibility remaining, Stoker figures to be an immediate contributor at Utah Tech as the program adjusts to life at the Division I level.
Hess Brings Versatility and Toughness to Utah Tech Roster
While Stoker garnered much of the individual recognition this season, Maci Hess proved her value to the Golden Eagles as a reliable contributor off the bench. Hess averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds per game across all 34 contests, providing consistent production in a supporting role.
Her single best performance came early in the season in a win over Central Wyoming, when Hess recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds — a showing that demonstrated the kind of potential that made her an attractive recruit for a rising Division I program. The ability to produce at that level, even in a bench role, suggests Hess has room to grow as she steps up in competition.
Utah Tech is entering an important chapter in its program history. First-year head coach Adam Wardenburg will begin his tenure with the Trailblazers as the program joins the Big Sky Conference next year, meaning both Stoker and Hess will be part of a roster being built to compete in one of the West’s more competitive mid-major conferences. Bringing in proven junior college talent like Stoker and Hess could help accelerate that transition.
For CSI, the dual signings underscore the program’s reputation as a legitimate stepping stone for players with Division I aspirations. The Golden Eagles have consistently developed talent within the NJCAA ranks, and landing two players on a Division I roster in the same signing cycle reflects well on coach Rogers and his staff in Twin Falls.
Magic Valley basketball fans have had plenty to celebrate in recent months, with the local community rallying around events and organizations across the region. For those looking to support Twin Falls-area causes, the Twin Falls Idaho Gives campaign recently kicked off, offering residents a chance to contribute to local nonprofits and community efforts.
CSI athletics continue to be a source of pride for Twin Falls County, regularly producing players who go on to compete at higher levels of college basketball. The Stoker and Hess signings add to that legacy and offer Golden Eagles fans reason to follow Utah Tech’s progress as the program enters a new era in the Big Sky Conference.
What Comes Next
Both Savannah Stoker and Maci Hess are expected to join the Utah Tech program ahead of the upcoming season as the Trailblazers prepare for Big Sky Conference play. CSI’s women’s basketball program, meanwhile, will look to reload for the 2026-27 NJCAA season under coach Randy Rogers. Local fans can track CSI Golden Eagles athletics through the college’s official channels and follow both players as they advance their careers at the Division I level.