The University of Idaho is a D1 school where the U of I Vandals play football, golf, tennis...and Street Fighter 6, League of Legends and Smash Bros Ultimate.
The Moscow, ID-based esports team is among the most active in the Northwest, with both JV and varsity teams competing in the Big Sky Conference and national titles, like Rocket League and Smash Ultimate. And Ziply Fiber is proud to be a part of it all.
Ziply Fiber's partnership provides title sponsorship for Palouse Gaming's biggest event, Beak Bonk, where more than 1,000 gamers and game enthusiasts come to U of I to participate in high-level competition, micro-tournaments, board games, talks and more.
"Ziply Fiber has provided local grassroots organizations, such as Beak Bonk, opportunities to expand events further than we ever thought was possible and has been essential in helping our events run seamlessly while providing our competitors with a low-latency, reliable environment to train and perform at their best," said Jules Clemens, Director of Palouse Gaming.
Ziply Fiber is also the University of Idaho's esports team's sponsor and has supported it since 2024 by supplying branded jerseys and providing event support and giveaways.
"Our partnership has helped our program both in and out of competition," said Carson Cummins, Esports Head of Marketing & Development. "Our players have been able to compete at new levels and achieve higher goals thanks to Ziply. Our broadcasts have also improved drastically since partnering with Ziply Fiber with both speed and quality."
The partnership is personal for Community Development Manager, Nicole Barnett, a gaming enthusiast herself.
"Sponsoring university esports teams isn't just a marketing strategy for me. It's personal," she said. "I've experienced firsthand how gaming can create real human connection, growth and resilience. Supporting these programs means helping students find their community, their outlet, and their joy—just as I have throughout my life."
Nicole's sentiment is part of the Ziply Fiber ethos of elevating the connected lives of people around the Northwest—bringing opportunity and empowering them to improve their online lives with the speed and reliability of fiber-optic internet.
"Partnering with a company we also enjoy as customers makes the relationship authentic," Carson said. "And it is noticeable to our attendees."
Learn more about our fast, reliable fiber internet plans designed with gamers in mind at ziplyfiber.com/gaming.
