Northwest Notes June 6, 2025

Ford, Azzopardi, Brown to represent Vandals at Big Sky Football Kickoff

On Thursday the Big Sky Conference announced the 2025 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend, scheduled for July 19-21 at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights, Wash., just outside Spokane. 

Representing the Vandals at this year’s kickoff will be first-year head coach Thomas Ford Jr., offensive lineman Nate Azzopardi, and defensive lineman Sam Brown. 

Azzopardi started all 14 games for Idaho in the 2024 season. He anchored the offensive line that allowed just 1.58 sacks per game — second best in the Big Sky—and helped the offense average 384.9 total yards per game. Azzopardi was recognized as a 2024 Honorable Mention All-Big Sky. 

Brown registered 18 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack for the 2024 season. As a starter, Brown also recorded one breakup, quarterback hit, and forced fumble. 

Eastern Washington will be represented by head coach Aaron Best, quarterback Jared Taylor and defensive back DaJean Wells.

The weekend’s events will commence on Saturday, July 19, with a free youth football clinic followed by the Big Sky Hall of Fame Gala that evening. This gala will honor the 2025 Hall of Fame class, including former Vandal quarterback and 1993 Big Sky champion Doug Nussmeier, as well as track and field Olympic gold medalist Dan O’Brien. Tickets for the gala are available for $85, plus additional fees, and can be purchased at https://shorturl.at/78yyu 

Monday will feature over four hours of live coverage from the Northern Quest Resort & Casino beginning at 9 a.m. PT on ESPN+ and Scripps Sports. The coverage will feature interviews from all 12 teams, Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill, and other guests throughout the day. 

Watch times for all interviews on Monday will be released at a later date.