Bill Belknap came to Idaho in January 1978 as Athletic Director and oversaw a hugely successful stretch of Vandal Athletics history.
During his 10-year tenure at Idaho, Belknap hired such coaches as Don Monson, Dennis Erickson, Keith Gilbertson, Tim Floyd and Pat Dobratz. Seven different Vandal teams combined to win 13 conference titles under Belknap’s watch, as well as a 1986 WNIT title in women’s basketball. Both football and men’s basketball garnered NCAA top-10 final finishes. Idaho’s women’s teams also earned the 1982-83 All-Sports Champion honor for the Mountain West Athletic Conference. Following his time as Idaho’s Athletic Director, Belknap moved on to another role at the University of Idaho, Assistant to the President for Centennial Development Programs, where he helped manage the Idaho Centennial Celebration and a $43 million fundraising campaign for the University.