The College of Western Idaho’s fledgling athletics program is officially seeking home turf.

CWI has applied for membership in the National Junior College Athletic Association, or NJCAA, the governing body for two-year college athletics.

It’s the latest step in CWI’s effort to jump into intercollegiate athletics. CWI hired an athletic director in May — and school officials say they plan to launch and fund athletic programs through an endowment-based model.

CWI — the state’s largest community college, founded in 2008 — has never fielded an intercollegiate team.

“Submitting this application reflects the momentum that has been building since CWI announced plans to establish athletics,” Athletic Director Mahmood Sheikh said in a news release Thursday. “Our campus and community are rallying around this vision, and we’re energized by the work ahead. There is still a great deal of heavy lifting to do, but the opportunities created will be well worth it.”

CWI officials expect the NJCAA to conduct a site visit in October, and they expect the association’s board of regents to vote on the application in the spring.

If the association adds CWI as a member, the college plans to join the Scenic West Athletics Conference, which is already home to the College of Southern Idaho and North Idaho College.

Read more: Click here for an in-depth report on CWI’s athletic aspirations.