MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Former University of Idaho Athletic Director Bill Belknap fears a divide is being creating over athletics at the state's land grant college.

‘‘It's starting to become an academic versus athletic argument rather than an athletic and academic argument,'' Belknap said. ‘‘Athletics is one of those areas people are looking at with a funny eye.''

Belknap, who served 10 years as Vandal athletic director before retiring in 1988, told the Latah Economic Development Council not to expect the school's athletic program to become successful overnight.

‘‘The notion that we could go back is a trap we could fall into,'' Belknap said. ‘‘If the university falls into the trap, it will regret it. The challenge will be to stick with it during difficult times.''

The recent Vision and Resources Task Force report stirred debate with its doubt that the university is financially capable of to maintain Division I-A status in football and should consider a return to Division I-AA. University President Tim White tried to squelch the discussion by supporting the current program and the planned move to the Western Athletic Conference.

Research economist Steve Peterson, hired by the school to conduct an economic study of the university on the state economy, agreed with White and Belknap that the university should remain in Division I-A, even if teams are struggling now.

Fans spent $2.5 million in Moscow from mid-2003 to mid-2004, Peterson said, and the athletic programs revenue capacity will increase greatly with the move to the WAC and bigger named opponents.

The state appropriated more than $5 million to the athletic program last year, according to the report.