Copyright Lewiston Morning Tribune
By Trevor Junt Sports staff MOSCOW — The University of Idaho unveiled a statue of its mascot, Joe Vandal, in front of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome on Saturday prior to the team’s football game against UC Davis. The 9-foot-tall statue with a 5-foot-wide base and weighing approximately 2,000 pounds is a way that UI is recognizing its Associated Students of Idaho (ASUI). The group is known for its decades-long support for the Kibbie Dome and other campus resources and facilities. “As we celebrate our 50th year in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome, it’s fitting to add a tribute to the University of Idaho students and their contributions to this facility,” University of Idaho President C. Scott Green said. “The Dome has become a beloved gathering place for students, alumni and our entire community, that would not exist without the steadfast support of our students.” In 1974, the ASUI voted to allocate student fees to add a roof to the dome and make other improvements to what is now a nationally recognized landmark on the Moscow campus. Also honored at the event were ASUI President Seyi Arogundade and artist and sculptor Gareth Curtiss. Curtiss collaborated with Idaho students, alumni, employees and community members to create and refine the design of the statue. “While leaning into the future, Vandals honor decades of student support,” Green said on Monday in a news release. “We look forward to unveiling this symbol of the Vandal spirit as a timeless monument to the generous contributions of our Vandal student body, past and present.” Green said that the Kibbie Dome, which has been built with the help of student fees, is important to UI history and has helped host many events that the University puts on. “We appreciate the thousands of students who contributed student fees over the years to make the Dome a reality,” Green said. “We’re proud that this stadium is not just a football venue, it’s a world-class indoor track and field stadium, it hosts our Vandal soccer games, a variety of intramural sports, our commencement ceremonies and many other events throughout the year.” Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @TrevorJunt.
