Goodbye, Holt Arena. Hello, ICCU Dome

Holt Arena dedication

Visitors tour Holt Arena during its re-dedication on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.

John Roark / Idaho State University

 

Fresh off a makeover, Idaho State University’s multipurpose arena is getting a rebrand.

The State Board of Education on Tuesday approved renaming the arena the ICCU Dome, after Idaho Central Credit Union agreed to pay $6 million over 12 years for the naming rights.

Opened in 1970, under the moniker the ASISU Minidome, the arena has been known as Holt Arena for more than 30 years. This name honored former Idaho State athletic director Milton “Dubby” Holt, who was instrumental in developing the arena.

Athletic Director Pauline Thiros said proceeds from the rebrand will support Idaho State student athletics — and she said the name change would have received Holt’s blessing.

“He was shrewd in his business sense, had great passion behind his vision for Idaho State athletics, and was deeply committed to utilizing every avenue available to build the program,” Thiros said in an Idaho State news release. “I know that today, he would be delighted and proud to see this renewed investment in the facility, and in the student athletes.”

Idaho State is planning to install a mural inside the arena, honoring Holt and his contributions to the university, the State Board said in a Tuesday news release.

The dome is the second-oldest facility of its kind in the nation, following only the Houston Astrodome. The ICCU Dome has received a multimillion-dollar renovation over the past two years, funded largely by the credit union.

ICCU has a considerable mark on the state’s college campuses. Idaho State’s alumni center and the University of Idaho’s basketball arena also bear ICCU’s name.

This article was first published by IdahoEdNews.org.

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