Four Decades of Dedication

Dick and Barbara Bull can usually be found in their seats behind the basket at the Cowan Spectrum. The Bulls have been dedicated sports fans since moving to Moscow in 1967 when Dick joined the university’s faculty as an assistant professor specializing in cattle nutrition for the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science.

For 40 years, they kept offensive stats at Vandal football games, retiring at the conclusion of the 2015 season. For 34 years, Dick ran the scoreboard for men’s and women’s Vandal basketball home games. For their tireless work and commitment, the couple received the Vandal Scholarship Fund (VSF) President’s National Special Service Award in 2006 and the VSF Spirit Award in 2016. Barbara also serves on the President’s Athletic Advisory Council, and they both are active in Latah County Vandal Boosters.

The University of Idaho Retirees and Alumni Associations have recognized Dick and Barbara’s unflagging leadership and distinguished, faithful service with the U of I Alumni Treasure Award, as Honorary Alumni in 2013 and most recently with the Jim Lyle Award. The university is also proud to honor their 38 years of cumulative giving through the Loyal Donor Program.

Given this history of dedication, it was not a surprise when Dick and Barbara expressed their desire to make the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena (ICCU) a reality. They understood immediately what the ICCU Arena would mean for U of I’s basketball teams, the student body, the Moscow community and the broader Vandal community.

“Vandal athletics has been a part of our lives as fans and as volunteers for a long time,” Dick said. “Each time plans for a new arena came up, the project was put aside for more pressing needs. This time, when the plan started gaining traction, we knew we needed to step up.”

Barbara added, “We could see all the opportunities such a facility could bring to the university and to the Moscow community. We wanted to be a part of it.”

Thanks to the generous support of the Bulls and many others, U of I has raised $35 million of the $45 million needed to build the ICCU Arena. U of I will break ground as soon as it raises $40 million, with the confidence that the Vandal family will contribute and bring fundraising to a successful conclusion.

“We can’t wait to find our new seats behind the basket, near the Vandal bench,” Barbara said.

The ICCU Arena has been a Vandal dream for many years. Now, due to the thoughtful and generous support of the Bulls and many others, the dream is being realized.

Learn more about Dick and Barbara Bulls’ dedication to the University of Idaho.