University of Idaho to unveil larger-than-life Joe Vandal statue

Bronze monument honors decades of student support and celebrates the enduring Vandal spirit

Montana-based artist Gareth Curtiss, who was selected to create a bronze Joe Vandal Monument sculpture, visits the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, ID February 3-7, 2025. Over four days, Curtiss sculpted a clay model, called a maquette in sculpting terms, of what will become the full-scale bronze monument. He also presented a lecture and hosted an open house for campus and community members to attend. The Joe Vandal monument was commissioned to recognize the Associated Students of University of Idaho’s (ASUI) enduring legacy of support for the P1FCU Kibbie Dome and many other vital campus resources. It will be located near the dome and the ICCU Idaho Arena.Joe Vandal poses with Gareth Curtiss during the sculptor’s visit to Moscow in February.

November 4, 2025

MOSCOW, Idaho — A bronze statue of University of Idaho mascot Joe Vandal will make its public debut at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and will become a permanent fixture between ICCU Arena and P1FCU Kibbie Dome on the west side of the Moscow campus.

U of I commissioned the larger-than-life statue to recognize the Associated Students of University of Idaho (ASUI) for their decades-long support for the P1FCU Kibbie Dome and other campus resources and facilities. 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.

The unveiling event coincides with the official Vandal Tailgate prior to the football game against UC Davis, which starts at 4 p.m. A short program will include remarks from U of I President Scott Green, ASUI President Seyi Arogundade and artist and sculptor Gareth Curtiss. Curtiss collaborated with U of I students, alumni, employees and community members to create and refine the design of the statue, which is one-and-a-half times larger than the real-life mascot.

“While leaning into the future, Vandals honor decades of student support,” President Green said. “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.”

Cast in bronze, the Joe Vandal statue weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and stands more than 9 feet tall on a 5-foot-wide base. Once installed, the statue will be covered and fenced off until the Nov. 8 unveiling.

MEDIA NOTE: Members of the media are invited to attend the unveiling. If you have questions about event logistics, reach out to Becca Lunstrum at beccal@uidaho.edu.

Media contact

Jamie Wagner
Senior director of marketing and communications
University of Idaho Foundation
208-885-0171
jamiew@uidaho.edu

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