You've got grit. Game. You finish what you start.
We do too.
We believe Hoopfest is about more than hoop. We believe college is about more than an education. College is about being bold. Shooting your shot. Finding the gap and making the play. Playing for the win.
Fortune favors the bold.
Fortune favors Vandals.
WE BELIEVE IN HOOP DREAMS AND ALL DREAMS, REALLY
A kid in the driveway, with the porch light on. A senior at the local Y, two knee braces deep. A girl on the playground, shooting step-backs until the sun goes down. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we all share the same hoop dream. To rise up and stick a 3 in someone’s grill. To catch an ‘oop’ and tell the entire world, ‘he’s too little.’ To break someone’s ankles without so much as offering to pay the hospital bill. To drop a ridiculous dime. Pull from the logo. To be on the line, with the game on the line. This is our dream. And that dream is everything. It’s why we get out of bed in the morning and what we think about as we brush our teeth at night. It’s pushing yourself to never take the easy way out. One more drill. One more rep. One more step along the journey. Whether you’re a baller or a biological engineering major, this is what it means to be a University of Idaho Vandal. To dream a big dream. And then go after it with everything you’ve got. That’s who we are and what we stand for. And that’s why we support Hoopfest.
Take The Drip With You
Go ahead. You played these courts. You have the bruises. You're still arguing that foul. You earned your own backboard. Get your copy and put it anywhere you want.
Gus Johnson, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member and a U of I alum, was nicknamed ‘Honeycomb’ because of his sweet play on the court. He played nine seasons in the NBA, was a five-time All-Star and shattered three backboards during his career. We honor this legendary Vandal with his very own Hoopfest 2023 backboard. You can try and shatter it if you like, but honestly there’s only one Gus Johnson.
A living legend. That’s Tara VanDerveer. The iconic Stanford coach led the Cardinal to three NCAA championships and changed the face of women’s college basketball forever. And guess where it all started? The University of Idaho. VanDerveer’s first head coaching gig was in 1978-79 when she led the Vandals to a 17-8 record. She followed that up with a 25-6 campaign and trip to a post-season tournament. When you step onto VanDerveer Court, you leave it all out there. That’s the only way to honor this Vandal legend.
We’re Vandals. What does that even mean? The name itself was born over 100 years ago when our hoop squad played such aggressive defense it was said we “vandalized” our opponents. These days it means we fight tooth and nail every second we’re on the floor. If you’re stepping onto this court, it means you value competition. It’s a different vibe, energy and current here. Can you handle it? If you can, then Welcome to Vandal Country.
Waves of Emotion
Explore and experience the ICCU Arena. Nestled on the hill next to the ASUI Kibbie Dome, the ICCU Arena will leave you speechless.
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