In 2024, one of the University’s key community partners, Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU), committed to a capital gift which includes naming Holt Arena for the next 12 years. While planning is underway to continually honor the venue’s past, the new name of the arena is the ICCU Dome.
“This type of commitment is paramount to elevating our performance as a Division I athletic program,” said ISU’s Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros. “Successful programs share the common thread of communities and organizations willing to champion them in a significant way. ICCU has come forward to lead as a champion of our student-athletes and our coaches, and their support will make a tremendous impact as we upgrade facilities, develop more competitive and strategic schedules, and expand our program budget to meet more of the needs of a championship program.”
Originally named the ASISU Minidome, this legendary building opened over 50 years ago in 1970. The 1990s saw the structure renamed Holt Arena, honoring former Athletic Director Milton “Dubby” Holt who conceived the idea, and gained support of the student body, who levied an additional fee on their registration to support its construction. The newly coined ICCU Dome is the oldest enclosed stadium on a college campus in the United States, and the second-oldest in the nation overall. Only the Houston Astrodome in Texas, completed in 1965, predates it.
Thiros believes Dubby Holt would embrace the opportunity for the facility he conceptualized to further propel success for Bengal Athletics.
“I had the pleasure of calling Dubby my friend,” she said. “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. I know that today, he would be delighted and proud to see this renewed investment in the facility, and in the student athletes. Dubby will always be the architect of the Dome, and I look forward to unveiling plans to honor him on site in the near future.”
Carolyn O’Connor, great niece of Dubby Holt, said her uncle supported any endeavors that supported student athletes.
“We loved seeing Uncle Dub’s name on the arena, but he was the ultimate business mind, and he was all about supporting the student athletes,” she said. “As an AD, Dubby was deeply committed to being on the cutting edge of developing resources to support his Bengals. That is what he did when he built the Dome with the students of ASISU, and he would be very pleased to see that ISU Athletics is still benefiting from the work he did so many years ago.”
The landmark partnership comes at a critical time as momentum continues to grow across ISU Athletics, on the heels of multiple capital improvements including a nearly two-year long renovation project inside Holt Arena. The project, largely thanks to the generosity of ICCU, included a number of enhancements across the facility including: new seating throughout the entire venue that complies with ADA standards, premium seating within the ICCU President's Deck, a student-athlete meeting room and lounge, translucent panels above the ICCU President's Deck, and the addition of a white liner on the inside of the repaired roof. These critical improvements help raise the profile of the University, boost recruitment, and enhance the game-day experience.
“Idaho Central Credit Union has a long history of supporting education in our state. We believe in the programs at Idaho State University, and appreciate the value that our partnership with ISU has provided. We’re excited to have our name closely linked to such an iconic landmark in Pocatello. Our contributions to the ICCU Dome will provide many opportunities for ISU athletes and allow our community to create memorable experiences for many years to come,” said Brenda Worrell, Idaho Central Credit Union Chief Executive Officer.
ICCU’s $6 million contribution establishing the ICCU Dome will further drive recent progress of Idaho State Football by alleviating budget pressures which have long necessitated playing two Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) guarantee games each year. Annual installments will support scholarships, as well as investments in coaching staff and several key initiatives required by the Big Sky Conference Strategic Plan.
Bill Byrne, ISU Alumnus and legendary AD at Oregon, Nebraska, and Texas A&M, showed his excitement about the move. “I am excited to learn that ISU has come to an agreement with Idaho Central Credit Union to name Holt Arena. ICCU’s investment in Bengal athletics will give them a chance to compete at a new level. Dubby was one of America’s best coaches and athletic directors. He inspired me to pursue a career in athletics and was one of my most important mentors. He was always ahead of his peers when it came to facilities. The construction of the dome as a multi-sport facility guaranteed teams could practice and compete, no matter the weather. I know that if he were here today, Dubby would be first in line to help our athletes with this change. I’m very proud of Pauline, and all the work she and the staff have done to make this happen.”
In addition to hosting ISU football and track & field, the arena has also held the University’s and local high schools’ commencement ceremonies, high school state championship events, concerts, trade shows, the Simplot Games, rodeos, car shows, band competitions, and many other diverse events. The venue has also assisted the local community in times of need following natural disasters.