Northwest Notes Aug. 21, 2021
Vandals to host Long Beach State to open ICCU Arena
MOSCOW — The son of a Vandal legend will help Idaho's men's basketball team open its new arena.
Dan Monson, son of former Idaho coach Don Monson, will bring his Long Beach State team to Moscow for the inaugural regular season game at the Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) Arena on Nov. 10.
Dan Monson, who formerly coached at Gonzaga, has been the head coach at Long Beach State for 13 seasons.
“When we initially discussed an opening game in the ICCU Arena, it was Doug Novsek that had the idea to play Long Beach State and I am so thankful that he did," Idaho coach Zac Claus said in a University of Idaho news release. "It will enable us to embrace our history within the program and reflect back on the amazing impact and success that coach Don Monson had here at Idaho. Coach Monson has continued to be supportive of our staff and I have thoroughly enjoyed my opportunities to speak with him."
Don Monson lettered for the Vandal men’s basketball squad from 1952-55 before leaving a legacy as Idaho’s coach. Monson guided the program to its first NCAA tournament in 1980-81, and in 1981-82, the team reached the NCAA Sweet 16.
That squad started the season 16-0, garnering a No. 6 national ranking, and finishing the regular season 26-2. Monson was named the 1981-82 Kodak Division I National Coach of the Year. He is a member of the Idaho Hall of Fame as a charter member.
Dan Monson is the winningest coach in LBSU history, leading The Beach to three Big West Championships and a trip to the 2011-12 NCAA Tournament. Dan Monson graduated from the University of Idaho in 1985, playing one year of football before an injury cut his career short.
“To bring back coach Dan Monson, who not only is a Moscow High School graduate, but also a University of Idaho alum, will make it even that much more special of a night," Claus said. "I know that Dan has an immense amount of pride in this university and community, and he was quick to welcome the chance to bring his team here to open the season and this amazing building. We are all very much looking forward to this meaningful night."
The game will be the first regular season game played at the ICCU Arena for the Vandals. The ground was broken on the engineered wood mass-timber arena on June 6, 2019.
Deposits for season tickets are on sale now at GoVandals.com/Tickets or by calling the Vandal Ticket Office at 208-885-6466.
Idaho Athletics is hosting a Seat Selection Event on Thursday, Sept. 2, and Friday, Sept. 3, for all season ticket holders. Donors to the construction of ICCU Arena will have the first opportunity to choose their seats, while all remaining season ticket holders will have the opportunity to select their seats on Sept. 3.
The Vandals’ full nonconference schedule will be released soon. The Big Sky schedule has been released and can be found at GoVandals.com