MOSCOW, Idaho – One of the best-known names in the Vandal Family has stepped up in a major way yet again. Ashley and Mike Iupati '10 have provided a generous contribution to Vandal Athletics to transform the Fueling Center, located inside the Kibbie Dome.
 
"I've been wanting to have a meaningful way to give back to my alma mater," said former Idaho Football standout, All-American and current Seattle Seahawk Mike Iupati about the gift. "When I was a student-athlete it would have been nice to have something like the Fueling Center in between classes and workouts."
 
A portion of the gift will go toward the Ashley and Mike Iupati Athletic Nutrition Endowment that will generate funding for the Fueling Center in perpetuity. These earmarked dollars will be geared toward supporting the necessary funds to stock the shelves and coolers of the Fueling Center, the endowment provides a level playing field across all of Vandal Athletics, for student-athletes from every program.
 
"We're incredibly thankful for Ashley and Mike's contribution to our Fueling Center," Director of Athletics, Terry Gawlik said. "The space has provided an immediate impact for our current student-athletes. Thank you Ashley and Mike!"
 
The remainder of the gift will provide a major upgrade to the space, which opened in the fall of 2019. The Iupati gift will significantly improve the functionality of the space for years to come.
 
"Just over a year ago the Vandal Fueling Center opened its doors with a mission to provide Vandal student-athletes with nutritious pre/post activity snacks as well as providing educational presentations focusing on sport-specific nutrition," Director of Athletic Training Services, Chris Walsh said. "Despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Fueling Center has continued to thrive, receiving a tremendous amount of interest and support from across campus and the community.
 
"The Fueling Center has truly been a team effort from the start, as a collective involving Athletics, Movement Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and many others. As we enter the spring season 'Go Zone' we are looking forward to building upon the nutrition programs and services that provide an immediate and direct benefit to all Vandal student-athletes. This gift from the Iupati family proves how important this space can be."
 
Mike Iupati was a standout for the Vandals from 2006 through 2009. He earned consensus All-America honors as a senior while leading the Vandals to a 2009 Humanitarian Bowl win and was drafted 17^th overall in the 2010 National Football League (NFL) Draft. Iupati has spent 11 seasons in the NFL, competing entirely in the NFC West, and was named to the Pro Bowl four times. He has spent the last two years back in the Pacific Northwest with the Seattle Seahawks.
 
For more information on the Fueling Center, and how you can get involved, please contact Associate Athletic Director for Development, Mahmood Sheikh at msheikh@uidaho.edu.
 
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