MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho men's basketball will welcome Long Beach State for the inaugural regular season game at the Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) Arena which will open the 2021-22 season on November 10.

The son of legendary Vandal coach Don Monson, Dan, 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. 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," said head coach Zac Claus.

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 took it to the next level by reaching the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. 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. 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," said Claus.

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 September 3.  

Stay tuned for the Vandals' full nonconference schedule which will be released soon. The Big Sky schedule has been released and can be found here.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.