MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho President Scott Green and Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik announced that Ray McDonald will be inducted into the Vandal Athletics Wall of Honor on Saturday, September 17 when the Vandals open their home football schedule against Drake University. A banner with McDonald's name and number 32 jersey will be officially unveiled in a ceremony during the game, joining five other Vandal greats high along the west wall of the Kibbie Dome.
 
"We are thrilled to induct Ray McDonald into the Vandal Wall of Honor," said Gawlik. "When you look at what he was able to do at Idaho, both in football and track & field, it is clear that he was one of the most outstanding athletes in our celebrated history. Then, when you talk to our alumni who were fortunate enough to know him or watch him play, there is a reverence and a pride amongst Vandals for not just what he accomplished, but who he was. We cannot wait to properly recognize him and enshrine his name and number in the Kibbie Dome forever."
 
Inducted into the Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008, "Thunder Ray" stormed through opposing defenses for three seasons on the gridiron for Idaho. A terrific combination of size (6-4, 240 pounds) and speed (9.9 second 100-yard dash), McDonald was bigger than most linemen he faced and faster than most defensive backs. McDonald was a two-time All American (1965 and 1966) at Idaho, rushing for 2,916 yards and 39 touchdowns in his career, which includes an NCAA-best 1,329 yards in 1966. His 132.9 yards per game average in 1966 is an Idaho school record that has yet to be threatened.

"I remember the big picture of Ray hanging in the entrance of Memorial Gym when I was a kid following my grandfather around campus during his time as athletic director. Ray seemed larger than life," said U of I President Scott Green. "I can't think of anyone more deserving of having his number forever memorialized at our university."

McDonald remains the highest-drafted Idaho player ever and was the first Vandal to ever be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft, as the Washington Redskins took him 13^th overall in 1967.

McDonald also starred for the Vandal track and field team, where he competed in the hurdles and the throws. He was a three-time Big Sky champion and a two-time All-American in the shot put and discus. He left Idaho as the Big Sky record holder in the discus, as well as the Idaho school record holder in the shot put and discus.

Wall of Honor and Retired Numbers
Moving forward, future Vandals who wear the number of members of the Vandal Wall of Honor will also wear a patch on their jersey displaying the name of the honoree and the year they played for the Vandals. For example, defensive back Michael Noil will wear the number 32 for the Vandals this season and will proudly display a patch featuring McDonald's name and the years he played Idaho.
Other jersey numbers that have previously been "retired" will be re-introduced in a phased approach.