MOSCOW, Idaho – Fifty years ago today, on June 11, 1975, the final arch of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome was placed to complete the full length of the barrel arch roof. The audacious effort took just eight months from the accepted bid to the construction of the roof structure. The end caps, lighting, insulation and roof covering would take a few more months, but the final product was ready to go for home games just a few months later.  
 
This year, the University of Idaho and Vandal Athletics are excited to announce a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.
 
After 50 years, the dome remains an enigma, both massive, covering 4.5 acres and standing 150 feet tall, and small, with seating less than 16,000. It is beloved by Vandal faithful and college football fans around the country and decried by its detractors as a quonset hut, airplane hanger or a beer can on its side.
 
Called "College Football's Weirdest Stadium," it has become a paragon of the college football world. It is celebrated in social media by college football pundits and influencers nearly every year, but to Idaho alumni, fans and community members it is an important gathering place to celebrate everything that it means to be a Vandal.
 
"We are grateful to have called the P1FCU Kibbie Dome our home for the past 50 years. In the last half century, it has become a cornerstone of Moscow culture," Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik said. "In the college football world, it has achieved an iconic status, but it is so much more than that to us. It has hosted thousands of athletics, campus and community events. It has kept us out of the weather and provided us with an amazing home field advantage. We are excited to celebrating the dome throughout the year and look forward to securing the future of this amazing building."
 
The celebration is a wholistic campus celebration, including the Office of the President of the University, Vandal Athletics, the UI Foundation, the University of Idaho Alumni Office, the University of Idaho Library, UI Communications and Marketing, UI Administration Operations and the VandalStore.
 
The celebration will include events, memories, special features, content and commemorative merchandise throughout the year, highlighted by a special celebration on the weekend of the September 13, game against Utah Tech.
 
The William H. Kibbie ASUI Activity Center arose from the ashes of Neale Stadium with ambitions to move to NCAA Division I-A athletics. The initial plans were to build a 23,000-seat stadium, but legislative pressure limited the building to 16,000.
 
It was first constructed as an outdoor stadium in 1971 while construction of the roof foundations and the concrete floor was laid.
 
In 1975, over just 28 days, the "barrel arch" roof was constructed with the help of Trus Joist TRUSDEK microlam system supported by steel frame that was light weight, but strong enough to support the weight of North Idaho snow. Architect Glen Cline of CSHQA, Trus Joist owner Harold El "Red" Thomas and inventor of the Glulam products Art Troutner spearheaded the construction.
 
Funding for the dome was supported by university students and William H. Kibbie, a construction executive, and former UI student donated $300,000 to secure naming rights. Athletic Director Leon "Doc" Green, oversaw the fundraising and construction of the dome roof.
 
"The P1FCU Kibbie Dome has been the setting for many memorable moments for Vandal fans over the past 50 years," said U of I president Scott Green.  "My grandfather Leon "Doc" Green served as U of I athletic director from 1973-1978, raised money and directed the building of the initial athletic complex. His vision, work and investment by our students enabled the construction of the original ASUI Kibbie Dome.  It remains a first-class venue for Vandal athletics and serves as a hub for Idaho students, alumni and fans. We're proud of our athletics history and look forward to hanging more championship banners in the revitalized P1FCU Kibbie Dome in the years to come."
 
Idaho has made additions and improvements over the past 50 years. The Vandal Athletic Complex was built in the 80s, the Iverson Speed and Strength Center was dedicated in 2004. Idaho made significant improvements in 2011 with relocation of the press box to the North side of the field, the addition of the Bud and June Ford Club and replacement of the end walls with translucent panels.
 
In 2024, P1FCU entered a 10-year, $5 million naming rights agreement and a partnership with the University of Idaho, celebrating the two important Palouse-based organizations.
 
In the past 50 years, the dome has hosted championships, intramurals, icons, rodeos, concerts, trade shows, religious events, fairs, the iconic Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival and more.
 
Idaho Vandal Soccer, basketball, tennis and indoor track and field have all called the Kibbie Dome home, but college football and its fans are where the dome earned cult status.
 
The EA Sports College Football games gave people around the world a look inside the dome. The Vandals were struggling on the field at the time of last release in a decade (2014) and fans jumped at the challenge of making the dome the toughest place to play in the game. Years later, fans continue to embrace it for what makes it unique, the field goal posts imbedded in the wall and the one of the best home field advantages in the country. The Vandals are 155-98-1 (.613) all-time in the dome, including a 6-0 record last season.
 
It isn't just the fans, national sportswriters also celebrate the structure. The dome was named the 26th-best stadium in all of college football in by ESPN in 2024 and has made it to the finals of the College Football Campus Tour Best FCS Stadium Bracket in back-to-back years.
 
After returning to the FCS in 2018, the Vandals are 27-9 (.750) at home and have played home playoff games in each of the last two seasons.
 
The celebration of this year's event will include alumni, athletics and foundation events. The full schedule will be announced on the celebration website at GoVandals.com/Kibbie50.
 
The website also includes, a Kibbie Dome timeline, links to specialty Kibbie Dome gear and a form for fans to fill out to and record their favorite memories of events, games and moments to be held in a digital collection and used in the celebration.