What are your favorite memories of Holt Arena (or the Minidome, as it was originally called)?
Maybe a playoff game from the 1981 national championship football season?
Fleetwood Mac starting their “Tusk Tour” with a concert in Pocatello?
An awesome bull ride during a Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeo?
Or a more personal moment, like a loved one’s graduation?
In recognition of the completion of the Holt Arena renovation project this fall, the Journal is putting together a special section focused on the first indoor campus football stadium in the United States. Because Holt Arena, or the Minidome if you prefer, has been such a centerpiece for the Southeastern Idaho community over the last 53 years, we want to hear about your favorite memories made there.
If you’re up for an interview about your favorite Holt memories, or if you’d just like to share a quick note about what made the arena special to you, you can text me at 208-520-1906. I’ll set up a time when we can chat, or if you’d just like to send me your written thoughts, please include your name and your hometown so I can properly attribute them.
To “prime the pump” a bit, here are some of my favorite Holt Arena moments:
— Cheering on Idaho State’s football team as they destroyed Utah State, 50-24, during the penultimate regular season game of the Bengals’ 1981 national title season. Quarterback Mike Machurek took apart the Division-1 Aggies, and receiver Chris Corp made a couple of phenomenal catches in the game which was, not surprisingly, the last time Utah State ever made the 90-mile trip to Pocatello.
— One week later, watching Idaho State survive a three-overtime marathon over Weber State, 33-30, after future NFL kicker Roger Ruzek missed a game-winning 32-yard field goal try for the Wildcats. Bengal Hall of Famer Case deBruijn then clinched the win with a 33-yard field goal. Had Idaho State lost that game, they likely would not have qualified for the playoffs.
— Calling from the radio booth with my good friend and broadcast partner Jim Fox ISU’s last win over Boise State, 32-31, in a 1995 thriller. “Well, I’m glad we never have to come back to this (lovely) place again,” snorted BSU broadcaster Paul J. Schneider on his way out of the press box. BSU moved up to Division 1 the following season and — like Utah State — has never returned to Pocatello.
— Watching my youngest son Chris play linebacker on the Holt Arena turf for Pocatello High School in 2001, his senior season. The Indians, struggling after losing a good deal of talent to newly-opened Century High School, finished winless that year, but I was so proud of the effort of my son and his teammates.
— Watching both my sons graduate from high school — B.J. from Century and Chris from Pocatello. There is always a mixture of pride, joy and relief when your kids have safely navigated the high school gauntlet.
— Watching my wife Janice Jean lead out the 2018 graduates of the Idaho State College of Arts and Letters, along with the great Bill Olson, as the professional achievement award winner for her college that year. You can’t know how proud I am of all that she achieved in education and professionally.
— Making the last-minute decision to go buy a ticket to see the Reba McEntire concert in the mid-1990s. It was a terrific show, and as it turned out, one of the last I saw in Holt Arena.
— Watching ISU’s Kenny McGowen hit the game-winning shot in overtime to beat Weber State and Damian Lillard, who has gone on to NBA greatness, 64-62, in 2012.
— Broadcasting Idaho State football’s double-overtime 43-40 win over Montana in 2003. I remember walking out of the Dome that afternoon completely depleted, physically and emotionally. It was a great game before a great crowd.
— Observing Chris Urbanski hit a three-point basket with one second left to lift the Idaho State women to a 58-56 win over Brigham Young University in December of 2000. That win ignited the Bengals on an undefeated run through the Big Sky Conference regular season and tournament.
— Broadcasting Pocatello High School football games throughout much of the 1980s, and watching the local kids take advantage of the opportunity to play in a collegiate environment — and indoors.
— Enjoying pretty much all of the 1993-94 Idaho State men’s basketball season, when the Bengals turned “Herb Ball” loose to tie Weber State for the Big Sky Conference regular season title under coach Herb Williams.
That’s my list, although I’m sure I’m forgetting something important. Now give me yours. What brings a smile, a tear or a laugh to your face when you think about Holt Arena? We want to tell your story.
(6) comments
When our ISU Bengals beat Boise State in the Dome. We had led most of the game and with minutes left to play the Broncos took the lead. Fans were packing up and leaving. Coach McNeely gambled with the now famous "Globe of Death", no one knew who had the ball, and we were over the goal line before Boise knew what hit them. I was hoarse for a week!
Garth Brooks concert. Forced to go along with my wife. His music was okayish but I am a metal head so this wasn't the type of concert I was use to going to. Walked in a skeptic and came out a convert. To this day, with more than 150 groups seen, no one has left a bigger impression on me or has given more energy to the crowd than Brooks. When I think of the Mini Dome/Holt Arena this is my first thought. Man I wish they would bring back the concerts!
tail gating at the Alumni shack
Just love this place. The greatest game was the 2014 season when ISU played Idaho. Bets were on ISU would get creamed didn't happen. ISU had some real stars that year. That is nine years ago. That was Kramer's high point when his team finally matured. But like the 1981 team when the stars are gone it is hard to get a repeat. Letting Phenecie go along with the rest was a major move in stupidity. Last year was a total flop hiring that one year fly by night. Bobby Hauk knows what Phenecie was worth and grabbed him back in a New York minute. This year who knows?? Pocatello stabbed their star wide out in the back and he left, Should consider changing the name from the Idaho State Bengals to the Idaho State Holy Rollers. ISU may not win a football game but they sure got holy. Now we can go to Holt and watch the holy roller dance. Jared Allen days are gone.
Seeing the Dome filled with water after a water main burst under the football field. Later, watching a helicopter hovering above the turf in an attempt to dry out the turf. Even years later, you could see a small puff of dust fly up during a pile up the field. It really was 3 yards and a cloud of dust.
Probably the first game that was ever played there back in 1970, when ISU beat UNLV 64-34.
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