ISU Magazine

Volume 41 | Number 1 | Fall/Winter 2010

Homecoming 2010 - Year of the Tiger

Fall 2010 Issue

Homecoming 2010 started with a bang at the traditional Thursday evening Alumni Kickoff Event at Pinehurst Nursery in Pocatello. Alumni and friends enjoyed a relaxed social gathering with music, entertainment and fantastic food. The evening was filled with laughter of old friends reconnecting and sharing college memories. The ISU Women's Basketball team and coaches assisted event chairs Gail Siemen and Jim Liday with the traditional raffle. The "Sugarfoot Dancers" entertained the crowd, and were later joined by members of the Women's Basketball team.

The ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors held their fall meeting. Six new members, Gail Siemen, Jim Liday, Cathy Conley, Jason Scott, Rod Tucker and Alan Jones, were welcomed to the board. Retiring members Bob Myers, Brent Berrey, Geoff Ranere, Sandee Moore Gehrke, Paul Ronan and Stephen Stokes were thanked for their commitment and years of service.

The Founder's Luncheon had pleasant surprises for attendees. Guests were just taking their seats when the ISU Marching Band made their presence known with the ISU Fight Song. Band members and their upbeat performance started the luncheon off with a real bang.

Class of '60 graduates were honored as this year's Golden Bengals. As tradition dictates, these special grads were introduced by two classmates. Sharing the emcee duties were brothers Mike Holmes and Col. Garth Holmes. Mike and Garth both graduated from Idaho State College in 1960. Fifteen members of the Class of '60 received their Golden Bengal pins from Dr. Laura I. Vailas.

Beloved ISU icon, Babe Caccia was posthumously inducted into the State of Idaho Hall of Fame at the luncheon. The presentation was made by Bill Vaughn, also a 2010 Golden Bengal and member of the Hall of Fame committee. Bill worked at ISU as Campus Architect during the time Babe was leading ISU Athletics.

Making the event even more special was the attendance of many of Babe's former players from the 1963 Championship football team who held their reunion during Homecoming and many friends of Babe and Tracey's during his time at ISU.

Highlighting a weekend filled with special events was the annual President's Alumni Recognition Dinner.

More than 220 people joined President Arthur C. Vailas and Dr. Laura I. Vailas to enjoy the evening and recognize the 2010 Homecoming Award Recipients. K.C. Felt, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, served as the emcee for an extremely enjoyable evening.

Recognized for their friendship, service, support and commitment to Idaho State University, the 2010 Homecoming award recipients were: Dr. Joy Plein, ISU Distinguished Alumnus; Dr. Corey Schou, ISU Achievement Award; Coach Dave Nielsen, ISU Distinguished Service award; Mr. Clarence W. Byrne and the late Velma A. Byrne, the William J. Bartz award; President's Medallion recipients Bruce S. Bistline, Senator Robert L. Geddes and William M. Kobus; and Grand Parade Marshal, former head football coach Dave Kragthorpe.

"Homecoming this year was certainly one to remember. Our award recipients were an extraordinary group of individuals whose support and commitment to Idaho State is remarkable. We had a full slate of enjoyable events for alumni and friends and welcomed back to campus hundreds of alumni and friends who had a great weekend and thoroughly enjoyed coming home" said K.C. Felt, Alumni Director.