1980-81 Vandal men's basketball team named to Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame Idaho Athletics has announced the Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The 10th class of former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and community members who have contributed immensely to University of Idaho Athletics. This year's class features seven individuals and the 1980-81 Big Sky winning men's basketball team that was led by the late Don Monson and conference MVP Brian Kellerman. This team also featured Big Sky Tournament MVP Ken Owens, Phil Hopson, and Ron Maben, all of whom earned All-Big Sky second team honors. Pete Prigge was a freshman on this team. The 1980-81 Vandal Basketball team finished the season with a remarkable record of 25-4 (12-2, 1st in Big Sky). As Seniors, Jeff Brudie, Dan Forge, Ron Maben, Mike Dow and Al Williams, provided the leadership to teach and continue the winning ways of the previous two seasons. This team earned Idaho’s first ever Big Sky Conference championship and first ever NCAA tournament appearance. UI won 11 straight to open the season, with major road wins against Nebraska, Washington State, and Gonzaga, before going 12-2 in conference play to secure the regular season title and tournament hosting privileges. After beating Idaho State and Montana in the Big Sky Tournament, the Vandals earned a seven seed for the NCAA Tournament, where they would lose to Pittsburgh by one in overtime. At the time, this 1980-81 season was the greatest season in Vandal basketball history. This incredible 1980-81 season is often overshadowed by the 1981-82 team that finished the season 27-3 and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. However, there is a common sentiment among the players from the 81-82 team that the 80-81 team “set the table” for tremendous success by creating a very high standard of hard work and instilled an expectation to win. For the 1980-81 team, especially the 5 seniors, the achievement level of this team was unsurpassed. It’s quite remarkable, especially for Dan Forge and Jeff Brudie, to go from 4 - 22 their freshman year, to 25 - 4 their senior year. Of course, it helped to bring in a new coaching staff and other quality players, but Dan and Jeff were foundational pieces in creating a winning tradition for Vandal basketball. The honorees will be inducted at the 2026 Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, September 11. The ceremony will take place at the Best Western University Inn's Silver and Gold rooms in Moscow, beginning with a reception, a dinner, and the induction program to follow. Hall of Fame Weekend extends to Saturday, as the class will also be honored during the Vandal Football game against Lamar on September 12.  The 1980-81 Idaho Vandals Men’s Basketball team that went 25-4 has been named to the Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Included on the team is Cottonwood resident Pete Prigge. PIRATES BOYS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR 2026 All games at 7 p.m. except indicated AUGUST 21-Troy, there SEPTEMBER28-Deary, here 4-vs. Valley at Payette, 6 p.m. (MST) OCTOBER11-Council, here, Homecoming, 6 p.m. 18-Kendrick, there 24-Kamiah*, here 2-Lapwai, there STATE PLAYOFFS9-Potlatch*, here, Senior Night 16-Bye Week 23-C.V.*, there Oct. 30 or 31-State First Round at Higher Seed
PIRATES JR. HIGH FOOTBALL6 or 7-State Quarterfinals 13 or 14-State Semifinals 20 or 21-State Champ., ICCU, BSU or UI *League Game SEPTEMBER 10-C.V., here, 4:30 p.m. OCTOBER17-Lapwai, there, 4:30 p.m. 24-Lewis County, here, 4 p.m. 1-Timberline, there, 4:30 p.m.
8-Kamiah, here, 4:30 p.m. 15-South #1 at North #1; South #2 at North #2; South #3 at North #3; South #4 at North #4; South #5 at North #5; South #6 at North #6. 5 p.m. |
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