for the first round of the 32-team NCAA tournament, as the Minidome had a pair of first round games (sub-regionals) on Saturday, March 12. UCLA defeated Louisville and hometown ISU beat Long Beach State. (Five days later, Idaho State stunned UCLA in the Sweet Sixteen at the West regional in Provo, Utah.) Between the Big Sky tourney and the NCAA games, the venue also hosted the state's three-day A-1 (now 5A) high school championship tournament. Following the success of the Minidome, several other colleges built enclosed stadiums, including the Kibbie Dome at the University of Idaho in Moscow, which was enclosed in 1975 after four years as an outdoor stadium, and the Walkup Skydome at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, opened in 1977. It is one of three indoor football stadiums currently in use in the Big Sky Conference, along with the Kibbie Dome and Walkup Skydome. During the final six seasons of Idaho's absence from Big Sky football (2012–2017), the Alerus Center at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks was another indoor stadium used in Big Sky football, but UND left the Big Sky after the 2017 football season for the Missouri Valley Football Conference, home to three other football programs that play in domes (North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, and South Dakota). Holt Arena features of floor space; the building is recessed below grade and rises above grade at its highest point. Holt Arena hosted the 2018 Convention of the Idaho Republican Party, which was held June 28 through June 30. See also List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas References External links ISU Bengals Athletics - Holt Arena Idaho State University - Office of Events: Holt Arena Idaho Public Television - Holt Arena World Stadiums - Holt Arena Simplot Games - annual indoor track meet at Holt Arena College basketball venues in the United States College football venues American football venues in Idaho Idaho State Bengals football Idaho State Bengals men's basketball Basketball venues in Idaho Covered stadiums in the United States Buildings and structures in Bannock County, Idaho Tourist attractions in Bannock County, Idaho Sports venues completed in 1970 1970 establishments in Idaho