Litehouse now dressing up the Kibbie Dome
Litehouse representatives pose with President Duane Nellis, far left and Athletic Director Rob Spear, far right, after donating $1 million to the university for sponsorship and naming rights. (Courtesy photo)
SANDPOINT — The Hawkins family has about a million reasons they are proud to be University of Idaho boosters.
In September, they exchanged those reasons to dollars as Litehouse and the Hawkins family were recognized for donating $1 million to the Litehouse founders’ alma mater.
In June, the University of Idaho Board of Regents approved an agreement between the University of Idaho and Litehouse Inc. for sponsorship and naming rights; the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center's premium seating area is now known as the "Litehouse Center" and the Litehouse logo is on the field.
The Litehouse logo was prominent in last Friday night’s University of Idaho, Boise State University football game that was televised nationally on ESPN2.
The Sandpoint-based company, which surpassed $1 billion in sales since it was incorporated in 1963, now distributes dressing, dips, cheese and cider in 48 of the 50 United States.
Litehouse has nearly 500 employees and is one of the largest employers in Bonner County. It is the second largest refrigerated dressing company in the country.
Under the agreement, Litehouse will pay $200,000 per year from 2011 through 2015 in exchange for this and other promotional considerations in conjunction with University of Idaho events and marketing.
The ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center is home to many facets of University of Idaho life. Not only do Vandal athletics and the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival call it home, it also houses convocation and commencement ceremonies, academic conferences, as well as numerous other campus and community activities.