Vandal fans were filled with extra holiday cheer last month as we introduced our new head football coach, Jason Eck. Athletic director Terry Gawlik introduced Coach Eck on Friday, Dec. 21, and Vandals across the country responded with overwhelming excitement about the direction of Idaho football.

Coach Eck is very familiar with the U of I program. He served as the offensive line coach for the Vandals from 2004-06. For the past three seasons he was the offensive coordinator at South Dakota State University, one of the top Football Champion Subdivision (FCS) programs in the country.

Coach Eck not only brings great talent and experience to our program but also a clear vision to restore the Vandal program to its place as a point of pride for the U of I and the region.

“Football can be a huge factor in getting the community excited, engaging alumni and engaging students,” Coach Eck said. “At South Dakota State when we made deep playoff runs, our games were on ESPN2, ESPN and even ABC, and those are basically three-and-a-half-hour commercials for the university. Our goal is to do the same here at Idaho.”

As Vandals we strive for excellence, in the classroom, in the lab, in our community engagement and in athletics. Successful athletic programs can help lift our entire university. They drive publicity and aid in the recruitment and retention of students. When Vandal athletic programs are competing at high levels, alumni are more engaged and fundraising increases. And the regional economy benefits from U of I athletics when fans visit Moscow for games, stay in hotels and spend money locally.

A study co-sponsored by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce last year estimated Vandal athletics is responsible for generating $44 million directly and indirectly in economic activity, including about $31 million in regional product to Latah County. In addition, the athletics programs support more than 605 jobs. Victories for the Vandals are victories for Moscow, our region and the state of Idaho.

“We’re all in this together and we feel like we have the support to get this program to where I know we can get it,” Coach Eck said. “I feel really fortunate to be here and I’m excited about the energy we have behind this program.”

Welcome Coach Eck! We look forward to many exciting days in the Kibbie Dome in the years to come.

COVID antibodies passed to infants through breastmilk: U of I professor Shelley McGuire led a study that confirmed earlier findings that showed the milk of breastfeeding women infected with SARS-CoV-2 did not contain the virus. The milk provided antibodies that can provide infants natural protection against COVID-19 for at least two months.

Vandal Voyagers launch experiment from Kennedy Space Center: A group of eight U of I engineering students led by professor Matthew Bernards created a bacteria-resistant polymer that is being tested in microgravity on the International Space Station after it was launched from Kennedy Space Center last month. The Vandal Voyage team’s experiment will remain in space for 30 days.

U of I school offers cattle production and ranching classes: The Advanced Ranch Management School is set to start this month and will feature industry experts, U of I faculty and extension specialists discussing topics such as business, forage, meat science, human resources and animal science.