The Viking Tradition: History & Background

Athletics were already an important part of Ricks College student life before the Viking identity took hold. Robert Gibbons, Ricks College’s first full-time football coach, led the team during the 1928 and 1929 seasons, helping establish the athletic culture from which the Viking tradition would soon emerge.

As Ricks College athletics grew during the early 1930s, student newspaper editor LeFoy Richman proposed the Viking as a symbol for the college. Students embraced it as an expression of school spirit, Viking imagery appeared in the Rixida yearbook, and Ricks athletic teams became known as the Vikings. The name and imagery soon spread into other parts of student life.

By 1936, the Viking had become an established symbol of Ricks College school identity. Viking imagery appeared in the Student Handbook and continued expanding through student publications, campus imagery, athletics, and other college traditions.

The Viking identity became part of Ricks College student journalism when the newspaper changed from The Purple Flash to Viking Flashes in 1937 after a student submitted the winning name. The title soon became The Viking Scroll, which remained for more than three decades before the publication became The Scroll.

By the 1950s, the Viking was appearing as a character in student publications but still had no official name. Students used several informal names, including the Ricks College Viking and the elaborate “Rixie Eric Olaf Seven Balder Axel Vixingson” (Rixida, 1953–54, 2–3).

Before Ricks College introduced a formal mascot costume, students brought the Viking identity to campus activities by dressing in Viking-inspired attire. Photos from the 1967–68 and 1968–69 Rixida yearbooks document students portraying the Viking, including an appearance on a Homecoming parade float.

A formal proposal outlined plans for a costumed Viking designed to promote Ricks College athletics and school spirit. Described as “a symbol of enthusiasm and motivation,” the mascot would help unify and rally audiences through appearances at games, rallies, parades, assemblies, and other campus events.

A year after the mascot proposal, Ricks College introduced a new seven-foot Viking to build enthusiasm at athletic events. Developed through the efforts of ASRC Athletics Vice President Kirk Brown, the red-haired, blue-eyed character debuted without an official name.

After briefly being known as Victory, the Ricks College Viking received a new name through a student contest in 1985. Students selected Thor, and Kenn Solomon became the first student selected to portray the newly named mascot. His energetic performances helped bring the character to life.

Did you know? Solomon later performed as Big Blue at Utah State University and became the first Rocky the Mountain Lion for the Denver Nuggets.

During President Joe J. Christensen’s administration, Ricks College students presented the college with a heroic-size bronze Viking for its centennial. Sculpted by Utah artist Karl Quilter, who also created Angel Moroni statues for several temples, the Viking was unveiled on November 12, 1988. Installed on a rotating base in the Hart Building, it could face the football field or basketball arena during games.

As Ricks College transitioned to BYU-Idaho, the university phased out intercollegiate athletics while expanding opportunities for students to participate in campus sports and activities. With that change, Thor’s role as the sideline mascot came to an end, closing a prominent chapter in the university’s Viking tradition.

BYU-Idaho renewed the Viking tradition in 2026 with the return of official Viking Marks and Thor, the Viking, as the university’s mascot. Their return reconnects students and alumni with nearly a century of Viking heritage while building school spirit, strengthening belonging, and carrying forward a tradition of leadership, courage, and unity.