“The harder I work, the luckier I get” was Ralph Engelstad’s favorite saying and a secret to his success. His determination and dedication to quality work and goals followed him through life up until his death at the age of 72 on November 26, 2002. While Ralph is sadly missed by those whose lives he touched, his legacy lives on in the faces of the players, fans, and staff at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Ralph became a member of the UND hockey team in 1948 and played goalie for two years before leaving to California to play for the San Bernardino Shamrocks and work construction. Realizing the importance of an education, he returned to UND and earned a bachelors degree in commerce. Shortly after his graduation in 1954, Ralph married Betty Stocker of East Grand Forks.

While still living in Grand Forks in the 1950’s Ralph established Engelstad Construction. However, getting the $2,500 loan he needed to start the business was no easy task. Ralph was turned down by two banks before the late Al Holmquist, President of Valley Bank, finally made Ralph’s decision to begin his own construction company a reality. Years later, in appreciation of Mr. Holmquist’s support, Ralph gifted him with a new Cadillac.

In the 1960’s, Ralph expanded his horizons, he began constructing housing in Las Vegas, Nevada, and became the owner of the Thunderbird Private Airport. He later sold this property to the legendary Howard Hughes and fulfilled his vision of building an entirely new hotel and casino. The Imperial Palace, one of the largest privately owned hotels in the world, opened in 1979. Ralph Engelstad, thought by Earl Strinden to be “the most outstanding and successful entrepreneur to graduate from UND in its entire history,” continued to build his business empire with a second Imperial Palace hotel-casino in Biloxi, Mississippi and property ownership across the nation.

Ralph Engelstad’s legends are endless. Ralph was known and appreciated by many of his friends for his direct, focused and no-nonsense approach to business. A key to his success was the reliability of his word and the integrity he insisted upon in others. Ralph’s competitiveness and desire to win as a Fighting Sioux goalie transcended into his professional success long after his playing days at UND were over.

The late Ralph Engelstad and wife Betty are UND’s most generous benefactors. The Ralph Engelstad Arena, one of the finest hockey facilities in the world, is an arena that encompasses Ralph’s vision, loyalty, perseverance, determination, sense of appreciation and strength of character.

Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, Minnesota

On February 4, 2002, a formal announcement was made by Architect Jim Kobetsky from Schoen Associates in Grand Forks, North Dakota, that Ralph and Betty Engelstad from Las Vegas, Nevada were donating $10 million towards the construction of a multi-purpose facility with a focus on hockey. The City Council accepted the Engelstad’s gift at their February 12, 2002 Council meeting. As the scope of the project grew so did the need for additional funds. A local fundraising campaign began in September of 2002 and raised approximately $3 million through cash and in-kind donations to complete the project. The arena was dedicated on November 29, 2003. In June of 2005, construction of the community room was completed and proudly bears the name “Imperial Room”. It will host receptions, trade shows, reunions, parties and other events. A basketball floor and arena decking were purchased in 2005 to enable the facility to host basketball games, wrestling matches, and other events. Following completion of the project, the Engelstad family donated over $13 million!

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