Griz gameday AD report - Portland State
11/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Fans attending athletic events at The University of Montana might believe we have everything necessary to field winning teams and continue vying for Sterling Savings Bank Presidents Cup titles. That perception, however, can be a little misleading.
While the likes of Washington-Grizzly Stadium, the Adams Center, the South Campus Soccer Stadium, the West Auxiliary Gym and Dornblaser Field are outstanding athletic facilities, there are some lingering deficiencies if we are going to do our best to meet the needs of our student-athletes.
For example, we have an academic center that is too small. Thanks to Curt and Lanni Jacobson of Corporate Technology Group, we have computers available for up to 15 student-athletes at a time in the Jacobson Academic Center. Problem is, we need considerably more space as our current student-athlete population now exceeds 300. With many student-athletes' daily schedules starting early in the morning and winding up late at night, it is critical we provide them a place to do their homework ?C and utilize and manage their time the most efficient way possible.
Still, the cumulative grade point average of our student-athlete population remains above 3.0, and we have yet to lose a scholarship under the new Academic Progress Rate program (one of two schools in the Big Sky Conference). It should also be noted that UM athlete graduation rates are just below 70%, which is up from 51% last year (both higher than the general student population at The University of Montana). Those numbers are impressive and a real testament to our student-athletes, coaches and staff who understand the importance of receiving a good education ?C and graduating in a timely manner.
Another area of concern is the lack of necessary meeting room/classroom space ?C which is in short supply in the Adams Center building. Currently, there is one main worn out, poorly-lit area in the lower level of the Adams Center devoted for this purpose. In an effort to find more space, many assistant football coaches take their players to off-the-beaten-path cubby holes in the building better suited for mice then men ?C or fill their offices with sweaty bodies. It is totally inefficient and not conducive to good instruction by the classroom teachers, i.e., our coaches. Coaches of other sports usually meet in their offices for instruction in order to find a better teaching environment. Office space, across the campus, is also in short supply. (Presently, some members of our staff share a small space to complete their job duties.)
These are the places where student-athletes spend a majority of their time ?C not on the fields, courts or courses. Based on these facilities, many 17-year-old recruits and their parents make decisions as to where they plan to attend college and participate in intercollegiate athletics. Our hope is that they come to The University of Montana
While we're on the subject of facilities, the men's locker room is in desperate need of improvement if our intentions are to attract the best possible student-athletes for our campus. While much-needed air conditioning was finally installed in the locker room this fall, the area is small and cramped for 100-plus football players, the men's basketball team and the other men participating in track and field/cross country and tennis. It is far from ideal and, often, less than comparable to other Big Sky Conference schools.
When talking to student-athletes, they appreciate the emphasis of our looking out for their welfare. In our department, it's a top priority and goes in unison with educating and graduating our players as stated in our strategic plan. These young men need a place to call their own. The women's soccer team has it; the women's basketball team has it; and the women's volleyball team has it. "It" is a lounge area, complete with couches, chairs, television sets and computers, where they can relax and spend some quiet time and get to know each other better.
We also need an indoor practice facility that could be utilized by our teams, especially track and field and tennis. Golf would also benefit from an indoor practice area, as could football and soccer. Many schools we recruit against have these indoor practice facilities ?C and more are making plans for the future. With Missoula being considered a cold-weather site, it will be crucial to the continued development of Grizzly Athletics to construct such a facility.
Along those lines, should track and field be able to move out of the East Auxiliary Gym, men's and women's basketball, along with women's volleyball, would have more practice areas available to them ?C and maybe air conditioning could also be installed to make it more bearable in the late spring and summer months. This could alleviate some 6 a.m. practices ?C thus allowing these student-athletes normal hours for their studies. The men's and women's tennis teams have been hit hardest as they look for indoor practice sites. In recent years, they've split practice times alternating between the periods of 5-7 a.m. and 11 p.m.-1 a.m. each day. Imagine trying to fit that into your schedule around work/practice and study time.
If we are to continue vying for Sterling Savings Bank Presidents Cup championships ?C which demonstrates a truly balanced athletics department in terms of academic and athletic accomplishments ?C we need to address these concerns, and soon. It will take a significant private fund-raising efforts, but it is well within reach.
With your help and support, we can meet these challenges ?C and make Grizzly Athletics an even more special place for our student-athletes, and ultimately, our fans. We hope you join us in this effort as we move forward. It will take commitments by many.
GO GRIZ!
While the likes of Washington-Grizzly Stadium, the Adams Center, the South Campus Soccer Stadium, the West Auxiliary Gym and Dornblaser Field are outstanding athletic facilities, there are some lingering deficiencies if we are going to do our best to meet the needs of our student-athletes.
For example, we have an academic center that is too small. Thanks to Curt and Lanni Jacobson of Corporate Technology Group, we have computers available for up to 15 student-athletes at a time in the Jacobson Academic Center. Problem is, we need considerably more space as our current student-athlete population now exceeds 300. With many student-athletes' daily schedules starting early in the morning and winding up late at night, it is critical we provide them a place to do their homework ?C and utilize and manage their time the most efficient way possible.
Still, the cumulative grade point average of our student-athlete population remains above 3.0, and we have yet to lose a scholarship under the new Academic Progress Rate program (one of two schools in the Big Sky Conference). It should also be noted that UM athlete graduation rates are just below 70%, which is up from 51% last year (both higher than the general student population at The University of Montana). Those numbers are impressive and a real testament to our student-athletes, coaches and staff who understand the importance of receiving a good education ?C and graduating in a timely manner.
Another area of concern is the lack of necessary meeting room/classroom space ?C which is in short supply in the Adams Center building. Currently, there is one main worn out, poorly-lit area in the lower level of the Adams Center devoted for this purpose. In an effort to find more space, many assistant football coaches take their players to off-the-beaten-path cubby holes in the building better suited for mice then men ?C or fill their offices with sweaty bodies. It is totally inefficient and not conducive to good instruction by the classroom teachers, i.e., our coaches. Coaches of other sports usually meet in their offices for instruction in order to find a better teaching environment. Office space, across the campus, is also in short supply. (Presently, some members of our staff share a small space to complete their job duties.)
These are the places where student-athletes spend a majority of their time ?C not on the fields, courts or courses. Based on these facilities, many 17-year-old recruits and their parents make decisions as to where they plan to attend college and participate in intercollegiate athletics. Our hope is that they come to The University of Montana
While we're on the subject of facilities, the men's locker room is in desperate need of improvement if our intentions are to attract the best possible student-athletes for our campus. While much-needed air conditioning was finally installed in the locker room this fall, the area is small and cramped for 100-plus football players, the men's basketball team and the other men participating in track and field/cross country and tennis. It is far from ideal and, often, less than comparable to other Big Sky Conference schools.
When talking to student-athletes, they appreciate the emphasis of our looking out for their welfare. In our department, it's a top priority and goes in unison with educating and graduating our players as stated in our strategic plan. These young men need a place to call their own. The women's soccer team has it; the women's basketball team has it; and the women's volleyball team has it. "It" is a lounge area, complete with couches, chairs, television sets and computers, where they can relax and spend some quiet time and get to know each other better.
We also need an indoor practice facility that could be utilized by our teams, especially track and field and tennis. Golf would also benefit from an indoor practice area, as could football and soccer. Many schools we recruit against have these indoor practice facilities ?C and more are making plans for the future. With Missoula being considered a cold-weather site, it will be crucial to the continued development of Grizzly Athletics to construct such a facility.
Along those lines, should track and field be able to move out of the East Auxiliary Gym, men's and women's basketball, along with women's volleyball, would have more practice areas available to them ?C and maybe air conditioning could also be installed to make it more bearable in the late spring and summer months. This could alleviate some 6 a.m. practices ?C thus allowing these student-athletes normal hours for their studies. The men's and women's tennis teams have been hit hardest as they look for indoor practice sites. In recent years, they've split practice times alternating between the periods of 5-7 a.m. and 11 p.m.-1 a.m. each day. Imagine trying to fit that into your schedule around work/practice and study time.
If we are to continue vying for Sterling Savings Bank Presidents Cup championships ?C which demonstrates a truly balanced athletics department in terms of academic and athletic accomplishments ?C we need to address these concerns, and soon. It will take a significant private fund-raising efforts, but it is well within reach.
With your help and support, we can meet these challenges ?C and make Grizzly Athletics an even more special place for our student-athletes, and ultimately, our fans. We hope you join us in this effort as we move forward. It will take commitments by many.
GO GRIZ!
Lady Griz Basketball Locker Room Unveiling - 5/1/26
Friday, May 01
Griz Track & Field - Montana Open Highlights - 4/25/26
Friday, May 01
Griz Softball vs. Idaho State Game-Winning Hit - 3/25/26
Friday, May 01
Griz Softball Championship Series Promo
Friday, May 01
