Wear the colors, celebrate community: UM launches ‘Griz Fridays’
10/1/2026 12:41:00 AM | General
UM News Service
Every Friday is now a chance to wear maroon and silver to celebrate what it means to be a Grizzly.
This week, University of Montana President Jeremiah Shinn proclaimed that every Friday each week be known as "Griz Fridays," encouraging students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters across Griz Nation to proudly wear UM colors and insignia. The weekly tradition celebrates the pride, community and shared identity that connect generations of Grizzlies.
The new tradition arrives at an exciting time on campus. This fall, the University welcomed its largest population of enrolled students since 2017, its largest freshman class in 12 years and its highest retention rate on record.
"From our students, to our more than 120,000 alumni and our even more numerous supporters, Griz Nation consistently demonstrates what makes this University great," Shinn said. "That pride extends far beyond the playing field. It's reflected in the achievements of our students and faculty, the research and innovation happening across campus and the impact our graduates have throughout Montana and beyond. Griz Fridays are a chance to celebrate all of that – and the community that makes it all possible."
Grizzly Athletics put Missoula in the national spotlight when it was named USA TODAY Sports Readers' Choice 2026 "Best College Sports town," beating out communities home to some of the nation's best-known college athletics programs. But the impact of Grizzly Athletics goes beyond game day. A 2025 report from the Bureau of Business and Economic Research found that, as a whole, Grizzly Athletics generates more than $94 million in annual spending for Missoula-area businesses and supports 728 jobs in Missoula County.
Grizzly Athletics is just one expression of University pride and that same spirit of excellence carries into the classroom and beyond. This year, UM welcomed the inaugural class of Montana's first public Physician Associate program, announced expanded scholarship opportunities for resident students and celebrated national recognitions in journalism and prestigious scholarship. UM researchers recorded a record $149.9 million in research expenditures during fiscal year 2025.
The first Griz Friday will kick off on Friday, Oct. 2, during the University's Homecoming celebration. This year's theme is "No Place Like Home," a celebration of traditions and memories, as well as a reminder that UM is always a second home for alumni, students and the community.
Every Friday is now a chance to wear maroon and silver to celebrate what it means to be a Grizzly.
This week, University of Montana President Jeremiah Shinn proclaimed that every Friday each week be known as "Griz Fridays," encouraging students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters across Griz Nation to proudly wear UM colors and insignia. The weekly tradition celebrates the pride, community and shared identity that connect generations of Grizzlies.
The new tradition arrives at an exciting time on campus. This fall, the University welcomed its largest population of enrolled students since 2017, its largest freshman class in 12 years and its highest retention rate on record.
"From our students, to our more than 120,000 alumni and our even more numerous supporters, Griz Nation consistently demonstrates what makes this University great," Shinn said. "That pride extends far beyond the playing field. It's reflected in the achievements of our students and faculty, the research and innovation happening across campus and the impact our graduates have throughout Montana and beyond. Griz Fridays are a chance to celebrate all of that – and the community that makes it all possible."
Grizzly Athletics put Missoula in the national spotlight when it was named USA TODAY Sports Readers' Choice 2026 "Best College Sports town," beating out communities home to some of the nation's best-known college athletics programs. But the impact of Grizzly Athletics goes beyond game day. A 2025 report from the Bureau of Business and Economic Research found that, as a whole, Grizzly Athletics generates more than $94 million in annual spending for Missoula-area businesses and supports 728 jobs in Missoula County.
Grizzly Athletics is just one expression of University pride and that same spirit of excellence carries into the classroom and beyond. This year, UM welcomed the inaugural class of Montana's first public Physician Associate program, announced expanded scholarship opportunities for resident students and celebrated national recognitions in journalism and prestigious scholarship. UM researchers recorded a record $149.9 million in research expenditures during fiscal year 2025.
The first Griz Friday will kick off on Friday, Oct. 2, during the University's Homecoming celebration. This year's theme is "No Place Like Home," a celebration of traditions and memories, as well as a reminder that UM is always a second home for alumni, students and the community.
Monday, September 28
Monday, September 28
Tuesday, September 15
Monday, September 14
