In memory of Griz great Steve Hackney
5/6/2026 11:55:00 AM | General
The Grizzly Athletics family lost a legend this week.
Steve Hackney, who served as Montana's equipment manager for 30 years, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, in the Bitterroot Valley. He was 81.
A Montana native, "Hack" took over the equipment room in 1981, and after a 30-year career in Grizzly Athletics retired following the 2010 football season.
Montana's equipment complex was named the Hackney Athletic Equipment Center in his honor following his retirement. He also became UM's first ever recipient of the Grizzly Lifetime Honors Award in 2018.
Hackney was beloved and respected by everyone he worked with, especially by the student-athletes who displayed their affection for him by yelling "Haaaaaack" whenever he talked to them as a team or was introduced to them by a coach or administrator – their way of showing how much they cared.
He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1962 and then joined the Navy serving as a Spanish linguist. After he left the military he worked in a lumber mill, mining, then chose to attend UM in 1968. He graduated from Montana in 1972 with a B.S. degree in HPE, with emphasis in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy.
He then attended Indiana State where he earned a graduate degree in Athletic Training before returning to his native Bitterroot Valley to become a logger before starting his career as UM's long-time equipment manager.
Hackney is survived by his wife Larae, a longtime employee of UM's School of Business, have two children: Tyler and Meghan.
Funeral Home Services for Stephen are being provided by Brothers Mortuary & Crematory in Hamilton.
Steve Hackney, who served as Montana's equipment manager for 30 years, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, in the Bitterroot Valley. He was 81.
A Montana native, "Hack" took over the equipment room in 1981, and after a 30-year career in Grizzly Athletics retired following the 2010 football season.
Montana's equipment complex was named the Hackney Athletic Equipment Center in his honor following his retirement. He also became UM's first ever recipient of the Grizzly Lifetime Honors Award in 2018.
Hackney was beloved and respected by everyone he worked with, especially by the student-athletes who displayed their affection for him by yelling "Haaaaaack" whenever he talked to them as a team or was introduced to them by a coach or administrator – their way of showing how much they cared.
He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1962 and then joined the Navy serving as a Spanish linguist. After he left the military he worked in a lumber mill, mining, then chose to attend UM in 1968. He graduated from Montana in 1972 with a B.S. degree in HPE, with emphasis in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy.
He then attended Indiana State where he earned a graduate degree in Athletic Training before returning to his native Bitterroot Valley to become a logger before starting his career as UM's long-time equipment manager.
Hackney is survived by his wife Larae, a longtime employee of UM's School of Business, have two children: Tyler and Meghan.
Funeral Home Services for Stephen are being provided by Brothers Mortuary & Crematory in Hamilton.
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