Athletics History
-2015-
Griz softball began its inaugural season in 2015 and played its first game in the new stadium on Saturday, March, 21, hosting Idaho State in the first-ever home game for the inaugural program. Montana softball coach Jaime Pinkerton a Division 1 coach since 1994, was hired in August 2013 to build the Griz softball program.
-2014-
Under head coach Kris Nord, the Griz men’s tennis team claimed its first conference tournament title in 2014 and advanced to its first-ever NCAA tournament. Under head coach Steve Ascher, the Montana women’s tennis team won the Big Sky Conference regular-season championship in 2014 ending Sacramento State’s dominating 112-match winning streak against conference opponents and the Hornets’ 10 years run atop Big Sky Conference standings.
-2013-
In perhaps the greatest day in Montana basketball history, both the Lady Griz and Griz basketball teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament with championship victories in their respective Big Sky Conference Tournaments. Both teams punched their tickets in Dahlberg Arena with the Lazy Griz topping Weber State in the evening. To make the occasion even more memorable, fire-works lit up the arena before both games while confetti was retained down the floor afterward.
-2012-
The Montana men’s tennis team won its first regular-season Big Sky Conference championship in school history with a victory over Eastern Washington. The team finished a perfect 7-0 in conference regular-season matches. The title came during head coach Kris Nord’s 30th year with the Griz.
-2012-
The men’s basketball team advanced to its second NCAA tournament in three years with an 86-66 victory over Weber State in the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship game. Montana won the turtle inside Dahlberg Arena after earning the right to host a week earlier when the team claimed the regular season turtle by defeating the same Weber State team. The Griz would eventually lose to Wisconsin in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.
-2011-
The Montana soccer team qualified for its first NCAA tournament since 2000 with a shootout victory over Weber State Sunday in the title match of the Big Sky Conference Championship at Greely, Colorado. The championship came in Mark Plakorus’s inaugural season as head coach.
-2011-
By winning three straight games at Portland State’s Stott Center, the Lady Griz won their 19th conference tournament championship. Aided by great defense all tournament long, the Lady Griz upset Portland State on their floor, 62-58, in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship game. The Lady Griz advanced to the Women’s NCAA tournament where they would later fall to UCLA in the first round.
2010-11
In a victory that brought pride throughout the athletic department. The University of Montana won the 2010-2011 Sterlings Savings Bank Big Sky Conference President’s Cup. Based on combining overall athletic success with team grade point averages, graduation rates, and All-Conference performers with grade point averages above 3.0, the Presidents Cup is the most prestigious award given out by the Big Sky Conference. Montana finished the 2010-2011 season ranked second overall in the academics portion, The Grizzlies who won the award in 2006-2007, joined Weber state as the only school to win the President’s cup multiple times.
-2010-
The Grizzly women’s cross country team capped a great season by winning the 2010 Big Sky Conference title in Cheney, Washington. Capturing the program’s first title since 1984, the Grizzlies used a second-place finish from Katrina Drennen and a fourth-place finish from Kelli Dennehy to win the championship meet.
-2010-
The start of the 2010 football season ushered in not only a new coaching staff but new uniforms as well. Custom designed by Nike to have a “Montana granite look,” the uniforms were inspired by the state’s ranching and mining background. Adding black for the first time, the new uniforms also include nameplates on the back of the jersey.
-2009-
In what could have been the greatest individual game performance in the history of Grizzly Athletics, senior Anthony Johnson scored 34 of his 42 points in the second half to lead Montana to a 66-65 win over the host Weber State Wildcats in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship. With Montana down by 20 points at halftime, Johnson scored the final 21 points for the Griz to send them to the NCAA tournament.
-2009-
In one of the most memorable games ever played in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, the Grizzlies defeated Appalachian State in the 2009 FCS semifinal game, 24-17. This battle between two FCS heavyweights played in blowing snow and freezing temperatures set the record for the highest-rated FCS cable broadcast in the history of ESPN and ESPN2. Montana would later fall to Villanova in the FCS title game.
-2008-
When the Lady Griz defeated Illinois in Cancun in late November, Head Coach Robin Selvig reached a coaching milestone and won his 700th victory. Selvig became the fifth-fastest coach to reach 700 wins in NCAA men’s or women’s basketball history while leading the Lady Griz to their second straight NCAA tournament appearance.
-2008-
The Grizzly football team advanced to their sixth FCS title game with their victory over the top-ranked and #1 seed James Madison Dukes. In front of a national audience, the visiting Griz earned a 35-27 upset victory in the semi-final match-up against JMU. The Griz would later drop the championship game to the Richmond Spiders by a score of 24-7.
-2008-
Washington-Grizzly-Stadium underwent a 2000 seat expansion on the east side of the stadium. This was the stadium’s third renovation of the last 12 years, bringing the capacity to 25,198. UM also replaced the synthetic playing surface in Washington Grizzly Stadium with Sprinturf’s Ultrablade Df fabric.
-2008-
The Lady Griz, in Head Coach Robin Selvig’s 30th season at the helm, advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 17th time with a 101-65 victory over rival Montana State in the championship game of the Big Sky Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament.
-2007-
The Montana Football team defeated rival Montana State 41-20 to conclude a perfect season of 11-0 in Head Coach Bobby Hauck’s 5th season. Led by 2007 Buck Buchanan award winner Kroy Biermann, the Griz won their 10th straight Big Sky Conference Championship and also advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the 15th consecutive year.
2006-'07
With a 27-2 regular-season record, the 2006-07 Montana women’s basketball team, coached by head coach Robin Selvig won more regular-season games than any Lady Griz team in school history.
2006-'07
The University of Montana captured the 2006-07 Sterling Savings Bank Big Sky Conference Presidents Cup for the first time in the five-year history of the program. This award recognizes outstanding academic achievement as well as outstanding athletic performance. The Griz excelled on the field with Big Sky Conference championships in football and women’s basketball as well as second-place finishes in soccer, women’s cross country, and men’s tennis. Most importantly, 30 student-athletes who received All-Conference honors earned a grade point average of at least 3.0. Overall, UM finished the school year with a cumulative grade point average of 3.11.
-2006-
The Montana golf team under the direction of head coach Joanne Steele captured the University’s first-ever big conference championship in women’s golf and advanced to the NCAA west regional in Auburn, Washington.
-2006-
Led by head coach Larry Krystowiak, the Griz basketball team defeated Nevada 87-79 in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The win gave the Grizzlies their first NCAA tournament victory in 31 years.
-2004-
The University of Montana- Intercollegiate Athletics/Adams Center- Hosted the 2004 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament
First and Second Rounds- Mid-east Regional.
Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (27-2) vs Montana Lady Griz (27-04) and Main Black Bears (25-6) vs Texas Tech Lady Raiders (24-7). LSU advanced out of Missoula to the Mid-East Regional.
-2003-
With leadership from National Advisory Board member and former Griz football player Walk Brett from Park City, Utah, Washington-Grizzly stadium seating capacity is expanded to 23,117 the largest in the Big Sky Conference. The football attendance total of 163,352 in seven regular-season home games(23,361 average) shatters previous attendance marks.
-2002-
November 9- “The Streak” - The Grizzly football team ties the all-time NCAA Divison 1- AA winning streak at 24 games with Pennsylvania (‘92-’95). The largest Grizzly Marching Band in history - 100+ members
-2002-
25 Years of Lady Griz Success
Lady Griz Basketball Head coach Robin Selvig
1978- to present
-Career winning percentage .778 (4th in the nation)
-555 wins rank Selvig 13th among active coaches.
-15 conference championships
-Coach of the year 11 times
-Undefeated in league play six times
-258-35 (.881) BSC 7-6 (.860) BSC Tournaments
-NCAA Championships 14 times, hosting 4 in Adams Center
-Won at least 20 games in 20 out of the past 22 seasons.
-Adams Center win-loss record 321-29 (.917)
-2002-
May 22- Dornblaser Track and Field renovation is dedicated. The facility is rebuilt into a modern track and field venue for University meets and championships. Mark and Ann Timmons provided the impetus for renovation, with a $500,000 plus contribution. Washington-Grizzly Stadium capacity increased to 19,005.
-2002-
November 1 - Hall of Champions is dedicated to Adams Center. Hundreds of contributions started in the name of Jim Kastelitz, a long-time Grizzly booster provide funding to create The University of Montana Grizzly Sports Hall of Champions - displays of over eighteen Montana sports; DonorWall. Grizzly Hall of Fame; National Championship display; and, History Timeline Wall.
-2001-
SprinTurf installed on Washington-Grizzly Stadium field. A major contribution for the cost of the field and field-level improvements provided by an anonymous donor. The anonymous donor requested the Washington-Grizzly Stadium field by the name of John Hoyt Field. (Slide of WGS Field -) Need a panoramic 2002 May 22 - Dornblaser Track and Field renovation is dedicated. The facility is rebuilt into a modern track and field venue for University meets and championships. Mark and Ann Timmons provided the impetus for renovation, with a $500,000 plus contribution. Washington-Grizzly Stadium capacity increased to 19,005.
-2001-
The Grizzly football team (15-1), under head coach Joe Glenn, beats Furman University 13-6 at Chattanooga, Tennessee to win its second NCAA Division 1- AA Football Championship. Grizzlies set an NCAA record for most football games played in a season--16.
-2000-
August John Hoyt athletic complex in Adams Center is dedicated. John Hoyt provides the largest single cash gift to UM Athletics, $750,000. The gift was used to create present-day UM Intercollegiate Athletic Offices.
-1999-
Newly renovated Adams Center-Dahlberg Arena is dedicated before the basketball game between the Montana Grizzlies and Nationally ranked Gonzaga University.
-1997-
Adams Center hosts the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball West Regional ( Stanford, Virginia, Georgia, and Vanderbilt). Stanford advanced to the final four by beating Georgia
-1996-
UM Intercollegiate Athletic colors changed from copper and gold back to spirit colors maroon and silver. Maroon and silver were used as spirit colors from the early 1900s to 1967.
-1995-
Washington-Grizzly Stadium north and south end zones seating created for a stadium capacity of 18,846.
-1995-
December 16- The Grizzly football team, under head coach Don Read, beats Marshall University 22-20 in West Virginia, to win its first NCAA Division 1-AA Football Championship.
-1994-
Women's soccer became a varsity sport.
-1993-
Women's golf becomes a varsity sport.
-1988-
Mountain West Conference for women's sports disbanded. Women's sports move under the auspices of the Big Sky Conference.
-1986-
October 18- Washington-Grizzly Stadium opened on UM Campus. Grizzlies beat Big Sky Conference foe Idaho State University *38-31. Dennis Washington and Washington Corporation provided the impetus to construct a new football stadium with a $1,000,000 contribution. Stadium 11,600 "Men's
The gymnasium is named after William Earl "Doc" Schreiber. Schreiber was on the UM Campus from 1918 to 1945 as a coach, athletic director, and chair of the physical education department.
1986-
UM Century Club, the booster club created to provide student-athletes scholarships is re-organized and becomes the Grizzly Athletic Association in 2001-2002 this organization provided approximately $850,000 towards athletic scholarships.
-1982-
Mountain West Conference formed for women's sports. MWC competitions occur through the 1987-88 season.
-1979-
September 18 - Adams Field House basketball arena named after George P. "Jiggs" Dahlberg - Dahlberg Arena. Dahlberg was a student-athlete, teacher, coach, and athletic director at Montana.
-1978-
NCAA creates Division 1-AA Football.
-1976-
-1974-
-1973-
Women's Volleyball becomes a varsity sport
Women's track and field, cross country, and basketball become a varsity sport.
Women's gymnastics becomes a varsity sport.
-1972-
Basketball Coach Jud Heathcote forms the dance team "The Sugar Bears.'
-1969-
Big Sky Conference Football Championship, first Grizzly Football championship in history since the creation of football in 1897. Bronze Grizzly, sculpted by Rudio Autio placed at the west end of the Oval.
-1968-
On-campus Dornblaser Field is destroyed to make room for Mike and Maureen Mansfield Library. Grizzlies move to new Dornblaser Field at South Higgins and South Avenue. In May 1968 the present M was created from concrete. 125' deep x 100' across and is 2,100 feet up from the valley floor.
-1967-
Grizzly uniform and publication colors changed from maroon and silver to copper and gold. There were so many colors of team uniforms in 1967 that a decision was made to use two colors - copper and gold.
-1967-
UM Field House named after Harry F. Adams - student-athlete, coach, teacher, and adviser - 44 years on UM Campus.
-1966-
-1963-
July 1 - Montana State University (UM) returned to its original name - The University of Montana.
The Big Sky Conference is formed with charter members The University of Montana, Missoula, MT; University of Idaho, Moscow, ID; Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID; Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA; Montana State University; Bozeman, MT; and, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. July 1, 1970, the Big Sky expanded and added Boise State University, Boise, ID, and Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. July 1, 1979 charter member Gonzaga University left the conference and was replaced by the University of Nevada, Reno, NV. In 1987 Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA was added to create a nine-team conference. The University of Nevada departed in 1992 and Boise State University and the University of Idaho in 1996. In the fall of 1996 California State University-Sacramento, Sacramento, CA and Portland State University, Portland, OR entered the conference. California State University- Northridge entered the conference in 1996 and left it in the spring of 2001.
-1963-
Wrestling becomes a varsity sport
-1962-
The Mountain States (Skyline) Conference came to an end at the close of the 1961-62 school year. The Conference had been in existence for 12 years.
-1955-
UM Century Club founded by George G. ``Jiggs" Dahlberg. $100 dues $80 to scholarship, $10 to football tickets, and $10 to basketball tickets.
-1953-
December 18 Indiana University, National Collegiate Basketball Champions 1953 will play the University of Montana on Dec. 18, 1953, at the dedication of the University Field House December 18, 1953, Indiana University 74.
Montana's first year of competition in the Skyline Conference. Carillons installed in University Hall. The bell removed from the University Hall tower is the current victory bell used at Grizzly Football games. Bell was founded in 1903 on the east coast.
-1952-
Skiing becomes a varsity sport
-1951-
New Mountain States Conference (Skyline) members Brigham Young University, Colorado A & M., Denver University, University of Utah, University of New Mexico, University of Montana, University of Wyoming, and Utah State University.
-1950-
Montana withdraws from the Pacific Coast Conference and becomes a member of the Mountain States Conference. Colorado A&M, Fort Collins, CO; University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; University of Denver, Denver, CO; Utah State Agricultural College, Logan, UT; Brigham Young University, Provo, UT; University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM; and, Montana State University, Bozeman.
Golf becomes a varsity sport.
-1947-
Swimming becomes a varsity sport.
-1947-
Tennis becomes a varsity sport.
-1942-
-1938-
Montana is re-admitted to the Pacific Coast Conference. Grizzlies left the conference during World War II because of no games and hardships.
The 1937-1938 school year Montana was dropped from the Pacific Coast Conference, Northern Division, schedule. Montana played as an independent until joining the Mountain States Conference (Skyline Conference) in 1951.
-1938-
The Little Brown Stein was created by the John T. Campbell family to honor the Montana-Idaho rivalry, and is still an active trophy today. The Little Brown Stein is the oldest continuously awarded historical piece in Grizzly history.
-1935-
First official trainer at the University of Montana, Naseby Rhinehart, end on the Grizzly Football team, from Milwaukee, WI - Grizzly Cup Winner. Probably the most widely loved Montana Grizzly in history.
-1926-
The 30th Griz-Cat Classic was moved to Butte, Montana, and played at Clark Park. The first of twenty-one Copper Bowls held in Butte.
“Wild” Bill Kelly had 230 total yards to lead the Grizzlies to a 27-0 victory over the Bobcats. The game remained at Clark Park until 1938 when it was moved to Butte’s Naranche Memorial Stadium. Due to WWII, there was no Griz/Cat game between 1942-1945. The last Griz/Cat game played in Butte was in 1950.
-1923-
Montana admitted to the Pacific Coast Conference. When Montana entered the PCC the Montana football teams bore the name "Bruins, Grizzlies and/or Bears." However, in the PCC two other schools carried portions of the bear nicknames. To clear up the nickname situation, it was determined that the University of California-Berkeley, would carry the name "Bears", later changed to "Golden Bears." UCLA was named the "Bruins" and Montana the "Grizzlies." At times Montana is also call the "Silvertips.
December 8th 1923- Montana applied for admission into the Pacific Coast Conference and was granted membership largely on the record of the cubs who were undefeated and easily won from W.S.C. and the University of Idaho freshman teams. Pacific Coast Conference Members: Northern Division: University of Washington, Washington State College, University of Oregon, Oregon State College, University of Idaho, and the University of Montana. Southern Division: University of California -Los Angeles.
-1922-
First Bear Paws organized, M Club formed, and yell king selected.
-1921-
First Homecoming
-1918-
The State Board of Education approved the naming of the football field, "Dornblaser Field." Paul Logan Dornblaser, a football star in 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1913, was killed in World War I.
-1914-
Richard Howell of the Law School wrote the song: "Up With Montana"
-1913-
UM renamed State University of Montana
-1912-
Montana played Utah in 1912 and a sportswriter called the marauding Montanans the "Grizzlies.”
Wooden M placed on Mount Sentinel by the UM freshman class, $18.
First S.O.S. (Singing on the Steps) on the steps of science hall. In 1912 S.O.S. was so popular it was moved to the steps of University Hall (Main Hall)
-1910-
October - The first cross-country team is organized.
-1910-
Nickname "Bruins" tacked on to Montana gridders.
First M built with whitewashed rocks by the UM junior class
-1907-
The First band at Montana.
-1904-
The University of Montana used “Bears" as the mascot from 1897. The Greenough family provided a live bear mascot, which traveled with the team. School colors are copper, silver, and gold. However, the spirit colors maroon and silver are used for uniforms and pennants. The first baseball team is formed at the University of Montana. From 1905 to 1915 the University attempted to field a baseball team. In 1916 ASUM voted to sponsor baseball.
-1903-
The first track team was formed at the University of Montana.
-1903-
February 15 - Basketball becomes a varsity sport. First men's basketball game Friday, January 23, 1903 - Union Opera House in downtown Missoula. The teams were "The Midgets" composed strictly of UM 3rd year preparatory students and the UM Tzi Dal Tais - who belong to one of our numerous secret societies. "The Midgets" won the game 25-19.
-1902-
The University of Montana joined the Northwest Intercollegiate Athletic Association and were members along with the University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Washington State College, Pullman, WA, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR; Oregon Agriculture College, Corvallis, OR; University of Idaho, Moscow, ID; and, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA. The first gymnasium was dedicated on February 21, 1903, on the present site of the University Center
-1901-
The first mention of men's basketball was June 1901. One game was played on an outdoor basketball court was laid out on the lawn south of the old Science Hall. Girl's basketball was also popular in Montana at this time and so the University organized a women's club team.
-1898-
University Hall opened (Main Hall) First issue of the Kaimin, precursor of the school newspaper, the Montana Kaimin.
-1898-
The Beginning of Grizzly Sports
Two years after the University of Montana opened its doors to students the first UM football team was organized.
Professor Fred D. Smith, Chemistry Professor and former football player at Cornell University volunteered to coach the football team. Twenty-four men comprised the first team. Coach Smith asked young men from Missoula to turn out and learn football so they could scrimmage against the university team. The town men formed a team and called themselves “The Tigers.”
The Missoulian of October 1908 stated, “the football players had a ‘bee’ preparing ground on the river flat for games. It is considered an excellent place for a game because of the soft dirt and a natural bench, making it an excellent grandstand.”
Practices were to be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5:00 p.m. Interest in football was not widespread in this area. Hardly any students had ever played the game, and many had never seen a contest. No uniforms were available so many of the players used makeshift clothing. By November 18th equipment had been purchased which made it possible to outfit seventeen or eighteen men.
It was hoped that a game could be arranged with the Agriculture College in Bozeman. As an example of the difficulties of financing the contest, this quote appeared in the 1897 Kaimin, “as this will cost about $250.00. The students are naturally a little slow about making definite arrangements." A committee was appointed to canvas the students and townspeople to see how many would purchase tickets in the event a game could be scheduled
In the meantime, the university team played three games against "The Tigers," composed largely of Missoula boys. All three games were scoreless and tied. The society editor reported the first game against "The Tigers" in the Missoulian of October 23, 1897. The game attracted so much local interest in fact, that in the Missoulian of October 30th a column and a half was devoted to an explanation of the football rules.
On November 4th came the announcement that a game had been arranged with the Montana Agriculture College to be played in Missoula on Thanksgiving Day. To give the team more practice under game conditions, a contest was arranged with the Butte Business College in Missoula on November 12th. This was the first regular game that the University of Montana played against outside competition. The Butte squad scored a 20-10 victory, and the financial statement showed a loss of $2.00.
For the next 10 days, preparations were very active getting ready for the M.S.C. encounter. The money to pay the railroad fare for the Bozeman team had to be deposited with the ticket agent in Missoula the day before the "Aggies" left Bozeman. There was much scurrying around to get the required amount deposited on time. Attention was then turned toward the entertainment of the visitors. This was to take place at the residence of Judge Knowles the evening before the game. A reception committee met the visitors at the train, escorted them to their hotel, and later showed them around the city. The Aggies visited the university classrooms and inspected the football grounds, noting with interest the splendid new grandstand that would seat 200 fans. The reception that evening was a happy event and was well attended by the students, faculty members, and townspeople.
With the dawn of Thanksgiving Day came several inches of snow. The varsity students cleaned the snow off the grounds and marked the field early in the morning. The grounds and grandstand were bedecked in the school colors (maroon and silver) of the University and the College and a capacity crowd was on hand by noon. One reporter's comments were, "the play that day was fast and furious, fierce and fair."
Montana won the first encounter with Montana State College 18-6. The varsity then scheduled another game with Butte Business College, hoping to avenge an earlier defeat. The Butte team won 26-10 in the Mining City. This was the first time a University of Montana team played out of the city of Missoula.
The summary of the 1897 football season was written by coach Fred Smith: "The players received plaudits of their follows and honor of doing something for the University - nothing more." Let the University of Montana establish and maintain that code of action that follows:
1) gentlemanly conduct; and 2) Strict adherence to amateur rules for players."
And so ended the first year of football at the University of Montana. Football was the only sport activated during the 1897-1898 academic year. The President of the University was Dr. Oscar John Craig. There is no record of any other organized sports at the University.
-1895-
The University of Montana opens doors to 50 students
-1893-
February 17 - The University of Montana Chartered by the 3rd Montana Legislature
-1889-
Montana remained a territory for twenty-five years. It was not until the federal government passes the Enabling Act of 1889 and the voters of Montana Territory ratified a new constitution that Montana was admitted into the Union as the 41st state on November 8, 1889, by presidential proclamation of President Benjamin Harrison.
