The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘UM Athletics’ Category

My Top Griz Memories

By BILL SCHWANKE. When asked to list my top memories of Griz and Lady Griz basketball I have to confess that most of the list will come from Griz basketball because of the years I watched the men play, starting... more

Un-Bear-able Thursday, Satisfying Saturday

By BILL SCHWANKE. All in all, a good bounce-back Saturday for both the men and women at Montana. But as they say, “There’s a long way to go.”... more

A Huge Week for Griz Hoops – Part II

By BILL SCHWANKE. LADY GRIZ 69, NORTH DAKOTA 59. Like Utah Valley UND came to Missoula with only one win. ... more

A Huge Week for Griz Hoops – Part I

By BILL SCHWANKE. The week was huge in terms of wins and progress for both University of Montana basketball programs. Let’s take it a game at a time in the order they were played.... more

Same Start, Different Finish

By BILL SCHWANKE. It looked like the Lady Griz and Griz were headed for the same destination at the beginning of their games against Wyoming and Cal State-Fullerton last week. But fortunately only one team made... more

Grizzly Bill Schwanke’s Blog Tip-Off

By BILL SCHWANKE. Where to begin, when it comes to blogging about Griz and Lady Griz basketball. Especially when you’re perceived by some to be an expert despite the fact that your more direct contact with Gr... more

Griz 2-0 in Gut-Check Basketball Games

By BILL SCHWANKE. Oregon State at Montana--one of the best basketball games I’ve ever seen in Dahlberg Arena . . . period!... more

A Tough End to a Tough Season

By MICK HOLIEN. It was a season predicated by mistakes and it ended Saturday about how it began – with disappointment and frustration.... more

Let the Brawl Begin

By MICK HOLIEN. Just how big a factor a predicted sellout crowd will have on the 109th meeting between the Grizzlies and the Bobcats will be proven early. The defense has to rock MSU freshman quarterback Denari... more

Brawl of the Wild – Griz Cat CONTEST

Check out our 2011 Big Sky Classic contest. Enter to win a $50 gift certificate to the Montana Club! 103 years. 109 meetings. One legendary rivalry. Dating back to 1897, the Grizzlies and the Bobcats boas... more

Still in the Hunt

11/14 Blog by MICK HOLIEN. You can say what you want about this year’s edition of University of Montana football but one thing is for sure – while I’ll take a winning mark any old time, this group of Griz... more

The Fighting Sioux Will Bring Attitude…

11/10 Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. There is little doubt that the University of North Dakota football team will bring attitude to Washington Grizzly Stadium for Senior Day on Saturday. And if the... more

Down to a Two-Game Season

10/31 Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. Something strange must’ve happened in Montana’s locker room at halftime. About the time the Grizzles were enjoying prosperity, the same Grizzly team that in r... more

Hands Full with the Wildcats

10/27 Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. It wasn’t with a warm feeling that I pulled away from Stewart Stadium in Ogden two years ago after the Wildcats handed it to the then No. 3 Griz by outscoring th... more

Wish You Were Here

10/26 Blog by Verina Palmer Martin. It’s just another Saturday in October and we’re surrounded by the usual crowd of zealous Griz fans wearing a sea of maroon and talking up Montana football. We’ve got a ... more

One Wild Saturday

10/24 Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. A single walk-off win is a rare commodity in sports but back-to-back walk-offs… you have just got to be kidding me. But that’s what Montana Grizzly fans have b... more

The Griz Are Still on Track

10/20 Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. In heading to Missoula Saturday, Northern Arizona is facing its second top 10 team in as many weeks. This time, it’s not inside the Walkup Skydome, which is goo... more

Sometimes Good Teams Have to ‘Win Ugly’

Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. That’s what good teams do--win ugly--and indeed, it was at times ugly. But more importantly, they climb into a first-place tie in the Big Sky Conference standings with... more

Inching Closer to the Money

Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. If this is going to be a Montana team that reaches the heights of teams before them in recent years, and obtains goals set by a new coaching staff, there are plenty of ... more

There’s No Place Like Home

By MICK HOLIEN With four of its last six games in the friendly confines of Washington Grizzly Stadium, the remaining University of Montana football schedule rings favorably for the Grizzlies. They've now won... more

A Workman-Like Effort Prevailed

By MICK HOLIEN Even if Grizzly football remains a work in progress, there were signs Saturday afternoon in Colorado that while all things have not immediately been righted with a pair of wins after consecuti... more

Just How Much News Can Happen in a Sports Day?

Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. With the career-ending shoulder injury to fifth-year University of Montana quarterback Andrew Selle, there was little doubt that Justin Roper, the University of Orego... more

A Win is a Win is a Win Baby….

By Mick Holien A win is a win, is a win, is a win baby and I’ll take it. It wasn’t by any means pretty and Saturday’s Homecoming victory over Sacramento State might prove costly but the Grizzlies balan... more

Blue Sky Ahead with Maroon Sprinkled In

Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. There just isn’t much choice than to bring out... more

Not Ready to Throw in the Season Towel

Blog by "Voice of the Griz" Mick Holien. I have never awakened in this position... more

A Kicking Chance

Wanted for open tryouts: Someone who can... more

Early Loss is Not a Season Breaker

Well it had to happen some time...... more

The “X” Factor and Western State College

You spend an entire spring and fall preparing for every possible eventuality and from being around sports for a long time I can tell you it all can go for naught in a heartbeat. I call it an “X” factor b... more

Are You Ready for Some Football?

All the speculation and prognostication aside, there’s already been collegiate football contested and for the Montana Grizzlies the 2010 season is upon in just hours and just how exciting is that? Last nig... more

Welcome to Mick it Missoula

By Mick Holien So here we go football fans. The long-awaited 2010 season is upon us this week as the FCS national-runner-up Grizzlies take to the home field Saturday to open the 2010 season. And here I ... more

Cycling City

If you spend any time in Missoula, you'll notice lots of bikes on road. Cycling is a way of life for many residents of the city. Missoula’s biking heritage can be traced back to 1976 when a group of 4 Ohio... more