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 ‘All Sports & Recreation’ Category

Could Montana Be the Next Home for Professional Baseball?

How could Montana land a professional baseball team, particularly in a town like Missoula where baseball dreams could be blossoming?... more

Griz, Cats Set to Renew Rivalry For 123rd Time

It’s the game that needs no introduction.... more

Griz Return to Road to Face Cal Poly

The Montana Grizzlies hit the road for a second-straight week with the business end of the regular season in sight, and as the saying goes, “the games they remember are played in November.”... more

Griz keep Shutout Streak Against Bears Alive with 24-0 Win

It's the third straight shutout for Montana over Northern Colorado, as they haven't allowed an offensive score to the Bears in 15 straight quarters of football.... more

Griz Axe ‘Jacks

Happy Homecoming, indeed. The Montana football team put together a big second half for a 31-20 win over Northern Arizona.... more

In Dazzling Debut, Fife Earns Big Sky Player of the Week Honors

Following his dazzling debut, Fife was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week by the league office on Monday – the first conference weekly honor of his career.... more

Historic Offensive Night Leads Montana to First Inferno Win

It took everything that Montana had, and a historic night from the offense, to leave Cheney with a 52-49 win over Eastern Washington.... more

Griz Open Big Sky Play on the Road at Eastern Washington

The Montana Grizzlies (3-1) start their second season this week when UM travels west on I-90 to open Big Sky Conference play at Eastern Washington (1-3) on Saturday.... more

Griz Back at Home Hosting No. 24 Western Carolina

Montana football returns home for a second-straight week as the Grizzlies close out the nonconference schedule against an explosive Western Carolina team out of the Southern Conference.  ... more

North Dakota Uses Ground Game in Comeback Win Over Griz

It was a tale of two halves in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Saturday night as the host Fighting Hawks used a big comeback in the second half to upset Montana 27-24.... more

Griz Head to Grand Forks Looking for Redemption

This week, No. 4 Montana returns to the site of that loss in Grand Forks for the first meeting between the two schools since UM took the 41-14 drubbing.... more

Birdwatching in Montana

Birdwatching in Montana. The best locations for birdwatching and their brief description. Birds that you should see with your own eyes.... more

Official Black Out T-Shirt Now Available for Season Opener

After debuting in 2023, Griz football is excited to bring back a Black Out game in 2024, which will be Montana's season opener vs. Missouri State on Aug. 31 (7 p.m. kickoff).... more

Bergen Named to East-West Shrine Bowl 1,000

unior Bergen has added to his preseason accolades haul with a place on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1,000, an annual watchlist of the top NFL prospects.... more

Missoula’s Griz Football Remains at the Top

If you’re a young athlete dreaming of a career in sports, look no further than the Griz for motivation.... more

Hoot-Owl Restrictions Placed On Additional Rivers in Southwest Montana

A full angling closure and two new hoot-owl restrictions will go into effect on additional sections of the Madison River in southwest Montana.... more

Griz Picked to Repeat as Big Sky Champs

The Montana Grizzlies have been picked to win back-to-back Big Sky titles by the league’s coaches and media in 2024 slotting in at No. 1 in both preseason polls.... more

Griz Set to Once Again Pitch in and Help Save Lives

The Grizzly football team will once again do its part to help save lives by rallying the UM community to join the National Marrow Donor Program's (NMDP) "Get in the Game" registry,... more

Stephen Curry: A Sneak Peak Into Famous Basketball Player’s Life and Career

Celebrated universally as the sport's most exceptional shooter and among its greatest players, Stephen Curry has been instrumental in reshaping basketball's tactical landscape.... more

Spring Game Caps Extended Developmental Season For Griz

Montana head football coach Bobby Hauck is fond of saying “You only get better at football by playing football.”... more

Griz Celebrate Seniors, Win Third Straight

The second-largest crowd of the year was treated to a fantastic finish as the Grizzlies pulled away for an 82-73 win over Portland State on Saturday.... more

Griz Fall to EWU 78-65

The Montana Grizzlies's had a chance to climb within half a game of the league-leading EWU Eagles on Saturday, but foul trouble and bad shooting kept them at a tie for 3rd in the Big Sky Conference.... more

Magical Season Comes to a Close in Championship

Montana reached new heights in an incredible 2023 season, but couldn't reach the ultimate summit on Sunday against the defending champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits.... more

Griz Look to Cap Magical Season with a National Championship

Montana's magical postseason run reaches its zenith this week as the new year brings a new opportunity for the Grizzlies.... more

Griz Beat Bison in 2 OT Thriller to Punch Ticket to Frisco

"Monumental win in program history," head coach Bobby Hauck said. "It's one of the biggest games in stadium history, if not the biggest.... more

Montana Football: Gillman Named Winner of the 2023 Jerry Rice Award

Eli Gillman is a true breakout story, and in recognition of his efforts he is the 2023 recipient of the Jerry Rice Award.... more

Griz Blizzard Buries Delaware, Advance to Quarterfinal

Montana felt right at home in a winter storm on Saturday night inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium, blowing out No. 11 Delaware 49-19.... more

A Griz/Cat Game Like No Other

In a game that needs no added superlatives, the magnitude of the 122nd edition of the Montana/Montana State rivalry football game – the Brawl of the Wild – simply cannot be overstated.... more

Griz Look to Keep Momentum Rolling on the Road

the Montana Grizzlies return to the road this week for the ultimate game of the regular season against Portland State in a key conference showdown. ... more

Griz Return Home for First-Ever Matchup with Fiery Ferris State

Montana hosts the two-time defending D-II national champion and No. 1 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs this week at WGS. ... more

Help the Griz Set a Season Ticket Record in 2023

With kickoff less than a month away, excitement for the upcoming Montana football season is once again nearing an all-time high as the Grizzlies look to return to the top of the Big Sky standings.... more

Warm Water Prompts Full Fishing Closures and Hoot-Owl Restrictions on Some Streams

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is advising anglers that full fishing closures and hoot-owl restrictions will be in effect starting July 26 on portions of some rivers and creeks in western and southwestern Monta... more

Krystkowiak Enters Big Sky Hall of Fame

Larry Krystkowiak will be inducted into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 22. He becomes the second male athlete from Montana, joining former quarterback Dave Dickenson, and the first Griz H... more

Nonconference Kickoff Times and Broadcast Details Finalized

Kickoff times and broadcast details for Montana's three nonconference games have been finalized, with a September night game in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.... more

Montana’s Flint Rasmussen Bids Farewell at PBR Finale

Montana’s own Flint Rasmussen, billed as the greatest rodeo entertainer in history, graced the First Interstate Arena in Billings for the final time Sunday.... more

GSA Spring Tour Returns in 2023

The Montana Grizzlies are back on the road and headed to a town near you!... more

Moody’s Career Night Leads Montana into Semifinal

Under the brightest lights possible, Aanen Moody delivered the best performance of his career to lead Montana to a quarterfinal win against Idaho State on Monday night.... more

How to Survive in the Wilderness – 2023

Every person who got lost in the woods had no plans of doing so. In this guide, we cover the basic things you need to do to survive in the wilderness. ... more

Rohrbach Named FCS Punter of the Year

Montana freshman punter Patrick Rohrbach earned the Football Championship Subdivision's highest special teams honor Wednesday, being named FCS Punter of the Year.... more

Montana to Host SEMO Under the Lights in First Round Playoff Game

Montana will extend its FCS record playoff appearances to 26 this Saturday after earning an at-large bid to the 2022 tournament.... more

Rohrbach a Finalist for the Jerry Rice Award

As the current No. 2 punter in FCS football and a catalyst on the best punting unit in the subdivision, Montana freshman Patrick Rohrbach was named a finalist for the 2022 Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award Monda... more

Lady Griz Picked Second in Preseason Polls

The Lady Griz team was picked second in preseason polls behind Montana State, which was the heavy favorite by both the Big Sky coaches and media.... more

Men’s Basketball: Montana Picked Third in Big Sky Preseason Polls

The Montana men's basketball team, was selected third in both the coaches' and media polls, the Big Sky Conference announced Wednesday.... more

Grizzly defense suffocates Coyotes in 24-7 win

The Montana defense put in yet another commanding performance Saturday, keeping South Dakota scoreless for three and a half quarters of football in a 24-7 rout.... more

Griz Picked No. 2 in AFCA Preseason Poll

The FCS football coaches around the nation have tabbed the Montana Grizzlies as the No. 2 team in the nation in the (AFCA) preseason top-25 poll. ... more

Griz in at No. 3 in Preseason Media Top-25

After being picked to win the Big Sky Conference title race by the league's coaches and media, the Montana Grizzlies slotted in at No. 3 on the Stats Perform Preseason Top-25 on Monday.... more

Three Griz Named to Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List

This year, three more Grizzlies are favored to join that list of the nation's elite defenders, with Patrick O'Connell, Justin Ford, and Robby Hauck each being named to the Buchanan Award preseason watch lis... more

Montana’s 2022-23 Big Sky Slate Begins Dec. 29 vs Eastern Washington

The Big Sky Conference announced its 2022-23 men's basketball schedule on Thursday morning.... more

Big Sky Announces 2022-23 Women’s Basketball Schedule

he Big Sky Conference released the league’s women’s basketball schedule for the 2022-23 season on Wednesday morning.... more

Griz Set Kickoff Times for Home Football Games

Kickoff times for Montana's slate of six home games for the upcoming 2022 football season have been confirmed... more