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

Somewhere in the Middle of Montana

By ROB BREEDING. I didn’t toss it all to move to Montana two decades ago because of a song. My primary affliction was trout, and there’s a lot of trout-rich habitat in the Northern Rockies. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Aug 5

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Brent Hathaway and the Missoula Mavericks, UM Football, Major League baseball and Ed O'Neil a.k.a. Al Bundy.... more

Enjoying the Great Outdoors in and Around Missoula

By LINDA McCARTHY- One of the best things about living in Missoula, Montana is the access you have to the wild open spaces and recreation places throughout the region. ... more

Miracle Fish

By ROB BREEDING - I caught a trout the other day. Then another, almost. That second fish exploded out of the water, holding itself above the Flathead River by the fury of its beating tail. ... more

A Midsummer Night’s Stream

By MATT DEVLIN - Picture the river as it lays in wait. In perfect veiled darkness, our finned friends hold like sails in the wind, controlling with every pitch and pull, their own place in the world.... more

Griz Football Players Report for First Fall Practice on August 6

By DAVE GUFFEY - The UM football team starts its preparation for the 2013 football season on Sun., Aug. 4, as the Grizzlies welcome their returning players and newcomers to fall camp.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 29

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Grizzly football sanctions, Rutgers Athletics Program, pro golfer, Hunter Hahan, and legendary Grizzly football player, Terry Dillon.... more

Griz Total More than 700 Hours of Community Service

By JOEL CARLSON - UM Athletic Director, Kent Haslam announced that Montana’s student-athletes spent over 700 hours engaged in community service last year.... more

Pair of Lady Griz Hoopsters Sign European Contracts

By JOEL CARLSON - Emboldened by the news that her former Lady Griz teammate, Alyssa Smith had signed a professional basketball contract, Katie Baker decided to look at similar options for herself.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 22

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Brent Pease, Robin Selvig, Phil Mickleson, Britain's Newest Prince and more!... more

Warm Flows Prompt “Hoot-Owl” Fishing on Dearborn, Smith and Sun Rivers

By BRUCE AUCHLY: Montana FWP has advised anglers on three central Montana rivers that all fishing will close daily from 2 pm to midnight until conditions improve.... more

Scott Gragg’s New Title: Marathon Man

By JOEL CARLSON - All anybody really wants, when they are minutes away from starting a 26.2 mile marathon, is a moment of levity. Scott Gragg, UM Assistant Head Football Coach found his on Sunday.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 15

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Big Sky Preseason Poll, Missoula Osprey, the John Deere Classic, Bill Moos (former UM Athletic Director) and more!... more

Tripp Named Preseason Big Sky Defensive MVP

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana senior linebacker Jordan Tripp was named the Big Sky Conference preseason Defensive MVP, the league announced Monday. Here are the rest of the All-Big Sky picks.... more

The Day After the Missoula Half Marathon

By BRIAN MARSH - It's the day after my son, Trevor, and I, along with four other dear friends, joined the almost 4000 runners and walkers for the 2012 Missoula Marathon. And what a day it was.... more

UM’s Donated Soccer Balls Making a Global Difference

By JOEL CARLSON - One photo. One ball. How many lives changed for the better? But set one of those balls loose, see that it gets to Africa, and smiles break out all over. A Griz-sponsored epidemic. ... more

The Day Before the Missoula Half Marathon

By BRIAN MARSH - This is my second Half Marathon and my last. Why, you ask? Because i'm not built to be a marathoner--but bring on the 5K and 10K!... more

Missoula Marathon Festivities Bring Thousands to the Garden City

By LINDA McCARTHY-One of Montana’s largest events takes place this weekend (July 12-14, 2013) right here in the Garden City, as thousands of Montanans and out-of-staters flock to the Missoula Marathon.... more

UM Sports Trivia | July 8

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Brad Stevens and Rick Pitino, Cincinnati Reds pitcher, Homer Bailey, Johnny Callison of the Phillies and more!... more

End of and Era: Annette Rocheleau Hanging up Her Whistle

By JOEL CARLSON - Annette Rocheleau, who has been with longtime Montana coach Robin Selvig as a player or assistant coach for all but 13 of Selvig’s 798 career wins, has announced her decision to retire.... more

UM Sports Trivia | July 1

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: The Missoula Osprey, the Dempsey-Gibbons fight, the Yale Bulldogs, and more!... more

Tinkle Rounds Out Staff With Familiar Name

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle fills his staff vacancy with former grad assistant, Kurt Paulson. He replaces Freddie Owens who moved to Oregon State University.... more

Three Griz Named to Preseason All-America Team

By JOEL CARLSON - Three University of Montana football players have been named to the Sports Network’s Football Championship Subdivision preseason All-America team.... more

2013 Griz Football Schedule and Game Times

The game times for all 12 of The University of Montana’s football games in 2013 have now been established. All 12 contests will be televised by either Max Media of Montana or by ROOT Sports.... more

Weida Named Head Athletic Trainer at Montana

By JOEL CARLSON - J.C. Weida, the department’s assistant/associate athletic trainer since 1996, was hired recently to replace Murphy as head of the Rhinehart Athletic Training Center.... more

Owens Moving on to Oregon State

By JOEL CARLSON - Oregon State announced Tuesday that Freddie Owens will be joining Craig Robinson’s staff as an assistant coach after four successful seasons at Montana.... more

UM Sports Trivia | June 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Annette Whitaker Rocheleau, Freddie Owens, Yasiel Puig, Mike Kleckner and more!... more

Summer Solstice: Paint it Black

By MATT DEVLIN - (Video) As the summer solstice comes and goes, the days begin a slight but evident bend towards fall. We’ve been getting busy sharing our rivers, our trout, and our love of fly fishing.... more

Weekend Fun with Missoula Parks and Recreation

Join Missoula Parks and Recreation this weekend for a Kids’ Fishing Derby, Splash Montana Water Volleyball league and Adult Night, Open Ropes Course and Skateboard Mentors at MOBASH Skatepark.... more

UM Sports Trivia | June 17

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Justin Rose, Robin Selvig, Mekayla Izaak and Sean "SJ" Touhy and more.... more

All 12 Griz Football Games in 2013 Will be Televised by Max Media & Root Sports

By DAVE GUFFEY - All 12 of The University of Montana’s football games in 2013 will be televised by either Max Media of Montana or ROOT Sports. See the schedule here.... more

Paying My Last Respects to a Good Friend, Miller Barber

By JIM O'DAY - My friend, PGA golfing professional Miller Barber was affectionately known as “Mr. X, or “The Mysterious Mr. X.” Miller passed away Tuesday night in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 82.... more

15 Home Games Highlight 2013-14 Lady Griz Schedule

The 2013-14 Montana women’s basketball schedule is just out. Some interesting changes--read to find out more!... more

Q & A With Big Sky Commissioner Doug Fullerton

Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton answers questions about the future of the league, the current state of the NCAA, the future of FCS football, and other hot-button issues. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | June 10

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Riley King, George Frazier, Drew Gooden, Tiger Woods, Rocco Mediate, Rory Mcilroy and more.... more

Signs and Signals of Summertime in Missoula

By JASON SHREDER - The Best in the West Kayaking Championship marks the beginning of the summer for me and the guides here at Zoo Town Surfers. What marks the beginning of summer for you?... more

Splash Montana Opens June 8

F.Y.I. - Splash Montana, Parks and Recreation’s outdoor waterpark in Playfair Park, will open for the 2014 season on Saturday, June 8 from 11:30 a.m to 8 p.m. ... more

Survival Swimming Lessons for Peace of Mind Around Water

By KIM S. - Almost everything our family wants to do this summer involves water. Enrolling our kids in survival swimming lessons (ISR) went to the top of our "To Do" list. ... more

Take Her Fishing

By MATT DEVLIN - Take her fishing because she deserves it, to impress her, or to say thank you, or sorry. But Whatever you do, just take her fishing a time or two before the summer.... more

UM Sports Trivia | June 2

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Labron James, Wayne Gretsky, Julie Krone, Rose Nigerski , Jeff Hays, Robin Selvig & more!... more

Challenge Yourself — by Running

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Eva Dunn-Frobig blogs about how to challenge yourself by running. Her own story is shared, along with the story of Brian Boyle, Iron Heart author, as examples. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | May 27

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Big Sky Eagles Boys Track Team claims their first Track Title, Major League Baseball, Larry Kryskowiak, the NBA, and More.... more

Brynn Molloy Named Assistant AD at UM

By DAVE GUFFEY - – Brynn Molloy has been selected as the new Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Community Relations at the University of Montana, announced UM Athletic Director Kent Haslam.... more

Epic Salmonfly Hatch Predicted for Western Montana Rivers

By BRYCE MCLEAN - By all predictions, the 2013 Salmonfly Hatch should be EPIC! We're talking about all-out crazy, fish eating every cast, don't even finish one beer all day because you don't have time...kind o... more

Parks and Recreation Offers Summer Job Training for Teens

Missoula Parks and Recreation offers “Teen Workreation,” a summer volunteer program which provides on-the-job training in recreation and aquatics.... more

Griz Basketball Program Adds UW Transfer Martin Breunig

By DAVE GUFFEY - Coach Wayne Tinkle announced that Martin Breunig, a 6-8, 210-pound forward is transferring from the University of Washington and joining the University of Montana’s Grizzly Basketball Program... more

UM Sports Trivia | May 20

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Jessi Schafer of Big Sky High School, Miguel Montero, Bruce Quande, Dan Hodge, The Final Four in the NBA and more!... more

Lack of Significant Financial Resources Stressing FCS Programs

By JIM O'DAY - There are many obstacles to building successful intercollegiate athletics programs at small Division I schools – and, unfortunately, most future decisions may be dictated by limited funding.... more

UM Sports Trivia | May 13

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Former UM Grizzly Basketball coach, Mike Montgomery to speak at Sportsmen of the Year Banquet, Mike Stepovich, John Stockton, Jeff Griffin ... more

Rivers Are On The Rise In Western Montana

By JASON SHREDER - The local river users are bursting with joy as the water levels continue to rise. Here are some safety tips that will assure you of a memorable yet safe experience.... more