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

Montana’s Clark Fork River: A Return to Glory

By BRYCE MCLEAN - As most of you probably already know, they opened up the Clark Fork from Turah to Sharon last week. Just like the rest of Missoula I couldn't wait to fish it...and it didn't disappoint.... more

YMCA Riverbank Run: Fun for the Entire Family

The YMCA's Riverbank Run is this Saturday, May 11 and offers fun for the entire family including a fast 1-Mile, 5K or 10K and Trifecta . ... more

UM Sports Trivia | May 6

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: The recent death of former UM Lady Griz hoopster, Julie Deming, the River Bank Run, New York Yankees, and more!... more

Doggie Dash Expo and Fun Run: Sunday, May 5, McCormick Park

Join Missoula Parks & Recreation and Missoula City-County Animal Control for the 2nd annual Missoula celebration for your four-legged buddy on Sunday, May 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at McCormick Park.... more

Spartan Race Expected to Bring Big Economic Boost to the Flathead

By JUSTIN FRANZ - Organizers of the 2013 Montana Spartan Race start to build the course for the May 11 event in Bigfork.... more

Mount Jumbo North Zone Re-Opens May 1

FYI - Mount Jumbo’s North Zone, including the 3.8-mile North Loop, re-opens to public use on Wednesday, May 1. The North Zone includes all areas north of Jumbo’s Saddle Road.... more

Big 10 Decision Could Have Major Impact On FCS Schools

By JIM O'DAY - A decision made more than a thousand miles away last weekend could have a major impact on the schools playing at the Football Championship Subdivision – including Montana and Montana State.... more

UM Sports Trivia | April 29

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Andy Baskin, Tori Hunter, Tyrann Matheieu, Jim Valvano, and more!... more

In Love with a River: Montana’s Bitterroot River

By MATT DEVLIN - (VIDEO) I'm frequently asked which of Montana's rivers is my favorite. My answer: the Bitterroot River--why? Because she's the hardest to catch fish out of. ... more

UM Baseball: Griz vs Boise State Saturday and Sunday at Ogren Park

UM Baseball takes on Boise State this Saturday for the Conference Championship! Saturday 4/26 - double header starting at noon; Sunday at 11 am - single game. The Griz need 2 wins to cinch the Conference Champ... more

Missoula Runner Sara Stahl Reflects on Her Experiece at the Boston Marathon

By SARA STAHL - I’m on my way home from Boston. I was among the 25,000 people who awoke yesterday to run the world’s greatest marathon and went to bed having been at the heart of a national tragedy. ... more

FYI: Deadline for 2013 Griz Football Season Tickets May 1st

F.Y.I. - The University of Montana’s football season ticket holders are reminded that the deadline for UM’s ticket renewal is May 1 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets not paid for by May 1st will be released.... more

UM Sports Trivia | April 22

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Osprey Baseball, Montana Lady Griz Volleyball, and Grizzly Football. ... more

Back to Missoula and Back to Montana Fly Fishing

By MATT DEVLIN - I've been gone for the past 6 months working in Key West. But the pull of river currents and drifts undisturbed except by eager fish brought me home. God Bless Montana! .... more

Griz Name 2013 Football Team Captains

The University of Montana football team voted for their captains for the 2013 season, and head coach Mike Delaney told the rest of the team today (Friday, April 19) in a team meeting who those players are.... more

Run Wild Missoula Encourages Community to Continue to Run and Honor Boston

Run Wild Missoula encourages the community to continue to run and race in honor of those affected by the violence at the Boston Marathon, including at the Superfun(D) 10k, 5k and 1 mile on April 20 in Bonner.... more

Missoula Agencies Encourage Families to Unplug and Play

Let's Move Missoula and Unplug and Play Outside-April 21-28. A week-long series of SCREEN-FREE activities for Children including a free Unplug and Play Outside Festival on Apr 21, from 1-4pm.... more

UM Sports Trivia | April 15

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Angel Cabrera, Shannon Cate and Karen Deden, Stew Morrill and more.... more

5 Things to Include in Your Personal Flotation Device

By JASON SHREDER - Here are the 5 "must have" items I make sure are either in or on my personal flotation device (PFD) when I hit the river.... more

Returning to Missoula Marathon Training After an Injury

By DAVID SCHMETTERLING - Training for the Boston Marathon Marathon in 2010 went great. I was at the peak of my running and poised for a personal record. But then things started falling apart .... more

UM Sports Trivia | April 8

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Hellgate Senior, Chance Geery, Rick Pitino, and football and baseball tidbits.... more

Early Runoff: Is the Skwala Hatch Finished? A Rundown of Area Rivers

By BRYCE MCLEAN - Here's a complete run down of the areas rivers so you can make an educated decision on where you want to fish this week.... more

Warren Miller: Montana Skiing

By WARREN MILLER - After traveling the road for 55 years with my skis and my cameras, I was invited to Montana for the first time. When I discovered what Montana had to offer, I quit traveling.... more

Missoula Parks & Recreation Presents: Run for the Trees and Doggie Dash

F.Y.I. - Missoula Parks and Rec presents Run for the Trees 5k/1 mile Fun Run/Walk on Saturday April 13th and the Doggie Dash 5k/1 Mile Fun Run/Walk & Doggie Expo on May 5th. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | April 1

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Joscelyn Tinkle, Brittany Griner, Dennis Murphy, Mike Montgomery, and March Madness!... more

More Realignment Changes Taking Major Toll On FCS Football

By JIM O'DAY - The continued exodus of teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision is concerning, and could eventually have a dramatic impact on schools such as UM and MSU.... more

The Mighty Missouri: My All Time Favorite Trout River

By BRYCE MCLEAN - As much as I love the movie "A River Runs Through it" and as amazing as the fishing on the Blackfoot can be, my all-time favorite trout stream Has to be the Missouri.... more

Snowbowl Expansion Delayed as U.S. Forest Service Investigates

By KARL SCHNEIDER - Nearly a decade ago, Montana Snowbowl announced a plan to nearly double the size of the ski hill. The permit process and economics of the plan have been slow to materialize, but that may be ... more

Local Gym Owner Hopes Second Chance Will Make it Work

By AUSTIN GREEN - “We move as a group! Don’t quit! Don’t quit!” His commands were directed a dozen fit young men, the latest guinea pigs in Mike Scialabba’s ongoing fitness experiment.... more

Cherry Named to AA Team

By DAVE GUFFEY - For the second year in a row The University of Montana’s Will Cherry has been named to the Lou Henson Mid-Major All-America Basketball Team.... more

UM Sports Trivia | March 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: It's all MARCH MADNESS of course!... more

REMINDER: Deadline to Save on 2013 Griz Football Season Ticket Renewal is April 1st

By Dave Guffey - The University of Montana’s football season ticket holders are reminded that the deadline for UM’s special “early bird” ticket renewal offer is April 1, 2013.... more

The Elusive Skwala Hatch

By BRYCE MCLEAN - I have been fishing the skwala hatch since I was 10 years old. And after all that time I've learned: If you think you "definitely" know when it's going to happen, you are most certainly going ... more

How About the Griz and Lady Griz!!!

By JIM O'DAY - Regardless of what happens later this week in their NCAA Division I basketball tournaments, the Montana Griz and Lady Griz have a lot to be proud of this past season.... more

Selvig Named BSC Coach of the Year

Montana’s Robin Selvig has been named the Big Sky Conference Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year. This is the 18th time that Selvig has been named COY dating back to the 1982-83 season. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | March 18

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: It's ALL Griz and Lady Griz Tourney action of course!... more

Montana’s Tinkle Named Big Sky Coach of the Year

For the second consecutive season, Montana’s Wayne Tinkle has been selected as the Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year by his peers. ... more

PHOTO GALLERY: Griz Outlast Weber State 76-74 for BSC Championship

By AUSTIN SMITH - (PHOTO GALLERY) The Montana Grizzlies have secured two straight Big Sky titles and a trip to the national tournament after fending off Weber State in a 67-64 grudge match Saturday evening.... more

Photo Gallery: Lady Griz Beat Bears 56-43 for BSC Title

By AUSTIN SMITH - The Lady Griz are heading to the Big Dance after a 56-43 BSC Championship victory over the Northern Colorado Bears, a fairytale ending to what has been an impressive and emotional season for M... more

PHOTO GALLERY: Griz look for BSC Title After Ousting Colorado

By AUSTIN SMITH - (PHOTO GALLERY) Further asserting Montana’s clout within the Big Sky Conference, the Grizzlies rolled Northern Colorado 70-56 Friday evening and will play in Saturday’s championship round.... more

All-Pistons Offense and Lockdown Defense as Lady Griz Advance to BSC Finals

By AUSTIN SMITH - (PHOTO GALLERY) The Lady Griz have earned a shot at the Big Sky Conference title with a "hair-on-fire" 74-53 win over the Sacramento State Hornets Friday afternoon.... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Re-Opened March 15

F.Y.I. - To protect wintering elk and mule deer, much of Mount Jumbo is closed to recreational use during winter months. The Saddle Road and all points south of the road re-opened to the public on Friday, March... more

Are Pre-Determined Tournament Sites in the Big Sky’s Future?

By JIM O'DAY - Missoula is benefitting this week by hosting both the men’s and women’s Big Sky Basketball Tournaments. But is this format is economically feasible, or should the league look at predetermined... more

UM Sports Trivia | March 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Lady Griz Senior night, Griz and Lady Griz Tourney action, and more!... more

Baker Named Big Sky Conference MVP

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana senior Katie Baker, who led the Lady Griz to the 2013 Big Sky Conference regular-season championship, was named the league MVP Monday in voting by the Big Sky’s 11 head coaches.... more

UM’s Jamar Selected Big Sky Conference MVP

Grizzly junior forward/guard Kareem Jamar was tabbed as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Sky Conference. Will Cherry was named Defensive Player of the Year for second year in a row.... more

Kareem Jamar Named Big Sky Player of the Week

Montana’s Kareem Jamar has been selected as the final Big Sky Conference men’s basketball Player of the Week of the 2012-13 season.... more

2013 Big Sky Basketball Tournament Information

The Big Sky Conference men’s basketball tournament begins Thursday afternoon at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula. Montana is also hosting the women’s tournament, on Wednesday, Friday & Saturday.... more

Griz Win Big Sky Regular Season Title for Second Year in a Row

By DAVE GUFFEY - The Grizzlies wrapped up their second Big Sky Conference regular-season championship in a row with a hard-fought 63-50 come-from-behind victory over a scrappy NAU team Saturday evening.... more

Baker’s Career Night Leads Lady Griz to Big Sky Title

Senior Katie Baker matched her career high with 26 points to lead Montana to a 59-51 victory over Northern Arizona Thursday night, and the Big Sky Conference regular-season title. ... more