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

White-tailed Deer, Elk Harvest Up on Rocky Mountain Front

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Hunters on the Rocky Mountain Front took home more elk and white-tailed deer than average but fewer mule deer during the general big game season, which ended Nov. 25.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Griz and Lady Griz basketball, recently fired Jon Embree of Colorado, and Larry Hagman of Dallas TV Fame.... more

Wildcats rain threes, upend Lady Griz in Vegas

Senior Kenzie De Boer scored 18 points and sophomore Kellie Cole added 14 off the bench to lead the Montana women’s basketball team to a 69-65 overtime victory over UNLV.... more

PHOTO GALLERY: UM Grizzlies vs San Diego

By AUSTIN SMITH. The Montana Grizzlies were victorious Saturday night, a 67-66 barnburner that takes the team to 4-1 in non-conference play.... more

Griz win nail biter 67-66 over San Diego

Forward Kevin Henderson nailed a three-point shot with 2.5 seconds remaining in the game to give the host University of Montana Grizzlies a dramatic 67-66 victory over the University of San Diego Toreros.... more

Lady Griz edge out UNLV 69-65 in overtime

Senior Kenzie De Boer scored 18 points and sophomore Kellie Cole added 14 off the bench to lead the Montana women’s basketball team to a 69-65 overtime victory over UNLV.... more

Griz Host Toreros Saturday, Nov. 24th

The University of Montana Grizzlies (2-1) are back home this Saturday, hosting the San Diego Toreros (3-3) on Nov. 24, in UM’s Dahlberg Arena (7,321), with tip-off at 6:00 p.m.... more

Tough field awaits Lady Griz in Las Vegas

The Montana women’s basketball team will play a pair of games this weekend at the UNLV Lady Rebel Round-Up in Las Vegas.... more

Football in the rear-view mirror

By JIM O'DAY - With football, volleyball, cross country and soccer now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to support the men’s and women’s basketball programs at UM.... more

Griz have 17 players named to 2012 All-Big Sky Football Team

The Grizzlies had four players named to the first team and one second team pick, as well as 13 players named honorable mention all-conference.... more

Lady Griz Play Like Veterans, Win Big at Idaho

This time there would be no Memorial Gym magic. The Lady Griz basketball team jumped out to a 39-23 halftime lead and rolled to a 71-50 win over Idaho Sunday afternoon at Moscow, ID. ... more

Lady Griz Play Idaho in Early Season Non-conference Matinee Sunday in Moscow

By UM SPORTS INFORMATION: The Montana women’s basketball team will continue its early-season non-conference schedule with a matinee at Idaho Sunday at Moscow, Idaho. The Lady Griz and Vandals will tip off at ... more

Photo Gallery: Griz Fall to the Cats 16-7 in 2012 Brawl of the Wild

By AUSTIN SMITH - The Montana Grizzlies suffered their third home loss Saturday, a season-ending 16-7 struggle against their conference rival the Montana State Bobcats.... more

Lady Griz Sign Three to National Letters of Intent

The Lady Griz signed 6-3 forward/center Alycia Sims of Stevensville, MT, Kayleigh Valley, a 5-11 forward from Spokane, WA., and 6-2 forward/center Mekayla Isaak of Bend, OR.... more

Photo Gallery: Griz Win Big Over Minot State 82-53

By AUSTIN SMITH - ‘Tinkle’s Titans’ flexed some serious Montana muscle Wednesday evening to secure a contested 82-53 win over the Minot State Beavers. ... more

At Long Last: My First In-Person Griz-Cat Game in 5 Long Years

By JIM O'DAY - For the first time in 5 years, I'll be at the Griz-Cat game in person. Each of the past 4 years, I was in Indianapolis representing the UM as the AD.... more

Photo Gallery: Lady Griz Trounce MSU-Northern 75-45

By AUSTIN SMITH - Freshman Shanae Gilham earned her second ‘Player of the Game’ honors Tuesday evening as the Lady Griz trounced the MSU-Northern Skylights 75-45 for their third win this season.... more

From Afghanistan to the Back of the Pack

By HEATHER JENNER - While moving from Afghanistan to Missoula was hard, joining Run Wild Missoula and the Back of the Pack was one of the smartest things I've done.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: It's Griz-Cat weekend. Enough Said!... more

More Than Just a Pretty Place: Why I Chose to Make It Missoula

By JIM O'DAY - Why do so many people make Missoula the place they call home? It’s much more than just the beautiful scenery, it’s the people who live here.... more

Hellgate Rollergirls Derby Profile: M.Kneesya

By KP NICHOLS - Marlana Kosky, a.k.a. M.Kneesya #3, is a founders of the Hellgate Rollergirls. KP Nichols asks her some burning questions about being a rollergirl.... more

Rebirth of Boxing: The Montana Boxing Resurgence

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - If boxing is to match Montana's glory days, it needs the skill of a promoter like Shelley Burton and a journeyman fighter like Jesse Uhde.... more

Photo Gallery: Lady Griz Beat Minot State, 85-47

By AUSTIN SMITH - The Lady Griz are officially on a win streak after Monday’s 85-47 thrashing of Minot State in the second game of their 2012-13 season.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Grizzly Football, Lady Griz Basketball, Brent Musberger, and more!... more

Photo Gallery: Grizzly Hoops win 86-68 over Lewis & Clark State

By AUSTIN SMITH - The University of Montana men’s basketball crew opened their 2012-13 season Thursday evening with a solid 86-68 win over the Lewis & Clark State Warriors. ... more

The 2nd Annual Ride for Tanner Rail Jam in Caras Park

This Saturday, Nov. 3, the 2nd annual Ride for Tanner Rail Jam will bring big air and big fun to Caras Park. All proceeds go to benefit the construction of a new BMX park.... more

Photo Gallery: Lady Griz vs. Carroll College Knights

By AUSTIN SMITH - Robin Selvig’s 2012-13 Lady Griz came out strong and didn’t let up in an early season 72-45 victory over the Carroll College Knights on Tuesday.... more

Little Grizzly Football: Much More Than Just a Sport

By ERIN TURNER - If you were a boy growing up in Missoula in the last 30 or 40 years, you may remember Little Grizzly Football. Our boys have learned more than a sport... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: The 70-24 Griz win over Idaho State, Weber State, San Francisco's sweep of the Detroit Tigers.... more

Elk, Whitetail Harvest Up, Mule Deer Below Average on Rocky Mountain Front

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Elk and white-tailed deer harvest numbers continue above average, while the mule deer harvest is down on the Rocky Mountain Front.... more

Photo Gallery: Montana Griz vs. Idaho State Bengals

By AUSTIN SMITH - Offense was the order of the day as the Grizzlies coasted to an absolute blowout 70-24 victory over the Idaho State Bengals on Saturday afternoon.... more

Damage control: Five-loss Grizzlies wage war on Idaho State

DUSTIN ASKIM - The Montana Grizzlies still have a chance to finish the season with more wins than losses if they can avoid a loss when they clash with the 1-6 Idaho State Bengals Saturday at Washington-Grizzly ... more

Behind the Camera at the Hellgate Rollergirls Calendar Photo Shoot

By VIOLET HOPKINS - Join the Hellgate Rollergirls as they celebrate the release of their 2013 calendar at the Tamarack Brewing Company on First Friday, Nov. 2, from 6-9pm.... more

Missoula’s Cannons, Crazies, Cheers… and ‘Cures’

By BRIAN MARSH - There's always something to catch in Missoula, with endless 'Fests and community gatherings. But there's one thing you can't avoid catching: Griz Fever.... more

Missoula Fighter Sets Out On Boxing’s Boulevard of Rugged Dreams

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - At 24, boxer Adam Axelson feels as if he is in the prime of his life. “Boxing is in my blood,” says Axelson, a Butte native who calls Missoula home.... more

The Ups and Downs of Being a Griz Fan

By JIM O'DAY - Griz fans have become accustomed to winning, and with winning come some high expectations. But when there are downturns, it can become a challenge.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: History between Idaho State vs. Griz, Griz-Cat Matchup, Interim Idaho Vandal head coach Jason Gesser, World Series, and the late Senator Ge... more

Roller Derby: It’s For Sports Fans, Families, and Everyone in Between

By KP NICHOLS - Many perceive roller derby as WWF-style theater, but roller derby in 2012 looks a lot different. Go to a Hellgate Rollergirls bout to see for yourself.... more

The Life and Artistry of Boat Builder Stu Williams

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Missoula boat builder Stu Williams believes in the sentiment of peace and paddling. He also believes that there are few things designed well.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: University of North Dakota, Griz-Cat Matchup, Montana Volleyball, and John Wooden.... more

Avoid These 10 Common Hunting Mistakes

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Here are 10 problem areas, courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens, that hunters seem to stumble over year after year:... more

Photo Gallery: Griz vs. Southern Utah University

By AUSTIN SMITH - Once again Griz Nation was sent home unhappy after the Montana Grizzlies lost Saturday afternoon to the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, 30-20.... more

Bear Spray: Carry It and Know How to Use It

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and Jack Hanna tell why it's important to carry bear spray and know how to use it this hunting season.... more

FWP Offers New Improved Montana Hunt Planner Map

The Montana Hunter Planner just got rejuvenated—right in time for Montana's primetime hunting seasons. The new, improved Montana Hunt Planner is an interactive search and now combines a one-stop mapping servi... more

’Yota: Energize Griz baseball team, he will

By ERIK C. ANDERSON - During the University of Montana’s fall baseball tryouts, one prospect caught the attention of head coach Ryan Sharkey. Yes, the Force is strong with Ryota Hoshino aka Yota.... more

Jim O’Day: Once a Griz Always a Griz

By JIM O'DAY - It’s no secret I love Missoula, and my family and I have decided that of all the choices and places we could call home, we choose to MAKE IT MISSOULA!... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Southern Utah, Sean Touhy Jr., and Chuck Pagano of the Indianapolis Colts.... more

Missoulians Gather in a Spiritual Plea for Snow!

By MARK VOSBURGH - The fine folks at the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation are throwing an epic Pray for Snow Party at Caras Park on Friday, Oct. 5.... more

Hunting Access: Ask Early, Don’t Wait

It is Montana law that hunters obtain landowner permission to hunt on all private land. Here are a few tips that could improve your chances to secure permission.... more

North Central Montana Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook

By BRUCE AUCHLY - The news for big game this fall in north central Montana is decidedly mixed. Elk and white-tailed deer numbers are solid. However, that’s generally not the case for antelope and mule deer. ... more