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 Athletics Rolls Out Spring Football Ticket Process

Roughly 5,000 fans will get the chance to watch the Montana Grizzlies take on Central Washington and Portland State live and in-person at Washington-Grizzly Stadium this spring... more

Attendance, Kick Times, and Broadcast Details Set For Griz Spring Games

The Montana football team will have a limited number of fans in attendance at its two spring football games, kick times have been confirmed.... more

Montana’s Offense Reloaded for 2021

When the Montana Grizzlies take the field for their first official practice of spring on Friday, one of their many offensive weapons will be running back Marcus Knight.... more

Montana Adds Spring Game vs. Portland State

The Montana Grizzlies have added another opponent to the 2021 modified spring schedule, with Portland State set to visit Washington-Grizzly Stadium in a non-conference matchup on April 17.... more

2021 Smith River Permit Drawing Results Now Available

The permit lottery results to float Smith River State Park in 2021 are now available online at fwp.mt.gov.... more

2020 Big Sky Schedule Moved to 2021

The Big Sky Conference announced Wednesday it has approved moving the fall 2020 conference football schedule to the fall of 2021, restoring the slate of games that had previously been canceled.... more

Montana Schools to Play Modified Spring Football Season

The football programs at the University of Montana and Montana State University announced jointly on Friday that neither team will participate in the Big Sky Conference's spring championship season.... more

Louie-McGee Signs Contract to Play at Edmonton

Montana's record-breaking wide receiver Jerry Louie-McGee has officially signed to play professionally for the Edmonton Football Team of the Canadian Football League.... more

Montana Earns Upset Win Over Washington

It was a happy homecoming for head coach Travis DeCuire, who earned a 66-58 win over the Washington Huskies on Wednesday night.... more

Montana Basketball Season to Start Without Fans for Home Games

The Montana basketball teams will start the upcoming season without fans for their home games at Dahlberg Arena.... more

Tiemann Named “Voice of the Lady Griz”

The University of Montana women’s basketball program welcomes a new play-by-play broadcaster this season: Shawn Tiemann ... more

Olson, Louie-McGee Named to Edmonton’s Negotiation List

Former Grizzlies Dante Olson and Jerry Louie-McGee have been added to the Edmonton Football Team's negotiation list, officially claiming the exclusive Canadian Football League rights of the two Montana stan... more

Bear Spray – Carry it, Know How to Use it This Fall

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray and urges hunters to learn these bear-aware safety measures.... more

2020 Big Game Hunting Forecast

Are you ready for hunting season? FWP can help. In addition to the following hunting forecast, FWP provides online information about hunting access, including our popular Block Management Program.... more

The Importance of Varying Dry Fly Patterns While Fly Fishing in Missoula

Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing a fly fishing expedition in Missoula and planning where to cast your favorite dry flies for trout.... more

Griz Picked No. 7 in Preseason Media Poll

By ERIC TABER - The Montana Grizzlies were slotted in at No. 7 in the first, and only, STATS Perform FCS Top 25 media poll of the year, the organization announced Tuesday.... more

Big Sky Postpones All Fall Sports Until Spring 2021

Due to ongoing concerns related to COVID-19, the Big Sky Conference is postponing all competition for its fall sports to spring 2021.... more

5 Ways You Can Work on Your Golf Game off the Course

Whether you’re new to the sport, or a seasoned pro, there is always room for improvement when it comes to upping your golf game. ... more

Statement on Montana’s Home Football Game Against Morehead State

Morehead State has informed Montana director of athletics Kent Haslam of their intention to obtain a waiver from the Pioneer League to play the Montana/Morehead State game as scheduled.  ... more

FWP “Kids to Fish” Program Allows Anglers to Borrow Gear & Tackle For Free

A popular Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks program that allows kids and their friends or families to check out free fishing rods and tackle is in full swing again this year. ... more

Griz Picked Second in Big Sky Preseason Polls

The Montana Grizzlies have been picked to finish second in the 2020 Big Sky title race by the league's coaches and media.... more

Longtime Relationships Help Griz Land Transfers From Louisville and Arizona

A pair of recruiting journeys years in the making came full circle for Grizzly head coach Bobby Hauck and his staff this week.... more

Montana Opens at No. 7 in First Preseason Poll

With summer underway and the fall season approaching, the first preseason prognostication was released on Wednesday by the FCS editors of HERO Sports.... more

Beartooth Wildlife Management Area Opens May 15 to Day-Use Only

To coordinate with local and federal partners, Beartooth WMA opens May 15 to day-use only; other WMAs open as usual with social distancing protocols in place.... more

Olson Signs with Philadelphia Eagles

The greatest tackler in Montana and Big Sky Conference history received the chance to make a literal dream of a lifetime come true Saturday, signing with the Eagles.... more

Big Sky Conference to Re-Air Several Griz Basketball Games This Week on Pluto TV

Montana fans can get their basketball fix this week, with the Big Sky Conference announcing it will re-air 15 recent basketball games on Pluto TV (channel 530).... more

Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors

After a long winter, bears are out and about. And, as COVID-19 quarantines continue, humans are seeking solace and activity in the outdoors.... more

Hunting Permit Drawing Results Now Available

Hunters can now check the results of the 2020 nonresident combination and elk and deer permit drawing to see if they were successful.... more

State Lands Remain Open For Day Use

Fish Wildlife and Parks adjusts facility management in response to COVID-19; and state lands remain open for day use. ... more

Griz Football Classics Set For Re-Air on ROOT Sports & SWX

Montana's 1995 National Championship win over Marshall is set to highlight a 31-game slate of Big Sky Conference classic football game re-broadcasts on ROOT Sports and SWX Montana.... more

Grizzly Athletics Announces Social Distancing Measures

The University of Montana Department of Athletics will suspend all practices and group team activities through March 29... more

Bears Spoil Grizzlies’ Control of 1st Place

By NIC HALLISEY - The Bears handed Montana a 71-64 loss on Thursday night, severely damaging Montana's chance to win a third consecutive regular-season championship.... more

Montana, Hauck Agree to New Four-Year Contract

The University of Montana and Bobby Hauck, the school's winningest football coach of all time, have agreed to a new four-year contract, extending him through January 2024.... more

Seniors Lead Montana to Another Brawl of the Wild Victory

Montana capped a decade of dominance against Montana State on Saturday, winning for the 19th time in the past 20 meetings.... more

Lady Griz Seeking Bye as End of Regular Season Approaches

The Montana women's basketball team will play a single game this week, facing Montana State on Saturday in Bozeman.... more

Pridgett Earns Big Sky Player-of-the-Week Honors Once Again

After averaging 24.5 points per game, including a near-triple-double vs. Idaho State, Sayeed Pridgett was a no-brainer to be named the Big Sky Conference Ready Nutrition Player of the Week.... more

Offensive Uptick Leading Grizzlies, Who Host Weber State and Idaho State This Week

Back in first place following three consecutive rivalry wins, Montana will now bring its league-leading record back to Missoula, where the Grizzlies will host Weber State (Thursday) and Idaho State (Saturday).... more

Montana Lets Lead Slip Away at Weber State

By NIC HALLISEY - Montana led for all but 2 minutes of regulation, including by seven points with under 2 minutes to play, before Weber State closed the period on an 8-1 run to force overtime.  ... more

Winter’s Tale

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Right now, it’s too late for hunting, too early for fishing and I’m too old for winter mountain climbing.... more

Montana Holds On at Idaho State

By NIC HALLISEY - It wasn't easy, but at the end of the night, Montana is 7-1 in Big Sky Conference play following another victory on the road.... more

Samuelson Lifts Montana Over Idaho for 1,000th Home Win

Montana is 6-1 to open Big Sky Conference play following a 67-63 home victory over Idaho on Saturday night. The victory was the 1,000th home win in program history.... more

Carter-Hollinger Tabbed as Big Sky Player of the Week

NIC HALLISEY - On Tuesday, it was Derrick Carter-Hollinger's turn in the spotlight. The freshman averaged 16.5 points per game on an incredible .789 shooting (15-of-19), in addition to 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 block... more

Manuel’s Clutch Free Throws Lift Grizzlies to Slugfest Wim over Hornets

Tied at 50-50 with 5.2 seconds to play, Montana inbounded the ball with the intention to run a cross, hoping to find a backdoor cut down low, or somehow get to the rim.  ... more

Montana Returns Home With Clean Slate

By NIC HALLISEY - The first seven weeks of Montana's 2019-20 basketball campaign featured several ups and downs.... more

Big Sky-Best Five Griz Named All-American by HERO Sports

A Big Sky Conference-best five Montana Grizzlies have earned All-America honors from HERO Sports, the online sports news outlet announced Monday.... more

Griz Set For Marquee Rematch at Weber State

By ERIC TABER-This week No. 6-seed Montana returns to the road for a "Thrilla in Manilla", traveling to Ogden, Utah, for an epic quarterfinal title-bout rematch against No. 3-seed Weber State.... more

Records Fall as Griz Advance to FCS Quarterfinal

By ERIC TABER - The Grizzlies scored a season-high 73 points against Southeaster Louisiana while punching its ticket to a quarterfinal rematch against No. 3 Weber State.... more

Griz Host Southeastern Louisana in Second Round of FCS Playoffs

By ERIC TABER - The FCS Playoffs return to Missoula for the first time since 2015 this week as the sixth-seed Montana hosts Southeastern Louisiana in the second round of the tournament.... more

Top 10 Hikes Around Missoula

By JEFF JONES - An insider's perspective of the top 10 hikes in and around Missoula, Montana.... more

Orediggers Stun Grizzlies in Missoula

By NIC HALLISEY - Montana head coach Travis DeCuire didn't like the urgency his team had been playing with lately, and it showed on Monday as the Grizzlies fell to Montana Tech, 74-72.  ... more