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

Posts Tagged ‘University of Montana’

Griz, Cats Set to Renew Rivalry For 123rd Time

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

A Guide to Choosing the Right University in Montana

Montana’s academic community has both public and private colleges and universities with different strengths and features based on student needs and desires.... 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

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

Bergen Named to Payton Award Watch List

Griz football standout Junior Bergen has added to his pile of preseason accolades with a place on the 2024 Walter Payton Award Watch List as a wide receiver.... 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

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

Grizzly Football: GSA Spring Tour Returns in 2024

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

NFL Veteran Scott Linehan Joins Grizzly Coaching Staff

Former NFL head coach and 30-plus year coaching veteran Scott Linehan has joined the Montana football coaching staff as an offensive analyst.... more

Maxwell Football Club Names Hauck Winner of 2023 Get in the Game Impact Award

By: Montana Sports Information The Maxwell Football Club, one of the most prestigious football honors organizations in the nation, announced Tuesday that Montana head football coach Bobby Hauck ha... 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

Eight Grizzlies Named Academic All-District

Eight Griz players were honored for their excellence in the classroom and on the field named Academic All-District on Tuesday.... more

Griz Beat Furman in OT Thriller to Advance to Semis

Friday night's 35-28 overtime win over Furman in the FCS Quarterfinal is the latest addition to the Washington-Grizzly Stadium lore, and Junior Bergen the latest Grizzly hero.... more

Hauck Named the AFCA FCS Region 5 Coach of the Year

After winning his eighth Big Sky Conference championship and becoming the league's all-time winningest coach, Bobby Hauck has been voted Coach of the Year.... 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

Postgame Fireworks Show Announced For Sept. 16 Black Out

Griz Football is back in Missoula, and fans' next chance to catch Montana inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium is next Saturday, Sept. 16.... more

4 Unconventional Skills Every University Student Should Master

whether it's sharpening your critical thinking skills or mastering the art of cooking, here are some skills every university student should master. ... more

Griz Picked Third, Sixth in Preseason Polls

Media members around the league picked Montana to finish third in this year’s title race while coaches picked the Griz to finish sixth, the Big Sky Conference announced in its annual preseason polls.... 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

Welnel Passes No. 37 Tradition to Janacaro

Welnel announced Levi Janacaro, a Missoula native and fellow linebacker, is his choice to be the 17th player in program history to wear No. 37, ... more

GSA Tailgate Moves Inside “The Grizzly Den” For Spring Game

Fans set to attend the annual Grizzly Scholarship Association Spring Football Game on April 7, will now have the chance to experience Washington-Grizzly Stadium's new premium seating zone, The Grizzly Den,... more

GSA Spring Tour Returns in 2023

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

Big Plays Haunt Griz in Loss to Bison

Saturday's game ends Montana's season in the second round at 8-5 overall, while the Bison advance to their 13th straight quarterfinal.... 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

8 Of The Best Scholarship Opportunities for Music Students in Missoula

Here are top seven best scholarship opportunities for music students in Missoula.... more

Montana Nearing Record Season Ticket Sales as Kickoff Approaches

With Montana picked to win the Big Sky Conference title and receiving a top-two preseason national ranking, excitement for Griz football is high in Missoula.  ... 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

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

Team IMPACT Delivers Special Addition to Griz Basketball Program

Sometimes the best recruits are the most unexpected.... more

Four Montana Legends Earn Place in Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame

Grizzly Athletics proudly announced the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame incoming class of 2022, and the recipient of the Grizzly Lifetime Honors Award.... more

Sundberg Promoted to Deputy Athletics Director

Longtime University of Montana athletic administrator Greg Sundberg has been promoted to deputy athletics director.... more

Friday’s Griz Basketball Game Moved to 3pm Tip-Off

With Montana football advancing to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs against James Madison Friday night, Montana's basketball game that evening has been moved up to 3 p.m.... more

No. 6 Griz to Face No. 3 Dukes in FCS Quarterfinal

Survive and advance is the mantra in the FCS Playoffs, and the Montana Grizzlies did that and a whole lore more last week, dominating Eastern Washington and advancing to take on James Madison. ... more

Griz Advance to Face James Madison in Virginia

With Friday's win over Eastern Washington, the Montana Grizzlies have advanced to the Quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs and will Play James Madison in Virginia. ... more

Griz Get Redemption on Eagles, Advance to FCS Quarterfinal

Montana improves to 10-2 and advances to the FCS quarterfinal round against No. 3 James Madison. ... more

6 Famous Athletes From Montana

Montana has a rich sports history tradition. Here are some of it's most notable athletes: ... more

Griz Stars Honored at Annual Awards Banquet

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck and his staff honored some of the Grizzlies' best performers of the year on Sunday at the annual team awards banquet. ... more

Griz Axe Jacks With Dominant Defense

Every time you think Montana's defense has put together its best performance of the season, they find a new way to step their game up.... more

Griz Look to Continue Winning Ways on the Road in Greely

With momentum from of two-straight wins, the Montana Grizzlies return to the road, to battle Northern Colorado Saturday with kickoff in Greeley set for noon.... more