There are no major league sports franchises in the American state of Montana due to the state's relatively small and dispersed population, but a number of minor-league teams play in the state.

Map of states of the United States in beige with Montana in red
Location of Montana

Baseball is the minor-league sport with the longest heritage in the state, and Montana is home to four Minor League baseball teams, all members of the Pioneer Baseball League. Many athletes move out of Montana to pursue their professional career in other states.

Football and basketball are the two most popular sports at the high school level. Montana is one of the few states where the smallest high schools participate in six-man football leagues. Numerous other sports are played at the club and amateur level, including softball, rugby, and soccer.

A number of Montanans have become notable for their involvement in a wide range of sport. Dave McNally is a baseball player who was a starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles for 13 years.[1] Phil Jackson is a basketball player and head coach who has been voted one of the Top 10 Coaches in National Basketball Association History.[2][3] Football players and coaches from Montana include Dave Dickenson, Pat Donovan, Jerry Kramer, and Jan Stenerud. Dickenson played quarterback in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) before becoming a head coach in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions.[4] Pat Donovan was ranked the top football player and number five overall athlete from Montana in the 20th century.[5] Donovan played left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, was a four-time Pro Bowler, and played in three Super Bowls, winning one.[6] Jerry Kramer played offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers, was a three-time Pro Bowler, and a five-time All-Pro, and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[7] Jan Stenerud is a Norwegian who went to college in Montana on a ski jumping scholarship. He was a placekicker in the American Football League (AFL) and NFL for 19 years, mostly for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was the first soccer-style kicker in the NFL and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.[8]

In 1904, a group of young Native-American women from Montana, after playing undefeated during their last season, went to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri, and defeated all challenging teams and were declared to be world champions. For this they received a large silver trophy with the inscription "World's Fair – St. Louis, 1904 – Basket Ball – Won by Fort Shaw Team".[9]

Baseball

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John Gibbons as a manager in 2007
 
Taylor Tankersley about to throw a pitch in 2008
Baseball players from Montana
Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s)
Jeff Ballard 1963–present Born and raised in Billings Major League Baseball pitcher (1987–1994) [10]
Ed Bouchee 1933–2013 Born and raised in Livingston Major League Baseball first baseman (1955–1962) [11]
Scott Brow 1969–present Born in Butte Major League Baseball relief pitcher (1993–1998) [12]
Johnny Couch 1891–1975 Born in Vaughn Major League Baseball pitcher (1917–1925) [13]
Jeff Doyle 1956–present Born in Havre Major League Baseball second baseman (1983) [14]
Cecil Duff 1896–1969 Born in Radersburg Major League Baseball pitcher (1922) [15]
John Gibbons 1962–present Born in Great Falls Major League Baseball catcher (1984, 1986); manager (2004–2008) [16][17]
Vedie Himsl 1917–2004 Born in Plevna Minor league baseball pitcher (1938–1942, 1946, 1950–1951); Major League Baseball coach (1960–1964) and scout (1965–1985) [18][19][20]
Rob Johnson 1982–present Born in Anaconda Major League Baseball catcher (2007–present) [21][22]
John Leister 1961–present Attended high school in Great Falls Major League Baseball pitcher (1987, 1990) [23][24][25]
John Lowenstein 1947–present Born in Wolf Point Major League Baseball outfielder, designated hitter, and utilityman (1970–1985) [26][27]
Joe McIntosh 1951–present Born in Billings Major League Baseball starting pitcher (1974–1975) [28]
Dave McNally 1942–2002 Born and lived in Billings Major League Baseball starting pitcher (1962–1975) [1][29]
Dave Meier 1959–present Born in Helena Major League Baseball left fielder (1984–1988) [30]
Gary Neibauer 1944–present Born in Billings Major League Baseball relief pitcher (1969–1973) [31]
Jim Otten 1951–present Born in Lewistown Major League Baseball pitcher (1974–1981) [32]
Herb Plews 1928–2014 Born in Helena Major League Baseball infielder (1956–1959) [33]
Les Rohr 1946–2020 Moved to Montana when an infant, attended high school in and lives in Billings Major League Baseball pitcher (1967–1969) [34][35]
Curt Schmidt 1970–present Born in Miles City Major League Baseball relief pitcher (1995) [36]
Taylor Tankersley 1983–present Born in Missoula Major League Baseball relief pitcher (2006–present) [37]
Mason Tobin 1987–present Born in Glendive Major League Baseball relief pitcher (2011–present) [38]
Jim Tyack 1911–1995 Born in Florence Major League Baseball outfielder (1943) [39]
Rees Gephardt "Steamboat" Williams 1892–1979 Born in Cascade Major League Baseball pitcher (1914–1916) [40]

Basketball

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11-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson by Michael Jordan in 1997
Basketball players from Montana
Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s)
Cass Bauer-Bilodeau 1972–present Born and raised in Hysham; attended college in Bozeman Women's National Basketball Association small forward (1999–2002) [41]
Jim Creighton 1950–present Born in Billings National Basketball Association small forward (1976) [42]
Denise Curry 1959–present Born in Fort Benton Olympic gold medalist (1984); professional basketball player in France with Ligue Féminine de Basketball, winning two national championships (1986, 1987) [43]
Brad Holland 1956–present Born in Billings National Basketball Association shooting guard (1980–1982) [44]
Phil Jackson 1945–present Born and lived for several years in Deer Lodge National Basketball Association (NBA) power forward (1968–1980) and head coach (1990–2011); voted one of the Top 10 coaches in NBA history [2][3][45]
Ed Kalafat 1932–2019 Attended high school in Anaconda National Basketball Association center (1955–1957) [46][47]
Larry Krystkowiak 1964–present Born in Missoula; raised in Shelby; finished high school in Missoula National Basketball Association power forward (1986–1996) and head coach (2007–2008) [48][49]
Mike Lewis 1946–present Born in Missoula American Basketball Association center (1969–1974) [50]
Adam Morrison 1984–present Born in Glendive National Basketball Association small forward (2006–2010) [51]
Robin Selvig 1953–present Born in Outlook Coach of University of Montana women's team (1978–2016); ranked 8th in winning percentage among coaches of college women's basketball teams [52]
Keith Tower 1970–present Born in Libby National Basketball Association center (1994–1997) [53]

Boxing

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Boxers from Montana
Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s)
Marvin Camel 1951–present Born in Ronan; lived in Missoula World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion (1980–1981) [54]
Joe Hipp 1962–present Born in Browning First Native American heavyweight champion (1999) [55]
Todd Foster 1967–present Born in Great Falls Golden Gloves light welterweight national champion (1987); Olympics competitor (1988); professional boxer [56]

Gridiron football

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Dan Carpenter on the sidelines in 2009
 
Lex Hilliard with the Miami Dolphins in 2009
 
Jan Stenerud in 2008 in front of Norwegian flag
Gridiron football players and coaches from Montana
Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s)
Colt Anderson 1985–present Born and raised in Butte; attended college in Missoula National Football League free safety (2009–present) [57]
Kroy Biermann 1985–present Born in Hardin; attended college in Missoula National Football League defensive end (2008–present) [58]
Dan Carpenter 1985–present Attended high school in Helena; attended college in Missoula National Football League placekicker (2008–present) [59]
Shane Collins 1969–present Born in Roundup; attended high school in Bozeman National Collegiate Athletic Association shot put national champion (1990); National Football League defensive end (1992–1994) [60][61][62]
Scott Curry 1975–present Born in Conrad; attended high school in Valier; attended college in Missoula National Football League offensive tackle (1999–2000) [63]
Barry Darrow 1950–present Attended high school in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula National Football League offensive tackle (1974–1978) [64]
Dave Dickenson 1973–present Born, raised, and attended high school in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League quarterback (1997–2008); CFL head coach (2008–present) [4][5][23][65]
Mitch Donahue 1968–present Attended high school in Billings National Football League defensive end/linebacker (1991–1994) [66]
Pat Donovan 1953–present Attended high school in Helena National Football League left tackle (1975–1983); four-time Pro Bowler; played in three Super Bowls, winning one [6][67]
Travis Dorsch 1979–present Attended high school in Bozeman National Football League placekicker and punter (2002–2004) [68][69]
Dwan Edwards 1981–present Born in Billings; attended high school in Columbus National Football League defensive tackle (2004–present) [70]
Casey FitzSimmons 1980–present Born in Wolf Point; raised in Chester; attended college in Helena National Football League tight end (2003–2009) [71][72]
Dane Fletcher 1986–present Born in and attended both high school and college in Bozeman National Football League linebacker (2010–present) [73]
John Friesz 1967–present Born in Missoula National Football League quarterback (1990–2000); member of College Football Hall of Fame [74][75]
Tim Hauck 1966–present Born in Butte; raised in Big Timber; resides in Missoula National Football League defensive back (1990–2002) [76]
Kris Heppner 1977–present Born in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula National Football League placekicker (2000) [77]
Lex Hilliard 1984–present Born and attended high school in Kalispell; attended college in Missoula National Football League running back (2008–present) [78]
"Wild" Bill Kelly 1905–1931 Raised in and attended college in Missoula National Football League running back (2008–present); member of College Football Hall of Fame [79][80]
Steve Kragthorpe 1965–present Born in Missoula Head coach at University of Tulsa (2003–2006) and University of Louisville (2007–2009) [81]
Jerry Kramer 1936–present Born in Jordan National Football League offensive guard (1958–1968); three-time Pro Bowler; five-time All-Pro; ranked number one player not in the Hall of Fame by the NFL Network [7][82]
Milan Lazetich 1921–1969 Born in Anaconda; attended college in Missoula National Football League offensive guard (1945–1950) [83]
Ryan Leaf 1976–present Born and raised in Great Falls National Football League quarterback (1998–2002) [23][84]
Marc Mariani 1987–present Born and raised in Havre; attended college in Missoula National Football League wide receiver (2010–present) [85]
Jack McAuliffe 1901–1941 Born and raised in Butte; attended college in Missoula National Football League running back (1926) [86]
Sam McCullum 1952–present Raised in Kalispell; attended college in Bozeman National Football League wide receiver (1974–1983) [87]
Blaine McElmurry 1973–present Born in Helena; raised in Troy; attended college in Missoula National Football League defensive back (1997–1999) [88]
Dylan McFarland 1980–present Born in Kalispell; attended college in Missoula National Football League offensive tackle (2004–2006) [89]
Mike McLeod 1958–present Born, raised, and attended college in Bozeman National Football League safety (1984–1985) [90]
Dallas Neil 1976–present Born in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula National Football League punter and tight end (2000–2004) [91]
Bob O'Billovich 1940–present Attended high school in Butte; attended college in Missoula Canadian Football League (CFL) defensive back and quarterback (1963–1967); CFL head coach and front-office official (1982–1989, 1990–1995, 2008–present) [92][93][94]
Brock Osweiler 1990–present Raised and attended high school in Kalispell National Football League quarterback (2012–present) [95]
Mike Person 1988–present Born in Glendive; attended college in Bozeman National Football League center (2011–present) [96]
Russ Peterson 1905–1971 Attended high school in Miles City; attended college in Missoula National Football League offensive tackle (1932) [97]
Bobby Petrino 1961–present Born in Lewistown; raised and attended college in Helena National Football League head coach (Atlanta Falcons, 2007); collegiate head coach at the University of Louisville (2003–2006, 2014–present), University of Arkansas (2008–2011) and Western Kentucky University (2013) [98][99][100]
Paul Petrino 1967–present Born in Butte; raised and attended college in Helena Collegiate head coach at the University of Idaho (2013–present) [101][102][103]
Milt "Butte Bullet" Popovich 1915–2005 Born in Butte National Football League fullback (1938–1942) [104]
Brian Salonen 1961–present Born in Glasgow; raised in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula National Football League tight end and linebacker (1984–1985) [5][105]
Shann Schillinger 1986–present Born and raised in Baker; attended college in Missoula National Football League free safety (2010–present) [106]
Kirk Scrafford 1967–present Born and raised in Billings; attended college in Missoula National Football League offensive tackle (1990–1998) [107]
Jan Stenerud 1942–present Moved to Bozeman from Norway to attend college on a ski jumping scholarship American Football League and National Football League placekicker (1967–1985); elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame (1991); recruited to the Montana State University – Bozeman (MSU) football team by Jim Sweeney [8][108][109]
Jim Sweeney 1929–2013 Born in Butte; coached college football in Bozeman Head football coach at Montana State University – Bozeman (MSU) (1963–1967), Washington State University (1968–1975), and California State University, Fresno (1976–1977, 1980–1996), compiling a career college football record of 201-153-4; credited with recruiting Jan Stenerud to the MSU team [109][110][111][112]
Kevin Sweeney 1963–present Born in Bozeman National Football League quarterback (1987–1988) [113]
Mike Tilleman 1944–2020 Born in Chinook; attended college in Missoula; lives in Havre National Football League defensive tackle (1966–1976) [114][115]
Corey Widmer 1968–present Raised and attended college in Bozeman National Football League linebacker and defensive lineman (1992–1999) [116]

Rodeo

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Rodeo clown Flint Rasmussen in 2007
Rodeo performers from Montana
Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s)
Bill Linderman 1920–1965 Born in Bridger; raised in Red Lodge Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion All-Around Cowboy (1950 & 1953); elected to ProRodeo Hall of Fame (1979) [117][118][119][120]
Montie Montana 1910–1998 Born in Wolf Point Trick roper and rider; actor; stuntman; participant in Tournament of Roses Parade for 60 years; elected to ProRodeo Hall of Fame (1994); [121][122]
Dan Mortensen 1968–present Born in Billings; attended college in Bozeman; lives in Manhattan Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion All-Around Cowboy (1997); World Saddle Bronc Champion (1993–1995, 1997, 1998 and 2003); elected to ProRodeo Hall of Fame (2009) [123][124][125]
Alice Greenough Orr 1902–1995 Born, raised, and lived in Red Lodge Member of National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum [126][127]
Flint Rasmussen 1968–present Born in Montana; lives on a ranch near Choteau Rodeo clown; Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association "Clown of the Year" eight consecutive years; former high school science and math teacher [128][129]
Benny Reynolds 1936–2014 Born and raised in Twin Bridges; lived in Melrose Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion All-Around Cowboy (1961); elected to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1993. [123][130][131][132]

Wrestling

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Wrestlers from Montana
Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s)
Gene Davis 1945–present Born and raised in Missoula, Montana Four-time undefeated (66-0) Montana high school champion, 1960–63; 1965 NCAA champion for Oklahoma State; 1976 Montreal Olympics bronze medalist Freestyle wrestling [1][permanent dead link]
Bill Zadick 1973–present Born and raised in Great Falls World Freestyle Championships gold medalist at 66 kilograms (146 lb) (2006) [133]
Mike Zadick 1978–present Born and raised in Great Falls World Freestyle Championships silver medalist at 60 kilograms (130 lb) (2006) [134]

Other athletes

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Cyclist Levi Leipheimer, Germany 2005
 
Indy car driver Chuck Stevenson in 1952
Other athletes from Montana
Name Lifetime Montana connection Comments Ref(s)
Conrad Anker 1963–present Lives in Bozeman Mountain climber; member of The North Face climbing team [135][136]
Eric Bergoust 1969–present Born and raised in Missoula Olympic freestyle skier (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006); gold medalist (1998) [137][138]
Scott Davis 1972–present Born in Great Falls Figure skater; two-time U.S. Champion (1993–1994) [139][140]
Sierra Fellers 1986–present Born in Whitefish Professional skateboarder [141]
Keith Jardine 1975–present Born in Butte Mixed martial arts fighter [142][143][144]
Dave Johnson 1963–present Raised in Missoula Decathlete; participant in 1988 Summer Olympics; bronze medalist in 1992 Summer Olympics [145][146]
Nikki Kimball 1971–present Lives in Bozeman Ultra-distance runner; 50 miles (80 km) Trail National Champion (2003, 2004, 2005) [147][148]
Levi Leipheimer 1973–present Born in Butte Cyclist; bronze medal at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in the individual road time trial [149][150]
John Misha Petkevich 1949–present Raised in Great Falls Olympic figure skater (1968 Winter Olympics, 1972 Winter Olympics); United States Figure Skating Champion and North American Figure Skating Champion in men's singles (1971); earned a Ph.D. in cell biology at University of Oxford as a Rhodes scholar [151][152]
Mike Ramos 1962–present Lives in Missoula National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) decathlon champion (1986); won three Pac-10 decathlon titles (1983, 1984, 1986); set NCAA decathlon record (8,322 points) in 1986 Pac-10 championship meet; inducted to the Husky Hall of Fame (2000) [153]
Alice Ritzman 1952–present Born and raised in Flathead Valley; attended college in Billings Professional golfer on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour (1978–1998) [154][155][156]
Scot Schmidt 1961–present Born in Helena First professional extreme skier [157][158]
Leslie Spalding 1969–present Born in Billings; previously lived in Billings and Bozeman Professional golfer on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour (1995–2005); head coach of women's golf at Montana State University (2007–2011) [159][160]
Chuck Stevenson 1919–1995 Born in Sidney. IndyCar driver; winner of the 1952 National Championship. [161][162]
Doug Swingley 1953–present Born and raised in Great Falls; lives in Lincoln Dog sled racer; four-time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001) [163][164][165]
Lones Wigger 1937–2017 Born in Great Falls Rifle shooter; three-time Olympic medalist—gold and silver in the 1964 Summer Olympics and gold in the 1972 Summer Olympics; once held 80 national championships and 29 world records [166][167]

See also

edit

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