Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2013
- Class:
- 1955
Five outstanding athletes, an iconic Montana State University professor and a pair of championship women's basketball teams will join the school's most decorated athletic legends when they are inducted into the Wendy's Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame on September 13.
A pair of gridiron greats and two championship women's basketball highlight an induction class of six individuals and two teams. Four of the six individual inductees originally came to MSU from the Treasure State.
Two football All-Americas are up for induction, linebacker Jack Muhlbeier (1977-80) from Hardin and Neal Smith (1994-97) from Polson. Each earned All-America honors after dominant senior seasons. Another two-time all-conference end as a Bobcat football player, Vic Berra (Eveleth, Minn.), also starred in basketball (post) and baseball (first base) for the Bobcats. Ray Willis, Jr., earned the nod as MSU's top defensive player and was a key cog in one of the school's most successful three-year runs in the last 50 years (1985-88).
Alira Johnson, originally from Deer Lodge, won three straight conference championships in the high jump at MSU (1983-85), and continues to hold the school record. Montana State's back-to-back women's basketball championship squads of 2001-02 and 2002-03 took the Big Sky by storm, with different players (Jessica Blake and Isabel Stubbs) winning Big Sky MVP honors in those two seasons. Dr. Hayden Ferguson is renowned on the Bozeman campus as an iconic professor in the MSU College of Agriculture and for his tireless support of all Bobcat teams.
Hall of Fame ceremonies are set for Friday, Sept. 13, at Bozeman's Best Western GranTee Inn. Cost is $50 per couple, $26 for individuals, and the evening begins at 6 pm with a hosted social. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Bobcat Athletics at 406/994-5435. RSVPs are requested by Sept. 5.
Vic Berra – Football
A transfer from Eveleth (Minn.) Junior College in his hometown, Vic Berra came to Montana State as a football player, and the rangy end earned All-Rocky Mountain Conference honors as a sophomore in 1952 and a junior in 1953. He also played on the Bobcats' 8-1 1954 squad. And while he was considered an outstanding football player, his natural athleticism was on full display in the winter and spring, as well. He earned All-RMC honors on the hardwood in 1953-54, helping the Bobcats to a league title, and also played first base on the Bobcat baseball team
