Streak Ends... Acrimony, Too
11/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
They're a good football team, said a gracious UM coach Joe Glenn after his team lost the Big Sky title to Montana State, ending a 16-year run of wins by his team in this heated, sometimes bitterly so, series. "They ended this THING", he said in reference to MSU coach Mike Kramer's title for the streak. "They took the streak and buried it".
Glenn's graciousness was met unknowingly by class and dignity from MSU coach Mike Kramer. "I'm proud to share the Big Sky Championship with the University of Montana, a great, great program, and Idaho State, a team much like ourselves. We'll hang a banner and get fitted for rings, they'll hang a banner and get fitted for rings, and I think if these three teams met over and over and over again on a neutral field we'd never be able to decide who's better."
In spite of rumors throughout the week that Missoula would respond to a Bobcat victory with a riot, that MSU and its fans would be treated with hostility, the site on the field and in the stands after the game was every bit as impressive as the manner in which the opposing head coaches handled the situation.
Bobcat fans celebrated the win in full throat, with only a few choruses of Pooooooor Grizzlies and fewer yet references to dining habits of UM denizens. Montana State's fans spent most of their energy cheering for their team, not ridiculing the opponent. And Montana's fans responded by simply going home.
It was not easy to find boorish behavior or bitter altercations that sometimes mar this rivalry. And the ridiculous tradition of storming the field and putting players, coaches and fans alike in peril by trying to tear down the goalposts simply didn't happen. Montana State's fans followed their team's win with an equally impressive triumph, showing (for the most part) class and grace. Montana's fans responded in kind.
"I don't wear the t-shirts with that number (16) on it, I don't tell jokes about the Bobcats, I don't think that stuff's healthy", Glenn said after the game. "The rivalry", he said, "has been far too hateful, which is not what college athletics should be."
The Bobcat team returned home to a raucous welcome on Saturday night. Bobcats across the world continue to revel in the win. In the end, though, we may have all won, Bobcats and Grizzlies alike, because, in the end, everyone acted like what they are: Montanans.
Glenn's graciousness was met unknowingly by class and dignity from MSU coach Mike Kramer. "I'm proud to share the Big Sky Championship with the University of Montana, a great, great program, and Idaho State, a team much like ourselves. We'll hang a banner and get fitted for rings, they'll hang a banner and get fitted for rings, and I think if these three teams met over and over and over again on a neutral field we'd never be able to decide who's better."
In spite of rumors throughout the week that Missoula would respond to a Bobcat victory with a riot, that MSU and its fans would be treated with hostility, the site on the field and in the stands after the game was every bit as impressive as the manner in which the opposing head coaches handled the situation.
Bobcat fans celebrated the win in full throat, with only a few choruses of Pooooooor Grizzlies and fewer yet references to dining habits of UM denizens. Montana State's fans spent most of their energy cheering for their team, not ridiculing the opponent. And Montana's fans responded by simply going home.
It was not easy to find boorish behavior or bitter altercations that sometimes mar this rivalry. And the ridiculous tradition of storming the field and putting players, coaches and fans alike in peril by trying to tear down the goalposts simply didn't happen. Montana State's fans followed their team's win with an equally impressive triumph, showing (for the most part) class and grace. Montana's fans responded in kind.
"I don't wear the t-shirts with that number (16) on it, I don't tell jokes about the Bobcats, I don't think that stuff's healthy", Glenn said after the game. "The rivalry", he said, "has been far too hateful, which is not what college athletics should be."
The Bobcat team returned home to a raucous welcome on Saturday night. Bobcats across the world continue to revel in the win. In the end, though, we may have all won, Bobcats and Grizzlies alike, because, in the end, everyone acted like what they are: Montanans.
MBB - Montana State vs Weber State - Behind the Mic
Sunday, January 25
MBB - Montana State vs Idaho State - Behind the Mic
Friday, January 23
Cat Chat - Behind the Mic
Wednesday, January 21
MBB - Montana State vs Northern Colorado - Behind the Mic
Tuesday, January 20
