22nd Wendy's-MSU Hall of Fame Class
9/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Tom Storm, Men's Basketball
Tom Storm arrived at Montana State in the fall of 1963 as a rawboned freshman from Great Falls, and left as a linchpin to one of the most eras in Bobcat Basketball history. In the years between, Storm became the 13th Bobcat to score over 1,000 points in his career and joined MSU's career leaders by grabbing 410 rebounds. His 16.6 points a game is eighth-best in school history. He won one of college basketball's most prestigious individual awards when he was named MVP of the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City during his senior season. The Bobcats battled for the Big Sky crown in each of Storm's three seasons on the Bobcat varsity, sharing the title with Gonzaga his senior season, but his presence meant more to the MSU program than statistics or even won-loss records. Storm represented a continuing line of stars from north-central Montana that had a huge impact on the Bobcat basketball program, but his presence as a perimeter scorer and rebounder also allowed those players to flourish. Fittingly, in Storm's last game as a Bobcat, he scored 44 points against Portland State, a record that still stands
Kim (Steffel) Duis, Volleyball
One of the most versatile players in the history of the Montana State volleyball program, Kim Steffel is also the program's most decorated player. One of two players in program history to earn All-Big Sky First or Second Team honors in three consecutive seasons, she was All-Big Sky First Team as a senior. She also became the only player in program history to earn All-AVCA Northwest Region honors that fall. Befitting such a talented player, Steffel's name is etched deep into the Bobcat record book. She left MSU as the school's career leader in digs and blocks, and remains among MSU's top 10 in kills, total attacks, hitting percentage, service aces, digs, and blocks.
Wade Ayala, Wrestling
One of the finest athletes in Bobcat history, Wade Ayala stands alone as Montana State's only wrestling All-America. After two years at Bismarck Junior College in North Dakota, the Missoula native immediately established himself as one of the top performers in Montana State's wrestling history. Ayala won the 1986 Big Sky Championship at 190 pounds in his hometown, earning tournament MVP honors along the way, and became the first Bobcat in nearly 20 years to claim a title at the prestigious Mountain Intercollegiate Wrestling Association meet that winter. At the NCAA Championships, Ayala won his first three matches to become Montana State's first-ever wrestling All-America. He had to retire from the tournament with a severe thumb injury.
Blythe (Hommes) Hintz, Women's Basketball
Blythe Hommes followed her sister Brooke to the MSU women's basketball program, but it was apparent early on that she was a one-of-a-kind talent and competitor. Using superior athleticism and a competitive spirit honed on the Hommes driveway and the Manhattan Christian basketball courts, Blythe was slotted as a small forward at MSU. But after a coaching change, she was thrust into the power forward slot during her junior year, and immediately began revolutionizing the position as it was played in the Big Sky. She averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds a game as a junior, earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honors, but that was just a taste of what was to come. As a senior, she scored 18.9 points a game and grabbed 9.4 boards, earning Big Sky Conference Player of the Year honors and landing on the Kodak District VII All-America squad. Blythe Hintz and her husband Bryan live in Bozeman with their two young children, and Blythe works at her alma mater in MSU's Extension Food and Nutrition Education program. A local girl who became a legend.
Les Leininger, Football
When Les Leininger came to Montana State from tiny Westby, Montana, he brought more than just his rugged, athletic frame to the defensive end position. He brought the pride of a community, and he represented an important part of the Bobcat Football heritage - the small-town, small-school standout. Leininger stood out as a sophomore and junior, earning plaudits as "one of the best ever to play" his position at Montana State. As a senior, Leininger dominated. He earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors and was named First Team Kodak All-America. He blocked two kicks in his first two seasons, and intercepted three passes in 1976, returning one 75 yards for a touchdown against Northern Arizona. In the perfect cap to a near-perfect season, Leininger picked off a pass against Akron in the 1976 National Championship game that set up Tom Kostrba's game-clinching touchdown. Leininger earned Defensive MVP honors for the title game, which gave the Bobcats their first national title in 20 years.
1966-67 Men's Basketball Team
Roger Craft was the architect of some outstanding Montana State teams, and his 1966-67 squad remains a masterpiece and a testimony to Craft's work. Featuring inside play of All-America Jack Gillespie and sensational forward tandem of Tom Storm and Bill Gillespie, Montana State captured its second Big Sky championship in four seasons in 1967. The 'Cats also gained national acclaim by capturing the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City, whipping Texas, Temple and the host team on the way. Montana State was a powerful team inside, setting a school record with 1,307 rebounds, which is still good for a share of the mark. The Bobcats grabbed a share of the league crown under difficult circumstances, winning two of four on a four-game conference-ending road trip, including a 79-67 win at Weber State in the league finale.
Tom Storm arrived at Montana State in the fall of 1963 as a rawboned freshman from Great Falls, and left as a linchpin to one of the most eras in Bobcat Basketball history. In the years between, Storm became the 13th Bobcat to score over 1,000 points in his career and joined MSU's career leaders by grabbing 410 rebounds. His 16.6 points a game is eighth-best in school history. He won one of college basketball's most prestigious individual awards when he was named MVP of the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City during his senior season. The Bobcats battled for the Big Sky crown in each of Storm's three seasons on the Bobcat varsity, sharing the title with Gonzaga his senior season, but his presence meant more to the MSU program than statistics or even won-loss records. Storm represented a continuing line of stars from north-central Montana that had a huge impact on the Bobcat basketball program, but his presence as a perimeter scorer and rebounder also allowed those players to flourish. Fittingly, in Storm's last game as a Bobcat, he scored 44 points against Portland State, a record that still stands
Kim (Steffel) Duis, Volleyball
One of the most versatile players in the history of the Montana State volleyball program, Kim Steffel is also the program's most decorated player. One of two players in program history to earn All-Big Sky First or Second Team honors in three consecutive seasons, she was All-Big Sky First Team as a senior. She also became the only player in program history to earn All-AVCA Northwest Region honors that fall. Befitting such a talented player, Steffel's name is etched deep into the Bobcat record book. She left MSU as the school's career leader in digs and blocks, and remains among MSU's top 10 in kills, total attacks, hitting percentage, service aces, digs, and blocks.
Wade Ayala, Wrestling
One of the finest athletes in Bobcat history, Wade Ayala stands alone as Montana State's only wrestling All-America. After two years at Bismarck Junior College in North Dakota, the Missoula native immediately established himself as one of the top performers in Montana State's wrestling history. Ayala won the 1986 Big Sky Championship at 190 pounds in his hometown, earning tournament MVP honors along the way, and became the first Bobcat in nearly 20 years to claim a title at the prestigious Mountain Intercollegiate Wrestling Association meet that winter. At the NCAA Championships, Ayala won his first three matches to become Montana State's first-ever wrestling All-America. He had to retire from the tournament with a severe thumb injury.
Blythe (Hommes) Hintz, Women's Basketball
Blythe Hommes followed her sister Brooke to the MSU women's basketball program, but it was apparent early on that she was a one-of-a-kind talent and competitor. Using superior athleticism and a competitive spirit honed on the Hommes driveway and the Manhattan Christian basketball courts, Blythe was slotted as a small forward at MSU. But after a coaching change, she was thrust into the power forward slot during her junior year, and immediately began revolutionizing the position as it was played in the Big Sky. She averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds a game as a junior, earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honors, but that was just a taste of what was to come. As a senior, she scored 18.9 points a game and grabbed 9.4 boards, earning Big Sky Conference Player of the Year honors and landing on the Kodak District VII All-America squad. Blythe Hintz and her husband Bryan live in Bozeman with their two young children, and Blythe works at her alma mater in MSU's Extension Food and Nutrition Education program. A local girl who became a legend.
Les Leininger, Football
When Les Leininger came to Montana State from tiny Westby, Montana, he brought more than just his rugged, athletic frame to the defensive end position. He brought the pride of a community, and he represented an important part of the Bobcat Football heritage - the small-town, small-school standout. Leininger stood out as a sophomore and junior, earning plaudits as "one of the best ever to play" his position at Montana State. As a senior, Leininger dominated. He earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors and was named First Team Kodak All-America. He blocked two kicks in his first two seasons, and intercepted three passes in 1976, returning one 75 yards for a touchdown against Northern Arizona. In the perfect cap to a near-perfect season, Leininger picked off a pass against Akron in the 1976 National Championship game that set up Tom Kostrba's game-clinching touchdown. Leininger earned Defensive MVP honors for the title game, which gave the Bobcats their first national title in 20 years.
1966-67 Men's Basketball Team
Roger Craft was the architect of some outstanding Montana State teams, and his 1966-67 squad remains a masterpiece and a testimony to Craft's work. Featuring inside play of All-America Jack Gillespie and sensational forward tandem of Tom Storm and Bill Gillespie, Montana State captured its second Big Sky championship in four seasons in 1967. The 'Cats also gained national acclaim by capturing the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City, whipping Texas, Temple and the host team on the way. Montana State was a powerful team inside, setting a school record with 1,307 rebounds, which is still good for a share of the mark. The Bobcats grabbed a share of the league crown under difficult circumstances, winning two of four on a four-game conference-ending road trip, including a 79-67 win at Weber State in the league finale.
Wednesday, June 10
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Friday, March 13
