Letter From The AD: May 2022
5/12/2022 11:09:00 AM | General
A letter from Montana State Director of Athletics Leon Costello
Dear Bobcats,
It's an exciting time on the MSU campus - graduation week. This Friday we'll watch more than 50 of our student-athletes walk across the commencement stage, completing the goal they all set when first arriving here in Bozeman: a degree from Montana State University. While there is no shortage of athletic success to celebrate after this 'Year of the Bobcats,' I am so proud of our student-athletes and coaches never losing sight of being students first. I can't wait to watch their futures unfold!
It has truly been a special year. In 2020-2021, we were grateful for the ability to compete in most of our sports, but we sorely missed having fans at our events. This year, we eagerly welcomed you back to our venues and you immediately made a difference. There was no doubt that Bobcat fans were excited to be back with us as we sold out every regular season home football game, along with the semifinal playoff game, for the first time in program history. You also packed Shroyer and the Brick for volleyball and basketball, and showed us what a full Anderson Tennis Center looks like for Cat/Griz tennis. It was an honor to have you back with us while we competed for and won NCAA playoff games, conference championships... and the 6th straight Brawl of the Wild series.
This year, Bobcat Rodeo officially became a part of the athletic department. The transition back to athletics has provided those student-athletes with the support they need to succeed academically and athletically here at MSU. The Spring Rodeo made it's triumphant return to the Brick this year after a three-year hiatus and again our student-athletes and fans electrified Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. We set attendance records as our rodeo teams solidified their top standings in the region.
The support of our Bobcat Club members over the past few years has enabled our success to grow. These funds directly support our Bobcat athletic programs and we're have having success across the board. Last fall, we announced our 'Three to Win' campaign with the goal of raising $3M annually for our scholarship fund by 2025. I'm pleased to say we are well on pace to reach that number sooner rather than later (approaching $2.5M this year, exceeding $2M for the first time in department history), thanks to the success of events like the Blue and Gold Gala and our 'Evening with Bobcat Football' series, increased giving with season tickets, and continued growth of charitable gifts. Later this month, you will receive a letter in the mail from me asking for your continued support. As you contemplate how you can best participate, please know that we are so grateful for everything you do. You make a difference!
This has truly been the 'Year of the Bobcats' in every way. From accomplishments in the classroom and competition along with the support and energy around Bobcat Athletics, we are excited about the year and determined to make it even better next year. Thank you for doing your part to make this year a reality. Below you will find a LONG list of all the athletic accomplishments so far this year (Outdoor Track & Field and Rodeo are still competing).
It's always a great day to be a Bobcat!
Leon Costello
Director of Athletics
Bobcat Volleyball
Jordan Radick was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year and four Bobcats were named to the All-Big Sky Volleyball second team: Hannah Scott, Emma Pence, Kira Thomsen, and Jordan Radick.The Cats went further in postseason play than ever before in the Big Sky Conference era.
Bobcat Cross Country
Both men's and women's teams were recognized as All-Academic Teams by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the 2021 season and had two student-athletes qualify for NCAA Championships (Hamilton and Richtman).
Bobcat Football
The Cats made their first FCS National Championship appearance since 1984 and had two Bobcats drafted- Troy Andersen and Daniel Hardy. We also had two First-Team All-Americans (Hardy and Andersen), two Second-Team All-Americans (Ifanse and Kidd) and one All-Freshman team member (Glessner). Troy Andersen was named the Phil Steele FCS Defensive Player of the Year. The Bobcats tied their record of 12 season wins, including nine straight, and celebrated an all-time attendance record in Bobcat Stadium.
Bobcat Golf
Kameryn Basye won the tournament at Old Works, MSU's first individual title since 2018.
Bobcat Men's Basketball
The 'Cats won their first regular season Big Sky Conference Championship since 1996. Danny Sprinkle was named Big Sky Coach of the Year while Jubrile Belo was named Most Valuable Player and Defense Player of the Year. The Bobcats also took home the trophy in the Big Sky Conference Tournament, with Xavier Bishop being named MVP in Boise.
Bobcat Women's Basketball
The Bobcats won the Big Sky Conference Tournament in Boise(with Darian White being named MVP), earning their third conference championship and second NCAA tournament appearance in five years.
Bobcat Ski
Finished 9th in the NCAA Championships while Riley Seger won the Elite 90 award; three student-athletes were named first-team All-Americans (Seger, Bekkestad, and Talbot).
Bobcat Indoor Track & Field
Following numerous All-Conference performances, the Bobcat Men finished third and the Bobcat Women finished fourth in the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships, which we were proud to host here in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. For the second consecutive track season, the Bobcats were represented at the national level with bothLucy Corbett and Duncan Hamilton claiming All-American honors. The outdoor season is still going strong, and the two teams have already combined for a total of six new school records.
Bobcat Rodeo
We were thrilled to welcome Bobcat Rodeo back to Bobcat Athletics, along with the first Spring Rodeo in three years. We set ticket sales records in the Brick while our teams solidified their standings at the top of the Big Sky Region for both men and women.
Bobcat Women's Tennis
Marta Garcia-Reboredo was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, with Mirte Van Baelen being named to the honorable mention squad in singles. The Bobcats also have the highest team GPA in the department, boasting a 3.65 average.
Bobcat Men's Tennis
The 'Cats won a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season title for the first time since 2013, and had the doubles team of Jamieson Nathan and Matej Panik selected for the NCAA tournament. Trey Morris was named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year and Matej Panik earned First Team All-Big Sky honors in both singles and doubles, along with Jamieson Nathan. Joaquin Espinoza also earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors for the 'Cats.
Bobcat Spirit Squad
The support of our Bobcat Cheerleaders and Bobcat Dancers was felt all year long in each of our venues. They also helped provide a true 'home' feel to postseason play in Frisco, Boise, and California.
Academics
Bobcat student-athletes earned an average of a 3.30 GPA with with 43 students on the President's List (all A's) and 97 on the Dean's List (3.50 to 3.99 GPA). 220 student-athletes compiled a GPA of at least 3.0.
It's an exciting time on the MSU campus - graduation week. This Friday we'll watch more than 50 of our student-athletes walk across the commencement stage, completing the goal they all set when first arriving here in Bozeman: a degree from Montana State University. While there is no shortage of athletic success to celebrate after this 'Year of the Bobcats,' I am so proud of our student-athletes and coaches never losing sight of being students first. I can't wait to watch their futures unfold!
It has truly been a special year. In 2020-2021, we were grateful for the ability to compete in most of our sports, but we sorely missed having fans at our events. This year, we eagerly welcomed you back to our venues and you immediately made a difference. There was no doubt that Bobcat fans were excited to be back with us as we sold out every regular season home football game, along with the semifinal playoff game, for the first time in program history. You also packed Shroyer and the Brick for volleyball and basketball, and showed us what a full Anderson Tennis Center looks like for Cat/Griz tennis. It was an honor to have you back with us while we competed for and won NCAA playoff games, conference championships... and the 6th straight Brawl of the Wild series.
This year, Bobcat Rodeo officially became a part of the athletic department. The transition back to athletics has provided those student-athletes with the support they need to succeed academically and athletically here at MSU. The Spring Rodeo made it's triumphant return to the Brick this year after a three-year hiatus and again our student-athletes and fans electrified Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. We set attendance records as our rodeo teams solidified their top standings in the region.
The support of our Bobcat Club members over the past few years has enabled our success to grow. These funds directly support our Bobcat athletic programs and we're have having success across the board. Last fall, we announced our 'Three to Win' campaign with the goal of raising $3M annually for our scholarship fund by 2025. I'm pleased to say we are well on pace to reach that number sooner rather than later (approaching $2.5M this year, exceeding $2M for the first time in department history), thanks to the success of events like the Blue and Gold Gala and our 'Evening with Bobcat Football' series, increased giving with season tickets, and continued growth of charitable gifts. Later this month, you will receive a letter in the mail from me asking for your continued support. As you contemplate how you can best participate, please know that we are so grateful for everything you do. You make a difference!
This has truly been the 'Year of the Bobcats' in every way. From accomplishments in the classroom and competition along with the support and energy around Bobcat Athletics, we are excited about the year and determined to make it even better next year. Thank you for doing your part to make this year a reality. Below you will find a LONG list of all the athletic accomplishments so far this year (Outdoor Track & Field and Rodeo are still competing).
It's always a great day to be a Bobcat!
Leon Costello
Director of Athletics
Bobcat Volleyball
Jordan Radick was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year and four Bobcats were named to the All-Big Sky Volleyball second team: Hannah Scott, Emma Pence, Kira Thomsen, and Jordan Radick.The Cats went further in postseason play than ever before in the Big Sky Conference era.
Bobcat Cross Country
Both men's and women's teams were recognized as All-Academic Teams by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the 2021 season and had two student-athletes qualify for NCAA Championships (Hamilton and Richtman).
Bobcat Football
The Cats made their first FCS National Championship appearance since 1984 and had two Bobcats drafted- Troy Andersen and Daniel Hardy. We also had two First-Team All-Americans (Hardy and Andersen), two Second-Team All-Americans (Ifanse and Kidd) and one All-Freshman team member (Glessner). Troy Andersen was named the Phil Steele FCS Defensive Player of the Year. The Bobcats tied their record of 12 season wins, including nine straight, and celebrated an all-time attendance record in Bobcat Stadium.
Bobcat Golf
Kameryn Basye won the tournament at Old Works, MSU's first individual title since 2018.
Bobcat Men's Basketball
The 'Cats won their first regular season Big Sky Conference Championship since 1996. Danny Sprinkle was named Big Sky Coach of the Year while Jubrile Belo was named Most Valuable Player and Defense Player of the Year. The Bobcats also took home the trophy in the Big Sky Conference Tournament, with Xavier Bishop being named MVP in Boise.
Bobcat Women's Basketball
The Bobcats won the Big Sky Conference Tournament in Boise(with Darian White being named MVP), earning their third conference championship and second NCAA tournament appearance in five years.
Bobcat Ski
Finished 9th in the NCAA Championships while Riley Seger won the Elite 90 award; three student-athletes were named first-team All-Americans (Seger, Bekkestad, and Talbot).
Bobcat Indoor Track & Field
Following numerous All-Conference performances, the Bobcat Men finished third and the Bobcat Women finished fourth in the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships, which we were proud to host here in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. For the second consecutive track season, the Bobcats were represented at the national level with bothLucy Corbett and Duncan Hamilton claiming All-American honors. The outdoor season is still going strong, and the two teams have already combined for a total of six new school records.
Bobcat Rodeo
We were thrilled to welcome Bobcat Rodeo back to Bobcat Athletics, along with the first Spring Rodeo in three years. We set ticket sales records in the Brick while our teams solidified their standings at the top of the Big Sky Region for both men and women.
Bobcat Women's Tennis
Marta Garcia-Reboredo was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, with Mirte Van Baelen being named to the honorable mention squad in singles. The Bobcats also have the highest team GPA in the department, boasting a 3.65 average.
Bobcat Men's Tennis
The 'Cats won a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season title for the first time since 2013, and had the doubles team of Jamieson Nathan and Matej Panik selected for the NCAA tournament. Trey Morris was named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year and Matej Panik earned First Team All-Big Sky honors in both singles and doubles, along with Jamieson Nathan. Joaquin Espinoza also earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors for the 'Cats.
Bobcat Spirit Squad
The support of our Bobcat Cheerleaders and Bobcat Dancers was felt all year long in each of our venues. They also helped provide a true 'home' feel to postseason play in Frisco, Boise, and California.
Academics
Bobcat student-athletes earned an average of a 3.30 GPA with with 43 students on the President's List (all A's) and 97 on the Dean's List (3.50 to 3.99 GPA). 220 student-athletes compiled a GPA of at least 3.0.
Leon Blue and Gold Gala Tickets
Friday, September 05
Leon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
