Roger Craft (top right) with 1966-67 Bobcats
Legendary Former Basketball Coach Roger Craft Celebrated After Passing
10/16/2024 12:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Craft led the Bobcats to considerable success as head coach in the 1960s
The life of legendary Montana State men's basketball coach Roger Craft was celebrated on October 5, 2024 at The Summit Church in Lee's Summit, Missouri, where he spent his final years. He passed away on September 8, 2024.
Craft was one of the most impactful figures in Bobcat basketball history, leading Montana State to a pair of Big Sky Championships and earning Big Sky Coach of the Year recognition after the 1963-64 season. He led the program to national prominence in 1966-67 when the Bobcats won the in-season All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
A memorial fund in Craft's memory has been created at the MSU Alumni Foundation. Contributions may be made by check by including "Bobcat Men's Basketball Excellence/6th Man in Roger Craft's memory" on the memo line (1501 South 11th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715). To make a gift online, go to MSU Alumni Foundation - Donate – Your Gift (imodules.com).
A gentle giant of a man throughout his life, Craft was born in Garden City, Kansas, and starred in basketball at Kansas State, where he was also named Favorite Man on Campus and met his wife of 69 years, Norma Jean Mase. He is remembered for his iconic hook shot in jersey No. 44 while playing for legendary coaches Jack Gardner and Tex Winter. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Kansas State, eventually completing his master's degree in economics while at MSU. He taught and coached at El Dorado College in Kingman, Kansas, before relocating with Norma and infant daughter Laurie to Bozeman.
Craft became an assistant at Montana State in 1960 and was elevated to head coach in 1962. Children Les, Derron and Marcia were added to the family during the family's early years in Bozeman, and during his time as head coach at Montana State he restored the program's role as one of the nation's noteworthy programs while establishing himself as a coach with charisma and high integrity. He earned induction into the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. After his coaching career Craft entered private business and remained a pillar of the Bozeman community until moving to Kansas to be near family in 2020.
Giving back was a foundational element of Craft's life. He worked as a Physical Fitness & Recreation Director for the Peace Corps in Bozeman and Mexico for three years, helped staff Fellowship of Christian Athletes conferences, was a 60-year member and two-time president of the Bozeman Kiwanis Club, and was a lifetime member of the Bozeman United Methodist Church.
Craft was one of the most impactful figures in Bobcat basketball history, leading Montana State to a pair of Big Sky Championships and earning Big Sky Coach of the Year recognition after the 1963-64 season. He led the program to national prominence in 1966-67 when the Bobcats won the in-season All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
A memorial fund in Craft's memory has been created at the MSU Alumni Foundation. Contributions may be made by check by including "Bobcat Men's Basketball Excellence/6th Man in Roger Craft's memory" on the memo line (1501 South 11th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715). To make a gift online, go to MSU Alumni Foundation - Donate – Your Gift (imodules.com).
A gentle giant of a man throughout his life, Craft was born in Garden City, Kansas, and starred in basketball at Kansas State, where he was also named Favorite Man on Campus and met his wife of 69 years, Norma Jean Mase. He is remembered for his iconic hook shot in jersey No. 44 while playing for legendary coaches Jack Gardner and Tex Winter. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Kansas State, eventually completing his master's degree in economics while at MSU. He taught and coached at El Dorado College in Kingman, Kansas, before relocating with Norma and infant daughter Laurie to Bozeman.
Craft became an assistant at Montana State in 1960 and was elevated to head coach in 1962. Children Les, Derron and Marcia were added to the family during the family's early years in Bozeman, and during his time as head coach at Montana State he restored the program's role as one of the nation's noteworthy programs while establishing himself as a coach with charisma and high integrity. He earned induction into the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. After his coaching career Craft entered private business and remained a pillar of the Bozeman community until moving to Kansas to be near family in 2020.
Giving back was a foundational element of Craft's life. He worked as a Physical Fitness & Recreation Director for the Peace Corps in Bozeman and Mexico for three years, helped staff Fellowship of Christian Athletes conferences, was a 60-year member and two-time president of the Bozeman Kiwanis Club, and was a lifetime member of the Bozeman United Methodist Church.
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