All-Time Bobcat Great Cass Bauer-Bilodeau Earns Induction Into Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame
4/28/2025 3:41:00 PM | General
Former Big Sky MVP joined by one-time MSU SID Arnie Sgalio as 2025 inductees
BOZEMAN, Montana – One of Montana State's greatest student-athletes ever and a one-time Bobcat Sports Information Director earned induction into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame in 2025, the league announced on Thursday.
Cass Bauer-Bilodeau, the first Bobcat women's basketball player to win Big Sky Player of the Year, and one-time MSU Sports Information Director Arnie Sgalio join eight other individuals in the league's fourth induction class. The 2025 Big Sky Hall of Fame Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino at Airway Heights, Washington, just outside of Spokane.
"On behalf of Bobcat Athletics, I want to congratulate Cass and Arnie on their inductions into the Big Sky Hall of Fame," said MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello. "Their accomplishments speak for themselves and contributions to MSU and the Big Sky Conference are etched in our storied history. We are honored and thankful they were Bobcats."
Bauer-Bilodeau was a foundational member of Montana State's 1992-93 Big Sky Championship team that shared the league regular season title with UM then beat the Lady Griz in a frenzied Worthington Arena to claim the tourney title and MSU's first NCAA Tournament berth. She was Big Sky Player of the Year and Tournament MVP that season, was a three-time First Team All-Big Sky choice, and was a two-time Kodak All-America Honorable Mention (1993 and 1994).
"I'm humbled and honored to be part of this induction class," said Bauer-Bilodeau. "So much talent has come through the Big Sky Conference and to be mentioned among so many talented student-athletes is almost overwhelming. I couldn't be prouder to be a Bobcat and watch all the success the Athletic Department and the entire University has achieved since my time on campus. Being at MSU during my formative years really set me up for future successes. Whether it was playing overseas, in the WNBA, or my career in healthcare, Montana State and the Big Sky Conference were instrumental in helping me become the person I am today."
"Cass created a tremendous legacy in Bobcat women's basketball," said Montana State's Ellen Kreighbaum Head Coach Tricia Binford. "Having played against her in the Big Sky I can say from first-hand experience that she is one of the best basketball players in the history of this conference. Her professional career, playing in the WNBA, came from a dominant, unstoppable, elite work ethic. Cass is a true Bobcat who excelled both on and off the court, and she continues to give back to her university."
Sgalio began his communications career at Montana State, replacing long-time SID Ken Nicholson, a Bobcat Athletics Hall of Famer, in the fall of 1976. He moved to the Big Sky Conference in 1979. Working with Commissioner Ron Stephenson, Sgalio orchestrated the Big Sky's first football television contract, secured its first sponsorship for the basketball tournament, managed the league's summertime Skywriters Tour to promote football in the league then transitioned it into the Big Sky Summer Kickoff event, and served as President of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for a year.
In addition to Bauer-Bilodeau and Sgalio, this year's induction class is: Charles "Chip" Dunn, Football, Portland State; Tim Hauck, Football, Montana; David McNeill, Men's Cross Country/Track and Field, NAU; Ida Nilsson, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, NAU; Johanna Nilsson, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, NAU; Doug Nussmeier, Football, Idaho; Dan O'Brien, Men's Track and Field, Idaho; and Naseby Rhinehart, Athletic Trainer, Montana.
Tickets for the gala, which sold out the past two years after reaching full capacity, can be purchased at BigSkyConf.com/HOF. Each ticket is $85, plus fees, which includes admission to the gala, a commemorative poster, and a meal.
#GoCatsGo
Cass Bauer-Bilodeau, the first Bobcat women's basketball player to win Big Sky Player of the Year, and one-time MSU Sports Information Director Arnie Sgalio join eight other individuals in the league's fourth induction class. The 2025 Big Sky Hall of Fame Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino at Airway Heights, Washington, just outside of Spokane.
"On behalf of Bobcat Athletics, I want to congratulate Cass and Arnie on their inductions into the Big Sky Hall of Fame," said MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello. "Their accomplishments speak for themselves and contributions to MSU and the Big Sky Conference are etched in our storied history. We are honored and thankful they were Bobcats."
Bauer-Bilodeau was a foundational member of Montana State's 1992-93 Big Sky Championship team that shared the league regular season title with UM then beat the Lady Griz in a frenzied Worthington Arena to claim the tourney title and MSU's first NCAA Tournament berth. She was Big Sky Player of the Year and Tournament MVP that season, was a three-time First Team All-Big Sky choice, and was a two-time Kodak All-America Honorable Mention (1993 and 1994).
"I'm humbled and honored to be part of this induction class," said Bauer-Bilodeau. "So much talent has come through the Big Sky Conference and to be mentioned among so many talented student-athletes is almost overwhelming. I couldn't be prouder to be a Bobcat and watch all the success the Athletic Department and the entire University has achieved since my time on campus. Being at MSU during my formative years really set me up for future successes. Whether it was playing overseas, in the WNBA, or my career in healthcare, Montana State and the Big Sky Conference were instrumental in helping me become the person I am today."
"Cass created a tremendous legacy in Bobcat women's basketball," said Montana State's Ellen Kreighbaum Head Coach Tricia Binford. "Having played against her in the Big Sky I can say from first-hand experience that she is one of the best basketball players in the history of this conference. Her professional career, playing in the WNBA, came from a dominant, unstoppable, elite work ethic. Cass is a true Bobcat who excelled both on and off the court, and she continues to give back to her university."
Sgalio began his communications career at Montana State, replacing long-time SID Ken Nicholson, a Bobcat Athletics Hall of Famer, in the fall of 1976. He moved to the Big Sky Conference in 1979. Working with Commissioner Ron Stephenson, Sgalio orchestrated the Big Sky's first football television contract, secured its first sponsorship for the basketball tournament, managed the league's summertime Skywriters Tour to promote football in the league then transitioned it into the Big Sky Summer Kickoff event, and served as President of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for a year.
In addition to Bauer-Bilodeau and Sgalio, this year's induction class is: Charles "Chip" Dunn, Football, Portland State; Tim Hauck, Football, Montana; David McNeill, Men's Cross Country/Track and Field, NAU; Ida Nilsson, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, NAU; Johanna Nilsson, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, NAU; Doug Nussmeier, Football, Idaho; Dan O'Brien, Men's Track and Field, Idaho; and Naseby Rhinehart, Athletic Trainer, Montana.
Tickets for the gala, which sold out the past two years after reaching full capacity, can be purchased at BigSkyConf.com/HOF. Each ticket is $85, plus fees, which includes admission to the gala, a commemorative poster, and a meal.
#GoCatsGo
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