Letter from the AD: January 2026 Edition
1/28/2026 10:43:00 AM | General
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Dear Bobcats, National Champions! (It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) For the first time in "41" years, Montana State is the NCAA FCS National Champion! In one of the most thrilling championship games ever, the Bobcats defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime, the first championship game to go to overtime. Under the leadership of Head Coach Brent Vigen and his staff, our student-athletes represented Montana State University with class, resilience, and effort all year. Finishing with a 14-2 record, a third Big Sky Conference Championship in four years, and two wins against our rivals in the same year, they played for each other, for this university, and for every Bobcat who has worn the Blue and Gold before them. And this championship belongs to all of us. Our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors, and fans across Montana and beyond came together in a way that defines what it means to be a Bobcat. Three million viewers tuned into ESPN to watch the championship game (third highest on record) while 24,105 witnessed it in person (making it the second-largest neutral site championship in history). To that we say, THANK YOU!! To show our appreciation, we are excited to celebrate this historic achievement with you during our National Championship Celebration Saturday, January 17. This will be a chance to honor our champions, thank our fans, and come together as a community to mark a moment that will live forever in Montana State history! We will also honor the team during both Cat/Griz basketball games on Saturday with the women tipping off at 2:00 pm and men at 7:00 pm. Avoid the lines by purchasing your tickets early and wear your gold to cheer on both Bobcat teams in the Brawl of the Wild Series. Making this weekend even more special, I am excited to welcome our 2025 Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame inductees to campus this weekend. Those being honored are President Waded Cruzado, who led Montana State University from 2009-25, Elvis Akpla (football, 2009-11), Jasmine Hommes Moeakiola (women's basketball, 2012-16), Dan Johnson (track and field, 2004-08), Cody Kirk (football, 2010-13) and Cristian Soratos (cross country/track and field, 2012-15). Championships are never won alone. Our 2025 FCS Championship was built through years of commitment — from season ticket holders who filled Bobcat Stadium, to donors who invested in our student-athletes, to fans who traveled across the country, and those who cheered from home. Your support fuels excellence, and this championship is a powerful reminder of what is possible when Bobcat Nation stands united. Thank you for believing. Thank you for supporting. And thank you for being part of a championship culture that continues to rise. Enjoy this moment — we've earned it. Go Cats! |
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Leon Costello |
