Jan. 5, 2010

Montana State University takes the show on the road for the “Triangle Classic”

Josh Wanago, associate athletics director for development, Montana State University (MSU), tells about the “Triangle Classic.”

When newly appointed director of athletics, Peter Fields, took office in the summer of 2002, his vision for Bobcat Athletics and the Bobcat Club (MSU’s fundraising arm) was to become a state-wide organization. Under Fields’ tutelage, 12 chapters were developed throughout the state of Montana to help promote Bobcat athletics and raise scholarship dollars. The evolution of the new chapters gave ownership to the different communities for their constituents across the state of Montana. These chapters were asked to host two events yearly to raise friends, awareness and funds for the Bobcat Club. Since 2002, each chapter has found its own identity, which best fits their communities.

Great Falls, Montana, an agricultural-based community of 70,000 residents located 180 miles north of Bozeman, is a civic-minded town with a huge passion for football. Their high school programs have had great successes and have produced numerous collegiate football student-athletes. During the summer of 2003, after its annual chapter meeting, the Great Falls members met with the MSU administration to discuss holding a Bobcat event away from campus. The Great Falls chapter wanted to host the Blue/Gold scrimmage. The spring scrimmage was traditionally held in different communities and hosted with the understanding that all costs were the responsibility of the local chapter. Great Falls projected they could raise $30,000 for this event, which would mark the first time the event would net funds.

Bobcat athletics gave the Great Falls chapter permission to begin work on the spring scrimmage. With a handful of volunteers and approximately 40 event sponsors, the game was a smashing success as over 5,000 fans attended the event. Following the game, a reception and auction was attended by over 300 fans, football staff and outgoing senior-athletes. When all receivables were paid, the Great Falls chapter exceeded their goal. The partnership between Bobcat athletics and the Great Falls chapter had helped grow the game to unprecedented heights. Due to the success of the game, it was renamed the Triangle Classic- attributable to the rich agricultural history of the surrounding area.

Many improvements to the format of the events have changed since 2004. The scrimmage and social have evolved to a Friday evening banquet featuring live and silent auction items and a guest speaker. Two football players are placed at each table, and after the event, each set of football players are paired with Great Falls chapter members to stay at their house for the night (per help from our compliance officer). The following day, players and staff members are assigned various community service projects around the area, which is then followed by an open to the public kids camp for aspiring young football players and cheerleaders. The scrimmage concludes the festivities.

Featured speakers have included Jerry Glanville, Lee Corso, Rocky Bleier, Dick Butkus and Deacon Jones. Each year we have seen significant growth in the number of sponsors, attendees and funds raised. Like every other athletics department, we went into 2009 being very cautious of the economic environment across the state and worked closely with our chapters to minimize costs and maintain our goals. The Great Falls chapter felt that they had not seen the effects of the economy, like other areas across the state. They increased the event sponsorship price and actively solicited more area businesses, and moved the event to the largest venue in Great Falls.

The 2009 Triangle Classic Spring Game and banquet exceeded all expectations. A thousand-plus Bobcat fans were in attendance at the banquet. Over $97,000 was netted from the events.

What made this event so successful were the chapter’s leadership, the volunteers, and the flexibility of the MSU football staff, team and administration. The Bobcat Club and the Great Falls Chapter are busy preparing for 2010 event which will feature Brent Musburger.