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In-Depth

A big following in Big Sky Country


Montana

Missoula, Mont.

Stadium:

Washington-Grizzly Stadium

Capacity:

25,217

2015 average attendance:

24,139

Of note:

The Griz have led the FCS in attendance for two straight seasons and four times in the last 10 seasons.

Building:

Montana will introduce a 56-foot-wide video board this season. ANC installed it and the Griz's rights holder, Learfield, paid for it. Montana's stadium will also have new FieldTurf this season.


Through the eyes of...
Kent Haslam, athletic director

Turning point
It’s been 30 years since Washington-Grizzly Stadium opened, but many folks around the Griz still consider that the day the program grew up. Designers had the forethought to put the seats right on the field. The sidelines and the front row are separated by only 10 yards. And unlike most FCS stadiums that have open ends or stands separated by a track, Washington-Grizzly Stadium is enclosed all the way around.

“Just the way the stadium is built, it’s very loud,” Haslam said. “I’m not sure if the mountains in the background have anything to do with it, but the noise stays inside.”

Photo by: Montana

Revenue generation
The Griz’s athletic administration doesn’t even try to hide it. Their season tickets are expensive. At $235 each, they’re more expensive than season tickets at many FBS schools. A donation of $120 to $420 is required for the better sections.

Regardless, Montana this season will sell an astonishing 19,000 season tickets. That’s $4.5 million in season-ticket revenue.

“We ask a lot of our fans,” Haslam said. “Our ticket prices are substantial and more than half our fans drive more than two hours to get here. Our obligation to them is a great event and the best customer service.”

Signature moment
While video will play a larger role in the fan experience this season with a new screen and new ribbon boards, don’t expect Griz fans to suffer from sensory overload. The school still prefers a more organic atmosphere created by its fans.

“With our crowd, it’s the natural things in football that make the experience special,” Haslam said. “You can’t replicate that.”

Idea other schools might steal
The Griz could sell more tickets if they had a larger stadium, but that’s not in the cards, at least not now. While the prevailing thinking is that bigger is better, Montana prefers to stay where it is, with a more intimate setting and just about every seat filled.

Idea taken from somewhere else
Throwback jerseys are hardly unique, but few schools have as much history with their colors as Montana. Two decades ago, the Griz wore a burnt orange that looked like Texas. Those uniforms look nothing like the classic maroon and silver they wear today. Every once in a while, Montana breaks out the old burnt orange with yellow trim on the numbers and sleeves.

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