Griz Nation The Best

University of Montana Athletic Director Jim O’Day was on the Craig & Al show and wanted to say thanks to the Griz Nation. I’ve included a letter to all of you from Jim; he really means what he says in the letter. I hope you take a minute to read it. Feel free to share it with others.

Dear Griz Nation,

 As another college basketball season comes to an end, I want to thank you for the continued support for our men’s and women’s basketball teams at The University of Montana.

 It was another stellar season for both coach Robin Selvig’s and coach Wayne Tinkle’s programs. Both advanced into post-season play and provided yet another means of promoting our incredible university.

 The student-athletes on both teams made us very proud of their performances, both in the classroom (the Lady Griz currently have a cumulative grade point average of 3.30, while the men are at 2.94) and on the court.

 We will miss our seniors – Brian Qvale, Stephanie Stender, Sarah Ena, Jessa Loman Linford and Misty Atkinson – but the future is bright with a talented group of underclassmen returning for 2011-12.

 Since assuming the Director of Athletics position on July 1, 2005, I have been fortunate to share in the many successes of our 14 athletic programs.

 Over the past six years, our teams have won 13 Big Sky Conference championships – five in football (2005-09, two of which resulted in berths in national championship games), four in women’s basketball (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011), two in men’s basketball (2006, which included a win in the NCAA tournament, and 2010, plus a CBI berth this year) and one each in women’s golf (2006) and women’s cross country (2010).

 We have won one Sterling Savings Bank Presidents Cup (2007), which is awarded to the most balanced athletic/academic program in the conference, finished second twice (2009 and 2010), third in 2008 and fourth in 2006. When the results are announced this summer, we expect to be among the leaders once again in large part because the cumulative GPA for our 300 student-athletes is an impressive 3.02.

 And Griz teams have been on display to a national audience a total of 14 times, with national television appearances on either ESPN, ESPN2 or CBS.

 It is a streak of accomplishments unmatched before in our athletic department’s history. It is because of you, our fans and donors, that we are enjoying this unprecedented success. You continue to invest in our programs and give our coaches and student-athletes the tools they need to succeed.

 You are always there for us, both home and on the road, and not a day goes by that we take you for granted. You are the BEST – and we look forward to seeing more of you again soon!

GO GRIZ!

 Jim O'Day

Director of Athletics

The University of Montana