From the Fringe … What an amazing early Christmas present

It’s no secret that, the Montana Grizzlies are special to me. Offseason, regular season, or the playoffs, the Griz are my thing. Always have been, always will be.

And I have never, ever taken that for granted.

But every once in a while, even the Griz can take me to places I’ve never been.

Despite loving all sports, at all levels, some of the most incredible experiences I have ever had as a sports fan have come inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and that was true again last Saturday night.

While I have been going to Griz games in Missoula since 1994, and it never gets old, there are those few games which stand above the rest, and that happened in Montana’s thrilling FCS semifinal win over North Dakota State last weekend.

Now, for all the reasons any Griz fan can think if, the game was special. It was one for the ages. 

It was special because it was the semifinals, it was special because it was at home, it was special because of the crowd, the atmosphere and the moment. It was special because it was against North Dakota State, which, has supplanted Montana as the most well-known FCS program in the country. It was special because it was an amazing game, with scintillating moments. It was special because, as a result of that game, Montana is going back to the championship game for the first time in 14 years.

That game was special, too, because it was on the national stage, and it’s already been billed as one of the most exciting college football games, at any level, in all of 2023.

Luckily for me, I’ve been a part of pretty much every one of those magical moments that have ever happened in Wash-Griz. From the 1994 McNeese State miracle, to the 1995 championship run, to the 2002 and 2009 Appy State semifinals, and every other game you can think of that was like last Saturday, I’ve been at ’em all. 

And I was there again on Saturday night.

But what made this one so special and so unique was, I don’t live in Montana anymore. 

One of the many things I gave up in this life-altering change Amy and I made last year was the Grizzlies. It was sad to know we wouldn’t be traveling to Missoula 6-9 Saturday’s during Griz football season. It was sad to know we wouldn’t be tailgating with all our friends and family like we always do, and doing all the amazing things that come with those Griz trips.

For over 20 years, it was such a special time for Amy and me. And we hated to leave it.

So, the fact that, in my first year away from Montana, being back in Missoula for that game last Saturday was something I will never, ever forget. It was so surreal. To be there in the madness and euphoria of one of the greatest Griz’ wins in program history was a feeling I can’t describe. I was with some of my best friends as it all unfolded, and the magic of that night still has me on a high a week later.

So while nights like last Saturday are always special, given the turn that life has taken for me in the last year, I think this one will really stand out for me as long as I’m around. And while there have already been so many special Griz moments before it, and will be many more to come, that magical win over NDSU will stay with me forever. 

What an amazing Christmas gift, too.

And speaking of Christmas, I want to take this time to wish all of you in Havre and beyond a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We miss you all.