Who We Are

Our Mission

The Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association’s primary objective is to raise scholarship funds for University of Montana student-athletes. The GSA also assists the athletic department with various fundraising activities, and actively promotes interest in and awareness of all UM sports programs. The GSA, through its board of directors, believes that a successful athletics program enhances the university experience for student-athletes and non-student-athletes alike as well as building a strong alliance with the community and alumni. We believe it is the responsibility of the GSA to help achieve these objectives by educating the general public and the student-athletes about the fiscal needs of the University of Montana’s athletic program; building community support; and providing, through development and fundraising programs, the private financial resources necessary to fund scholarships and other needs.

What is the GSA? 

The Grizzly Scholarship Association is the primary fundraising organization for Grizzly Athletics. Founded in 1955 as the Century Club, the goals and primary mission of the GSA today are the same as they were then – to raise athletic scholarship dollars to pay the educational costs of UM student-athletes. Each year, as state funding for higher education in Montana decreases, the Montana University System Board of Regents is forced to raise tuition and fees. This results in a substantial increase in the cost of athletic scholarships and, thus, requires an increased commitment on our part to funding these scholarships. It is imperative that the GSA continue to grow. Your contributions pay approximately $1.95 million of the $5.7+ million dollars expended annually on athletic scholarships for over 330 student-athletes participating in 15 NCAA Division I sports at UM. Membership in the GSA provides you an opportunity to become involved in and support Grizzly athletics through participation in fundraising activities, promoting local and regional interest in all 15 sports programs, and continuing to build upon our tradition of success.

The Board of Directors, representing 13 GSA chapters, oversees association activities in consultation with the GSA office and Athletic Director in a manner consistent with the goals and policies of The University of Montana, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Big Sky Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. 

Additional areas of support

In addition to the annual scholarship commitment the GSA has provided support to multiple facility projects around Grizzly Athletics:

  • The Eric & Blair Sprunk Student-Athlete Academic Center
  • The Washington-Grizzly Champions Center
  • The Grizzly Softball Stadium
  • The Montana Men’s Basketball Center
  • The Grizzly Indoor Practice Facility

A Message from the Director of Athletics

The University of Montana athletic department relies on private support more than any other NCAA Division I FCS program in the nation. Generous support from fans around the country is absolutely critical to the success of Grizzly athletics and never has this been truer than right now!

Financial support for student-athlete scholarships is the foundation of our success. It allows our coaches to recruit high-quality student-athletes from around the state, country and even the world. Scholarship funds provide these outstanding young people the opportunity to pursue their academic goals at a world-class university.

Another vital need is financial support for individual sports. Through these gifts directed specifically to one of our athletic programs, coaches have the flexibility to invest in a variety of areas that positively impact the academic and athletic success of Grizzly student-athletes. Those investments may include training equipment, recruiting, nutritional support, team travel, or many others. You truly are investing in our success!

Thank you for considering a gift in support of Grizzly athletics. You are helping develop the leaders of tomorrow and opening opportunities for many.

Go Griz!

Kent Haslam
Director of Athletics