Billings sports scene

[BelgradeBobcat]

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... de884.html

An interesting perspective from Jeff Welsch about Billings' growth in relation to their sports scene. He draws some comparisons to Boise-before Boise State was D-1. I'm not sure Billings will be the next Boise...also, I'm not sure Bozeman won't.

[Montanabob]

Fact check. BSU was D1 before 1984 whne he moved.there.

[John K]

Fact check. BSU was D1 before 1984 whne he moved.there.

I believe he probably meant I-A/FBS. Even though I-AA/FCS is technically D-I, many people don't think of it that way.

[John K]

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... de884.html

An interesting perspective from Jeff Welsch about Billings' growth in relation to their sports scene. He draws some comparisons to Boise-before Boise State was D-1. I'm not sure Billings will be the next Boise...also, I'm not sure Bozeman won't.

That was an interesting read, although Billings and Bozeman both have a long ways to go before becoming "the next Boise". Even though Boise proper is only about 200,000, the Treasure Valley metro area is approximately 700,000. Plus, there is such a huge business/corporate presence there, i.e. HP, Micron, Simplot, etc. While Boise's explosive growth undoubtedly played a role in the rise of BSU in general, and their athletic programs in particular, eclipsing the other two state universities, I have a hard time believing that same scenario would ever play out in Montana, with MSU-B becoming the largest and most well known school, ahead of MSU and UM. I also read his piece about MSU-B bringing back football some day, but it doesn't seem like that's a realistic possibility any time in the near future. I know that football is expensive, but the lack of a football program can really be very detrimental for some schools. Look at Gonzaga. How good could their hoops programs be, if they ever got into the Pac-12? They'd probably be a perennial top 10 team, and frequently make the Elite 8 or even the Final Four. But the Pac-12 will never take them, so long as they have no football program. I also think playing in a conference with no other nearby schools really hurts MSU-B in terms of local and statewide fan interest and media attention. It would really help them a bunch, if/when Carroll makes a move to D-II.

[Rich K]

Every 4 or 5 years it seems like the prospect of reviving football at MSU-B is floated around by somebody in the Billings "insider" scene. I haven't been holding my breath and I won't start now.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Every 4 or 5 years it seems like the prospect of reviving football at MSU-B is floated around by somebody in the Billings "insider" scene. I haven't been holding my breath and I won't start now.

I think they should go in a different direction. Montana needs a D-1 hockey program.

[Cat Grad]

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... de884.html

An interesting perspective from Jeff Welsch about Billings' growth in relation to their sports scene. He draws some comparisons to Boise-before Boise State was D-1. I'm not sure Billings will be the next Boise...also, I'm not sure Bozeman won't.

Great article, as Mr. Welsch always seems to echo my sentiments. Billings is vibrant and growing and one only needs to look at what happened to Glasgow when the Airbase and all the surrounding radar stations shut down, Butte when the mines shut down and Great Falls when the Air Force finally decided to downsize their relevance; doesn't take much to see what can happen to a community. We as a state have an opportunity to put our resources behind a rising star and help a branch of the MSU campus grow and develop, but from what I've read, the Gallatin Valley is poised to gain 1000 new high tech and high paying jobs because of Oracle. I'd say the Board of Regents, much to their dismay, has two MSU campuses that have clearly outgrown their present capacity and all that money being wasted on the UM campuses ought to be shifted really fast. From what little bit I've followed MSU-Northern, their programs are also experiencing overwhelming demand because of the programs they offer also. I guess people, for whatever reason, choose schools and majors that can actually afford them the opportunity for gainful employment? Maybe Mr. Welsch would consider researching why Billings is growing and whether or not the MSU branch of the Montana University System located in Billings has anything to do with that growth or if it's just a product of the other two MSU campuses driving the local economy.

[Catfanatic84]

Excellent article....many smaller, but growing cities get stuck in the "small town" perspective....("that will never work here....we're not big enough"). Well I think Boise has disproved that....as has Sioux Falls (who's hosting an NCAA Women's Regional) and others.

I applaud Billings for going after the Big Sky tournament....how about a regional NCAA tournament? There's much more that can be done, including bringing back football to MSUB...(which in my opinion should be renamed Billings State U).

[lutecat]

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... de884.html

An interesting perspective from Jeff Welsch about Billings' growth in relation to their sports scene. He draws some comparisons to Boise-before Boise State was D-1. I'm not sure Billings will be the next Boise...also, I'm not sure Bozeman won't.

Great article, as Mr. Welsch always seems to echo my sentiments. Billings is vibrant and growing and one only needs to look at what happened to Glasgow when the Airbase and all the surrounding radar stations shut down, Butte when the mines shut down and Great Falls when the Air Force finally decided to downsize their relevance; doesn't take much to see what can happen to a community. We as a state have an opportunity to put our resources behind a rising star and help a branch of the MSU campus grow and develop, but from what I've read, the Gallatin Valley is poised to gain 1000 new high tech and high paying jobs because of Oracle. I'd say the Board of Regents, much to their dismay, has two MSU campuses that have clearly outgrown their present capacity and all that money being wasted on the UM campuses ought to be shifted really fast. From what little bit I've followed MSU-Northern, their programs are also experiencing overwhelming demand because of the programs they offer also. I guess people, for whatever reason, choose schools and majors that can actually afford them the opportunity for gainful employment? Maybe Mr. Welsch would consider researching why Billings is growing and whether or not the MSU branch of the Montana University System located in Billings has anything to do with that growth or if it's just a product of the other two MSU campuses driving the local economy.

Great Falls has not shrunk. It may not have grown. But it stands at 55k still.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[John K]

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... de884.html

An interesting perspective from Jeff Welsch about Billings' growth in relation to their sports scene. He draws some comparisons to Boise-before Boise State was D-1. I'm not sure Billings will be the next Boise...also, I'm not sure Bozeman won't.

Great article, as Mr. Welsch always seems to echo my sentiments. Billings is vibrant and growing and one only needs to look at what happened to Glasgow when the Airbase and all the surrounding radar stations shut down, Butte when the mines shut down and Great Falls when the Air Force finally decided to downsize their relevance; doesn't take much to see what can happen to a community. We as a state have an opportunity to put our resources behind a rising star and help a branch of the MSU campus grow and develop, but from what I've read, the Gallatin Valley is poised to gain 1000 new high tech and high paying jobs because of Oracle. I'd say the Board of Regents, much to their dismay, has two MSU campuses that have clearly outgrown their present capacity and all that money being wasted on the UM campuses ought to be shifted really fast. From what little bit I've followed MSU-Northern, their programs are also experiencing overwhelming demand because of the programs they offer also. I guess people, for whatever reason, choose schools and majors that can actually afford them the opportunity for gainful employment? Maybe Mr. Welsch would consider researching why Billings is growing and whether or not the MSU branch of the Montana University System located in Billings has anything to do with that growth or if it's just a product of the other two MSU campuses driving the local economy.

it wasn't downsizing at MAFB that was the primary factor behind the stagnation of the GF economy and population. It was when the Anaconda Company shut down the refining and smelter operations in the late 70's. That resulted in the loss of about 2,000 high paying jobs. When you think of a city of that size (estimated 2015 population is 58,500) losing that many jobs, pretty much all at one time, it's actually sort of surprising that GF has even managed to just maintain it's population, rather than declining. The only significant changes in the number of personnel at MAFB in the fairly recent past, was when they brought in the KC-135 refueling tankers in the late 80's, and then when they pulled then out again in the mid 90's. But that really didn't have much of a long term impact on the GF economy or population. There was a temporary influx of about 500 military employees while the tankers were here, and then approximately the same number left with the tankers, when they were removed.

[SonomaCat]

Every 4 or 5 years it seems like the prospect of reviving football at MSU-B is floated around by somebody in the Billings "insider" scene. I haven't been holding my breath and I won't start now.

I think they should go in a different direction. Montana needs a D-1 hockey program.

This seems like a great idea. Trying to create another football program in Montana (a state of 1 million people and 6 college football programs) would be a stretch and would just cannibalize on the limited talent within the state. A hockey program could give some much-needed focus on the rising hockey scene in Montana and give the school a large recruiting area to pull from.

It would also presumably be a great use of the Metra.

I've always wondered why there were no D-League NBA teams in Montana -- wasn't sure if that's the kind of thing that's expensive to make work or if it's just where it's convenient for the parent team. I'd think Billings would be a strong location for a team of that caliber.

Honestly, Montana doesn't need any more college sports programs -- it already has a huge number per capita to begin with (with the exception of hockey, which I think could be a nice addition). I could see Billings eventually doing well with a pro team of some sort, but those leagues do tend to come and go before they establish themselves (arena league football, CBA, etc.).

[allcat]

Every 4 or 5 years it seems like the prospect of reviving football at MSU-B is floated around by somebody in the Billings "insider" scene. I haven't been holding my breath and I won't start now.

I think they should go in a different direction. Montana needs a D-1 hockey program.

This seems like a great idea. Trying to create another football program in Montana (a state of 1 million people and 6 college football programs) would be a stretch and would just cannibalize on the limited talent within the state. A hockey program could give some much-needed focus on the rising hockey scene in Montana and give the school a large recruiting area to pull from.

It would also presumably be a great use of the Metra.

I've always wondered why there were no D-League NBA teams in Montana -- wasn't sure if that's the kind of thing that's expensive to make work or if it's just where it's convenient for the parent team. I'd think Billings would be a strong location for a team of that caliber.

Honestly, Montana doesn't need any more college sports programs -- it already has a huge number per capita to begin with (with the exception of hockey, which I think could be a nice addition). I could see Billings eventually doing well with a pro team of some sort, but those leagues do tend to come and go before they establish themselves (arena league football, CBA, etc.).

I think they need a division 1 jumpy room.

[BDizzle]

Billings has the IFL (indoor football league) that is usually very competitive. They get a decent turnout for the games, especially if they are good. Used to have a basketball team called the Rimrockers but nobody ever went. Have hockey, Billings Bulls, but they dropped down a division and play at Centennial so not too exciting. Also have the Mustangs, Pioneer League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They play in one of the nicest stadiums around. Plus have Rocky Mountain College and MSU-B. So quite a lot going on in this city. Crazy to see how much it has grown in the past 10 years.

[kmax]

Every 4 or 5 years it seems like the prospect of reviving football at MSU-B is floated around by somebody in the Billings "insider" scene. I haven't been holding my breath and I won't start now.

I think they should go in a different direction. Montana needs a D-1 hockey program.

This seems like a great idea. Trying to create another football program in Montana (a state of 1 million people and 6 college football programs) would be a stretch and would just cannibalize on the limited talent within the state. A hockey program could give some much-needed focus on the rising hockey scene in Montana and give the school a large recruiting area to pull from.

It would also presumably be a great use of the Metra.

I've always wondered why there were no D-League NBA teams in Montana -- wasn't sure if that's the kind of thing that's expensive to make work or if it's just where it's convenient for the parent team. I'd think Billings would be a strong location for a team of that caliber.

Honestly, Montana doesn't need any more college sports programs -- it already has a huge number per capita to begin with (with the exception of hockey, which I think could be a nice addition). I could see Billings eventually doing well with a pro team of some sort, but those leagues do tend to come and go before they establish themselves (arena league football, CBA, etc.).

Hockey in Billings at that level would take as much or more in money to get started than football would. The Metra removed the ice making equipment, no more hockey or ice sports there. The only sheet of ice in Billings is the Centennial arena which last I heard was in pretty bad shape.

As for trying something new that isn't represented in Montana, MSU-Billings already has done that by starting a baseball team. I don't know how well they are doing (performance or support wise) but I thought this was a great move with Dehler just down the road there.

[WeedKillinCat]

I started thinking about this and from what I gather from my 23 years of living here is that high school sports are a bigger thing than I really thought. Most of the local sports casts are focused on high school sports, then MSU and um, and it seems that Rocky and MSUB play second fiddle. When high school is not in session, folks like to go to the Wolves and Mustangs games.

I would also love to see college hockey but like its been said the Metra ditched the ice because it would cost a fortune to repair or put new ice making equipment in. They can however facilitate temporary ice (mobile) making. Centennial Ice is a not in good shape. I feel sorry for the folks running it. They have some great ideas for a new facility but the cost is almost too prohibitive. Plus the site lines in Centennial are not very good for watching hockey.