By ERIC TABER
The University of Montana athletics department is connecting with the youth in Missoula, announcing on Wednesday several initiatives to engage with young fans.
“As part of our effort to expand our community engagement, we are excited to launch new programs for our younger fans,” said Brynn Molloy, UM’s assistant A.D. for marketing and communications. “These initiatives will give us the opportunity to interact with our Future Griz in unique new ways. As a department, we are thrilled to provide new opportunities and to encourage learning for our youth, as well as provide additional ways for our student-athletes to give back to the people who look up to them the most.”
Monte’s Club
Children ages 12 and under are eligible to join Monte’s Club! Benefits for Monte’s Club members include:
- FREE entry to all soccer, volleyball, softball and men’s and women’s basketball games!
- An official Monte’s Club ID card!
- A FREE Gift for joining!
- A birthday note from Monte!
- The chance to participate in promotions at games!
- The chance to win a party with Monte!
- Other awesome opportunities throughout the year!
Membership cost is $20 per year. Registration will be available online, beginning Aug. 9.
Read with the Griz
Students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade are encouraged to participate – as a class or on their own – in Montana’s Read with the Grizprogram. From Oct. 1-Feb. 15, for every seven books read and turned in, students will receive a prize from the Griz. Prizes include bookmarks, stickers and tickets to Griz volleyball, softball and men’s and women’s basketball games!
The class with the most books read as a group each month will win an appearance from a Griz student-athlete to read with the class. The class with the most books read at the end of the year will win a reading party with Monte AND Griz student-athletes (must turn in monthly totals to be eligible).
Plus, 10 lucky winners will be rewarded and recognized at a Griz basketball game!
Letters to Monte
What better way to practice your writing than by writing a letter to Montana’s world-famous mascot? Parents are encouraged to print out this PDFthat will allow children to have fun learning how to write a letter or draw a picture. Letters and pictures sent via mail or email will have the chance to be displayed on Monte’s social media accounts. Plus, all Missoula-area classrooms that participate and send in letters from an entire class will receive a surprise visit from Monte to their classroom!
Lady Griz School Day
The Lady Griz take on Seattle on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The game has been moved to a noon tipoff to accommodate elementary and middle-school students in the area (kindergarten-8th grade). Classes are invited to not only watch the Lady Griz in action, but also participate in several educational opportunities. Prior to and during the game, students will learn about engaging in healthy eating and active living, plus hear about the importance of education and graduating. Additionally, students will be able to meet Griz student-athletes and cheerleaders during the game. More details will follow this fall.
The University of Montana athletics department is excited to connect with its young fans. Check back to GoGriz.com for additional details about all of the department’s community engagement opportunities.