Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame

Honoring Those That Came Before Us...

Winter 2011:

Excited for the start of the basketball season! We have strong athletes all across this state that need our continued support both in athletics and academics. It is nice to see strong Native students-athletes playing for our Montana Universities and colleges, Leo Davis being one of many that are playing football and breaking into the playoff race. Congratulations to both the Montana schools and good luck in the playoffs!

Our forms are being updated and will be uploaded when ready. We are working on a PO Box to send nominations and donations. Both are greatly appreciated. Have a safe and positive holiday season!

Summer 2011:

It was a great show for how much time we had to put it together this year. Had to do it quick, but I appreciate all the nominations and support. Special thanks to all the families that came and to Montana State University - Billings for hosting us again. Thanks to Gary Gray, MSU-B athletic director, for opening up the ceremony!

Spring 2011:

The tentative date is set for the next Hall of Fame!

We will have it at the MSU-Billings Ballroom again, special thanks to Reno Charette on helping set that up! The date will be July 15, 2011 at 1pm. This will be a perfect time due to the opening ceremonies of the Big Sky Games that evening!

We are working on the logistics and will keep you posted as they develop! It will be a good one with new inductions, special dedications and awards!

Winter 2011:

Nominations are coming in and once again we are rescheduling the next induction this Spring. With all the happenings during December and the wild winter, we felt that we would hold off until we get some more nominations and better circumstances for people to attend the ceremony.

We are looking at adding a section for news on our inductees and even future possible prospects. We have also been discussing basketball camps during the summer under the MIAHOF umbrella. A fundamentally driven camp with input from young native athletes and inspiration from hall of fame inductees!

One of our biggest obstacles is funding, as with everything. Donations are greatly appreciated and we will be seeking funding in other ways as well.

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The hall of fame is the creation of Don Wetzel, Sr. a former Cut Bank and University of Montana standout and coach. It came out of a talk he had with his father about 10 years ago concerning the need to recognize Indian athletes.
The Hall of Fame will bring the past to the present, showing the youth and the native communities that we have our own legends among us and for those that have past, we will restore their memory and accomplishments.
This has never happened for the Native Athletes of our state and with so many great athletes and teams representing Indian Country, this is definitely necessary.
The Hall will recognize college and high school athletes, coaches and teams from all sports venues that have documented accomplishments. All-State, All-American, State Championships and MVPs. Record breakers and record holders that made their community proud during their amazing championship runs.

"I started looking at the '20s and '30s and found there were all-state teams and I never knew about those players and coaches," Wetzel said. "I felt the need to bring them out and recognize them. There were some that were just legends that will pop to the front."

Update:

We recently moved our site to a different provider and we should be up for good now.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to grow as a promoter of our great Native Athletes!

We are looking forward to the next induction...summer time is looking good again.

~Don Wetzel, Sr.