Intercollegiate Athletics
Montana State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics strives to foster excellence in academic and athletic performance while providing excitement and pride on-campus and among all who support the University.
MSU sponsors 15 sports and is a NCAA Division I member institution, with football competing in the Football Championship Sub-Division (FCS). The department offers a variety of ways for all students to enhance the college experience through supporting the Bobcats, either as a participant or a fan.
Montana State is an active member of the Big Sky Conference where it has the opportunity to participate in the following championships: Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field, Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Women’s Golf. Men’s and Women’s Nordic and Alpine Skiing participate in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Skiing Association. Bobcat Athletics also sponsors a Spirit Squad, which consists of cheer and dance, and houses the MSU Rodeo Team, as well.
Montana State University is committed to promoting student-athlete well-being, ethical conduct, sportsmanship, equal opportunity, and financial responsibility while striving to be the best in the Big Sky Conference. Traditionally, MSU hosts some of the largest home crowds within the conference supported by both the student body and the Bozeman and statewide communities and annually finishes near the top of the Big Sky Conference’s All Sports Trophy, which acknowledges the best overall athletic program in the Big Sky by measuring athletic and academic success.
In pursuit of athletic excellence, the Montana State Bobcats boast 13 national championship banners and 64 conference accolades hanging from the rafters of the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Most recently Big Sky Conference crowns have been won in women’s basketball and men's basketball, as well as men’s tennis and football. The Bobcat football squad played for the national championship in January 2022. The MSU ski team is nationally renowned and has placed in the top 10 at the last eleven NCAA Skiing Championships, including a program-high fourth place showing in 2016. In addition, the ski team has had two individual national champions as Annika Miller captured the Nordic freestyle title in 2016 and Benedicte Lyche, who won the NCAA Giant Slalom title in 2017. Off the playing field, MSU is traditionally ranked among the Big Sky Conference’s best in numbers of academic all-conference selections.
Student-athletes and the entire department are strongly committed to give back to the community. Student-athletes can often be found in the local schools and at community organizations and events promoting local causes.
Bobcat Athletics strives to develop campus leaders and engaged student-athletes. The department provides support programs designed to enhance the student-athlete experience by supporting the academic, athletic, and personal growth of all student-athletes. The department has an Athletic Academic Center, Strength and Conditioning program and Sports Medicine program designed to assist student-athletes in these areas.
To learn more about Bobcat Athletics, please visit www.msubobcats.com. Students may attend Bobcat Athletic home events for free by presenting a valid Cat Card. GO CATS!