# List of athletes from Montana

There are no major league sports franchises in the American state of Montana due to the state's relatively small and dispersed population, but a number of minor-league teams play in the state.
Baseball is the minor-league sport with the longest heritage in the state, and Montana is home to four Minor League baseball teams, all members of the Pioneer Baseball League. Many athletes move out of Montana to pursue their professional career in other states.
Football and basketball are the two most popular sports at the high school level. Montana is one of the few states where the smallest high schools participate in six-man football leagues. Numerous other sports are played at the club and amateur level, including softball, rugby, and soccer.
A number of Montanans have become notable for their involvement in a wide range of sport. Dave McNally is a baseball player who was a starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles for 13 years. Phil Jackson is a basketball player and head coach who has been voted one of the Top 10 Coaches in National Basketball Association History. Football players and coaches from Montana include Dave Dickenson, Pat Donovan, Jerry Kramer, and Jan Stenerud. Dickenson played quarterback in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) before becoming a head coach in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions. Pat Donovan was ranked the top football player and number five overall athlete from Montana in the 20th century. Donovan played left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, was a four-time Pro Bowler, and played in three Super Bowls, winning one. Jerry Kramer played offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers, was a three-time Pro Bowler, and a five-time All-Pro, and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jan Stenerud is a Norwegian who went to college in Montana on a ski jumping scholarship. He was a placekicker in the American Football League (AFL) and NFL for 19 years, mostly for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was the first soccer-style kicker in the NFL and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
In 1904, a group of young Native-American women from Montana, after playing undefeated during their last season, went to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri, and defeated all challenging teams and were declared to be world champions. For this they received a large silver trophy with the inscription "World's Fair – St. Louis, 1904 – Basket Ball – Won by Fort Shaw Team".

## Baseball

Baseball players from Montana :
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection | Comments |
| Jeff Ballard | 1963–present | Born and raised in Billings | Major League Baseball pitcher (1987–1994) |
| Ed Bouchee | 1933–2013 | Born and raised in Livingston | Major League Baseball first baseman (1955–1962) |
| Scott Brow | 1969–present | Born in Butte | Major League Baseball relief pitcher (1993–1998) |
| Johnny Couch | 1891–1975 | Born in Vaughn | Major League Baseball pitcher (1917–1925) |
| Jeff Doyle | 1956–present | Born in Havre | Major League Baseball second baseman (1983) |
| Cecil Duff | 1896–1969 | Born in Radersburg | Major League Baseball pitcher (1922) |
| John Gibbons | 1962–present | Born in Great Falls | Major League Baseball catcher (1984, 1986); manager (2004–2008) |
| Vedie Himsl | 1917–2004 | Born in Plevna | Minor league baseball pitcher (1938–1942, 1946, 1950–1951); Major League Baseball coach (1960–1964) and scout (1965–1985) |
| Rob Johnson | 1982–present | Born in Anaconda | Major League Baseball catcher (2007–present) |
| John Leister | 1961–present | Attended high school in Great Falls | Major League Baseball pitcher (1987, 1990) |
| John Lowenstein | 1947–present | Born in Wolf Point | Major League Baseball outfielder, designated hitter, and utilityman (1970–1985) |
| Joe McIntosh | 1951–present | Born in Billings | Major League Baseball starting pitcher (1974–1975) |
| Dave McNally | 1942–2002 | Born and lived in Billings | Major League Baseball starting pitcher (1962–1975) |
| Dave Meier | 1959–present | Born in Helena | Major League Baseball left fielder (1984–1988) |
| Gary Neibauer | 1944–present | Born in Billings | Major League Baseball relief pitcher (1969–1973) |
| Jim Otten | 1951–present | Born in Lewistown | Major League Baseball pitcher (1974–1981) |
| Herb Plews | 1928–2014 | Born in Helena | Major League Baseball infielder (1956–1959) |
| Les Rohr | 1946–2020 | Moved to Montana when an infant, attended high school in and lives in Billings | Major League Baseball pitcher (1967–1969) |
| Curt Schmidt | 1970–present | Born in Miles City | Major League Baseball relief pitcher (1995) |
| Taylor Tankersley | 1983–present | Born in Missoula | Major League Baseball relief pitcher (2006–present) |
| Mason Tobin | 1987–present | Born in Glendive | Major League Baseball relief pitcher (2011–present) |
| Jim Tyack | 1911–1995 | Born in Florence | Major League Baseball outfielder (1943) |
| Rees Gephardt "Steamboat" Williams | 1892–1979 | Born in Cascade | Major League Baseball pitcher (1914–1916) |

## Basketball

Basketball players from Montana :
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection | Comments |
| Cass Bauer-Bilodeau | 1972–present | Born and raised in Hysham; attended college in Bozeman | Women's National Basketball Association small forward (1999–2002) |
| Jim Creighton | 1950–present | Born in Billings | National Basketball Association small forward (1976) |
| Denise Curry | 1959–present | Born in Fort Benton | Olympic gold medalist (1984); professional basketball player in France with Ligue Féminine de Basketball, winning two national championships (1986, 1987) |
| Brad Holland | 1956–present | Born in Billings | National Basketball Association shooting guard (1980–1982) |
| Phil Jackson | 1945–present | Born and lived for several years in Deer Lodge | National Basketball Association (NBA) power forward (1968–1980) and head coach (1990–2011); voted one of the Top 10 coaches in NBA history |
| Ed Kalafat | 1932–2019 | Attended high school in Anaconda | National Basketball Association center (1955–1957) |
| Larry Krystkowiak | 1964–present | Born in Missoula; raised in Shelby; finished high school in Missoula | National Basketball Association power forward (1986–1996) and head coach (2007–2008) |
| Mike Lewis | 1946–present | Born in Missoula | American Basketball Association center (1969–1974) |
| Adam Morrison | 1984–present | Born in Glendive | National Basketball Association small forward (2006–2010) |
| Robin Selvig | 1953–present | Born in Outlook | Coach of University of Montana women's team (1978–2016); ranked 8th in winning percentage among coaches of college women's basketball teams |
| Keith Tower | 1970–present | Born in Libby | National Basketball Association center (1994–1997) |

## Boxing

Boxers from Montana :
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection | Comments |
| Marvin Camel | 1951–present | Born in Ronan; lived in Missoula | World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion (1980–1981) |
| Joe Hipp | 1962–present | Born in Browning | First Native American heavyweight champion (1999) |
| Todd Foster | 1967–present | Born in Great Falls | Golden Gloves light welterweight national champion (1987); Olympics competitor (1988); professional boxer |

## Gridiron football

Gridiron football players and coaches from Montana :
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection | Comments |
| Colt Anderson | 1985–present | Born and raised in Butte; attended college in Missoula | National Football League free safety (2009–present) |
| Kroy Biermann | 1985–present | Born in Hardin; attended college in Missoula | National Football League defensive end (2008–present) |
| Dan Carpenter | 1985–present | Attended high school in Helena; attended college in Missoula | National Football League placekicker (2008–present) |
| Shane Collins | 1969–present | Born in Roundup; attended high school in Bozeman | National Collegiate Athletic Association shot put national champion (1990); National Football League defensive end (1992–1994) |
| Scott Curry | 1975–present | Born in Conrad; attended high school in Valier; attended college in Missoula | National Football League offensive tackle (1999–2000) |
| Barry Darrow | 1950–present | Attended high school in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula | National Football League offensive tackle (1974–1978) |
| Dave Dickenson | 1973–present | Born, raised, and attended high school in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula | Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League quarterback (1997–2008); CFL head coach (2008–present) |
| Mitch Donahue | 1968–present | Attended high school in Billings | National Football League defensive end/linebacker (1991–1994) |
| Pat Donovan | 1953–present | Attended high school in Helena | National Football League left tackle (1975–1983); four-time Pro Bowler; played in three Super Bowls, winning one |
| Travis Dorsch | 1979–present | Attended high school in Bozeman | National Football League placekicker and punter (2002–2004) |
| Dwan Edwards | 1981–present | Born in Billings; attended high school in Columbus | National Football League defensive tackle (2004–present) |
| Casey FitzSimmons | 1980–present | Born in Wolf Point; raised in Chester; attended college in Helena | National Football League tight end (2003–2009) |
| Dane Fletcher | 1986–present | Born in and attended both high school and college in Bozeman | National Football League linebacker (2010–present) |
| John Friesz | 1967–present | Born in Missoula | National Football League quarterback (1990–2000); member of College Football Hall of Fame |
| Tim Hauck | 1966–present | Born in Butte; raised in Big Timber; resides in Missoula | National Football League defensive back (1990–2002) |
| Kris Heppner | 1977–present | Born in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula | National Football League placekicker (2000) |
| Lex Hilliard | 1984–present | Born and attended high school in Kalispell; attended college in Missoula | National Football League running back (2008–present) |
| "Wild" Bill Kelly | 1905–1931 | Raised in and attended college in Missoula | National Football League running back (2008–present); member of College Football Hall of Fame |
| Steve Kragthorpe | 1965–present | Born in Missoula | Head coach at University of Tulsa (2003–2006) and University of Louisville (2007–2009) |
| Jerry Kramer | 1936–present | Born in Jordan | National Football League offensive guard (1958–1968); three-time Pro Bowler; five-time All-Pro; ranked number one player not in the Hall of Fame by the NFL Network |
| Milan Lazetich | 1921–1969 | Born in Anaconda; attended college in Missoula | National Football League offensive guard (1945–1950) |
| Ryan Leaf | 1976–present | Born and raised in Great Falls | National Football League quarterback (1998–2002) |
| Marc Mariani | 1987–present | Born and raised in Havre; attended college in Missoula | National Football League wide receiver (2010–present) |
| Jack McAuliffe | 1901–1941 | Born and raised in Butte; attended college in Missoula | National Football League running back (1926) |
| Sam McCullum | 1952–present | Raised in Kalispell; attended college in Bozeman | National Football League wide receiver (1974–1983) |
| Blaine McElmurry | 1973–present | Born in Helena; raised in Troy; attended college in Missoula | National Football League defensive back (1997–1999) |
| Dylan McFarland | 1980–present | Born in Kalispell; attended college in Missoula | National Football League offensive tackle (2004–2006) |
| Mike McLeod | 1958–present | Born, raised, and attended college in Bozeman | National Football League safety (1984–1985) |
| Dallas Neil | 1976–present | Born in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula | National Football League punter and tight end (2000–2004) |
| Bob O'Billovich | 1940–present | Attended high school in Butte; attended college in Missoula | Canadian Football League (CFL) defensive back and quarterback (1963–1967); CFL head coach and front-office official (1982–1989, 1990–1995, 2008–present) |
| Brock Osweiler | 1990–present | Raised and attended high school in Kalispell | National Football League quarterback (2012–present) |
| Mike Person | 1988–present | Born in Glendive; attended college in Bozeman | National Football League center (2011–present) |
| Russ Peterson | 1905–1971 | Attended high school in Miles City; attended college in Missoula | National Football League offensive tackle (1932) |
| Bobby Petrino | 1961–present | Born in Lewistown; raised and attended college in Helena | National Football League head coach (Atlanta Falcons, 2007); collegiate head coach at the University of Louisville (2003–2006, 2014–present), University of Arkansas (2008–2011) and Western Kentucky University (2013) |
| Paul Petrino | 1967–present | Born in Butte; raised and attended college in Helena | Collegiate head coach at the University of Idaho (2013–present) |
| Milt "Butte Bullet" Popovich | 1915–2005 | Born in Butte | National Football League fullback (1938–1942) |
| Brian Salonen | 1961–present | Born in Glasgow; raised in Great Falls; attended college in Missoula | National Football League tight end and linebacker (1984–1985) |
| Shann Schillinger | 1986–present | Born and raised in Baker; attended college in Missoula | National Football League free safety (2010–present) |
| Kirk Scrafford | 1967–present | Born and raised in Billings; attended college in Missoula | National Football League offensive tackle (1990–1998) |
| Jan Stenerud | 1942–present | Moved to Bozeman from Norway to attend college on a ski jumping scholarship | American Football League and National Football League placekicker (1967–1985); elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame (1991); recruited to the Montana State University – Bozeman (MSU) football team by Jim Sweeney |
| Jim Sweeney | 1929–2013 | Born in Butte; coached college football in Bozeman | Head football coach at Montana State University – Bozeman (MSU) (1963–1967), Washington State University (1968–1975), and California State University, Fresno (1976–1977, 1980–1996), compiling a career college football record of 201-153-4; credited with recruiting Jan Stenerud to the MSU team |
| Kevin Sweeney | 1963–present | Born in Bozeman | National Football League quarterback (1987–1988) |
| Mike Tilleman | 1944–2020 | Born in Chinook; attended college in Missoula; lives in Havre | National Football League defensive tackle (1966–1976) |
| Corey Widmer | 1968–present | Raised and attended college in Bozeman | National Football League linebacker and defensive lineman (1992–1999) |

## Rodeo

Rodeo performers from Montana :
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection | Comments |
| Bill Linderman | 1920–1965 | Born in Bridger; raised in Red Lodge | Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion All-Around Cowboy (1950 & 1953); elected to ProRodeo Hall of Fame (1979) |
| Montie Montana | 1910–1998 | Born in Wolf Point | Trick roper and rider; actor; stuntman; participant in Tournament of Roses Parade for 60 years; elected to ProRodeo Hall of Fame (1994); |
| Dan Mortensen | 1968–present | Born in Billings; attended college in Bozeman; lives in Manhattan | Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion All-Around Cowboy (1997); World Saddle Bronc Champion (1993–1995, 1997, 1998 and 2003); elected to ProRodeo Hall of Fame (2009) |
| Alice Greenough Orr | 1902–1995 | Born, raised, and lived in Red Lodge | Member of National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum |
| Flint Rasmussen | 1968–present | Born in Montana; lives on a ranch near Choteau | Rodeo clown; Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association "Clown of the Year" eight consecutive years; former high school science and math teacher |
| Benny Reynolds | 1936–2014 | Born and raised in Twin Bridges; lived in Melrose | Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion All-Around Cowboy (1961); elected to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1993. |

## Wrestling

Wrestlers from Montana :
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection | Comments |
| Gene Davis | 1945–present | Born and raised in Missoula, Montana | Four-time undefeated (66-0) Montana high school champion, 1960–63; 1965 NCAA champion for Oklahoma State; 1976 Montreal Olympics bronze medalist Freestyle wrestling |
| Bill Zadick | 1973–present | Born and raised in Great Falls | World Freestyle Championships gold medalist at 66 kilograms (146 lb) (2006) |
| Mike Zadick | 1978–present | Born and raised in Great Falls | World Freestyle Championships silver medalist at 60 kilograms (130 lb) (2006) |

## Other athletes

Other athletes from Montana :
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection | Comments |
| Conrad Anker | 1963–present | Lives in Bozeman | Mountain climber; member of The North Face climbing team |
| Eric Bergoust | 1969–present | Born and raised in Missoula | Olympic freestyle skier (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006); gold medalist (1998) |
| Scott Davis | 1972–present | Born in Great Falls | Figure skater; two-time U.S. Champion (1993–1994) |
| Sierra Fellers | 1986–present | Born in Whitefish | Professional skateboarder |
| Keith Jardine | 1975–present | Born in Butte | Mixed martial arts fighter |
| Dave Johnson | 1963–present | Raised in Missoula | Decathlete; participant in 1988 Summer Olympics; bronze medalist in 1992 Summer Olympics |
| Nikki Kimball | 1971–present | Lives in Bozeman | Ultra-distance runner; 50 miles (80 km) Trail National Champion (2003, 2004, 2005) |
| Levi Leipheimer | 1973–present | Born in Butte | Cyclist; bronze medal at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in the individual road time trial |
| John Misha Petkevich | 1949–present | Raised in Great Falls | Olympic figure skater (1968 Winter Olympics, 1972 Winter Olympics); United States Figure Skating Champion and North American Figure Skating Champion in men's singles (1971); earned a Ph.D. in cell biology at University of Oxford as a Rhodes scholar |
| Mike Ramos | 1962–present | Lives in Missoula | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) decathlon champion (1986); won three Pac-10 decathlon titles (1983, 1984, 1986); set NCAA decathlon record (8,322 points) in 1986 Pac-10 championship meet; inducted to the Husky Hall of Fame (2000) |
| Alice Ritzman | 1952–present | Born and raised in Flathead Valley; attended college in Billings | Professional golfer on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour (1978–1998) |
| Scot Schmidt | 1961–present | Born in Helena | First professional extreme skier |
| Leslie Spalding | 1969–present | Born in Billings; previously lived in Billings and Bozeman | Professional golfer on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour (1995–2005); head coach of women's golf at Montana State University (2007–2011) |
| Chuck Stevenson | 1919–1995 | Born in Sidney. | IndyCar driver; winner of the 1952 National Championship. |
| Doug Swingley | 1953–present | Born and raised in Great Falls; lives in Lincoln | Dog sled racer; four-time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001) |
| Lones Wigger | 1937–2017 | Born in Great Falls | Rifle shooter; three-time Olympic medalist—gold and silver in the 1964 Summer Olympics and gold in the 1972 Summer Olympics; once held 80 national championships and 29 world records |