The Montana Grizzlies mascot is a symbol of pride and strength for the University of Montana. The grizzly bear, a native species to the region, serves as a powerful representation of the university's athletic teams. The Montana Grizzlies mascot is known for its fierce and intimidating presence. The mascot's appearance, featuring a large grizzly bear costume, is designed to strike fear into the hearts of opponents and rally support from fans. The costume includes a brown and white fur bodysuit, a menacing facial expression, and sharp claws. The mascot's size and stature make it an imposing figure on the sidelines of sporting events.
Monte goes pro… again
Since the early 90's, Monte has been the Montana Grizzlies' number one fan, motorcycle riding and back flipping his way into hearts of Griz nation like no other mascot in the country. He was even named the two-time National Mascot of the Year in 2002-03 and 2004-05.
After being recognized nationally for his talents, the Monte of '02-'05 went on to star in the NBA as the Chicago Bulls' beloved Benny the Bull for 12 hilarious years.
Now, after five and a half years of being Montana's favorite bear, a new Monte has again turned pro in the NBA, this time shedding the brown fur of a Grizzly bear, and donning the silver fur of "Clutch," the Houston Rocket's beloved bear.
"I want to thank everyone in Missoula and the state of Montana for showing me so much love over the years," said Monte, whose real identity remains a mystery. "I've had a blast working with everyone at the University, all the athletes and especially the fans. They are what makes all the hard work bear-able."
Monte's reputation as one of the best mascots in the land hasn't gone unnoticed by teams around the NBA. When Clutch retired from the Rockets after many years of service, they called Monte at his den in the Rattlesnake Wilderness to see if he was interested in migrating from the mountains of Montana to the bayous of Houston.
A member of the Mascot Hall of Fame, Clutch has been the most beloved bear in Texas since 1995. Since then he's won the NBA's Mascot of the Year award in 2005 and 2013.
Much like Monte, Clutch and his sidekick Rocket Man make over 250 Houston-area appearances each year, and 20 out-of-town and international appearances as well. And like Monte, this busy bear can be found thrilling fans with high-flying dunks and entertaining crowds at corporate events, birthday parties, basketball games, pep rallies, and holiday parties.
Monte officially started his new job at the Rockets in early October and said the people at the Toyota Center in Houston have been very welcoming to a bear from the Rockies.
"I've had an amazing and very warm welcome. Everyone has been super nice, very helpful. Everybody in the Rockets organization has been great and have made it easy to transition from one bear to another."
Since arriving in Houston, Monte… er… Clutch has wowed Rockets fans in two preseason games, and even traveled to Shanghai and Beijing China to participate in NBA global games against the New Orleans Pelicans.
This Monte is now the second loveable bear from Montana to make a career out of his shenanigans in the NBA after Benny T. Bull, and this Monte wants kids to know that it's not all fun and games. It's a real opportunity for a real career.
"I grew up doing gymnastics and being an athlete before honing my skills at the University of Montana in front of Griz nation," says Monte. "I never knew it could lead to a full-time career in professional sports. I hope there are future Monte's out there who set their sights high as well."
Luckily there is another Monte ready to following in the previous bear tracks, keeping Griz Nation entertained for years to come.
"Fear not Griz fans, I know the current Monte will continue to be as entertaining and lovable as ever."
Montana's Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Community Relations , who oversees Monte's antics, also believes the future of the program is in good paws.
"We are incredibly grateful to him for his service to Grizzly Athletics and to the University of Montana and wish him absolute success in the NBA. As "Benny" and now "Clutch" have proven, it is a unique opportunity for people to come have an amazing experience as Monte at the University of Montana and then have the opportunity to pursue a professional career as a mascot.
"We hope others who dream of being Monte will someday take the chance to tryout whenever we may have an open position again," adds Molloy.
Do You Know the Fascinating History of UM Mascots Before Monte?
Everyone loves a good mascot when it comes to sports teams. They help keep the interest level high during lulls in a game, they pump the crowd up for important moments, and they're responsible for firing those cool t-shirt cannons. Only a select few are lucky enough to be considered the cream of the crop. I'm talking about your icons that are known across the land like Mr. Met, the Philly Phanatic, the Oregon Duck, and the San Diego Chicken. We might not have any professional teams here in Montana but we're pretty blessed to have an awesome mascot like Monte to represent the University of Montana. But do you know the story of the years that preceded Monte?
It's tough to think of a Griz Game and not picture Monte arriving in style, doing flips, and high-fiving the kids. But I stumbled onto an article from the Montana Kaimin yesterday that took a fun trip down memory lane when it comes to UM's mascots of the past. Did you know they used to use live bears back in the day? Or how about a run where they actually used Ronald McDonald as well as other corporate sponsors?
Between the Kaimin article and Monte's Wikipedia page, there's quite an interesting history when you look back through the tales of mascots from the past. You can check out the stories for yourself but here's a quick look at what the University of Montana used until Monte made his debut.
- The athletic teams used to be known as the Bears and beginning in 1897 they used live bear cubs for promotion. They would often be held in chains and serve one season before growing beyond a manageable size.
- Four different bears named Fezzy were used between 1937 to 1946 to honor former coach Doug Fessden and one named Jerry to honor former coach Jerry Williams.
- Live bears serving the role of mascot ended in 1961 with a bear named Cocoa.
Get our free mobile appPress and student outbursts at the complications of live bear mascots led the university to try a more conventional approach, and in the 1970s, the Grizzlies were backed by a variety of traditional company-sponsored costumed mascots. These included the Hamm's Beer Bear, Domino's Pizza's Noid, and at one point, Ronald McDonald. The local business Grizzly Auto Centers sponsored Otto the Grizzly, who was the primary mascot for the athletics teams for most of the 1980s. -Monte's Wikipedia page-
- Monte was developed in 1991 when the athletics department worked with mascot experts to create a friendlier version of a bear mascot than had been used in previous years.
- Monte made his debut during the start of the 1993 season.
Monte has gone on to have a storied career since his introduction. That includes being nominated for Mascot of the Year multiple times and winning the award twice. How far back does your memory go when it comes to UM mascots that predate Monte?
The mascot's size and stature make it an imposing figure on the sidelines of sporting events. In addition to its physical presence, the Montana Grizzlies mascot embodies the values of the university and its athletic programs. The grizzly bear is a symbol of strength, endurance, and tenacity, qualities that are highly valued in athletics and academics.
Famous People You Didn't Know Were From Montana
Montana's got some pretty famous faces throughout history, but did you know these celebrities are originally from the Treasure State?
Monte Montana Grizzlies BRXLZ Mascot
Every trip to the game is made 1000x better by a visit from the mascot. Enjoy that fan fun whenever you want and show off your fandom by building this Monte Montana Grizzlies BRXLZ Mascot and putting him on your desk.
- Approximately 667 pieces in total
- Includes logo chicklet for maximum team spirit
- Approximately 5” x 4.5” x 4” when fully assembled, so it might look a little out of place trying to launch t-shirts into a crowd of screaming fans, but it will look great on your desk
- Recommended for fans 12 and up
- Officially licensed
- Imported
- BRXLZ®
Get in Line. Get the Goods.
How It Works
To make sure FOCO Members have an equal chance to purchase high-demand items on our site, we use a Line Checkout System.
Wait time may vary based on demand.
Improve Your Odds
Here’s how to make your Line Checkout experience as easy as possible:
1. Become a FOCO Member
Line Checkout is available to FOCO Members only.
2. Update your FOCO Member profile
Make sure your shipping & payment information is current.
3. Set a Reminder
Set a calendar reminder for 15 min before the scheduled item's launch date and time.
4. Be Prepared
Make sure you’re signed in to your FOCO Member account and ready when the product launches.
The mascot's energy and enthusiasm are infectious, inspiring student-athletes and fans alike to give their all in support of the team. The Montana Grizzlies mascot plays a vital role in the university's sports culture. It is a source of unity and pride for the university community, bringing people together in support of their teams. The presence of the mascot at games and events creates a lively and spirited atmosphere, contributing to a sense of excitement and camaraderie among attendees. Overall, the Montana Grizzlies mascot is a powerful symbol that represents the values and spirit of the University of Montana. It serves as a source of inspiration, motivation, and unity within the university community and is a beloved figure at sporting events and other university activities..
Reviews for "The Symbolism of the Montana Grizzlies Mascot: Representing Tradition and Pride"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the Montana Grizzlies mascot. The costume looked worn-out and outdated. It lacked creativity and was just a generic bear costume. I expected something more unique and exciting, but this mascot fell short of my expectations. It's time for the university to invest in a new, modern-looking mascot that can truly represent the spirit and enthusiasm of the team.
2. Sarah - 1 star
The Montana Grizzlies mascot was a complete letdown for me. It was poorly designed and didn't even resemble a grizzly bear. The colors were dull, and the overall appearance was unimpressive. I could hardly tell what the mascot was supposed to be. It was a huge missed opportunity for the university to create a mascot that could bring more excitement and fan engagement to the games. Overall, I was highly dissatisfied with the choice of mascot.
3. Alex - 2 stars
As a fan of the Montana Grizzlies, I was expecting a mascot that would ignite team spirit and bring a sense of energy to the games. Unfortunately, the current mascot fails to do so. It lacks personality and doesn't connect with the fans. The costume itself is lackluster, and it feels like the university didn't put much effort into creating a memorable mascot. I hope they consider reimagining the mascot and creating something that truly represents the pride and passion of our team.
4. Emily - 1 star
The Montana Grizzlies mascot was a major disappointment. It didn't have any memorable features or characteristics that would make it stand out. It was just another generic mascot with no personality. I was hoping for something more dynamic and engaging, but this mascot fell completely flat. It's time for the university to rethink their mascot and come up with a design that can truly rally the fans and create a sense of unity among supporters of the team.