December 2007
Bulldog Football Signs Second Dillon Star
Tuesday, December 18 2007
University of Montana Western football coach Rich Ferris stayed in southwest Montana for his second signing of the 2008 recruiting class.
Adam LaPierre, a 6-1, 250 lb offensive/defensive lineman from Dillon, Mont., signed a Frontier Conference/NAIA letter of intent to play football for the Bulldogs.
LaPierre earned All-Conference honors and all-state honors as an offensive lineman and defensive lineman. In the past season, he recorded 33 unassisted tackles, 41 assisted tackles and two quarterback sacks.
The Beavers lost to Billings Central 28-13 in the Class A state championship game. The 9-2 Beavers averaged 31.6 points per game while giving up a skimpy 9.4.
“Adam and his family will be great additions to our Bulldog program,” said Ferris. “Adam was a large part of the Beavers’ success this year by anchoring the line on both sides of the ball. He can contribute right away with his great attitude and work ethic.”
LaPierre also competes in track. He will graduate in the spring and will major in education. LaPierre is the son of Jen and Dan LaPierre.
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Bulldog Football Signs Dillon Star
Tuesday, December 11 2007
Rich Ferris, the new head football coach at the University of Montana Western, stayed close to home for his first signing of the 2008 recruiting class.
Brock Myllymaki, a 5'11”, 195 lb linebacker from Dillon, Mont., has signed a Frontier Conference/NAIA letter of intent to play football for the Bulldogs.
Myllymaki earned all-conference honors as both an offensive guard and a linebacker in 2006. In 2007, he earned first all-conference and all-state honors as an offensive guard.
The Beavers were 9-2 in 2007 and lost to Billings Central 28-13 in the Class A State Championship game.
“We are excited to have of member of the fantastic 2007 Dillon Beaver football team be our first recruit,” said Ferris. “Brock is a true example of coach Thomas' exceptional football program. He has proven to be a great football player will be a nice addition to our linebacker corps.
Myllymaki recorded 25 unassisted tackles, 53 assisted tackles, five quarterback sacks and three tackles for losses from his linebacker position.
In addition to football Myllymaki also participates basketball. From the classroom, he maintains a 3.3 GPA and was selected to the Honor Roll.
He is the son of Tim and Whitney Myllymaki and Katie Myllymaki of Dillon, and will graduate this spring from Beaverhead County High School. Myllymaki plans to major in business at Montana Western.
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Tommy Lee Retires as Bulldog Football Coach
Thursday, December 6 2007
After seven years at the helm of the University of Montana Western football program, Tommy Lee announced his retirement today.
“I have thought about retiring the last few years and it was just the right time,” Lee said. “I have been coaching for over 40 years and I want to spend more time with my family and on the golf course. I will miss the players and the relationships that develop with my coaches and players.”
Lee took the Bulldog program over in 2001 and compiled a record of 33-43 including Frontier Conference Co-Championships in 2002 and 2004. In 2002, Montana Western advanced to the NAIA Playoffs.
“Tommy did a great job here and we are sad to see him go,” said Montana Western Athletic Director Mark Durham. “He is well respected in the coaching fraternity. His teams played a fun and exciting style of football."
Lee's reputation as an offensive guru was proven on the field with his Bulldog teams breaking several offensive records in his stint as football coach. The Bulldogs finished the 2007 season leading the Frontier Conference in total offense (372.5 yards per game) and passing (255.9 yards per game).
“What I will miss most of all is the Montana Western community,” said Lee. “So many people on this campus go above and beyond to insure the success of our students. I have made so many friends in my years at Montana Western. It is a very special place.”
Academic success has been an important part of the Bulldog football program under Lee. The fall semester is still underway but in 2006 50 players recorded a 3.0 or higher GPA. Three players recorded a perfect 4.00 GPA.
Lee's defensive coordinator for the past seven years Rich Ferris has been promoted to head coach.
"Rich has paid his dues and has earned his opportunity,” said Durham. He played here so he understands what is required to be successful at Montana Western. The transition should be very easy with Rich and his staff."
Ferris, a native of Dillon, Mont., is a 1996 graduate of Montana Western. During his Bulldog playing career, he was a two-time first team All-Conference and first team All-American safety.
In 1996 he was named the Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
After college, Ferris played a year of professional football for the Russelsheim Razorbacks in Germany. He then returned back to Montana where he coached and taught at Darby, Mont.
He began his collegiate coaching career as graduate assistant at Humboldt State where he was while working on his master's degree.
“Tommy has been a great mentor to me and I have learned much about coaching and the game of football. He brought much more to our campus than his knowledge of football. He brought diversity and the entire campus has benefited from that,” Ferris said.
Ferris was inducted into the Montana Western Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
“I am excited to step in and continue our program at a high level of excellence,” said Ferris. “We want our student athletes to excel not only on the football field but in the classroom and in life.”
Ferris and his wife Trenna are the parents of three-year old Breck and four-month old Braedon. Trenna is also a graduate of Montana Western.
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Eight Bulldogs Earn All-Conference Honors
Thursday, December 6 2007
Eight Montana Western players were named to the 2007 Frontier Conference All-Conference team. Wide receiver Craigh Cornelius, offensive lineman Jeremy Inferrera, running back Derrick Pluff and linebacker Chad Schira were named to the first team.
Defensive back Albert Distajo, wide receiver Michael Guelff, offensive lineman Zach Parks and kick return specialist Chris Wells were named to the second team.
Cornelius, a sophomore from Renton, Wash., caught 49 passes for 854 yards and nine touchdowns. He led the Frontier in receiving yards per game and all-purpose yards. He was second in the league in scoring and catches per game. Cornelius set a new school record for receiving yards in a game when caught 10 receptions for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs win over nationally ranked MSU-Northern. He was selected both the conference and national player of the week.
Inferrera, a senior from Honolulu, Hawaii, anchored the Bulldog offensive line. The Bulldogs led the conference in total offense with 372.5 yards per game and passing with 255.9 yards per game.
Derrick Pluff, a junior from Polson, Mont., was second in the Frontier in rushing. He rushed for 931 yards and eight touchdowns on 180 carries. He also caught 23 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown. Pluff was second in the league in rushing and all-purpose yards and fifth in scoring. He set a new single game rushing record when he rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
Schira, a sophomore from Dillon, Mont., led the conference and NAIA in tackles with 13.7 tackles per game. He recorded 53 unassisted tackles and 98 assisted tackles. Schira had four tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He also scored three touchdowns on offense.
Distajo, a senior from Nanakuli, Hawaii, was second on the team, and seventh in the conference in tackles with 8.8 per game. He recorded 34 unassisted and 63 assisted. Distajo also had two interceptions, 4.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback sack.
Guelff, a junior from Billings, Mont., caught 47 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns. He was sixth in the conference in receptions per game and seventh in receiving yards per game.
Parks, a senior from Turlock, Calif., was a member of the talented Bulldog offensive line. The Bulldogs led the conference in total offense with 372.5 yards per game and passing with 255.9 yards per game.
Wells, a freshman from Billings, Mont., was second in the conference in kick returns with 22 returns for 501 yards and an average of 22.8 yards per return. As a running back, he rushed for 227 yards on 66 carries.
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