May 2005

Bulldog Hoop Camp
Tuesday, May 31 2005

The University of Montana-Western Bulldog Basketball camp is set for July 10-July 13 on the Dillon campus. There are still openings for the camp according to Camp Director Mark Durham. The camp is open to any boy entering grades 4-12 in the Fall of 2005. The camp features four solid days of competition, fundamentals and development. Instruction is provided by Bulldog coaches, players and other Montana coaches. Campers may register individually or campers from same school can register as a team (five or more players) and will receive a $10 discount per player. Each camper receives a free camp t-shirt and camp ball. Overnight campers and camp coaches will stay in UM-Western residence halls. For more information, call the Men's basketball office at 683-7509. Camp check-in is Sunday, July 10 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. and will include Wednesday, July 13 after the 1:00 p.m. awards ceremony.

The complete camp brochure is available on the UM-Western web site at: http://www.umwestern.edu/athletics/tournaments/page2.htm


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Idaho Prep Star Signs with Bulldogs
Wednesday, May 18 2005
Alex Head, a 6'7 1/2”, 215 lb post player from Pocatello, Idaho, has signed a Frontier Conference/NAIA letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Montana-Western according to head coach Mark Durham.

Head averaged nine points, eight rebounds and shot 53% from the field in his senior season. He averaged 20 points a game at the Idaho 4-A State Tournament. Head earned first team Eastern Idaho All-State honors and 2nd team Idaho All-State honors.

“Alex is a big, strong kid,” said Durham. “He plays very hard and I think he has the potential to be a very good Frontier Conference player. He really likes Dillon and bonded instantly with the guys when he made his visit. He is an excellent student too and will be a great addition to our program and our campus.”

In the classroom, he maintains a 3.8 GPA and earned Academic All-State honors. Head will graduate this spring from Century High School of Pocatello and plans to major in environmental science with an emphasis in wildlife biology at Western. He is the son of Lori and John Head.
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Bulldog Basketball Signs Four
Monday, May 2 2005
Four Montana prep athletes have signed Frontier Conference/NAIA letters of intent to play basketball at the University of Montana-Western according to head coach Mark Durham.

Bob Neiman is a 6-7, 220 lb forward from Plains. As a senior, he averaged 25.4 points and 14 rebounds per game. Neiman recorded 26 dunks during his senior campaign. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors and was named to the Great Falls Tribune's Super State team. During his career at Plains, he averaged 17 points and ten rebounds per game.

“Bob has the opportunity to become a great player in the Frontier Conference,” said Durham. “ He has all the physical skills and the work ethic it takes. '

Neiman also participated in track and golf at Plains. He is the son of Dale and Carla Neiman and plans to major in business administration at Western. Neiman will graduate this spring from Plains High School.

John Ori is a 6-0, 142 lb guard from Dillon. He earned All-Conference honors in basketball. In this past season, he averaged 12.2 points, two assists, and two rebounds per game. Ori also participated in football where he earned All-Conference and All-State honors and was selected to play in this summer's East-West Shrine All-Star game.

“John is a local kid who can really shoot it,” noted Durham. “He just needs to get stronger, he already knows the game.”
He is the son of Ted and Jeannette Ori and will major in general studies at Western. He will graduate this spring from Beaverhead County High School.

Kellen Palmer is a 5-11, 160 lb point guard from Fairfield where he earned All-Conference honors in both his junior and senior seasons. He averaged 10.5 points, seven assists, 2 steals, and four rebounds per game. He also participated in football and track.

“Kellen is a proven winner,” said Durham. “He is a point guard with a great feel for the game.”

Palmer earned Academic All-State honors and will major in secondary education at Western. He is the son of Marty Palmer of Fairfield and Melody Palmer of Libby. He will join is older brother Tyler on the Bulldog roster. Palmer will graduate this spring from Fairfield High School.

Zanen J. Pitts is a 6-0, 155 lb point guard from Ronan where he earned All-Conference honors. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.4 assists, 4.1 steals and 2.8 rebounds per game. His 100 steals this past season, led the State.

“Zanen is a very smart player,” said Durham. “He gets the steal, and knows where to pass to set up the fast break. He is a kid who really knows how to compete. His best basketball is still to come.”
In addition to basketball, Pitts also competed in cross-country and track. He was a 2004 state champion in cross country and the 2004 1600 and 3200 meter champion and holds his school record in the 3200 meters. Pitts earned All-Conference and All-State honors in both track and cross country. From the classroom, he earned Academic All-State honors in all three sports.

Pitts plans to major in Natural Horsemanship at Western. He is the son of Terry and Crystal Pitts and will graduate this spring from Ronan High School.


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