2026 Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Set for September 19

August 13, 2026

Montana Western Athletics, in collaboration with the UMW Foundation and Alumni Office, is excited to announce the 2026 Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring A.J. Wilson, Ben Snipes, Brandon Brown, Josh Shrum, Kevin Engellant, Glen Johnson, and the 2001–02 and 2002–03 Montana Western Women’s Basketball Teams. The inductees will be recognized during the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Brunch on Saturday, September 19, in the Lewis & Clark Room as part of Alumni Weekend.

“Come cheer on our Bulldogs, join the tailgate, and help us honor this year’s Hall of Fame inductees,” said Jolene Robbins, UMW Special Events and Alumni Coordinator. “It’s a weekend to celebrate Montana Western together!”

Alumni Weekend Schedule of Events

Friday, September 18

• 5:00 p.m. | Montana Western Alumni & Friends Social at Cranny’s Montana Street Grill

Saturday, September 19

• 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Brunch (Lewis and Clark Room – Mathews Hall) 
• 10:00 a.m. | Montana Western Alumni & Friends Tailgating 
• 1:00 p.m. | Bulldog Football vs. Rocky Mountain (Bulldog Football Stadium)

Tickets for the Hall of Fame brunch can be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/BulldogHOF26, or by calling 406-683-7306 to reserve tickets.

UMW Athletics, the Foundation, and Alumni & Friends wish to thank the community for their unwavering support of our students and Montana Western. We look forward to celebrating with you this fall!To stay connected with Montana Western Alumni & Friends, call Jolene Robbins at 406-683-7303 or visit https://www.umwfoundation.org/foundation-and-alumni/, where you can join our mailing list, connect on social media, and view upcoming events and announcements.

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A.J. Wilson ’16

A.J. Wilson ’16 was a standout member of the Montana Western football team from 2012–2015, building an impressive career that established him as one of the top players in the Frontier Conference. During his four seasons as a Bulldog, Wilson earned three All-Conference selections, First Team All-American honors, Frontier Conference Player of the Year, Montana Western Male Athlete of the Year, and Rocky Mountain College Offensive MVP honors.

Throughout his career, Wilson was known for his leadership, work ethic, and competitive spirit. Among his favorite memories as a Bulldog were scoring three touchdowns against Rocky Mountain College during his senior season and helping Montana Western defeat Montana Tech on the road in Butte during his sophomore year. Those moments were part of a four-year career filled with memorable performances and lasting friendships with teammates and coaches.

After graduating from Montana Western with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education K–12 in 2016, Wilson went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Chadron State College. Over the past 11 years, he has built a career in teaching and coaching, including time at Spring Creek High School in Nevada, where his track and field teams won four regional championships and a state title.

Today, Wilson is the head football coach at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls, where he also teaches Health Enhancement and Weight Training. He and his wife, Olivia, live in Great Falls with their daughter, Vivianne.

Ben Snipes ’05

During his career from 2001–2004, Ben Snipes established himself as one of the Bulldog football program’s most accomplished student-athletes. A two-time Frontier Conference Champion (2002, 2004), Snipes was a two-time First Team All-Frontier Conference selection (2003, 2004), a two-time team captain (2003, 2004), and a two-time NAIA All-American Honorable Mention (2003, 2004). In 2004, he was recognized as the Montana Chapter College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete of the Year, highlighting his excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Some of Snipes’ favorite Bulldog memories include Montana Western’s 2002 victory over Carroll College in Helena to clinch a share of the Frontier Conference Championship and earn a playoff berth, as well as competing in the NAIA playoffs. He credits coaches Tommy Lee and Keith Havrilos, along with teammates Josh Piram, Craig LeCoure, Nick Alwert, Mike Selvig, Dallas Meek, Jake Larson, Enoch McTague, and Jeremy Hess, for making his Bulldog experience unforgettable.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Business from Montana Western in 2005, Snipes received his Juris Doctor from the University of Montana and returned to Great Falls to begin practicing law. He is a founding partner at Runft, Snipes, Johnson & Croley and has established himself as one of Montana’s most respected trial attorneys. His many professional honors include being named Montana Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2019 and 2023, recognition in The Best Lawyers in America since 2024, selection to Super Lawyers since 2018, inclusion among the Top 500 Lawyers in America by Law Dragon, and being named one of the Top Plaintiffs’ Attorneys in Montana. He also serves as Montana’s State Delegate to the American Association for Justice.

Beyond his legal career, Snipes is deeply committed to serving his community. He serves on the UM-Western Foundation Board of Directors, is President of the West Side Little League, and founded the Great Falls Youth Tackle Football League. Above all, he is most proud of his family, his wife, Tori, and their three children, Jack, Elizabeth, and Calvin.

Brandon Brown ‘12

A standout on the Montana Western men’s basketball team from 2009–2012, Brandon Brown helped lead the Bulldogs to three consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances while establishing himself as one of the most accomplished players in program history. His success at Montana Western launched a basketball career that would take him around the world.

During his three-year career, Brown helped the Bulldogs advance to the NAIA National Tournament Sweet 16 in both 2009–10 and 2011–12 and was a key member of the Frontier Conference championship team. Individually, he earned Frontier Conference Player of the Year honors twice, was named a First Team NAIA All-American, and earned NAIA All-Tournament Team recognition. He finished his career as the second-leading scorer in Montana Western history.

Beyond the awards and records, Brown’s favorite memories come from the time spent with his teammates and coaches. Playing in the NAIA National Tournaments remains among his favorite memory. He is also grateful to have been a part of a group that helped build the foundation and culture for the continued success of Montana Western basketball. 

After earning his business degree from Montana Western in 2012, Brown began a professional basketball career that spanned 13 years. The game took him to Australia, South America, and throughout Europe, allowing him to compete internationally while experiencing different cultures along the way.

Today, Brown and his wife, Amanda, live in Washington with their three children, Luka, Lincoln, and Leylah. He is the founder of PNW Legacy Sports, where he serves as a player representative and consultant, helping athletes navigate their collegiate and professional careers by drawing on the experiences that began during his time as a Bulldog.

Josh Shrum ’06

Josh Shrum ’06 built an impressive career with Montana Western football from 2001–2004, helping the Bulldogs capture two Frontier Conference co-championships while earning numerous individual honors along the way. Shrum earned First Team All-Conference honors as both a running back and kick returner in 2003 and 2004. He was also named a First Team All-American kick returner in 2003 and earned Third Team All-American honors as an athlete in 2004.

Shrum’s career also earned him a place in the Montana Western record books. In 2003, he scored four touchdowns in a single game, finished the season with 110 points and 18 touchdowns, and averaged 32.4 yards per kick return. He finished his Western career with 31 touchdowns and served as team captain during his senior season.

Some of Shrum’s favorite memories came from memorable road victories, including wins over Carroll College in 2002 and 2004 and a 2003 win over Whitworth during its homecoming game in Spokane. He also remembers a 2002 game against Montana Tech that ended with Craig LaCoure delivering a big hit along the Western sideline. For Shrum, those games and friendships he formed with teammates and coaches remain some of his favorite memories from his time at Montana Western.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Montana Western in 2006, Shrum built a career as an independent contractor in the oil and gas industry, specializing in title, mineral, and lease brokerage. He and his wife, Lacey, have four children and enjoy watching them grow up and participate in sports. The family also enjoys returning to Idaho and Montana to spend time outdoors and with family.

Kevin Engellant ’91

Kevin Engellant is a 1991 graduate of Western Montana College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a Business Education major and Math Education major, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He later earned a Master of Education from the University of Montana in 1994 and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2014.

Engellant served as head coach of the Montana Western Lady Bulldogs from 1996 to 2009, compiling an impressive 269–142 overall record in 13 seasons. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs captured three conference championships and four conference tournament titles while making eight consecutive appearances at the NAIA National Tournament. A three-time Frontier Conference Coach of the Year and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year, Engellant coached 37 All-Conference selections, eight All-Americans, 67 Academic All-Conference honorees, and 26 Academic All-Americans.

Among the most memorable moments of his coaching career were Montana Western’s 1999–2000 conference championship victory over undefeated and top-ranked Lewis-Clark State on Alison Burlingame’s buzzer-beating half-court shot, which secured the program’s first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance, and the Bulldogs’ historic 80–73 victory over defending Big Sky Conference champion Idaho State University during the 2001–02 season.

Following his coaching career, Engellant joined Montana Western’s Business & Technology Department as a professor and continues to serve the University as Faculty Athletic Representative. He has remained actively involved in athletics as a member of the Montana Officials Association, officiating football and basketball, and serves as the Montana State Director for the Elks Hoop Shoot program.

Kevin and his wife, Roxanne, reside in Dillon, where they enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

2001–02 & 2002–03 Montana Western Women’s Basketball Teams

The 2001–02 and 2002–03 Montana Western women’s basketball teams put together one of the most successful two-year stretches in program history, combining for an outstanding 62–8 overall record while capturing back-to-back Frontier Conference championships and Frontier Conference Tournament titles.

The 2001–02 Bulldogs finished an impressive 32–4 overall and a perfect 14–0 in conference play. The team put together a remarkable 21-game winning streak from December through March and earned a trip to the NAIA National Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight. Among the season’s memorable victories was a win over NCAA Division I Idaho State in Dillon.

The Bulldogs carried that momentum into 2002–03, finishing 30–4 overall and 12–2 in Frontier Conference play. Montana Western opened the season with 16 consecutive victories and closed the year with another 10-game winning streak. The Bulldogs returned to the NAIA National Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16, while showcasing a high-powered offense that produced three 100-plus-point games and 11 games with more than 80 points.

Led by Frontier Conference Coach of the Year Kevin Engellant, the teams were filled with outstanding individual talent. Bobbi Suhr Konen earned NAIA All-American and WBCA Coaches All-American honors in both seasons and was named Frontier Conference MVP. Numerous Bulldogs earned All-Conference, Player of the Week, and academic honors, reflecting the teams’ success both on the court and in the classroom.

Together, these two teams established a remarkable standard of excellence for Montana Western women’s basketball. Their 62 victories, two conference championships, two tournament championships, and back-to-back national tournament runs remain an exceptional chapter in Bulldog Athletics history.

Glen Johnson ’78 — Meritorious Service Award

Glen Johnson ’78 has been part of the Montana Western and Bulldog Athletics community for more than 50 years, first as a student-athlete and later as a dedicated supporter and volunteer. Johnson played football for Western from 1974–1978 as a nose guard and linebacker and was a member of the 1977 Frontier Conference championship team. Some of his favorite memories include defeating Carroll College his freshman year, winning the conference championship in 1977, and the friendships he formed with teammates—what he calls the “Bulldog Brotherhood”—that have continued throughout his life.

Johnson’s involvement with Montana Western extended well beyond his playing days. As a student, he was active in the M Club, serving as Sergeant at Arms and later president. Over the years, he continued giving his time to Bulldog Athletics through the Old Dogs, Bulldog Club, fundraising efforts, and service on the Athletic Director Selection Committee. He has remained a familiar and loyal member of the Bulldog community, supporting the university and its student-athletes in a variety of ways.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Western in 1978, Johnson devoted more than 40 years to education. His career included 15 years as a teacher and coach, 10 years as a principal, and 15 years as a superintendent, including 10 years leading Dillon Schools. He also earned a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in education from the University of Montana. One of the early highlights of his career was returning to Montana Western for a year as a graduate assistant under Coach Don Read. During his years as a teacher and coach, he was also part of a state championship team.

Johnson and his wife, Ann, have been married for 46 years and share a lifelong commitment to education. They have two sons and two granddaughters. From his days on the football field to decades of service to education and continued support of Montana Western Athletics, Johnson’s connection to the Bulldogs has remained a meaningful part of his life.