Dec. 16, 2009

Submitted by Staci Schottman, NAIA Public Relations, sschottman@naia.org

Rocky Mountain (Mont.) College (RMC) became a fan favorite during the 2009 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. The unknown team cruised into the Mecca of college basketball to become the fourth unseeded team in six years to win the NAIA title.

RMC head coach Bill Dreikosen, with his memorable green jacket and lucky plaid pants may have raised the eyebrows of the fashion-forward, but his electric energy and team spirit helped the Battlin’ Bears to the school’s first national title in a dramatic 77-61 win over Columbia (Mo.) College.

My guess is that those lucky pants are being sold all over the Rocky Mountain campus as the Battlin’ Bears try to turn their luck around this season. The team has yet to break into the Division I Men’s Basketball Top 25 poll this year but Dreikosen remains optimistic. With just two starters back from last year’s historic team, senior guard Nate Richardson and senior forward Anthony Allen remain key figures in order to turn this program around.  

With a tilted record (3-9) the Battlin’ Bears will play host to reigning NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Champions, Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OWU), on Saturday, December 19, at Fortin Center. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. (MST).

OWU head coach Donnie Bostwick and the Eagles enter the game as the No. 1 ranked team in the NAIA Division II poll. The Eagles, 9-0, recently broke the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball record for consecutive wins (28) with their last loss coming January 20, 2009.  

The rare showdown between champions promises to bring high-caliber basketball to the local community and Rocky Mountain is making the most of the opportunity. Dreikosen and Bostwick have proven they know how to be successful on the hardwood and both understand the importance of using the game of basketball to give back.

In advance of Saturday’s “Champions for Children” showdown both teams will visit children at St. Vincent Hospital.

“Donnie and I believe it’s important to give back and to do so as a collective unit has an even greater impact on not only the children but also on our student-athletes,” said Dreikosen. “Even in a competitive arena it is critical for our players to understand the importance of being bigger than the game itself. We will use this game as a platform to engage the community and help others. That’s the real lesson.”

Rocky Mountain is waiving the admission fee for any fan that brings an unwrapped toy or item of clothing to the game. Items donated will be given to Family Services, Inc., St. Vincent DePaul Hospital and the Montana Rescue Mission. Fans not donating an item will be charged $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and children under six will be admitted for free.

To learn more about the game and Rocky Mountain College athletics click here.