University of Montana Griz Football Games for the Non-sports Fan

I went to a community theater production of "The Music Man" in Washington where I met someone who was originally from Helena, Montana. He told me his name and where he was from and then blurted, "All my family are Griz," as if living in the Missoula inherently made me part of some maroon and silver mafia capable of stoking fear in others (okay, maybe it does).

Little did he know (though he might have assumed since we were at a musical after all), I'm not a sports fan.

I still appreciate the Griz, even if I'm not interested in the games, and when you live in Missoula I think there are a fair number of us who will wear maroon on Fridays but then have little interest in the games.

If you do find yourself at a Griz game and you're not really into sports, there are plenty of other things that will captivate your interest.

Ace Sauerwein, Townsquare Media

The University of Montana Marching Band

Live music creates excitement and the skill needed to finger an instrument while also blowing into a mouthpiece and marching in creative configurations can be impressive. These students are part of a whole ecosystem of students that are part of Griz games.

Ace Sauerwein, Townsquare Media

People Watching

Maybe you don't even need the spectacle of the marching band to be entertained when the fan dressed in head-to-toe Griz gear seated in front of you is dancing and singing.

Enjoying the Announcer and the Noise

Strength in numbers can be felt when Peter Christian yells "First Down..." and 25,000 people yell back, "Montana." Revel in the absolute cacophony of it all. The fans at Washington Grizzly Stadium have been complimented for being one of the loudest stadiums in the country.

The Food at the Tailgate Parties

You could almost skip the whole game and just focus on the eating. Think of it like a food truck festival. Or "Out to Lunch--Fall Edition."

Enjoy the Unique Jerseys

I wanted to call this the "pretty costumes" (once a theater kid, always a theater kid) but the jerseys really are something worth paying attention to. Griz will wear "black out" uniforms for their game on August 31, and there are other unique jerseys, too.

Seeing All the Changes on the University of Montana Campus

While you're on campus, check out the new home of the Montana Museum of Art and Culture. The new dining center is turning heads, too.

Ace Sauerwein, Townsquare Media

Being a Fan with Other Fans

There is something to be said for being in the community of others sharing a common goal. You can get this feeling in a lot of ways, but it's not often you're in community with 25,000 other people. Go Griz!