Excellent Response to earlier letter to editor
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 8:13 pm
As a Bobcat fan whose family has bled Blue and Gold for over 20 years, I find the complaints about "private events" misguided. What Michael Siegle calls "greed" ("Montana State turned Cat-Griz playoff game into private event", letters, Dec. 26), I call a hard-earned reward for the families who have spent decades —and thousands of dollars every season — sustaining this program over generations.
The Cat-Griz playoff was the culmination of a 20-year-plus climb; it wasn’t an "embarrassment". We have watched our university transform into a national powerhouse, fueled by a $60 million investment in facilities funded by the very season-ticket holders being criticized. To suggest the general public should have equal access to a historic semifinal over the donors who built the program ignores the reality of how excellence is achieved.
Bozeman has officially arrived on the national football stage. Whether it was the 2.2 million viewers who tuned in for College GameDay in 2022 or the record 2.8 million who just watched us on ABC, our program has officially put Montana on the map.
This was a national college football playoff showcase where ticket demand reached double the price of many FBS games. That isn't "elitism"; it’s a testament to the world-class brand we’ve built together.
For those who felt "shut out," the message isn't that you aren't welcome; it’s an invitation to join the family. Don’t wait for a once-in-a-generation rivalry game to show your support. Become a season-ticket holder. Invest in the scholarships.
A record 22,277 fans proved that Bobcat Nation is stronger than ever. Those of us who have been here for two decades aren't "hoarding access" — we are finally seeing the dividend of our lifelong commitment. We should be proud that Bozeman is now a national giant.
We are Nashville bound. Let's roll.
Matthew Andrew
Poulsbo, Wash.
The Cat-Griz playoff was the culmination of a 20-year-plus climb; it wasn’t an "embarrassment". We have watched our university transform into a national powerhouse, fueled by a $60 million investment in facilities funded by the very season-ticket holders being criticized. To suggest the general public should have equal access to a historic semifinal over the donors who built the program ignores the reality of how excellence is achieved.
Bozeman has officially arrived on the national football stage. Whether it was the 2.2 million viewers who tuned in for College GameDay in 2022 or the record 2.8 million who just watched us on ABC, our program has officially put Montana on the map.
This was a national college football playoff showcase where ticket demand reached double the price of many FBS games. That isn't "elitism"; it’s a testament to the world-class brand we’ve built together.
For those who felt "shut out," the message isn't that you aren't welcome; it’s an invitation to join the family. Don’t wait for a once-in-a-generation rivalry game to show your support. Become a season-ticket holder. Invest in the scholarships.
A record 22,277 fans proved that Bobcat Nation is stronger than ever. Those of us who have been here for two decades aren't "hoarding access" — we are finally seeing the dividend of our lifelong commitment. We should be proud that Bozeman is now a national giant.
We are Nashville bound. Let's roll.
Matthew Andrew
Poulsbo, Wash.
