Anyone who thinks a combination of fiercely competitive and genuinely humble can't exist in one person has never met this individual.

In a stressful, challenging, pressure-packed profession, those two traits coexisted beautifully for decades. Still do, no doubt.

Treating all opponents with respect and dignity. Praising all adversaries before and after a game, win or lose. As gracious in defeat as in victory. An iconic figure in the annals of  Montana Grizzly Athletics will soon be receiving more well-deserved recognition.

University of Montana Sports Information Director Joel Carlson tells us that there are only four Division 1 level college basketball courts named for one of each of those schools' women's basketball coach: Tennessee (Pat Summit), North Carolina State (Kay Yow), Texas A&M (Gary Blair) and Arkansas-Little Rock (Joe Foley).

That will change in less than three months.

Today (Monday), the University of Montana formally announced that Montana’s basketball teams will begin competing on Robin Selvig Court in Dahlberg Arena. The same Robin Selvig who played for the Grizzly men's basketball team, and whose name adorns an already-existing banner in the arena commemorating his 865 wins while coaching the Montana women’s basketball program from 1978 to 2016. Coach was still in his 20s when he took over the Lady Griz, and did so before the sport of women's basketball was even recognized by the NCAA. It was a 38-year honeymoon that thousands of devoted Lady Griz fans wished would never end. And so beautifully chronicled in the documentary movie, The House That Rob Built.

Banners are wonderful. Court-naming takes it to a loftier level.  The first game on Robin Selvig Court will be Saturday, February 11, when the Lady Griz host Weber State. Other activities will be planned and announced well in advance in conjunction with the celebration.

Speaking strictly on a personal level, as Lady Griz PA announcer, I cannot wait to be part of that celebration for one of the really good guys for whom I have so much admiration and respect. I'm sure he is already working on some hilarious and humble self-deprecating wisecracks as part of his acceptance speech.

Image courtesy of U of Montana Sports Information.
Image courtesy of U of Montana Sports Information.
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Congratulations, Rob! Griz Nation is proud.

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