“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, October 31
- 3:00 p.m. – Men’s Basketball vs. Southern Oregon
- 4:30 p.m. – Alumni Social in the Keltz Arena
- 7:00 p.m. – Bulldog Volleyball vs. RMC
Saturday, November 1
- 9:00–11:00 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. Eastern Oregon (Bulldog Football Stadium)
Tickets for the Hall of Fame brunch can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/DAWGSHOF25, 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 umwfoundation.org/alumni-friends, where you can join our mailing list, connect on social media, and view upcoming events and announcements.
Kyle Rausch
Football – 1996–2000
A standout on the football field and a Bulldog through and through, Kyle Rausch played for Montana Western from 1996 to 2000. Known for his versatility and grit, he made his mark as both a defensive back and return specialist. He earned 2nd Team All-American honors at defensive back, an Honorable Mention All-American nod, and was named three times to 1st Team All-Conference, twice as a cornerback (1999 and 2000) and once as a punt returner (1998). He led the Frontier Conference in pass break ups (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000), interceptions (1999 and 2000) and punt return yards (1998).
A Frenchtown native, Kyle graduated from Montana Western in 2003 with a degree in Health and Physical Education and later earned his master’s in Teacher Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He returned home to Frenchtown, where he’s spent the last two decades teaching K–5 PE in the school district and coached football for 12 years, including the 2009 season that ended with a state championship.
Kyle’s on-the-field highlights are many, leading the conference in stats, snagging Defensive Player of the Week honors, and sealing big wins, but what stands out most to him is the camaraderie. He’ll never forget the chance to play alongside both of his brothers, and having his parents in the stands at every game. And then there’s the legendary moment when teammate Craig LeCoure accidentally ran over Kyle’s dad during a spring scrimmage, something that has never been forgotten!
Kyle is married to Racquel, and they have a family of five. Over the years, he’s loved supporting the kids in all their sports and activities.
Jack Filcher
Track – 1968
Jack Filcher, a 1968 Montana Western graduate, was a true standout athlete who left his mark in both track and football. On the track, Jack dominated—he was a conference champion all four years, set a conference record in the triple jump, and qualified for nationals. In football, he was a First Team All-Conference defensive back in 1966 and helped lead his team to a conference championship that same year, scoring over 20 points in the title game. He also played a key role on Western’s undefeated mile relay team.
Jack’s athletic success wasn’t just about wins—it was about versatility. At the NAIA District 5 Championship in Idaho, he racked up 27 points while competing in the long jump, triple jump, high jump, 400 meters, and the mile relay. He trained under coaches Casey Keltz (football/track) and Cecil Kent (track) and competed alongside teammates Fred Snook, Ed Ferris, Dick Ferris, Jim Clairmont, Carl Henderson, Wayne McEwen, and Ken Walt.
After graduation, Jack carried his love of sports and competition into education and coaching. He spent five years teaching in Entiat, Washington, where his track teams won conference championships every year. Back in Montana, he became a head coach in football and track, winning a conference championship in football by his third year. For the past 25 years, he has been a cornerstone in Stevensville, Montana, coaching football, basketball, track, and golf. His golf teams even finished second in the state three years in a row.
Outside of sports, Jack and his wife, Cecelia, have raised two daughters, Tonia Omlid and Kara Brown. His legacy as an athlete and coach continues to inspire the Bulldog community.
Jenny Peterson
Volleyball & Basketball Player, Head Volleyball Coach
Coach 1993–2005
Jenny Peterson left a lasting legacy at Montana Western as both a standout student-athlete and a Hall of Fame coach. As a Bulldog, she was a two-sport athlete, excelling in volleyball and basketball. In volleyball, Jenny earned All-Conference, All-District, and NAIA All-America Honorable Mention honors, and was named Frontier Conference MVP her senior year. On the basketball court, she was an All-Conference selection. Academically, she earned Academic All-Conference and NAIA Academic All-American honors and was selected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.
After graduating from Western in 1991, Jenny spent two years teaching and coaching in Darby before returning in 1993 to take the reins of the Bulldog volleyball program and serve as the Wellness Coordinator. Over 12 seasons, she led the Bulldogs to 171 wins, including a 27–13 overall record and 12–2 Frontier Conference mark in 2003 that earned her Frontier Co-Coach of the Year honors. She coached numerous athletes who went on to their own Hall of Fame careers, always emphasizing hard work, toughness, and pride in being a Bulldog.
Reflecting on her career, Jenny says her time as both an athlete and coach at Western shaped her life in countless ways:
“Nothing is too small for you. Whether it’s a work study job, practice, or a game—whatever you do, give your best. No one has success without hard work.”
Jenny is married to Jesse Peterson, a former Montana Western rodeo athlete. Together, they have two sons: Justus, who played football at Montana Tech, and Jace.
2002 Montana Western Volleyball Team
The University of Montana Western is proud to induct the 2002 Bulldog Volleyball Team into the Athletics Hall of Fame. More than two decades ago, this team carved its place in school history with one of the most successful seasons ever recorded. The Lady Bulldogs finished with a 25-13 overall record and captured a share of the Frontier Conference regular season championship with a 12-2 mark. Their outstanding play carried them to the NAIA Region I Tournament, where they stood among the region’s elite programs.
Guided by head coach Jenny Peterson, the Bulldogs were celebrated for their grit, teamwork, and relentless energy on the court. Katie Stokes, Kasey Smith, Amy Smith, Emily Smith, Annawyn Ballou, and Kristi Chidester anchored the lineup and provided the leadership that helped shape the program’s growth. Stokes had a standout season, earning Conference MVP, First Team All-Conference, All-Region honors, and NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. Emily and Kasey both earned Second Team All-Conference and All-Region recognition, highlighting the depth of talent among the veteran players.
Katherine Sunwall also made an immediate impact, being named Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year after leading the league in blocks. With this mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the Bulldogs achieved a remarkable balance of toughness, skill, and team unity that powered them through one of the most memorable seasons in program history.
Today, the 2002 Lady Bulldogs are remembered not only for their championship banner and postseason run, but also for the lasting legacy they left behind — one that continues to inspire Montana Western volleyball.
