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Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024

by Last updated Oct 8, 2024Baron Rings, Hall of Fame

“Our Hall of Fame Gala has quickly become a signature annual event on the Big Sky calendar”

–  Tom Wistrcill, Big Sky Commissioner Commissioner

Baron® proudly presents the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony. Honouring eight legendary inductees, including three iconic coaches, this prestigious event celebrates their remarkable contributions to sports and communities.

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony

July 22, 2024 — Baron® is honored to be the official provider of the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame at the 2024 Enshrinement celebration.

The 2024 inductees to the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame were announced on April 18, 2024, with eight members comprising the league’s third class overall. The 2024 Hall of Fame class features individuals spanning from seven different institutions, with three legendary head coaches headlining this year’s group.

The Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 ceremony, took place on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. PT, as part of the Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Spokane, Washington.

The Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2023 ceremony’s gala tickets were sold out as it reached full capacity.

The Big Sky Hall of Fame proudly features 36 esteemed members. The inaugural class was celebrated in 2022 as part of the league’s Football Kickoff Weekend in Spokane.

Commencing in 2023, the Big Sky established a partnership with Baron® Championship Rings to present personalized Hall of Fame rings upon all honorees following their induction. This tradition continues in 2024, with all eight inductees for the 2024 class set to receive complimentary Hall of Fame rings.

Join us in celebrating the remarkable individuals inducted into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024!

“These eight individuals helped to elevate the Big Sky into what it is today, and they made a lasting impact on their sport, school, and community” said Commissioner Tom Wistrcill

Wistrcill continued with “We look forward to celebrating their legacies and inducting them into our Hall of Fame once again before a packed audience as part of the Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend in Spokane this summer.”

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Eligibility Criteria

The 2024 Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame class was chosen by a committee composed of 14 members. This committee included representatives from all 10 full-time Big Sky institutions, along with an additional Athletic Director, a Senior Women’s Administrator, a conference office representative, and an at-large committee member among the 14 voters. The Big Sky Conference provided a list of eligibility requirements to become a Hall of Fame member. 

  • An alumnus/alumna is eligible only if he/she has participated in two (2) full seasons of competition at a Big Sky member institution and should have made outstanding contributions or offered extraordinary service to athletics at the institutional, conference and national level.
  • An alumnus/alumna is eligible at any time beginning five (5) years after completing their collegiate eligibility.
  • Coaches who have made outstanding contributions or offered extraordinary service to Big Sky athletics shall be eligible for recognition into the Hall of Fame after service of five (5) full years.
  • Coaches must have completed their tenure as coach or have been out of the conference for at least five (5) years.
  • Administrators who have made outstanding contributions or offered extraordinary service to Big Sky athletics shall be eligible for recognition into the Hall of Fame after service of three (3) full years and are immediately eligible.

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Inductees

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Moment: Natalie Doma

Notification of Hall of Fame Induction: Natalie Doma remembers the moment she received a Facebook message from John Casper informing her about her induction into the Big Sky Hall of Fame. Initially, Donna was confused and curious.

Doma shares her emotional response upon realizing the significance of the call and the honor she was awarded. Watch the Hall of Fame Gale Snippet of Natalie Doma

“You don’t expect these accolades as a college athlete… having it happen is pretty cool.”

Natalie Doma

University of Idaho | Player for University of Idaho Women’s Basketball, 2004-08

  • Natalie Doma played women’s basketball at Idaho State from 2004-08
  • Led the Bengals to a 2007 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament appearance against Stanford, scoring 32 points in the loss.
  • Led the Bengals to a pair of WNIT appearances in 2006 and 2008
  • Named the Big Sky MVP during the 2006-07 season
  • Named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2004-05
  • Earned all-conference first-team selections in her final three seasons at Idaho State
  • Won Big Sky Player of the Week honours 13 times during her career
  • Doma scored 2,296 points and hauled in 1,174 rebounds as a Bengal, which is both school records and topped the Big Sky at the time
  • Recorded 26 double-doubles during the 2007-08 season and totalled 64 in her career
  • As part of the Big Sky’s 50th Anniversary celebration in the 2013-14 school year, Doma was selected as No. 5 on the league’s list of 50 Greatest Female Athletes

points scored

rebounds

double-doubles

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Moment: Lindsay Haupt

Team camaraderie at Sacramento State Volleyball: Lindsay Haupt reflected on how teammates supported and mentored the youngest scholarship player, emphasizing hard work and mutual support within the team.

Haupt continued by highlighting the culture of pushing each other to excel and the expectation of hard work and dedication from every team member. Watch the Hall of Fame Gale Snippet of Lindsay Haupt

“That was so wonderful of our team is we pushed each other.”

Big Sky Tournament MVP

blocks

hitting

Lindsay Haupt

Sacramento State University | Player for Sacramento State Women’s Volleyball, 2004-07

  • Lindsay Haupt played volleyball at Sacramento State from 2004-07
  • Led the Hornets to Big Sky Tournament titles in all four years of her career, as well as three league regular-season Championships
  • Haupt was a two-time Big Sky MVP for the Hornets, winning the honour in the 2005 and 2007 seasons
  • A two-time Big Sky Tournament MVP, taking the honours in the 2005 and 2006 tournaments
  • Named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2004
  • Earned all-conference first-team honors three times during her career and was an all-tournament selection three times as well
  • As a middle blocker, Haupt finished her career with 1,359 kills and 616 blocks, while hitting .332
  • The 1,359 career kills are the most by any Hornet middle blocker in the program’s Div. I era
  • As part of the Big Sky’s 50th Anniversary celebration in the 2013-14 school year, Haupt was selected as No. 19 on the league’s list of 50 Greatest Female Athletes
  • @bigskyconf – Class of 2024 Spotlight
      Today we take a look back at the career of Lindsay Haupt
  • @SacStateVB – Sacramento State Women’s Volleyball
        Congratulations to one of the greatest players to wear the Sacramento State uniform – Lindsay Haupt – who was inducted into the @bigskyconf Hall of Fame last night! Haupt (2004-07) was a 2-time Big Sky MVP, 2-time Big Sky Tournament MVP, helped the Hornets to 4 straight Big Sky titles, member of the Sacramento State Volleyball Hall of Fame, and owns the most career kills by a Hornet middle blocker (1,359).
Allyn “Sonny” Holland

Montana State University | Head Coach for Montana State Football,1971-77

  1. Allyn “Sonny” Holland was the head football coach at Montana State from 1971-77
  2. Holland became the first coach to lead a Big Sky football program to a National Championship when the Bobcats captured the Div. II crown in 1976
  3. Holland led Montana State to a pair of Big Sky championships in 1972 and 1976 while earning another as an assistant coach in 1964
  4. Holland was a two-time Big Sky Coach of the Year, winning the award in 1972 and 1976
  5. Holland won 27 league games as a head coach, which was the most in conference history at the time of his retirement
  6. During his head coaching tenure, his teams produced nine future NFL players and a dozen All-Americans
  7. In the years before the Big Sky’s formation, Holland was a three-time Mid-Bracket All-America player for the Bobcats from 1957-59
  8. As a freshman started at offensive guard and linebacker, he helped lead the team to the 1956 National Championship
  9. His number 52 jersey was the first ever to be retired by Montana State

Big Sky Coach of the Year

league games won

Mid-Bracket All-America player

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Moment: Bill Kollar

Advice for Aspiring NFL Players: Bill Kollar offers advice to aspiring NFL players on how to succeed in professional football.

Emphasizes the importance of hard work over physical attributes and shares personal experience of overcoming physical limitations through dedication and effort.  Watch the Hall of Fame Gale Snippet of Bill Kollar

“You can always outwork your opponent.”

tackles

breakups and fumble recoveries

defensive player ever to be nominated with MVP honours

Bill Kollar

Montana State University | Player for Montana State Football, 1971-73

  • Bill Kollar played football at Montana State from 1971-73
  • Inducted as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023
  • He was a First Team All-Big Sky honoree in 1971, 1972 and 1973, becoming the first lineman and second defensive player in league history to earn first-team all-conference honours three times
  • Had 107 tackles, one sack, three pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries in 1973, which was MSU’s first recording of defensive stats
  • Was a First Team All-America honoree in 1973 and a Second Team All-America recipient in 1972
  • Won MVP honours at the 1974 Senior Bowl, becoming the first defensive player ever to do so
  • Drafted 24th overall in the 1974 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and was a member of the 1974 NFL All-Rookie Team
  • Coached in Super Bowl XXXIII with the Falcons, and Super Bowl XXXVI with the Rams, and was part of Denver’s Super 50 Championship coaching staff

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Moment: Orlando Lightfoot

Orlando Lightfoot was asked about his favourite memory from his childhood, to which he replied: his graduation day.

As for the basketball game, Lightfoot highlighted the Bosie State game, the notable game-winning 30-foot three-pointer in double overtime. Watch the Hall of Fame Gale Snippet of Orlando Lightfoot

“Basketball-wise it’s not the Gonzaga game, it’s the Bosie State game.”

Orlando Lightfoot

University of Idaho | Player for University of Idaho Men’s Basketball, 1991-94

  • Orlando Lightfoot played basketball at Idaho from 1991-94
  • Lightfoot is a two-time Big Sky MVP, winning in 1993 and 1994
  • Named the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year in 1992 and was a Big Sky All-Conference First Team selection all three seasons with the Vandals
  • Lightfoot led the Vandals to a Big Sky title in 1993 after a 24-8 record, while compiling a 60-32 mark for his career at Idaho
  • Lightfoot is the all-time leading scorer for both the Vandals and the Big Sky Conference, after racking up 2,102 points while in Moscow
  • Lightfoot holds three of Idaho’s top four single-season scoring performances, with the top mark of 715 points in 1993
  • He also holds four of Idaho’s top six single-game performances, which includes a 50-point outburst against Gonzaga in 1993 – the only 50-point game in school history
  • Ranks as the only player in Idaho history to average more than 20 points per game in a career, after posting a 23.1 average
  • Lightfoot enjoyed a solid career playing professionally in Europe from 1994-2007, where he earned spots in numerous all-star games and all-league teams 

top mark points

posting average

Big Sky MVP

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Moment: Erik Meyer

An emotional reunion with teammates: On the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame stage, Erik Meyer shares an emotional experience watching 2004 highlight tapes with former teammates while reflecting on the bond forged 20 years ago, which is evident in their reunion at the Hall of Fame event.

Meyer highlighted the deep, lasting connections formed during their time together on the team. Meyer continued by celebrating the achievements of the 2004 team, reminiscing about memorable plays and camaraderie, and emphasizing the enduring significance of their shared experiences, even after two decades. Watch the Hall of Fame Gale Snippet of Erik Meyer

“What makes it so special is, obviously my family being here and these guys 20 years ago, that I haven’t talked to in a long time…but one phone call and they were here.”

yards

touchdowns in 42 career games

career records

Erik Meyer

Eastern Washington University | Player for Eastern Washington University Football, 2002-05

  • Erik Meyer played football at Eastern Washington from 2002-05
  • Meyer won the Walter Payton Award in 2005, which is given to the top offensive player in the FCS
  • Named the Big Sky MVP in 2004 and 2005 while earning all-conference first-team honours in both seasons
  • Meyer passed for 10,261 yards and 84 touchdowns in 42 career games with the Eagles, becoming just the 17th player in FCS history to pass for more than 10,000 yards in his career
  • Set eight career records during his playing career at Eastern Washington, with five single-season marks and one single-game record with the Eagles
  • Meyer threw for 4,003 yards in 2005, which was a single-season record for the Eagles at the time and marked just the 12th player in FCS history to throw over 4,000 yards in a single season
  • In his final two seasons at Eastern Washington, Meyer was 11-3 in the Big Sky and 16-9 overall as the Eagles won a share of the League Championship each year and advanced to the FCS Playoffs in both seasons
  • As part of the Big Sky’s 50th Anniversary celebration in the 2013-14 school year, Meyer was selected as No. 12 on the league’s list of 50 Greatest Male Athletes

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Moment: Dick Motta

Coaching presents challenges related to maintaining emotional stability.

Dick Motta emphasized the importance of navigating emotional highs and lows, and suggested using a stabilization system, such as a sea anchor.

This anchor represents support from faith, family, friends, and personal obligations. The metaphor of the sea anchor highlights the reliance on faith and personal obligations, and how they can help lift us during tough times and stabilize us during emotional lows. Watch the Hall of Fame Gale Snippet of Dick Motta

“That sea anchor has to be your faith, your family, your friends and your obligations. You have to stick to those things: your faith, and your obligations.”

Dick Motta

Weber State University | Head Coach for Weber State University Men’s Basketball, 1960-68

  • Dick Motta was the head men’s basketball coach at Weber State from 1960-68
  • Motta coached Weber State to the first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearance for a school in 1968
  • Led the Wildcats to three Big Sky Championships in 1965, 1966 and 1968… Named the Big Sky Coach of the Year in 1965
  • Currently ranks third in Big Sky history for career-winning percentage at .772
  • Posted a 120-33 record in six Div. I years with Weber State, while holding a 164-50 record overall in his eight seasons in Ogden
  • Helped transition Weber State from a junior college to the NCAA
  • Motta went on to have a 25-year career as an NBA head coach, first with the Chicago Bulls where he was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 1971
  • Motta also coached the Washington Bullets to the 1978 NBA Championship
  • Won 935 games in the NBA, which currently ranks 14th in the league’s history 

NBA wins

record overall in his eight seasons in Ogden

career-winning percentage ranking third in Big Sky history

Big Sky Coach of the Year

game won overall

Big Sky titles as coach

Don Read

University of Montana | Player for University of Montana Football, 1986-95

  • Don Read was the head football coach at Montana from 1986-95
  • Read led Montana to its first National Championship in 1995, while taking the Grizzlies to a pair of semifinalist finishes in 1989 and 1994
  • Read was named the 1995 AFCA 1-AA Coach of the Year and was a three-time Big Sky Coach of the Year in 1989, 1993 and 1995
  • Led the Grizzlies to two Big Sky titles in 1993 and 1995
  • Ranked as Montana’s all-time winningest coach from 1995 to 2018
  • Won 85 games overall and 54 in conference play as Montana’s head coach
  • Led Montana to the 1-AA playoffs in five of his 10 seasons
  • Mentored Walter Payton Award winner and Big Sky Hall of Famer Dave Dickenson at quarterback
  • Before his career at Montana, coached at Portland State and was named the Div. II Coach of the Year after leading the Vikings to the league title in 1984
  • Served as Director of Athletics at Montana from 2004-05.

Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Rings

Baron® Championship Rings is proud to be the official ring provider for the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony. Held on July 20, 2024, during the Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Spokane, Washington.

The Class of 2024 includes eight distinguished individuals from seven institutions, including three legendary head coaches. The Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame gala continues to celebrate and honour those who have significantly contributed to their sports, schools, and communities. Each inductee receives a personalized Hall of Fame ring, a tradition that began in 2023.

The 2024 class members include Natalie Doma (Idaho State), Lindsay Haupt (Sacramento State), Sonny Holland (Montana State), Bill Kollar (Montana State), Orlando Lightfoot (Idaho), Erik Meyer (Eastern Washington), Dick Motta (Weber State), and Don Read (Montana), whose remarkable achievements have left a lasting legacy in the Big Sky Conference.

#ExperienceElevated

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Honor your legacy with a custom Hall of Fame Ring from Baron® Championship Rings. Order your Hall of Fame Ring today and celebrate excellence with a piece of history you can wear proudly!

#yourjourney #yourmoment #yourlegacy

 

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