Fitzgerald Selected To Wear No. 18 Jersey For 2025 Season

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information

DILLON, Mont. - Western Bulldog and Dillon Beaver football player M.J. Simkins, whose life was tragically cut short prior to the start of his senior year, wore the number 18 with pride. The number had tremendous significance because it showed his love for Dillon and\

Beaverhead County, which is Montana county number 18. 

MJ wore the no. 18 for three seasons 2014 to 2016. His brother Nathan carried forward the tradition and values of the no. 18 throughout his epic Bulldog career (2017-2021). The number 18 has since became a legacy number for the Bulldog Football team.

"18 is a true legacy number. It denotes the best of what it is to be a Bulldog, integrity, work ethic, loyalty and leaving it better than you found it. Every player on this team aspires to someday wear 18," Head Coach Ryan Nourse said.

The number was and will be given to a senior student athlete who represents the spirit and values of M.J. and what Bulldog Football is all about. Now, for the 2025 season, it has been awarded to Dillon native and senior linebacker Jace Fitzgerald.  

"Growing up in Dillon, I always knew what the no. 18 jersey meant. It's more than just a number, it's a legacy. M.J. Simkins wasn't just a great football player. He was someone who genuinely made the people around him better. His quote, 'leave it better than you found it' has stuck with me for years. It's a mindset I try to live by, whether I'm on the field, in the classroom, or out in the community," Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald, an upcoming senior on the 2025 football team, started his career playing at Montana State University. He transferred to the University of Montana Western before last season and earned first team all-conference honors in his first season for the Bulldogs. He was second on the Bulldog defense in tackles with 81 total tackles on the season and recorded 40 solo tackles and nine tackles for loss. He was a 2021 graduate of Beaverhead County High School and is a Dillon, Mont. native.

"Wearing this number means honoring everything he stood for, loyalty, work ethic, selflessness, and pride in where you come from. It also means honoring the players who wore this legacy number before me, their dedication, leadership, and impact that they had on the program and doing my part to make sure the legacy continues to inspire and make a difference both on and off the field," Fitzgerald continued.

The Bulldogs capped off an impressive season in 2024 with a 10-2 overall record, winning the Frontier Conference Championship for a second season in a row and secured their first NAIA playoff victory in over 30 years.

"Jace is who he says he is and does what he says he will do and he operates with integrity. When he looked to move on from MSU, he didn't take the popular path like most of them, he chose to come home. This showed his loyalty to his community and to Montana Western, which gave him instant respect amongst his peers," Nourse said.

"Earning what you get is a hallmark of being a Bulldog and Jace has earned everything he has accomplished here."

The upcoming season for the Bulldogs will be the first in the revamped Frontier Conference, with the 14 football playing schools being divided into East and West Divisions. Montana Western will open the season at Montana Tech on Aug. 28.

"I am excited and looking forward to continuing to raise and uphold the standard of this program," Fitzgerald said. "As a team we want to play disciplined, physical football and stay consistent week after week. To put our team in the best position to compete for another Frontier Conference title and beyond."

Click to check out Engine 18 or the No. 18 homepage.