Montana Western Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

DILLON, Mont. — The University of Montana Western will recognize its 2026 Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame class during Alumni Weekend, Sept. 18-19.

This year’s honorees include former football players A.J. Wilson, Ben Snipes and Josh Shrum; former men’s basketball player Brandon Brown; former women’s basketball coach Kevin Engellant; and Montana Western’s 2001-02 and 2002-03 women’s basketball teams.

Former Bulldog football player, educator and administrator Glen Johnson will receive the Meritorious Service Award.

“Come cheer on our Bulldogs, join the tailgate, and help us honor this year’s Hall of Fame inductees,” UMW Special Events and Alumni Coordinator Jolene Robbins said. “It’s a weekend to celebrate Montana Western together!”

A.J. Wilson

Wilson, a 2016 graduate, played football for Montana Western from 2012 through 2015.

He earned three All-Conference selections, First Team All-American honors, Frontier Conference Player of the Year and Montana Western Male Athlete of the Year. He was also named Rocky Mountain College Offensive MVP.

Wilson later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Chadron State College. He now serves as head football coach at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls, where he teaches health enhancement and weight training.

Ben Snipes

Snipes, a 2005 graduate, played for the Bulldogs from 2001 through 2004 and helped Montana Western win Frontier Conference championships in 2002 and 2004.

He was a two-time First Team All-Frontier Conference selection, two-time team captain and two-time NAIA All-American honorable mention. In 2004, he was named the Montana Chapter College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Snipes earned his law degree from the University of Montana and became a founding partner at Runft, Snipes, Johnson & Croley in Great Falls. His professional honors include being named Montana Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2019 and 2023.

Brandon Brown

Brown, a 2012 graduate, played for the Montana Western men’s basketball team from 2009 through 2012.

He helped the Bulldogs reach three consecutive NAIA national tournaments, including Sweet 16 appearances in 2009-10 and 2011-12. Brown was twice named Frontier Conference Player of the Year and earned First Team NAIA All-American and NAIA All-Tournament Team honors.

He concluded his collegiate career as the second-leading scorer in Montana Western history before playing professional basketball internationally for 13 years.

Brown now operates PNW Legacy Sports, where he works as a player representative and consultant.

Josh Shrum

Shrum, a 2006 graduate, played football for Montana Western from 2001 through 2004 and helped the Bulldogs capture two Frontier Conference co-championships.

He earned First Team All-Conference honors as a running back and kick returner in 2003 and 2004. He was also a First Team All-American kick returner in 2003 and a Third Team All-American athlete in 2004.

Shrum scored 31 touchdowns during his Montana Western career. In 2003, he recorded 18 touchdowns, scored 110 points and averaged 32.4 yards per kick return.

Kevin Engellant

Engellant, a 1991 Western Montana College graduate, coached the Montana Western women’s basketball team from 1996 through 2009.

He compiled a 269-142 record over 13 seasons, leading the Bulldogs to three conference championships, four conference tournament titles and eight consecutive NAIA national tournament appearances.

Engellant was named Frontier Conference Coach of the Year three times and also received Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year honors.

He later joined Montana Western’s Business and Technology Department as a professor and continues to serve as the university’s faculty athletic representative.

2001-02 and 2002-03 Women’s Basketball Teams

The 2001-02 and 2002-03 Montana Western women’s basketball teams combined for a 62-8 record while winning consecutive Frontier Conference regular-season and tournament championships.

The 2001-02 Bulldogs finished 32-4 overall and 14-0 in conference play. The team recorded a 21-game winning streak, defeated NCAA Division I Idaho State and advanced to the NAIA national tournament’s Elite Eight.

The 2002-03 team went 30-4 overall and 12-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs opened the season with 16 consecutive victories and reached the Sweet 16 at the NAIA national tournament.

Both teams were coached by Engellant.

Glen Johnson to Receive Meritorious Service Award

Johnson, a 1978 graduate, has been involved with Montana Western and Bulldog Athletics for more than 50 years.

He played nose guard and linebacker from 1974 through 1978 and was part of the 1977 Frontier Conference championship team.

Johnson later supported Bulldog Athletics through the M Club, Old Dogs, Bulldog Club, fundraising projects and the Athletic Director Selection Committee.

His education career spanned more than 40 years and included work as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. He spent 10 years leading Dillon Schools.

Alumni Weekend Schedule

Friday, Sept. 18

• 5 p.m.: Montana Western Alumni & Friends Social at Cranny’s Montana Street Grill

Saturday, Sept. 19

• 8-11 a.m.: Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Brunch in the Lewis and Clark Room of Mathews Hall

• 10 a.m.: Montana Western Alumni & Friends tailgate

• 1 p.m.: Bulldog football vs. Rocky Mountain College at Bulldog Stadium

Tickets for the Hall of Fame brunch are available at tinyurl.com/BulldogHOF26 or by calling 406-683-7306.

More information about Montana Western Alumni & Friends is available from Jolene Robbins at 406-683-7303 or through the Montana Western Foundation and Alumni website.