Fast Break
College football
Griz throwback unis all the rage
The throwback uniforms the University of Montana football team wore during Saturday’s Cat-Griz game proved much more popular than expected.
The Grizzly Scholarship Association sold some of the game-worn copper and yellow jerseys and helmets on Sunday, but then heard complaints from players and their families, who wanted to be able to keep the jerseys they wore in the 35-3 win over their intrastate rivals.
“It ended up being such a special day and with the passion of our fans, we truly underestimated the number of people who would have interest in being able to purchase those jerseys, including players and their families,” UM athletics director Jim O’Day said Wednesday.
The solution remained in limbo until O’Day was able to contact a Nike representative Wednesday afternoon about ordering some more uniforms.
Griz fans who purchased a jersey Sunday will get a brand new jersey, and will now be able to choose the jersey number and size they want.
“It could take up to a month to get them all in,” he said.
The GSA sent an e-mail Wednesday to those who ordered the $200 jerseys, explaining the option.
“The vast majority are saying, ‘You know what, we understand. We’d just as soon have one that fits,” with the number they want, O’Day said.
Some game-worn uniforms will still be available for those who prefer that option. However, they will not be able to choose the size or jersey number.
No additional orders will be taken. The school is keeping the pants.
NHL
Youngest to play in NHL dies at 82
Armand “Bep” Guidolin, who at 16 became the youngest player to skate in an NHL game and later coached Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, died Monday in Barrie, Ontario. He was 82.
Guidolin was 16 years, 11 months when he made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on Nov. 12, 1942. The Bruins needed help because of players serving in World War II.
He went on to play nine seasons in the NHL, recording 107 goals and 171 assists in 519 games with Boston, Detroit and Chicago.
College football
Weber’s McBride coach of year
Weber State coach Ron McBride, who led his team to a 9-3 record and a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, has been named the Big Sky Conference football coach of the year in a vote of league coaches.
Weber State had been chosen to finish fifth in the league in preseason polls, but claimed a share of the Big Sky Conference title for the first time in 40 years with a 7-1 record.
The Wildcats earned the league’s automatic berth in the FCS playoffs, the school’s first playoff appearance since 1991. The 12th-ranked Wildcats play at Cal Poly Saturday.