Aug. 16, 2012

The 17th annual “Great Griz Encounter” presented by St. Patrick Hospital for the 2012 University of Montana football team will convene Thursday, August 23 downtown in Caras Park. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with live music by the “Full Grown Men.” The event is held in conjunction with the Missoula Downtown Association’s weekly “Downtown Tonight” function.

 The Griz football team will attend the annual gathering. Montana’s 2012 All-American and Honors Candidates, and new Griz Head Coach Mick Delaney will be introduced at 6:30pm. After that, all of the Griz players will sign posters until around 8:30pm. Due to the large amount of fans wishing to get autographs, there is a two-item limit.

For the seventh year in a row, Montana football fans will have a unique chance to be involved in the coin toss of the home opener against South Dakota on September 1st by participating in the “Legacy” program at the “Encounter.”

The lucky winner of a raffle ticket purchased at the event will receive two pre-game field passes and stand mid-field with both teams for the coin toss.

The UM Spirit Squad will be selling “Legacy” raffle tickets at the Great Griz Encounter.

Presenting sponsor of the Great Griz Encounter, St. Patrick Hospital will have 200 Griz t-shirts and mini-footballs to give to fans. Licensed vendors will also be on hand selling Grizzly merchandise and apparel.