BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Department of Athletics has released its 2022-2023 Annual Report, which details the storylines, moments, and accomplishments of another outstanding year for the Yellowjackets.
 
The 2022-23 athletic year is highlighted by another record year in fundraising. A total of $531,677 was raised in support of Yellowjacket Athletics by a total of 1,172 donors.
 
"2022-23 was a very successful year for the Yellowjackets," said MSUB Director of Athletics Michael Bazemore. "On behalf of our entire department, I want to thank everyone who contributed to another record setting year for the 'Jackets."
 
Video from Michael Bazemore, Director of Athletics
2023 Annual Report By The Numbers
 
Check out some of the highlights below:
 

• MSU Billings student-athletes finished the academic year with a 3.28 department GPA. This includes 40 perfect 4.0's, 78% of student-athletes earning a 3.0 or higher and a total of 44 degree candidates. 94 student-athletes earned Academic All-GNAC Honors while 49 individuals were inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma national scholar-athlete honor society.

 

• Yellowjacket basketball teams jumped into the national rankings en route to both the men's and women's teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time together since 2002. Both teams received at-large bids to the tournament and the women advanced to the second round before falling to the #1 seed in the West Region.

 

• Various other sports defeated ranked opponents this year for some thrilling moments to keep MSUB on the map. Men's Soccer defeated #22 Northwest Nazarene, Baseball knocked off #6 Colorado Mesa and Softball had a run-rule victory over #11 Cal State San Marcos.

 

• The fundraising efforts by MSUB's Athletic Department and other campus partners secured another record-breaking year. The 24^th Annual Yellowjacket Scholarship Auction & Halloween Party raised a record $79,000. Various community partners and corporate sponsors totaled $231,600 in cash and in-kind gifts for the Yellowjackets, being a cornerstone for the department's fundraising efforts.

 

• Across 16 varsity sports, the Yellowjackets amassed 6 All-Region selections, 39 All-Conference selections, 22 GNAC Player of the Week selections and 5 GNAC Special Award selections. Highlighting this list is Carrington Wiggins who was voted as the GNAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year. Men's Basketball Coach Mick Durham and Women's Basketball Coach Kevin Woodin both received GNAC Coach of the Year honors after leading their team to very impressive seasons on the court.

 

• MSUB Athletics continued to upgrade their facilities to stay consistent with other DII competitors. The Yellowjacket Golf Room has completed their indoor practice facility which includes a fully turfed space that is highlighted by a Foresight Sports Golf Simulator. Yellowjacket Soccer Field installed brand-new turf and added lights to the facility to continue to enhance the venue at MSUB's City College campus.

 

• Yellowjacket Athletics is committed to giving back to the community that supports them. Student-athletes and coaches totaled 2,225 community service hours in Billings and the surrounding communities.

 

• MSUB has partnered with the Exchange Club of Billings to have a Beer Garden at home basketball games and other select athletic events.

 

• To continue to engage with the Billings community, MSUB has partnered with Rocky Mountain College to formally create the Rimrock Rivalry. The rivalry series will primarily focus on athletics competitions that accumulate scoring throughout the athletic year based on head-to-head competitions.

 
 
 
Yellowjacket Athletics would like to thank all of their fans, supporters, donors, student-athletes and everyone who helped make the 2022-23 athletic year a success. The 2023-24 athletic year kicks-off with the Rimrock Rivalry at Yellowjacket Field on Saturday, August 19^th with women's soccer at 5pm and men's soccer at 7pm.
 
For more information, please visit www.msubsports.com.