What Is 1933 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1933 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1933 college football season, finishing with a 3–3–1 record under head coach Ernest St. Clair. They competed as an independent team and played home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.

Key Facts

The 933 Montana Grizzlies football team had a final record of 3 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie (3–3–1).
Head coach Ernest St. Clair led the team during his second season at the University of Montana.
The Grizzlies played their home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Montana.
They competed as an independent team, not belonging to any conference.
Their season included notable wins over Gonzaga and Idaho, with a scoreless tie against Montana State.

Overview

The 1933 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1933 college football season. Competing as an independent program, the team was led by head coach Ernest St. Clair in his second year at the helm.

The Grizzlies played their home games at Dornblaser Field, a modest stadium in Missoula that served as the team's primary venue. Despite limited resources and regional competition, the team managed a balanced season with several competitive matchups.

Record: The team finished the season with a 3–3–1 overall record, reflecting a season of close contests and narrow margins.
Head Coach: Ernest St. Clair continued to shape the program, bringing consistency after taking over in 1932 following the departure of previous leadership.
Home Field: Dornblaser Field, located in Missoula, was the designated home stadium, accommodating local fans and limited media coverage.
Season Opener: The Grizzlies opened the season with a victory over Eastern Washington, setting a positive tone early in the campaign.
Rivalry Game: A scoreless tie against Montana State highlighted the intensity of the in-state rivalry, a fixture in Big Sky football history.

How It Works

The structure and operation of college football teams in the 1930s reflected the era’s athletic and organizational norms. Independent status allowed scheduling flexibility but limited postseason opportunities.

Independent Status: The 1933 Grizzlies did not belong to a conference, allowing them to schedule opponents across the Northwest without league restrictions.
Game Format: Each game followed standard NCAA rules of the time, with four 15-minute quarters and limited substitutions due to roster limitations.
Recruiting: Players were primarily drawn from Montana and neighboring states, with minimal national scouting or scholarship programs in place.
Travel: The team relied on buses and trains to reach away games, often facing long journeys to opponents in Idaho and Washington.
Coaching Staff: Ernest St. Clair oversaw all aspects of the program, from strategy to player development, with minimal assistant support.
Season Length: The Grizzlies played seven games in 1933, a typical schedule length for regional teams during the Depression-era college football landscape.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1933 Montana Grizzlies’ season can be better understood by comparing it to other regional teams from the same year.

Team	Record	Head Coach	Conference	Notable Result
Montana Grizzlies	3–3–1	Ernest St. Clair	Independent	Tied Montana State 0–0
Gonzaga Bulldogs	4–5	Mike Pecarovich	Independent	Lost to Washington State
Idaho Vandals	3–5–1	Leo Calland	Pacific Coast Conference	Lost to Oregon
Washington State	6–2–2	O.E. Hollingbery	PCC	Tied USC 7–7
Montana State	4–5	Charley Bowser	Independent	Tied Montana 0–0

This table illustrates how Montana’s performance compared to regional peers. While not dominant, the Grizzlies held their own against similarly sized programs. Their tie with Montana State remained a point of pride, especially given the physical nature of the rivalry. The lack of conference affiliation meant no championship implications, but local bragging rights were fiercely contested. The season reflected the challenges of maintaining a competitive program during the Great Depression, with limited funding and travel constraints shaping outcomes.

Why It Matters

Understanding the 1933 Montana Grizzlies season offers insight into the evolution of college football in the American West. It highlights the resilience of small programs during economically difficult times.

Historical Context: The 1933 season occurred during the Great Depression, affecting funding, attendance, and player availability across college sports.
Rivalry Foundation: The scoreless tie with Montana State reinforced the significance of the Brawl of the Wild, now one of college football’s oldest rivalries.
Program Development: Ernest St. Clair’s leadership helped stabilize the program during a transitional period in Montana football history.
Independent Play: The team’s independent status allowed scheduling flexibility but limited exposure compared to conference-affiliated schools.
Regional Identity: Games against Idaho, Gonzaga, and Montana State helped define the Grizzlies as a regional competitor.
Legacy: Though not a championship season, the 1933 campaign contributed to the long-term tradition of Montana football.

The 1933 season remains a footnote in the broader narrative of college football, yet it underscores the enduring spirit of student-athletes and coaches who competed with limited resources. For fans and historians, it represents a snapshot of perseverance and regional pride during a challenging era.