Gianforte Proclaims Bobcat Day as MSU National Champions Visit Capitol

Gov. Greg Gianforte proclaimed Bobcat Day at the State Capitol as Montana State University’s FCS national champion football team visited Helena on Jan. 20. The team and coaching staff joined the governor for remarks and a lunch in the Capitol, bringing the national championship trophy to the seat of state government and spotlighting local ties to a national title.

The visit celebrated Montana State’s Jan. 5 victory in the FCS national championship game, a 35-34 overtime win that capped the Bobcats’ season. Players and coaches used the Capitol event to acknowledge fans and communities across the state, with several roster members identifying as Helena natives. Graduates of Helena High School and Capital High School on the team spoke about the pride of bringing the trophy home and the community support they felt.

Organizers photographed the team and captured short video clips inside the Capitol; those images show players, coaches and Gov. Gianforte posing with the championship hardware and gathering in public areas of the building. Photo caption: Montana State football players and coaches pose with Gov. Greg Gianforte at the State Capitol on Jan. 20, 2026.

For Lewis and Clark County residents, the visit functioned as both a public celebration and a visible connection between state government and a successful state university program. Ceremonial proclamations such as this one are a common way for the governor’s office to recognize statewide achievements, and bringing the team to Helena made that recognition accessible to local residents who follow the Bobcats or have family ties to the players.

The event also underlined the role of collegiate athletics in civic life here. Local graduates on the roster serve as direct links between Helena schools and a statewide institution, reinforcing alumni networks and community pride. The photos and video taken at the Capitol will likely circulate through local social channels and community outlets, extending the visit’s reach beyond those who attended.

Looking ahead, the visit offers a short-term boost to community morale and visibility for Helena within Montana’s broader civic landscape. For residents, the proclamation and Capitol appearance are a reminder of the ways state institutions and local communities interact - from classroom and playing field to the steps of the Capitol - and of the civic energy that can follow a shared victory.