BUTTE, Mont. – More than just the playing surface is changing at Montana Tech's Alumni Coliseum. The Montana University System Board of Regents approved new naming rights for Alumni Coliseum this week.

“Our football stadium field at Montana Tech will be named “Bob Green Field” honoring the Orediggers' longtime head football coach,” announced Chancellor Don Blackketter.

Alumni Coliseum, home to Oredigger football games since 1969, will still hold the name of the venue.  The addition of the new artificial playing surface installed this summer will bear the name of the dedicated coach and mentor with “Bob Green Field” stitched into both sidelines. Green, who retired from coaching in 2011, was the main fundraiser for the Digger Turf project raising over 80% of the funds. Green's former student-athletes along with state and community supporters have been the driving force for donations to the project. The total cost is estimated at $1 million.

“I am proud and humbled at the same time,” said Coach Green. “The coach is just one cog in the machine and we have had a lot of great players and coaches over time as well. My attitude is one of gratitude.”

The longest tenured coach for the Orediggers, Green started his college head coaching career with Montana Tech in 1987. In 24 years with Tech, Green amassed a 140-116-1 overall record becoming the winningest coach in the school's history. He led his teams to three Frontier Conference Championships and reached the NAIA post season five times including a 1996 National Championship runner-up. He was named Frontier Conference Coach of the Year six times and coached 15 All-Americans.

A native of Nebraska, Green played defensive back for four years at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He served as an assistant coach following his senior season at Kearney and spent time as a head coach with two high school programs at Minatare and Broken Bow, Nebraska while also serving as an assistant with Northern Colorado. Prior to coming to Butte, Green was an assistant for five seasons at Northwest Missouri State University.

“I can't think of a more fitting name to be placed on Digger Turf,” said current head coach Chuck Morrell. 
The closeness between Green and his players and the Montana Tech community make him one of the most recognized Orediggers and an icon in Butte and Montana. His dedication to his student-athletes and program showed beyond the gridiron. Green knew the type of students that could compete on the football field and in the classroom attributing to his successes in football and for the university. Student-athletes who stayed in his program until their senior year had a 95% graduation rate.

“Bob Green is an icon,” said Vice Chancellor for Development and University Relations and President of the Montana Tech Foundation and former Athletic Director Joe McClafferty. “He developed leaders that go on to achieve extraordinary successes. Like many others, I am privileged to work with Coach Green. His positive nature makes everyone he touches better. I am very excited that his name will grace the football field.”

The most famous attribute of Green that often made it into the national spot light was his “Greenisms.” Coach Green always had unique catch phrases that brought attention to his teams and Montana Tech. He continues to appear on local and national talk shows bringing exposure to Montana Tech. Also in the Butte Hall of Fame, Green is sought out locally and nationally for his motivational speaking skills.

 “Coach Green has committed the better part of his career to the Butte community, Montana Tech and the Oredigger football program,” said Morrell. “He without a doubt continues to be our number one fan since he has stepped away from the sidelines and has become a great personal friend.  It will be an honor for the Orediggers to continue building a football legacy on “Bob Green Field.”

Green's presence on Montana Tech's campus continues.  He works for the university in fundraising with the Montana Tech Foundation.

The official dedication will take place at the home opener on September 21 against the University of Montana-Western. The weekend will feature an all class football reunion as well as a banquet on Friday night before the game.