HELENA, Mont.- The Frontier Conference announced that Montana Tech has won the 2023-24 Bandy Memorial All-Sports Trophy. The Orediggers have now won the award in back-to-back years.

This year's award marks the sixth in school history.

"Winning the Bandy Award is a tremendous accomplishment," said Montana Tech Chancellor Les Cook. "Winning it two years in a row tells a lot about your program and those involved. The are extraordinary in every way and I couldn't be more proud of our student athletes, coaches and athletic staff."

The Bandy Memorial Trophy is presented each year to the conference institution that has accumulated the most points based on its regular season league finish in football, volleyball, men and women's basketball, men and women's cross country, and men and women's track and field. (Golf was not included this year due to their affiliation with the Red River Athletic Conference)

"This is a proud day for Digger Athletics! Winning the Bandy Award is no easy task and is a direct reflection of the resilient spirit of our student-athletes." Said Athletic Director Matt Stepan. "Our collective success this year has been a consummate team effort and we are proud to share this honor with the all members of our Montana Tech family, past and present."

Montana Tech won regular season titles in volleyball, men's basketball, and men's and women's track & field.

Last year the Orediggers won the award by the smallest margin of victory in the history of the award, 130 to 129.8 over Carroll College. This year it came down to a battle between the Orediggers and Saints once again. Heading into the Frontier Conference Track & Field Championships, the Saints led 78.5 to 76. But that lead wouldn't last, as the Orediggers took home the Conference Championship in both men's and women's track & field. When the dust settled the Orediggers finished with 110 points, Carroll was second with 102.5, Montana Western was third with 78, Rocky finished fourth with 72.5, and then Providence with 70.5.

"Our student-athletes have once again showcased their unparalleled dedication, excelling not only in their respective sports but more importantly in their academic accomplishments. Today, we are proud to recognize and celebrate their success! It is certainly a great day to be an Oredigger and we are deeply grateful for all who contributed to this achievement."

The All-Sports trophy is named in honor of the first commissioner of the Frontier Conference, Dr. George Bandy. Bandy, his wife Cheryl Ann, and their eight-year-old son Michael, whom they had just adopted, died tragically in a boating accident on July 23, 1983, when their 14-foot sailboat overturned in high winds on Canyon Ferry Reservoir of Helena.

The majority of Bandy's 56 years of life was devoted to education. He graduated in 1944 from Folsom High School in Folsom, Calif., and immediately entered the U.S. Navy, serving two years. Bandy earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Sacramento State College in 1950 and 1953, respectively. He earned his doctorate in education from the University of Montana in 1967.

Bandy began his teaching career at Grant Union High School in Sacramento, and in 1952, he moved to the Treasure State to coach and teach at Belgrade High School.

He then joined the faculty of Northern Montana College (now Montana State-Northern) in 1956, where he became the Light's first football coach. While at Northern, he also served as the Lights baseball coach and assistant men's basketball coach. Over the years, Bandy has served as athletic director, student teaching director, graduate school director, dean of education, and vice president. In July 1975, Bandy was named acting president.

One year later, Bandy went to Western Montana College (now the University of Montana Western) as interim president until July 1978. He left Western to accept the Chief Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education position. Bandy served as acting commissioner from September 1978 to the end of June 1979, when he retired. A physical fitness advocate, Bandy was also a long-distance runner who took up running 26-mile marathons after the age of 50.

The George Bandy Memorial Frontier Conference All-Sports Award was first presented following the 1982-83 sports season.