BUTTE, Mont.-   Montana Tech Director of Athletics Matt Stepan announced the 2024 Oredigger Hall of Fame Class today. The newest individual members are Roderick Hurd, Katie (Lewis) Daly, and Lorenzo Snyder. Coach Bill Connor will be inducted. The 1987-1988 men's basketball team will be honored, and Dennis Zander will go in as a contributor.

Hall of Fame Weekend is slated for October 18^th-19^th. The Oredigger football team hosts Simpson University on Saturday, October 19^th followed by Oredigger volleyball hosting Carroll College.

"We are excited to celebrate this esteemed class of Orediggers and welcome them into our Montana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame. This group stands out amongst the very best in our rich history. We can't wait to get them on campus to engage with our student-athletes and celebrate their accomplishments and contributions"​. Director of Athletics Matt Stepan

Roderick Hurd - Roderick played two seasons for Coach Dessing and the Orediggers. In those two seasons, he was nothing short of spectacular. In his first season as an Oredigger, Rod scored 603 points, which is fourth all-time at Montana Tech. That season he was selected first-team All-Conference, as well as Honorable Mention All-American. The next year (97-98) he repeated those accomplishments, earning first-team All-Conference and again being selected Honorable Mention All-American. In two seasons (46 games) he put up 880 total points, averaging 19.1 points per contest.

He still holds several records beyond those 603 points in a season. His 255 field goals during the 96-97 season are second all-time, and a 35-point game in 1996 ties him for seventh all-time.
 
Katie (Daly) Lewis - Katie was a four-year starter at middle blocker for the Orediggers (2006-2010). As a freshman, she was named to the all-freshman team, selected second-team all-conference, and honorable mention all-region. She finished her career with 1,143 kills, averaging 2.8 per set with a .271 hitting percentage. She also tallied 214 solo blocks and 507 total blocks. She had more than 100 blocks in three of her four seasons with a high of 160 during her sophomore season. Katie was a three-time first-team all-conference selection, and an Honorable Mention All-American in 2007.
 
Lorenzo Snyder-  Lorenzo was a part of two Frontier Conference championship football teams at Montana Tech -1996 and 1997. He was the epitome of a 'team player'. During the 1996 season, he was a first-team All-Conference return specialist. The next season he was selected first-team All-Conference as a receiver. The 'team player' part of Lorenzo's story is, he was also the punter. He was selected first-team All-Conference punter in 1996, and second-team All-Conference in 1997. His 200 receiving yards in a game (1997), and 1,239 receiving yards in a season (1997) are at the top of the Oredigger record books. He is also tied for the most receiving touchdowns in a season with ten. Last but not least, his 70 punts in 1996 are good for third all-time.
 
Coach Bill Connor- Coach Connor led the Oredigger Football team from 1978-1980. He took over a program that went 2-17 the previous two seasons. In year one, the team fought to a 3-3-2 overall record. Building off the first year's momentum, the 1979 team went 6-2-1 overall, including a perfect 4-0 record in the Frontier Conference, cementing them as Frontier Conference Champions. They finished the 79 campaign with a 46-8 win over Eastern Washington (then a Div.II independent). The 1979 team has been inducted into the Oredigger Hall of Fame, as well as the Butte Sports Hall of Fame. In Coach Connor's three seasons, he coached four All-Americans and compiled a 13-11-3 overall record.

1987-1988 Men's Basketball Team- Frontier Conference regular season, and Tournament Champions. The team was led by Frontier Conference Coach of the Year, Rick Dessing. The roster included Sherman Vernon, Robert Montague, Chris Oliver, Todd Guldseth, Todd Schmautz, Dale FourBear, Rod Prosceno, Scott Rasor, Rich Kramer, Randy Kosbab, Dave Carson, Jeff Knesh, and Keith Haller. Tom Berg was the assistant coach, and Brad Huse, and Crag Padbury were student assistants.
The team went 13-3 in Frontier Conference play taking the regular season crown. They rolled through the Frontier Tournament, taking down the Lights in the Championship game played in Butte. The Orediggers took down South Dakota Tech in the semi-finals of the District 12 tournament, before falling to Huron in the final. Sherman Vernon and Scott Rasor were both named First Team All-Conference, as well as Honorable Mention All-American. The Orediggers finished the season with 20 wins.
 
Dennis Zander- Dennis will be inducted as a Contributor. Anyone who knows Zander knows he contributes an incredible amount. He has been a staple at the Digger Auction for years. He always shows up with one-of-a-kind items for the auction, and on top of that, his bid paddle spends more time in the air, than it does on the table.

In addition, Dennis has fed almost every team as they pass through Glendive on their way to compete east of Montana. Speaking of eating, the Zander Zone has been an anchor in the Oredigger Football Tailgate for over 20 years.
Oredigger Athletics is incredibly lucky to call Dennis and Stacy Zander, Family.
 
The induction ceremony will take place on Friday, October 18^th. Details on location/time to follow soon.