MSU Football’s 2023 Gold Rush Game T-Shirt a Tip-of-the-Hat to Rodeo Team
BOZEMAN – After a competition that received more than 60 submissions, Montana State University has unveiled the design for its annual Gold Rush T-shirt ahead of the kickoff to the Bobcat football season on Sept. 2.
Fans are encouraged to wear the shirts to the Gold Rush game at Bobcat Stadium to show their MSU pride and fill the stadium with gold. The Bobcats will play Utah Tech at 6 p.m. Sept. 2 in the first of six home games for 2023.
LoRae Hartman created this year’s winning design after being inspired by the MSU rodeo team’s unique gameday ride onto the field at Bobcat Stadium. Hartman, who is originally from Buffalo, Montana, and who graduated in a class of eight students from Hobson High School, received her bachelor’s in graphic design from MSU in 2018.
“I think the beginning of our football games when the rodeo team comes out is really unique to MSU and a special moment for a lot of people,” said Hartman. “I have a lot of friends and family who always talk about that first when they talk about football season. It’s always about the rodeo team’s incredible intro.”
Hartman modeled her design after photographs of the rodeo team’s entrance onto the football field. Outlines of the horses and their riders are overlaid onto a Montana-shaped backdrop featuring the Bridger Range. The three riders each carry flags bearing one of the letters in MSU.
“I hope that Bobcat fans look at it and see a slice of Montana history. Different communities coming together over agriculture, the pursuit of knowledge and an excellent performance on the football field,” said Hartman of the design. “Gold Rush is an incredible tradition, and we are lucky to have something so special here in Bozeman.”
“MSU’s Gold Rush tradition is 16 years strong. We are thrilled with this year’s design that celebrates the best run out in college football,” said Amy Kanuch, MSU community relations manager. “We look forward to seeing our students, alumni, fans and followers in a sea of gold in Bobcat Stadium on Sept. 2.”
The limited-edition Gold Rush shirts go on sale today. Shirts are $15 and may be purchased at the MSU Bookstore and at Universal Athletic stores in Bozeman, Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula. Gold Rush shirts are also available online at msubookstore.org and shop.msubobcats.com.