General

MSU Billings and Rocky Mountain College Announce Rimrock Rivalry Series

A formalization of the Yellowjackets-Battlin’ Bears Rivalry begins Fall 2023

BILLINGS, Mont.- Montana State University Billings and Rocky Mountain College are excited to announce an official athletic rivalry series, the Rimrock Rivalry. Both schools, located off Rimrock Road and just two miles apart, will partner together to formalize their rivalry series that will primarily focus on athletics competition that will accumulate scoring throughout the athletic year based on head-to-head competitions.

"We are excited to join MSUB in celebrating our student athletes and the competition between our two great institutions." Rocky Mountain College Athletic Director Jim Klemann said. "The Rimrock Rivalry will be a great opportunity to engage our Billings Community and find ways to come together and make an impact. I am grateful for MSUB AD Micheal Bazemore and his team for working together to make this project possible. Finally, Rocky Mountain College is incredibly grateful for Lisa Parker, and the Parker family, for the opportunity to honor Bruce Parker, a person that made such an impact on Rocky Mountain College, the community of Billings, and the great state of Montana."

"I'm extremely excited to collaborate with Jim (Klemann), Dr. Wilmouth, and Rocky as a whole on this series." MSUB Athletic Director Michael Bazemore said. "This will help highlight not only the great academic and athletic performances on our campuses, but it will also aid our facilitation to further our community engagement within the area. As we work to continue to provide a transformative experience for our student-athletes, an official namesake rivalry speaks to this goal. In addition, receiving Lisa Parker's blessing to name the trophy after Bruce, makes it even more special while also signifying his legacy, what he meant to both institutions, and his contribution to the growth of college athletics in Montana."

MSU Billings and Rocky Mountain College have 11 sports in common that compete against each other every year: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field and women's volleyball. These contests, although in different governing bodies (NCAA and NAIA) and conferences, always bring out the best in the student-athletes, fan bases and the Billings community. The year-long rivalry series will include points being awarded for head-to-head wins with extra points for a season sweep in applicable sports. 

The Rimrock Rivalry will encompass more than just athletic feats, as the athletic department with the highest overall GPA will also be awarded points.

The Rimrock Rivalry winning school will be officially announced at the Midland Round Table Athlete of the Year Banquet which will happen in May, after all contests for both institutions have been completed. 

Scoring: Overall, the scoring system is consistent across all sports. Teams who win head-to-head matchups will receive 30 points, with the losing team earning 15 points. If a sport completes a season sweep over its cross-town opponent, they will earn an additional 15 points. 

Bruce Parker Trophy: The Bruce Parker trophy will be awarded to the Rimrock Rivalry winner and that institution will host the trophy for the following year. The trophy has been named after Bruce Parker, Eastern Montana College (MSU Billings) alum, MSUB and RMC Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee and previous RMC Athletic Director, for the positive impact he had on both institutions and athletics in the state of Montana.  

Rivalry Renewed: The Yellowjackets and Battlin' Bears are one of the best rivalries in Montana. The schools have a combined 245 student-athletes from Montana. The "rivalries" between student-athletes of both schools often begin in grade school and continue throughout their collegiate careers. Many of these Yellowjackets and Battlin' Bears have grown up as teammates and friends, often competing together on all-star or travel teams which helped propel them to become collegiate athletes.

The Rimrock Rivalry was officially announced Wednesday evening at the Midland Round Table Athlete of the Year Banquet. 

The Rimrock Rivalry is set to kick-off under the lights at Yellowjacket Soccer Field on Saturday, August 19. The women's soccer contest will begin at 5 p.m. with the men's contest slated for 7 p.m. The remaining schedules between the two schools have yet to be finalized, but up-to-date Rimrock Rivalry information including game schedules, live video and stat links and any additional broadcast information can be found at www.msubsports.com or www.gobattlinbears.com.