July 31, 2026

BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Tech has been selected as the 2025-26 Frontier Conference School of Character, presented by WinWon Technologies, recognizing the Orediggers' outstanding commitment to the NAIA Champions of Character® initiative and the development of student-athletes who exemplify integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
 
The annual award honors the Frontier Conference institution that best demonstrates a culture where character is intentionally developed alongside academic and athletic excellence. Montana Tech's selection reflects a department-wide commitment to making the NAIA's five core values of daily standard rather than simply a program or initiative.
 
"Montana Tech has built a culture where character drives every aspect of the student-athlete experience," said Frontier Conference Commissioner Dr. Scott Crawford. "The Orediggers have demonstrated that excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community begins with a commitment to developing leaders of integrity. Their student-athletes and staff consistently embody the values of the Champions of Character program, making them a deserving recipient of this year's Frontier Conference School of Character award."
 
The Orediggers' commitment to character is evident throughout every stage of the student-athlete experience. From recruiting individuals who demonstrate strong values to reinforcing accountability, respect and servant leadership by daily interactions, Montana Tech has created an environment where success is measured by both accomplishments and how they are achieved.
 
One signature example of Montana Tech's commitment to community engagement is its annual Walk to School with the Diggers program. Created more than a decade ago by student-athletes, the event continues to be organized and led entirely by current student-athletes, connecting Oredigger teams with every elementary school in the Butte-Silver Bow School District while promoting mentorship, inclusion, and healthy lifestyles. Throughout the year, Montana Tech student-athletes also volunteer with youth organizations, food assistance programs, Special Olympics, blood drives and numerous community initiatives across southwest Montana.
 
The culture has also translated into remarkable success across academics and athletics. Montana Tech has captured four consecutive George R. Bandy Memorial All-Sports Awards, while every athletic program earned NAIA Scholar-Team recognition during the past academic year with cumulative grade-point averages above 3.0. The Orediggers have also enjoyed conference championships, national tournament appearances, and national rankings—accomplishments the department views as a byproduct of its commitment to character-centered leadership.
 
The Frontier Conference's recognition also positions Montana Tech as the league's nominee for the NAIA Champions of Character Institution Award.
 
The Frontier Conference NAIA Athletic Directors Association representative Matt Stepan noted that the recognition carries special significance because conference members selected it.
 
Stepan also highlighted Montana Tech's unique balance of academic rigor, competitive success, and community impact, stating that the Orediggers have created an environment where student-athletes thrive despite pursuing some of the nation's most demanding STEM and health-related degree programs while consistently demonstrating excellence both on campus and in the community.
 
Beginning this fall, Montana Tech will continue expanding its leadership development efforts with the launch of the Digger Athletics Leadership Academy, a department-wide initiative designed to educate student-athletes in servant leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, financial literacy, career preparation and community engagement while connecting them with alumni, campus leaders and community mentors.
 
The Frontier Conference School of Character Award recognizes institutions that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the ideals of the NAIA Champions of Character program and serve as models for developing student-athletes who positively impact their campuses, communities, and future professions.
 
About WinWon
Founded in 2022, WinWon is a sports technology company revolutionizing the way sports organizations operate. By building a custom platform to fit the needs of their partner schools and conferences, WinWon levels up athletic operations. WinWon ensures operational efficiency through streamlining processes, integrating systems, and bridging connections between conference and campus leadership, coaches, staff and student athletes.  WinWon is dedicated to supporting excellence in the world of athletics through modernization. To learn more, please visit winwontech.com.