Mike McCormick (2008) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Mike McCormick

Induction:
2008
Class:
1948

Mike McCormick Football & Basketball, 1945-48 Years at MSU: 1942-43, 1945-48 Honors: 1950 VFW All-America Hometown: Culberston, Montana “Mike was a very good athlete, tough and strong.” –Former MSU coach and Bobcat Hall of Famer Tom Parac A sharp shooting guard on the hardwood and hard hitting end on the gridiron, Mike McCormick’s Career as a Bobcat spanned 30 Months of service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In his time in Bozeman, he left his mark with hard work, character, and leadership that would alter mark a deacades long career as an aducaation professional. McCormick competed in basketball at Montana State as a freshman during the 1942-43 season, a sensational campaign that ended with a 17-5 record and invitations to the Denver AAU National Tournament and the NIBA tournament in Kansas City. A late season illness to Bobcat coach Brick Breeden led to the cancellation of any post-season plans, and before the squad could reconvene for the next season Breeden and several Bobcats, including McCormick, had enlisted to serve their nation. The Bobcat saved the best for last in 1943. First MSU handed Denver its first two losses of the season in the frenzied atmosphere of Romney Gym, then trounced the Grizzlies 69-59 to wrap up the state championship before dropping the season finale. McCormick scored 140 points, 6.7 per game, during that freshman campaign. After the war, McCormick returned to Montana State. He scored 102 points as a sophomore in 1945-46, when the Bobcats overcame a 4-6 start to post an outstanding 17-10 season and competing in the NIBA tournament in Kansas City. McCormick scored 160 points, 5.0 per game, as a junior in 1946-47 when Montana State finished 25-11, again traveling to Kansas City for the NIBA tournament. The bobcats finished 18-9 during McCormick’s senior year in 1947-48, and McCormick finished his Bobcat career with over 500 points. McCormick also was a starter in his seasons as an end for the Bobcat football team. McCormick had an interesting decision during his second season back in Bozeman. After helping the Bobcat football team qualify for the first bowl game in school history, a date with New Mexico in the New Year’s Day Harbor Bowl in San Diego, McCormick had a decision to make. Travel west with the gridders or east with the cagers. McCormick chose basketball, and a trip to the Midwest. Montana State played at Iowa, Kansas State, Nebraska-Omaha, South Dakota, Morningside, St. Thomas, and North Dakota State. McCormick’s logic was simple. He chose basketball because “it was more than one game.” Following his Bobcat career, McCormick earned VFW All-America honors in 1950 for playing in the veterans’ loop. McCormick then earned his master’s degree from Minnesota and his doctoral degree at MSU, and for nearly four decades was a teacher and educational administrator in Montana, California, and Arizona. His dedication to education inspired many.