September is a busy time of year in Gallatin Valley, with summer drawing to a close and back to school activities in full swing; even for those of us who aren’t going back. You don’t have to be one of the over 16,000 Montana State University students attending classes this fall to enjoy the wide array of events happening on its beautiful campus throughout the month. Perfect for anyone looking to escape the stresses of everyday life at an exciting football game, or broaden their minds through fascinating speeches, campus events are something everyone should be sure not to miss out on. Whether you’re a student, local, or visitor, make sure to find some time in your schedule to take advantage of the variety of activities taking place at Montana State University this fall. I’ve chosen to feature some of the most popular campus events throughout September, to be sure you make it to the perfect events for you. To find more information about upcoming MSU events for this month and the entire year, visit www.montana.edu/calendar. 

Football Season Kicks Off
One of the most highly anticipated sports seasons in Bozeman, the Bobcat football team has finally started competition. Training at official practices since July, the team traveled to their first game against the New Mexico Lobos on August 24th, before going to Utah on the 31st to compete against Utah Tech. Although the best we could do was follow those two games on ESPN+, the Montana State Bobcats have their first home game on September 7th against the University of Maine. The first home game of every season is a Gold Rush game, where fans come decked out in their finest gold attire and official Gold Rush t-shirts (available at the MSU Bookstore and Universal Athletics locations around the state, or online at msubookstore.org and shop.msubobcats.com), creating a sea of gold to support the team. There’s only one other home game during September, where the team faces off against Mercyhurst University on the 21st, at the annual Pack the Place in Pink game, where fans support breast cancer patients through pink t-shirts whose profits support the cause (available at msubookstore.org). There’s plenty more to come throughout October and November, so don’t forget to follow the Bobcat football team’s journey until the end! For more details on the team’s schedule and game themes, visit www.msubobcats.com/sports/football.

Sports Galore
Although there aren’t many home football games during September, there are plenty more sports events throughout the month to keep athletics fans busy. The incredible Montana State volleyball team began their season in August with the Blackridge Invitational, where they played Washington on the 30th, and are set to compete against Middle Tennessee State on September 1st, right here on their home court. After that, they have a packed schedule of ten more games before they play at home for the last time in September on the 28th, where they face off against Northern Arizona. Like football, the Bobcat volleyball team has a full schedule all the way through November, so be sure you don’t miss out on all the fantastic games to come. Although they’re the two most popular, football and volleyball aren’t the only Bobcat teams starting their fall season. The men’s and women’s cross country teams and the women’s golf team all have a full September schedule, and although none have any home events, don’t forget to spread the Bobcat pride and keep up with each team’s successes. To view all four team schedules for this month and the rest of their seasons, visit www.msubobcats.com. 

Shakespeare in the Parks
Montana State is known for its support of the arts, as illustrated by its beloved outreach program, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Celebrating its 52nd year, Shakespeare in the Parks brings completely free performances of William Shakespeare’s famous plays to 65 communities across five states. Whether they’re performing in a school or a public park, the program always garners immense support from the communities they visit. Sponsored by local Bozeman companies and public donations, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been adored for decades, and can often be found rehearsing on MSU’s campus. This year, on September 10th, MSIP is bringing Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Grant Chamberlain Park on Montana State’s campus. Starting at 5:30 p.m., bring some friends, food, and seating to enjoy this riveting performance on its closing night. Be sure to check out these amazing performers before their tour ends, and make memories that will last a lifetime. To learn more about Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ schedule and mission, visit www.shakespeareintheparks.org. 

Inspirational Speakers
Every year, Montana State University hosts a variety of informative and inspirational speakers to educate their listeners about topics such as career-building, education, sustainability, and more. The best part about these presentations is that you don’t have to be a student to attend; they’re free and open to the public. The lineup of four special guest speakers throughout September is guaranteed to cultivate new ideas while motivating audiences. The first speaker is kicking off a series of sessions where Deans from Montana colleges share “994 Journeys,” the stories of how they pursued their chosen careers. Debuting on September 3rd, Associate Professor and Director of the Geospatial Core Facility, Dr. Eric Sproles will analyze how his love for rivers, snow, and maps inspired him to pursue higher education on the subject, and how these experiences led him to his position at MSU. Following him on the 18th is Heidi Brown, this fall’s Orser executive speaker. The Chief Marketing Officer of the NHL, Brown will outline her journey from a Montana upbringing to heading a major sports league’s marketing department. Later in the month, on September 23rd, Clemson University’s Professor of Environmental Sustainability, Gary Machlis will discuss the future of environmental sustainability inspired by his new book, Sustainability for the Forgotten. Ending the month is Isabel Allende, an acclaimed novelist participating in the annual President’s Crossing Boundaries Speaker Series. Allende will explore human resilience and emphasize the diverse perspectives she covers in her 27 bestselling books. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities to broaden your mind and perspectives! For more information on the times and locations of these events, visit www.montana.edu/calendar.