Coach featured speaker at breakfast
courtesy photo
Robin Selvig
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POLSON — Famed former University of Montana women’s basketball coach Robin Selvig will headline this month’s Boys and Girls Club Great Futures Breakfast.
The third annual affair will be held at Kwa- TaqNuk Resort and Casino Feb. 15 and features a free continental breakfast.
Open to everyone, the get-together serves as an opportunity for the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County to explain the vital services they provide and the positive influence they have on the community’s children, according to Executive Director Aric Cooksley.
“It gives us an opportunity to share from a number of perspectives the impact and life-changing effects the club has on kids every day,” he said.
The Club will also recognize the Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation for their longtime and vital commitment to overall operations.
Now in its 18th year, the Ronan facility is located just north of downtown on Highway 93 while the Polson club is temporarily located in the basement of the St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
The non-profit club’s after-school programs provide a positive and safe environment for some 500 youngsters ages 6 to 18 who utilize the club.
Daily attendance at the Polson club has reached capacity at 40 (with a waiting list); 60-70 visit the Ronan facility, which is open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. during the school year and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer.
Attendees receive both an afternoon snack and an evening meal.
“The feeding program guarantees a nutritious meal ensuring a full tummy no matter what other challenges they might encounter on the homefront,” Cooksley said.
With some 4,000 locations nationwide, the community- based clubs provide services for close to 4 million youngsters looking to expand opportunities for a member to graduate from high school with future plans, which demonstrate good character and citizenship in addition to living a healthy lifestyle.
“Every decision that we make in any area of the clubs operations focuses on these vital priorities,” he said.
Selvig retired as Lady Griz head coach at the end of the 2016 campaign after a 38-year career, compiling an 865-286 record that stood eighth among all women’s coaches.
A former UM player from Outlook, Selvig’s teams had but two losing seasons, reached the elite 20-win pinnacle 31 times and advanced to the NCAA Tournament 21 times. Selvig’s teams also captured 24 conference titles.
A former Grizzly player who played for the legendary Jud Heathcote, Selvig was honored as league Coach of the Year 21 times, was District Coach of the Year numerous times and was recognized on the national level by being nominated for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame three years ago.
He is a member of the University of Montana Sports Hall of Fame and the Montana Indian Hall of Fame that recognized his commitment to recruiting Native American players.
Selvig teams, yearly comprised of the best of Montana and especially local talent, have epitomized the familial yet highly competitive nature of collegiate athletics similar to lessons youngsters are exposed to at Boys and Girls clubs.
Donations for the club are accepted at the breakfast, which starts at 7:40 a.m. with the program lasting from 8-9 a.m. Due to anticipated high attendance, early arrival is encouraged.
