Friday, December 11, 2009

Missoula businesses launch campaign to fill Washington-Grizzly for Saturday's game

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Fill 'er up.

The stadium, that is.

When the undefeated Montana Grizzlies face Appalachian State on Saturday, some members of the Missoula business community want Washington-Grizzly Stadium to be sold out to a hollering crowd. "First down ... Montana!"

Thursday, some 48 hours before kickoff, WGM Group's Brent Campbell was among the Griz fans who launched an informal campaign to get business owners to buy up remaining tickets and hand them off to employees in the quest to leave no seat empty for the Football Championship Series semifinal game.

"They do so much for our community," Campbell said of the University of Montana. "This is a way to give back."

The idea is to boost roaring and reputation. Campbell said the full stadium will raise the decibel level - and trip up the enemy. Plus, ESPN will be televising the game nationally, and a house packed to capacity at 25,200 will promote the mountain town of Missoula.

"It's getting a growing reputation as a great place to play football," Campbell said.

More than 18 employees or family members from his shop planned to root at Saturday's 2 p.m. kickoff. Among others on the Griz-wagon were Diane Beck at Windermere Real Estate, KPAX, the Rocky Mountain Development Corporation, and AMEC Geomatrix, he said.

http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_65df5908-e5f2-11de-93e4-001cc4c002e0.html