STRONG WOMEN STAND BESIDE MSU COACHES - (GRID)
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(GRID)
STRONG WOMEN STAND
BESIDE MSU COACHES
“To Win A Game, Coaches Have To Influence Players—Well, We Influence
The Coaches.” ~ JANET CHOATE
BY VANESSA MCMURRAY to a paralyzed politician. It was at conferences are won by coaches
E
her urging that Franklin Delano that surround themselves with
leanor Roosevelt was Roosevelt ran for and became strong individuals. Look behind
credited with the the 32nd President when others the leader, where a multitude
idiom, “Behind every encouraged him to retire after his of talented people work. These
great man stands bout with polio. Strength of the individuals must believe in team.
a great woman.” team will catapult a man to the
Words well spoken highest office in the country, and Ten women were chosen to make
by a woman married on the football field, games and the strength of team point for
2020_BCFM.indd 24 9/9/2020 8:40:23 AM
Coach Jeff Choate. They are
Shannon Udy
the wives of Montana State
University’s football staff.
Janet has been married to
Jeff Choate for 24 years. She
grew up in Dillon, Montana Being a coach's wife means a in fellow coaches' wives
and received an Art Education lot of going with the flow and and families. With each new
Degree from Western Montana I feel like I am still learning staff I have immediately felt
College. Besides being Jory (20) to do just that! In the four welcome and have fallen
and Jacy’s (16) mom, Janet has years Justin and I have been right into sync. That couldn’t
taught art in several schools married, we’ve lived in five be more true than here at
and presently is overseeing states—one for just four Montana State. Even with
the interior design work of a months—long enough for Covid-19 hitting right as we
boutique hotel in Dillon. Jory a single football season. In moved into town, I felt so
plays for the ‘Cats (#32), which 2018 we moved three times! at home and involved and I
adds another dimension to The initial announcement is loved that. The togetherness
Janet’s lfe as a coach’s wife. always exciting—we’ve been and mutual support is so
While balancing those roles, hired: a new coaching position; important and special. We
when August arrives, Janet rallies a new school; a new town; really are in this together. We
the other wives to set goals for a new house, a new staff. I know what different times
the upcoming season. She and now claim ‘expert packer’ of the season bring. When
her team discuss how they will status, since Justin usually time with our husbands is
conduct themselves with regard has to leave within a week limited, we plan accordingly
to media, what their goals are, after being hired, leaving me to help and be there for each
and how they can support each to pack the house. Everything other. Spring ball and season
other. “To win a game, coaches I buy for our house is from may be the busiest but it’s
have to influence players—well, the viewpoint of “will that be also my favorite! We get to
we influence the coaches,” easy to move?” Thanks to our see all the hard work put
says Janet. She works hard to amazing, supportive family, in during the other times
make that influence strong and I have never been left alone of the year come to life.
positive, as is evident in the to make the actual move and
other women she works with. am very thankful for that. I’ve never met a wife who isn’t
However, it is a little scary and just as passionate about
By Janet’s side for the fifth year is stressful moving someplace football as the coach! It’s
Jordan Moore, whose husband, you know little about, and hard not to be when you
Cole, is the Director of Football where you don’t know anyone. witness everything that goes
Operations. She is a Washington But it doesn’t take long to into making a great program.
girl, and met her husband while start to feel at home in a I’ve cheered in the stands,
he was playing football for the new place (at least, that has I’ve screamed, I’ve cried, I’ve
‘Cats. Jordan is the Bozeman been our experience so far). spent many games with my
Head Start Center Director but While a new move is always jaw clenched the entire time.
has also taken on making allergy- exciting, it also brings sadness And I love it. I really didn’t
friendly treats for the team. to have to leave a school. My understand what this life
She grew up watching football job has allowed me to work would bring when we jumped
and her dad believed you had remotely through all our in but I can't imagine it any
to know the game if you were moves. I know that, for others, differently. Being a coach's
going to watch it. Jordan pointed the added stress of finding a wife can be challenging at
out that “it is a valuable asset” new job in every new town times but, overall, I think
to be able to talk intelligently can be an added challenge. it is truly a blessing to be a
about football in a social setting part of and to witness all
or with other coaches. Being I have learned the true the behind-the-scenes love,
savvy about the game was a meaning of a “football support, and passion that
common theme each woman family.” I have made many makes college football and
brought up. The other trait wonderful life-long friends Montana State so special.
Jordan mentioned, as did every
other wife, was independence.
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2020_BCFM.indd 25 9/9/2020 8:40:24 AM
BOBCATS
Coach Brian Armstrong’s wife Shawna Potter spent the last could move there. Nate finished
Julie was born in Dupuyer, season in Boise, Idaho, where playing and was ready to go into
Montana. The family ranch dates she and her husband, tight coaching. He went back to Boise
back to 1882 and borders the ends coach Nate Potter, are to pursue his Masters and be a
Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. from. While the couple met GA, but Shawna stayed behind
It is no wonder it bred into her in high school, they went to in Phoenix until she could
an independent nature, capable separate colleges and dated transfer her job to Boise. Being
of handling teaching math to long distance. Shawna went to adaptable, independent, and
Belgrade eighth-graders, raising the University of Puget Sound learning to give and take is part
Michael (16) and Alissa (13), and and played basketball, while of the coaching life, but Shawna
being on hand to share in the Nate went to Boise State. Nate says it is well worth it. This
behind-the-scenes activities got drafted and went to play spring, Shawna finished grad
of the football program. In for the Arizona Cardinals. The school and now has a Masters
the fall, Julie’s weekends are couple lived apart until Shawna in Business Administration. Her
busy, as she enjoys Michael
and Alyssa’s sports activities;
then, as a family, they rally
to support their dad and the
Montana State Football Family. Janet Choate
One of this year’s additions to It takes a strong, confident and As football wives, we are
the MSU football family is self-reliant woman to comfortable being
Shannon Udy, whose husband, understand and embrace the independent. We run the
Justin, is the Bobcats’ Offensive coaching life. These amazing house, care for the kids, and
Coordinator. Shannon works women understand the if something goes haywire
from home as the Health pressure and responsibility at home, it’s up to us to fix
Educator for Great Plains Tribal of coaching, and their it. I can proudly say I’m the
Chairmen’s Health Board, a commitment to football is handyman in our house—and
position she acquired at South truly equal to their husbands’. all of the tools in the garage
Dakota and was able to continue When things fall apart or are mine. Jeff coaches football.
when she and Justin did their games are lost, it’s often left I do everything else. : )
stint at Texas Tech. Shannon up to us as coaches’ wives
will continue to work from to hold things together. We One of the things we enjoy the
home while she lends a hand to are the ones who pick up the most about this football
recruiting dinners and whatever pieces and support our coach coaching life is the close
else it takes to help the ‘Cats. unconditionally when the rest relationship we have with
of the world (at least the fan one another. We truly are
New also to the coaching staff is base) turns against them. a football family. Our staff
Jimmy Beal and his Billings- is very supportive of one
born wife, Cassie, who will offer These women understand the another and has a lot of fun
long distance support as she, time commitment coaching together. The coaches’ wives
Jenasee (14) and Trey (5) cheer requires. Our guys work are absolutely amazing! These
on the running backs from their 14-16 hours a day during women enthusiastically
home in Flagstaff, Arizona. the season with not a day pitch in with our recruiting
Cassie and the kids plan to off between August and weekends, staff dinners,
make it to several games, but December. Holidays, family hosting team meals, and
will don blue and gold to cheer celebrations and children’s baking homemade treats
on the ‘Cats wherever they events are not an option for for our players. There’s
are. Cassie Face-timed Jimmy coaches to attend. I’ve always something special about
and coached him on recipes said our time together is this staff—and it shows.
to make for players at South “quality, not quantity.” We These girls know the ups
Dakota, so distance support is make the most of our time and downs, ins and outs
not an unknown for the Beals. as a family, and appreciate of football. They sacrifice,
She is not the only wife who the sacrifices we all make for support and love this football
has learned the art of offering this game our family loves. life! All in all… they just get it.
support from a distance…
26 Bobcat Football Magazine
2020_BCFM.indd 26 9/9/2020 8:40:25 AMhopes are to join Coach Potter Kyle, Montana State’s safeties. Kerri grew up in Great
in Bozeman for his second Defensive Backs coach. She is Falls and attended Montana
season, where she looks forward a kindergarden teacher at Heck State to get her degree in Family
to entertaining and building Quaw in Belgrade. This is her Consumer Science. Kerri is the
new relationships within the 5th year as part of the Choate mother of Ava (2) and Kyson, who
Montana State Football family. team. Brittany loves the exciting was born this past February.
journey of the coaching world,
Jasmine Daly hails from Dallas, “the unknowns of where it will Christina DeLeo and Coach Erik
Texas and gravitates toward take you from year to year.” Frazier were hoping to fly to the
the players who are taken Another unknown is about to East Coast and be married in
aback at the snow. She attended present, as the Risinger’s await May, but Covid-19 restrictions
college at Ole Miss, where she the arrival of their first child have postponed the wedding
was their lead sprinter. She in May. Brittany sees adding a until May of 2021. Christina
understands and is protective child to the their busy life as is a physician’s assistant at
of the student athletes. She has a challenge, but because the SCL Health Family Practice
a physical therapy degree and football family at MSU is so in Bozeman. Offering strong
works at the Cozy Nest. “Bobby good, she says, “with our staff support is nothing new to
is a quiet guy,” Jasmine says you want to do it and you want Christina, who was on cheer
of Bobby Daly, Assistant Head to be around this program.” squad and positioned on the
Coach and linebacker coach, “I bottom of the tier. Supporting
am the outgoing one.” She is the Kerri Iaone agrees that the Erik has led her to get licensed
one who will say at functions, program and the football family in a couple states and, like
“Hi guys, Jasmine, nice to meet is special. The Iaones did a stint several of the other wives,
you—this is my husband.” She in Seattle after having been a left behind to do the moving
admits she takes over a room. part of the MSU program. During while her husband moves on
She likes being Janet’s right that time she Facebooked and to the next coaching position.
hand, and takes on greeting texted the Bobcat family to stay These women are the support
duties at the Recruiting Dinners. in touch and is glad to be back as behind the men with the
her husband Kane coordinates headphones that stride up and
Brittany Risinger is the wife of the defense and works with the down the sidelines on autumn
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2020_BCFM.indd 27 9/9/2020 8:40:30 AMBOBCATS
Brittany Risinger
Being a coach’s wife takes a that turn into weeks; to listen; dinners. It is a unique,
special skill set: Being extremely to pack his lunch; to take care incredible experience. The
independent and self sufficient of home base when he can’t Choates and our entire staff
from August-December, during be there, and to understand want our incoming families
recruiting season, spring ball, and this life. Six days a week my and recruits to immediately
summer camps. (No, he doesn't husband is gone before I wake feel a part of our big family.
have off after the regular football up and after I go to bed. I look We get to know families from
season); Being ready for major forward to Thursday night date around the country. We break
life changes and having some nights, the Friday hours, and bread with families different
serious packing and moving what’s left of a Saturday after from our own, yet we share
skills; Being flexible for ever- the game. We are grateful for the the unique bond of football
changing schedules and plans; nights and moments, knowing and a common goal of winning
Support for your man, for the they will pass too quickly. My national championships,
wins and loses, and the ups and husband always tells his players, creating a future for their boys,
downs. Support for the amazing “I spend more time with you in and showing their kids love.
coaches wives that surround the fall than I do with Brittany.
you. Support for your players. You are my family.” We want our Game day is our favorite,
players to feel loved, to feel like especially the four back-to-
Our Bobcat family has created a family. We have the boys in our back wins against the Griz! Our
culture shared between players, position group over to our house morning starts with nervous,
coaches, and coaches’ wives. for dinner. I love getting to know excited energy and an early
Our culture is team, unit, these boys and their families, ‘goodbye and good luck’ kiss.
me. Your team is the most and they appreciate a home- We bring our favorite tailgate
important, followed by your unit, cooked meal away from campus! cocktail and probably know
followed by yourself. You have to more about the game plan than
handle your day-to-day business In our second year as a staff, the most. We cheer on our team
to make your unit better to wives started baking weekly as they march between the
ensure your team’s success. for our position groups. Banana Fieldhouse and Bobcat Stadium.
bread, brownies, cookies, or my We anxiously take our seats
Each August Janet invites the latest attempt at a Pinterest in the stands for that very first
wives over for our annual recipe! In our third year, my kick off. We stand the entire
coaches’ wives meeting. We eat, husband preached about game, we know the players by
drink wine, and talk football. football being a production- first name, we hug and high five
We talk about how to support based business. The guys should each other uncontrollably, we’re
our coaches, each other, our only earn treats for a win, and there rain or shine, wind, snow,
players and their families, and individuals could earn plates of and in negative temperatures.
our team as a whole. August treats for take-aways or a pick 6! It’s difficult hearing fans criticize
is just the beginning. These Our players are like young boys or call out your husband on
ladies are my support system away from home for the first his calls, his position group, or
year round! We celebrate all time. Their families are at ease specific players. This is the life
the good things in and out of knowing that, along with our we signed up for, but it doesn’t
football—and we are there for program and our husbands, we get easier. I have learned to have
each other even more during are also there to take care of and thick skin in the stands. Our
the difficult moments, days, or support our players. We make coaches and players have given
weeks. Did I mention we started this clear to incoming recruits. their everything for this team.
a wine… I mean book club? These men have been grinding
Each January, the Choates day in and out on and off the
The most important thing I can welcome over 50 players and field. We are one thousand
do as a coach’s wife is to support their families and coaches percent into it. We know ball,
my husband after long days into their home for recruiting we support our players, we
28 Bobcat Football Magazine
2020_BCFM.indd 28 9/9/2020 8:40:32 AMknow our team’s end goal. story and have helped build the word they won't be having
Win or lose, we take the field success of this program. The a season this fall. I am filled
and stand by our coaches, faces may change year to year, with overwhelming anxiety
players, and their families. but our football family has only and stress as we all search for
expanded. We share our life answers. We are all begging for
Our Bobcat football family is stories along with defeats and a sense of normality, for sports
something incredible. In the five victories on and off the field. As to continue, for our health
years my husband and I have August approaches each year I and safety, and for a football
been at Montana State, we’ve am excited and anxious, as is season. Whatever happens, we
met and had to say goodbye to my husband. But this year feels will get through it together—
amazing coaches and coaches’ different, knowing that some the same way we show up
wives. They are all part of our schools have already received for each other year round.
Saturdays. They cheer in the Eleanor Roosevelt realized that do their part to prepare for a
stadium with the rest of the when she encouraged Franklin winning season. One hundred
fans, keenly watching their to run for president, her life plus young men will have brown
men and the young players had changed. These ten women paper bags full of goodies,
into whom they have invested understand that a successful their birthdays remembered
emotions and energy. program determines the and “family style meals” as
neighborhood they will live in they attend Montana State
Politics are dependent on the from fall to fall. They react with University to earn a degree and
votes of the populace and fortitude, as they scheme to get learn that one of life’s greatest
football is dependent on winning. behind their coach husband and strengths is strength of team.
2020 29
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