RollDiggs

The Frontier Conference Basketball Tournament returns to Butte this week, and RollDiggs brings together some of the voices and minds who know the game — and this community — best. In this special tournament preview episode, we’re joined by Josh Margolis , reporter for NBC Montana, and Butte basketball icon John Thatcher , whose more than 55 years of coaching have helped shape generations of player...

On this episode of RollDiggs, we sit down with Levi Torgerson, one of the most dynamic athletes in Montana Tech history. A native of Great Falls, Levi’s journey at Tech is unique — he began his collegiate career as a member of the Oredigger basketball program before becoming a two-sport athlete and eventually emerging as one of the most electric playmakers in NAIA football. During a historic 2025...

On this episode of RollDiggs we sit down with Chancellor Johnny MacLean to talk about the path that led him to Montana, and ultimately Butte. Chancellor MacLean shares his personal journey, his love of the mountains that are now home, and the experiences that shaped his leadership along the way. We also dive into the importance of mentorship, why investing in people matters, and how guidance and r...

In this special bonus episode of RollDiggs, Montana Tech head football coach Kyle Samson sits down to talk in depth about the seniors who have shaped the Oredigger Program. Coach Samson shares personal stories, leadership moments, and the impact each senior has had on and off the field, from the locker room to game day and everywhere in between. It's a meaningful look at the heart of Oredigger Foo...

In this episode of RollDiggs, we sit down with Montana Tech Athletic Director Matt Stepan to talk about a huge stretch for Oredigger Athletics. We preview the upcoming Dig Deep event, dive into volleyball and football playoffs, and explore what makes this time of year so exciting and so important for our student athletes, fans, and the future of the program. To read more about the Dig Deep event c...

This week on RollDiggs , we sit down with Montana Tech senior standout Hayden Diekhans — the reigning Frontier Conference Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Second-Team All-American. From his small-town roots in Geraldine and Fort Benton to becoming one of the most fearsome players in Oredigger history, Hayden shares his journey, his approach to leadership, and what this senior...

RollDiggs Podcast – “Building Oredigger Football Culture: EMETAD with Wacy Deegan” In this episode of RollDiggs, we sit down with Wacy Deegan to dive into the EMETAD Club, a cornerstone of Oredigger Football’s culture. Wacy shares the story behind the club, what it means to the team, and how it’s shaping the identity of Montana Tech Football both on and off the field. From building accountability...

In this special bonus episode of RollDiggs, we sit down with Montana Tech Head Volleyball Coach Brian Solomon to preview the upcoming Big Sky Volleyball Challenge. Coach Solomon gives us a quick rundown of the teams in attendance, a look at the weekend schedule, and shares how the Orediggers are feeling as they step into tournament play. It’s a fast-paced, inside look at one of the premier early-s...

On this episode of RollDiggs, we catch up with Montana Tech Head Football Coach Kyle Samson, who’s entering his sixth season leading the Orediggers. With fall camp in full swing, Coach Samson gives us a look behind the scenes at how the team is shaping up, what he’s seeing from veterans and newcomers alike, and how leadership, tempo, and toughness are setting the tone for 2025. It’s all about prep...

On this episode of RollDiggs, we sit down with Montana Tech Head Volleyball Coach Brian Solomon , who’s gearing up for his 14th season at the helm. From building a powerhouse program to navigating the highs and lows of competition, Coach Solomon shares what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and why he’s more fired up than ever for the season ahead. We talk team culture, new Frontier Conference op...

In this episode of RollDiggs , we follow the journey of Asa Williams—from his roots in Ohio to his rise as a leader on the Montana Tech basketball team. Asa opens up about the lessons he's learned along the way, the grind of becoming an impact player, and the connection he feels to the campus and community. It’s a story of persistence, purpose, and playing with passion. The episode was recorded wh...

In this episode of RollDiggs , we sit down with two familiar voices that help bring Oredigger Athletics to life. Josh Margolis of NBC Montana shares his perspective on covering Montana Tech and what makes Oredigger sports special from the media side. We’re also joined by Tom O’Neill, the longtime P.A. announcer who’s been the voice echoing through Alumni Coliseum and the HPER for years. Together,...

Join us for a special edition of RollDiggs as we sit down with retiring Montana Tech Chancellor Dr. Les Cook —a visionary leader whose impact on campus and the broader Butte community will be felt for years to come. In this candid, heartfelt conversation, Dr. Cook reflects on his years at the helm of one of the nation's top STEM institutions, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and what it...

This week on the RollDiggs Podcast , we're joined by special guest Abby Clark, All-American track and field standout for Montana Tech. With the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Nationals just around the corner, Abby shares her mindset heading into competition and what it means to represent the Orediggers on the national stage. We dive into her journey to Montana Tech—how she found her stride both on t...

In this episode of RollDiggs , we dig deep into the legacy and grit behind another of Montana Tech’s more unique and successful programs—the Mining Team. Host Paul Panisko is joined by special guests Kodis Campbell and Scott Rosenthall to talk all things international mining competition. From the history and traditions of this storied event to the dedication, training, and teamwork it takes to com...

In this episode, we sit down with Chuck Merrifield, the newly appointed head coach of Montana Tech’s track and field program. After spending 27 years as the athletic director at Butte High School, Merrifield brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and a deep connection to Montana athletics to the Orediggers. We’ll talk about his transition from A.D. to head coach, his vision for Montana Tech’s...

Kyle Samson became Montana Tech's head football coach on January 21, 2020 after serving as the program's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the season prior. In just his fourth season, Samson and his staff have led the Orediggers to back-to-back NAIA National Tournament appearances, and a 28-15 overall record. This episode focuses on the recruiting process, from first contact until signi...

Episode 3 celebrates our Oredigger seniors. The women's team will honor Aubrie Rademacher, Brooklynn Hankwitz, Kia Wasson, and Macy Mayer, while the men will recognize Ifeanyi Okeke, Keeley Bake, and Michael Ure. I was able to sit down and talk to Aubrie, Michael, Keeley, and Ifeanyi about their time here at Tech. We discussed what the carrot was that convinced them to sign with the Orediggers, as...

Jeff Graham was introduced as Montana Tech's head women's basketball coach on August 1, 2022. Graham came to Butte from Belt, Montana, where he built a powerhouse girls’ basketball program at Belt High School. During his tenure, the Huskies accumulated a 358-42 overall record, including six Class C state championships, seven divisional titles, 11 conference titles, and 11 district titles in 15 sea...

Welcome to RollDiggs , the brand-new podcast dedicated to Montana Tech Athletics! In this new series, we'll be diving into the heart of Oredigger sports, sharing stories, insights, and exclusive interviews with athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and more. To kick things off, we’re thrilled to have Men's Basketball Coach Adam Hiatt as our very first guest! Coach Hiatt will share his experiences, wha...