By Mick Holien
Monty Bullerdick wasted little time when he transferred from Hal Sherbeck’s Fullerton College football program to the University of Montana prior to the 77 season.
His diminutive size at 5-10, 175 belied his tailback ability as he earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All American status, ranking second in the Big Sky in rushing after eclipsing the Century mark.
His running abilities came as no surprise as he ran for more than 1800 yards for Sherbeck and led Fullerton to an Acocado Bowl victory after claiming a conference title.
He still stands fifth in rushing at the two-year California school.
His 1022 yards were the second best ever for a single season packing the rock about half the time and averaging more than 100 yards a game while winning the Terry Dillon Award as the Grizzlies top back or receiver.
The Anaheim Ca product died recently at the age of 62.
Bull, who was known to occasionally frequent the Mo Club where I met him followed up the 100 yard season with 219 carries for 791 yards for Gene Carlson’s team which left him second to only Steve Caputo on the all-time list.
In just two years his 219 single season and 433 career carries at the time were the most by any Grizzly.
Bullerdick still stands tenth on the career rush list and he remains one of just a dozen Griz running back to eclipse the thousand yard mark.,
After retiring from teaching special ed in California, he moved back to Missoula, described on egriz as his favorite place.
Fullerton Sports Info Director Phil Thurman said a few years back he saw Bullerdick jump into a ring in Mexico and wrestle a bull to the ground.
”They broke the mold when Bull was born” he said. “He was tough as nails but a caring person who would give you the shirt off his back.”
Legendary coach Bob Petrino Sr died last week. I’ll have more on the life of Putter and the influence his family of coaches continues to have later this week.
On a positive note UM President Seth Bodnar made an impressive showing on about 300 alumni at a recent gathering at the Flathead Lake Lodge.
And he gets a taste of the lake life last weekend and spent some time downtown at the Cherry Festival.
He’s got his work cut out for him to get UM back on the enrollment tracks and I’m not thinking there will be too many weekends like that.
Just sayin’
