The Montana Athletes in Service (MAIS) Award recognizes outstanding collegiate student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their communities through volunteer service. Nominated by their colleges’ athletic directors, these remarkable students go above and beyond their commitments in the classroom and on the field, court, or track. Through their generosity, leadership, and willingness to serve, they embody the spirit of community engagement and inspire those around them. We proudly celebrate their accomplishments, their commitment to others, and the lasting difference they make in their communities.
Our 2022 Awardees
Virgil McCormick
Little Big Horn College | Basketball, Cross Country, Indian Relay Rider
Virgil McCormick
Little Big Horn College | Basketball, Cross Country, Indian Relay Rider
Virgil McCormick is a second-year Business student at Little Big Horn College competing in basketball, cross country, and Indian Relay. Volunteering 10–12 hours weekly, he supports youth basketball camps, athletic tournaments, powwows, and horse training for Indian Relay races. As a member of the Native American Club, he also promotes Indigenous cultural awareness. Virgil is passionate about helping young athletes succeed, encouraging them to pursue higher education, embrace their culture, and become role models for future generations.
Meg Delaney
Montana Tech | Women’s Basketball
Meg Delaney
Montana Tech | Women’s Basketball
Meg Delaney is a senior at Montana Tech studying Exercise & Health Science and a former women’s basketball player. Dedicating 40 hours each semester to community service, she has supported Dress a Child, clothing drives, and Walk to School Day. Through her involvement with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as a Frontier Conference representative, Meg has demonstrated leadership on and off the court. She believes in giving back to the community that supports student-athletes and building lasting relationships through service.
Maddie Geritz
Carroll College | Women’s Basketball
Maddie Geritz
Carroll College | Women’s Basketball
Maddie Geritz is a senior at Carroll College studying Elementary and Special Education while playing women’s basketball. As Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President and a Frontier Conference representative, she dedicates 2–4 hours weekly to service. Maddie organizes blood drives, Thanksgiving meals for families in need, and holiday gift donations. She also encourages local students to embrace respect, responsibility, and leadership. Grateful for Helena’s support, Maddie is committed to giving that same encouragement and generosity back to others.
Dylan Cunningham
Helena College | Hockey
Dylan Cunningham
Helena College | Hockey
Dylan Cunningham is a freshman at Helena College pursuing an Associate of Science degree and a hockey player for the Helena Bighorns. With 14 years of experience in the sport, he gives back by volunteering with the Learn to Skate program every Sunday during hockey season and coaching youth hockey and flag football. He has also supported recycling efforts through his high school’s National Honor Society. Driven by his love of hockey, Dylan is dedicated to helping the next generation of athletes learn, grow, and discover their own passion for the game.
Courtney Mitchell
Salish Kootenai College | Women’s Basketball
Courtney Mitchell
Salish Kootenai College | Women’s Basketball
Courtney Mitchell is a junior at Salish Kootenai College studying Wildlife and Fisheries while playing women’s basketball. As Student Senate President, she demonstrates leadership both on campus and in her community. Volunteering four hours each week with Food Box Fridays and the campus food pantry, Courtney helps ensure students have access to healthy food. Recognizing the challenges of food insecurity in Tribal communities, she is passionate about giving back and supporting the well-being of those around her.
Blayne Hubing
Miles Community College | Rodeo
Blayne Hubing
Miles Community College | Rodeo
Blayne Hubing is a third-year Agricultural Production student at Miles Community College competing in rodeo. Contributing over 50 hours of service each semester, he supports youth rodeos, roping events, 4-H activities, and rodeo training schools. As a Resident Assistant and Student Senate participant, he also serves his campus community. Passionate about agriculture and mentoring young people, Blayne shares his knowledge with elementary students and coaches youth basketball, helping preserve Eastern Montana’s agricultural and rodeo traditions.
Catie Semadeni
University Of Montana | Volleyball
Catie Semadeni
University Of Montana | Volleyball
Catie Semadeni is a University of Montana graduate student studying Health and Human Performance and Public Administration while playing volleyball. As Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President, she dedicates 4–10 hours weekly to service, supporting youth programs, food assistance, senior outreach, and campus wellness initiatives. Aspiring to become a neonatal nurse, Catie is passionate about helping children and families. Through her leadership and love of connecting people, she strives to create a lasting impact on her campus and community.
Nakola Bad Bear
Montana State University | Women’s Basketball
Nakola Bad Bear
Montana State University | Women’s Basketball
Nakola “Kola” Bad Bear is a senior studying Community Health and Human Development while playing women’s basketball. A member of the Crow Tribe, she founded and leads the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Student Association and organized the 2022 and 2023 No Stolen Sisters basketball games. Contributing 1,000 hours of service in just seven months, Kola channels her experiences of community loss into advocacy, raising awareness and using her voice to inspire understanding, solidarity, and meaningful change.
Mesa King
The University Of Montana Western | Women’s Basketball
Mesa King
The University Of Montana Western | Women’s Basketball
Mesa King is a redshirt senior at the University of Montana Western studying Education and playing women’s basketball. Through youth basketball coaching, student teaching, and the Association of Student-Athletes, she dedicates approximately 5–10 hours to supporting young people and her community. Mesa values the meaningful connections she builds through service and the positive experiences she shares with youth. Embracing her role as a student-athlete, she strives to inspire the next generation and make a lasting difference in their lives.
Jacob Steinle
Flathead Valley Community College | Logger Sports
Jacob Steinle
Flathead Valley Community College | Logger Sports
Jacob Steinle is a sophomore at Flathead Valley Community College studying Forestry and serving as captain of the Logger Sports team. Volunteering 4–6 hours weekly, he supports food banks, veterans, families in need, and local nonprofits. As Vice President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa, Jacob also organizes volunteer projects and encourages fellow students to participate. Guided by faith and gratitude, he believes service means putting others first and inspiring a ripple effect of kindness throughout his community.
Derek Bell
Aaniiih Nakoda College | Archery
Derek Bell
Aaniiih Nakoda College | Archery
Derek Bell is a second-year Industrial Trades student at Aaniiih Nakoda College who has earned a Welding Certificate and serves as captain of the Archery Club. He teaches traditional archery, helps an elder farmer care for her fields and horses, tends the campus garden, and volunteers at the PAWS animal shelter. Giving his mornings, evenings, and weekends to service, Derek quietly demonstrates generosity and dedication. His willingness to help without expecting anything in return makes him a valued member of his community.
Payton Meyer
Montana State University Billings | Softball
Payton Meyer
Montana State University Billings | Softball
Payton Meyer is a junior at Montana State University Billings studying Health and Human Performance while playing softball. A Billings native, she contributes 40–50 hours of community service annually through the Salvation Army, Lewis & Clark Discovery Zones, and MSUB Service Saturdays. Grateful for the community that helped raise her, Payton is passionate about giving back. She embraces her responsibility as a student-athlete to inspire younger girls, demonstrating that being a role model extends far beyond the softball field.
Dulci SkunkCap
MSU Northern | Women’s Basketball
Dulci SkunkCap
MSU Northern | Women’s Basketball
Dulci SkunkCap is a junior at MSU-Northern studying Integrated Health Science and playing women’s basketball. As a Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor, and Vice President of the Sweetgrass Society, she dedicates approximately 13 hours weekly to tutoring and community service. Participating in more than 14 service projects, Dulci supports youth basketball, Indigenous community events, suicide awareness initiatives, and local fundraisers. Grateful for Havre’s support, she gives back with compassion, leadership, and a commitment to helping others.
Connor Chase
Dawson Community College | Cross-Country, Track
Connor Chase
Dawson Community College | Cross-Country, Track
Connor Chase is a sophomore at Dawson Community College studying Environmental Science with a focus on Wildlife Management while competing in cross-country and track. Contributing 60 hours of service each semester, he mentors students, maintains state park trails, supports campus events, and volunteers with youth programs and outreach efforts in Billings. Connor finds joy in making life easier for others and strives to be someone his community can depend on. His generosity and dedication reflect a genuine passion for making a difference.
