Rick Halmes, Support – Founder, Montana Pro Football Hall of Fame

Halmes was born in the Highwood Mountains in 1949. He attended one-room country schools through sixth grade. In 1966, he met coach Sonny Holland, who had been hired by Great Falls High School to coach football. Holland later became a coaching icon at Montana State. Holland encouraged Halmes to attend Great Falls High for his senior year, a decision Halmes credits with changing the course of his life. That year led to a college scholarship. Halmes attended Eastern Montana College, where he became a four-year starter at Center and Team Captain his Senior year.  After EMC, he enrolled at Montana State to complete his education degree, while practicing as a roper and a steer wrestler with the MSU rodeo team. Halmes competed professionally in early Montana Summer Circuit rodeos in the region. Football changed Halmes’ life, and his goal has been to give back to the sport as much as possible.