With Montana Tech’s men’s basketball team hosting the first two rounds of the NAIA National Tournament Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought it would be fun to catch up with an Oredigger great from a half century ago.

From 1971 through 174, Ted Ackerman scored 1,681 points while playing for the Orediggers. His 1972 team averaged just under 92 points, and the 1973 team went 20-8, giving the school its first 20-win season.

Ackerman then coached Butte High’s girls’ basketball team, where his teams compiled a record of 96-80 from 1982 through 1989.

Listen in as Ackerman talks about his playing days at Great Falls Russell and Montana Tech. Listen as he talks about coaching All-Americans and Butte Sports Hall of Famers at Butte High.

Listen to him talk about creating the masterpiece that is The Miners Hotel and the 51 Below Speakeasy. Listen as he describes what it was like to watch his daughter, Krystal, inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

This podcast is a great way to gear up for the biggest home Montana Tech basketball games in nearly 40 years.