On St. Patrick’s Day in 1984, Butte High’s boys’ basketball team beat Great Falls High 53-50 to capture the Class AA State championship.

It was Butte High’s first title since 1958.

The head coach of the Bulldogs that night, and for the next decade, was Pat Foley.

The win in the championship game came three months after Foley’s Bulldogs edged Butte Central in an overtime thriller at the Butte Civic Center. The Maroons won the Class A crown a week earlier in Butte.

Five years later, Foley’s Bulldogs entered the championship game with a 21-0 record. This time, Butte High fell to Kalispell in the title tilt in Billings. The score was the same as in 1984, 53-50.

Coach Foley will get to be a part of two reunions this year. The 1984 team will be in town to celebrate the 40thanniversary of their victory. They will appear in the St. Paddy’s Day Parade.

Then, the 1988-89 Bulldogs will be inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame this July 19-20.

Coach Foley led the Bulldog boys for 12 years, compiling a 161-109 record. Only the great Swede Dahlberg has won more games at Butte High School. Before that, Coach Foley led the Butte High girls’ team. His Bulldogs placed third at State in 1981.

Listen in as Coach Foley talks about coaching the Bulldogs and Maroons. Listen in as he talks about his playing days at Butte Central and how Tom O’Neill saved his life.

Listen to how he got into coaching and how happy he is to see longtime assistant coach and friend Dan Lean join the Hall of Fame with his 1989 Bulldogs this summer.

Listen to how he tries to kill the chances of me ever landing a sponsorship from McDonalds. Listen to hear how a guy who says he doesn’t like to talk can talk with the best of them.

Today’s podcast is presented by Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warrantee.

Watch the 1984 Class AA State championship game below. It starts with the final minutes of the third-place game.