Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame
Max Nield earned a Bachelor of Science in
Physical Education with minors in Social
Studies and English from Western Montana College of Education in 1958. Nield, a native
of southeastern Idaho, transferred to
Montana Western from Ricks College. He
was a member of the 1958 basketball team
that won the conference and district
championships and advanced to the
NAIA National Tournament. The team was
the first Bulldog team to win a game at the
National Tournament. Max also played
baseball during his time at Montana
Western.
He began his coaching and teaching career
at Townsend, Mont. Nield’s next stop was
Valier and then Dillon, where he taught
English and coached for 18 years. Max
owned East Bench Grain and Machinery,
Inc. for 40 years and has been an integral
part of the Montana Western and Dillon
community.
He received the UMW Distinquished
Alumni award in May of 2008. His senior
quote in the 1958 Chinook (Montana
Western Annual) was “Every man will
be thy friend.” His support of Montana
Western and the Dillon community
certainly illustrates his foresight, even
then, to serve his community. Nield and
his family have been long time supporters
of Bulldog athletics. Max has been married
to his wife Barbara for 60 years. Their family
includes three children; Rick, Sid and Tracy;
eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
