Montana Western, University of

Mike Charlton, a native of Forsyth, Mont., is a 1968 graduate of Western Montana College with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education.

Charlton was a four-year Bulldog football letterman doing double duty as a tight end and defensive end. He earned first team all-conference honors at tight end. He was a member of the 1967 Frontier Conference championship team and selected as one of the team captains.

One of his highlight games came during the 1966 season. In a 40-0 thumping of Rocky Mountain College, Charlton intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble. The Bulldog defense held the Rocky offense to five, second half yards.

Charlton was active around campus including serving as a treasurer of M-Club and as an active participant of Western’s intramural program. He was selected as a 1968 intramural basketball  and volleyball all-star. 

In the fall of 1966, Charlton was selected as Lil’ Abner at the annual Sadie Hawkins dance. During the 1968 Go Western festivities, he received the prize for the best beard.

Charlton began his academic career at Boulder High School in Boulder, Montana. He taught and coach and retired after 28-years. Charlton coached both football and track.

In 1980, he was the Class B track coach of the year and after many years as an assistant coach, he was head coach of the Class B All-Star game in 1992.

After leaving the education field, he began a second career as a house builder. Charlton’s two sons, Brett and Chris, followed in their Dad’s footsteps by playing football at Western.