DILLON, Mont. – Montana Western continues to honor the 50th Anniversary year of the passing of Title IX by sharing the stories and history of women's athletics at UMW. Today honors a unique story of the Momberg sisters who are current student-athletes at Montana Western and are both members of the Montana Western Women's Basketball Team.
Joelnell Momberg
"Basketball was always a big part of what we did. It was one of the few sports where we came from in Box Elder. Sports is very important because Box Elder is so tiny, there was not a lot of stuff to do. Gyms and basketball were the only things available for us, so we took advantage of that and decided that we wanted to further our basketball careers and Western gave us that opportunity.
It was also important to our stepdad who is basically like our dad. He was also our high school coach and we grew up around basketball. It was around us so much, but it was never forced upon us. We just liked to play it so much. It was also something that gave us more opportunities as we got to travel with AAU and we got to see new places and meet new people.
On the court, I think it is pretty fun to play with Kyla. We used to throw her on our basketball team, but she would never get in because she was younger, did not like it, and was not very good. She would sit on the bench and just be so mad. In high school, we actually would push each other and argue on the court. We have matured a lot in that area. Now, we see each other and just kind of know where each other is at all of the time on the court. But, we definitely have grown up from when we were little. We do not fight as much on the court.
We are all really close back home and we went to school with all of the kids in Box Elder. The school administration who worked there, some of them are my Dad's family members and we became super close with them because we were neighbors and family. Everyone is really close and I think because of that, we have a really good support system. Everyone just loves basketball back home. Whenever they get the opportunity to watch it or cheer for someone who has made it out, they show up and they cheer. There was even one time that they brought a bus full of kids to Havre for one of our games and that was fun.
It is super important though to be here, especially for younger kids back home in Box Elder. There is not a high number of athletes that get the opportunity to go play at the college level and especially being able to do it with their sibling. It is important because we get to not necessarily be trailblazers, but we get to lead the way by showing a good example to kids back home, being a student-athlete, and excelling in that. To me, that is very important to be able to come from where we came from and to be here now.
I transferred from the University of Montana and I really just like the program that Woolley has built and the culture that he has created here. All of the stuff that we do here at Western just reminds me of back home where everyone supports everyone. And I think we eventually knew we wanted to play together so we had the opportunity to do so here.
I am very thankful for my family and my siblings for all of their support with us being here. I am super thankful to our teammates for putting up with us. They help to keep us in check so we are not fighting as much.
My siblings and family too, they are the ones who are always yelling during free throws at games. I am very thankful that they get to come to our games and watch us.
Work really hard and no matter was opportunities that are given to you, you are always making the best of any situation that you are in. Continue to keep moving forward and keep working for what you want to do."
Kyla Momberg
"Basketball opened opportunities for us to be able to play and having an older brother who also played basketball helped us to follow in his footsteps. He would help us out so it has always just been a family thing.
When we were little, I honestly hated basketball in general and I hated playing with my sister. Because she loved it, I hated it. But then through AAU and as I got older and took it more seriously, we actually did get along and I started to like basketball.
At first, I tried so many years to play on a team that would play against her. I wanted to go to one of her rival schools just to play against her. So, I thought I would end up at the Montana State University. Then she transferred and I thought well what am I going to do now?
Throughout the past year, I went from being the little sister who was always just the 'little sister' to wanting to be her teammate. I got talked into coming to Western for a visit and after that visit, I knew I was coming here. It worked out perfect and I think it was the best decision I have made. Some days I miss my mom so much, and I have Joelnell to go to here. Joelnell and I are actually like best friends now. I still go and stay with her and I will go and eat her dinner.
I am thankful to Coach Woolley and Coop. They do a lot behind the scenes that people do not see. I am very appreciative to them and all of our family and teammates for everything."
To view the Title IX page and other stories, click the link here:
Title IX - Montana Western, University of (umwbulldogs.com)
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