Trump hosts FCS Champion MSU Bobcats at White House

Members of the 2025 FCS Champion Montana State University Bobcat football team got a trip to Washington, D.C. and lunch on Wednesday as President Donald Trump met with students, coaches, the governor and members of Montana’s federal delegation.

The Bobcats won the title on Jan. 5, 2026, in overtime against Illinois State, capping off a 14-2 season complete with a victory in a Cat-Griz rematch in the FCS semifinals. About 90 members of the Bobcat football team and Montana State head coach Brent Vigen attended the event in Washington, D.C., according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. 

Rep. Troy Downing, Sens. Tim Sheehy and Steve Daines and Gov. Greg Gianforte also attended the ceremony and took photos with the team. NBC Montana reported the team spent time in the Rose Garden and a photo from Daines’ office showed the team on the steps of the U.S. Capitol as well.

The Chronicle added the plan was for the team to dine on burgers and Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream on Capitol Hill.

“What a day celebrating the @MSUBobcats_FB National Championship at the White House,” Downing said in a post on X. “Thank you, @POTUS, for recognizing these outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Bobcat community. Montana is proud!”

The Bobcat football team has had a remarkable run of success during the past decade under former head coach Jeff Choate and Vigen, who has a 61-12 record at Montana State since taking over the team in 2021. Vigen’s base contract is $295,000 and he earned around $180,000 in bonuses for winning the title, according to the Montana Free Press.

The Bobcats have made the FCS playoffs all five years under Vigen. The 2025 football title was the university’s first national title in football since 1984.

“Our players will remember this trip for the rest of their lives, and they’ve earned it,” Vigen said in a press release.

MSU President Brock Tessman called it a “tremendous honor for our entire university and for the state of Montana.” 

Gov. Gianforte said in a press release it was great to join President Trump to congratulate the Bobcats on their “hard work, discipline, and a commitment to excellence.”