A few years back no one would have dreamed a major event like the 65th East-West Shrine Game would be played out in Laurel. But Al Bedoo Shriner Kenny Fichtner thought, "Why not? Laurel has the newest and best stadium in Montana."
For 63 straight years Great Falls hosted the all-star football game that has raised more than $1 million for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, WA. A three-city rotation began in 2009, beginning with Great Falls, Butte last summer and Billings this year.
But as it turned out, Daylis Stadium was booked with the Big Sky State Games the weekend of the East-West match. Fichtner jumped all over the chance and brought his scheme to host the event in Laurel to the table.
Fichtner is Past Potentate of the Al Bedoo Shrine Temple in Billings. He said he had long held the opinion that rotating the game would give it more exposure. He was instrumental in bringing the East Team to Billings to be fed, housed and trained in 1995.
more :The Laurel Outlook:Sports
For 63 straight years Great Falls hosted the all-star football game that has raised more than $1 million for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, WA. A three-city rotation began in 2009, beginning with Great Falls, Butte last summer and Billings this year.
But as it turned out, Daylis Stadium was booked with the Big Sky State Games the weekend of the East-West match. Fichtner jumped all over the chance and brought his scheme to host the event in Laurel to the table.
Fichtner is Past Potentate of the Al Bedoo Shrine Temple in Billings. He said he had long held the opinion that rotating the game would give it more exposure. He was instrumental in bringing the East Team to Billings to be fed, housed and trained in 1995.
more :The Laurel Outlook:Sports