Joe Glenn makes record-setting return
If you know Joe Glenn, it probably won’t surprise you that he helped draw a record crowd to Wednesday night’s KPAX-TV Sports Awards Banquet at the Holiday Inn.
Resplendent in a pink blazer, jeans, cowboy boots and a white collarless buttoned shirt, Glenn started his gig by sitting down at a piano and leading the crowd of nearly 400 – already on their feet to welcome him back with a standing ovation – in the Grizzly fight song.
Then he told some stories, reflected on his two stints at the University of Montana, talked about the waiting game he’s playing with his wife, Michele, as he takes a break from football and ponders his future, and once again thanked the myriad of friends he made during his combined years in Missoula.
Unlike many who speak at such events, Joe came early and stayed late. The social hour didn’t officially start until 6 p.m., but Joe was already working the sparse crowd in the atrium by 5:30 or so.
But then his whole life is, and has been, a social hour.
When the banquet was over, rather than running off to spend time with a few of his closest buds, he hung around well after the event ended, shaking hands, signing autographs, simply making himself available to another horde of well wishers, and thoroughly enjoying himself.
Word has it he remembered the names of virtually everyone who came up to greet him.
Today I recalled the first time I met Joe when he came to Missoula with the Doane College basketball team in late 1979. I couldn’t believe somebody could be that friendly, that outgoing, that happy!
He hasn’t changed a lick since that first meeting.
I asked Missoulian sportswriter Fritz Neighbor, who interviewed Joe earlier in the week for his column, if Joe was still taking the happy drugs. Fritz said he was. Joe proved it Wednesday night.
In a world where so many things are not as they seem, Joe Glenn is exactly as he seems.
It seems a lot of people could learn a lot from Joe Glenn.
Just another day in college football’s nicest guy. Bravo for writing a story about his visit. I have been wondering what he is up to. I was at UNC when JG was…what a difference he made in attitude…not only athletes but yours truly. Thanks Bill
Comment by Trevor — May 18, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Hey great to hear Joe is doing good. Alot of us at the University of Wyoming think he got the short end of the stick and wish we had him back. Miss you Joe you will always be the only “COWBOY JOE”.
Thanks Luke
Comment by Luke — August 15, 2009 @ 11:25 am
UW lost more than they’ll ever gain when they gave Joe Glenn the pink slip. Glad he’s back in Missoula where he’s appreciated.
Comment by john — August 29, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
Joe Glenn and Michelle have been a class act. Great people.
Rick
Comment by Rick Kern — October 27, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
Does anyone know if Joe has accepted another coaching position for the upcoming season? Not only did he beat Tennessee at Tennessee, Mississippi at Mississippi and UCLA in a bowl game, but he was the driving force behind a facilities modernization program that will hopefully allow the program to recruit players from a broader section of the country. People forget that Joe spent more than a few years without an indoor practice facility at 7200 feet above sea level in Laramie. Try recruiting in california with that handicap.
philip
Comment by Philip Treick — November 5, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
Joe stated to the Missoula paper he would not consider returning as the Grizzly head coach now that Hauck has accepted the UNLV job, but that he would be interested to see who they hand the keys too.
Comment by Kurtis — December 24, 2009 @ 2:19 am
Life is good when Joe and Michelle bring their sunshine to Missoula even on the cloudiest of days .
Comment by d chase — January 13, 2010 @ 12:31 pm