1967 Boys Basketball Team
Hello, my name is Clifford Foote. I have been employed by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority for 12 years. On December 2008, the St. Labre Indian School’s 1967 State Championship Class C Basketball Team was inducted into the Montana Indian Althletic Hall of Fame in Billings, Mt. I am proud to say that I was a member of this team.
Being a member of the first team to have accomplished this feat has special meaning that will last a life time. Our entire team, with the exception of our Head Coach, Grinell Claymore who passed away years ago, was able to attend the induction ceremonies which were held at the Montana State University- Billings. The team members are as follows: Winfield Russell, Adrian Foote, Rudolph King, Jr., Dwight Stewart, Eugene Limpy, George Bement, Orville Two Bulls, Billy Two Moons, Lloyd Spang, Nathaniel Littlebird, and myself. Our Assistant Coach, Leonard Guardipee was also able to attend.
Back in 1967 when the tournament was being held in Helena and our team made it into the Championship game, many of our fans were unable to make the trip due to a severe snowstorm. If they were able to make it through the storm, they would not have been admitted into the gym as it was already filled to capacity at 3,500. A major factor in intimidating the other team was when our team entered the gym all wearing war bonnets. The entire audience, except for the opposing team, stood and cheered for us. The gym shook and vibrated, the noise was so loud. Our team did not have the height as our tallest player was 6′1″, but we made up for it in speed. We often out-rebounded our taller opponents. The final score: St. Labre 72, Stanford 70.