UM Western’s Tori Murnion receives Montana Athletes in Service Award

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement has recognized 14 student-athletes with the 2025 Montana Athletes in Service Award, including Montana Western’s Tori Murnion. The annual award highlights one student from each affiliate campus who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community service while competing in collegiate sports. Recipients, honored during halftime at the Brawl of the Wild on Nov. 22, include Murnion, a senior from Jordan who is active in student government, local rodeo events, and peer mentoring.

Full release:

The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) has recognized fourteen student-athletes with the Montana Athletes in Service Award (MAIS), including Montana Western’s Tori Murnion.

For over 30 years, the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement and its campus affiliates have supported students, faculty, and communities across Montana with programs that encourage and recognize community service. The CEO Council of the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement is proud to honor these athletes whose extensive volunteer efforts have greatly benefited their communities.

Each year, the MCNCE honors one student-athlete from each affiliate campus across the state who demonstrates exceptional dedication to serving their community while pursuing their college degrees or certificates and competing in collegiate sports. The 2025 MAIS award recipients are:

Tori Murnion – University of Montana Western – Rodeo

Kayle Addison – Little Big Horn College – Basketball

Cameron “Cam” Blevins – Miles Community College – Volleyball

Kennedy Venner – Carroll College – Softball

Tayla Undem – Dawson Community College – Softball

Walker Burshia – Fort Peck Community College – Basketball

Owen Smith – MSU–Northern – Basketball

Colton Seymour – Salish Kootenai College – Basketball

Justus Peterson – Montana Tech – Football, Track & Field, Rodeo

Blaine Shaw – Flathead Valley Community College – Logger Sports

Brooke Stayner – University of Montana – Track & Field

Nova Rosman – MSU Billings – Cheer & Stunt

Amelio Blackhorse – Chief Dull Knife College – Basketball, Rodeo

Taylee Chirrick – Montana State University – Basketball

The recipients were recognized during halftime of the 2025 Brawl of the Wild game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on November 22.

Tori Murnion is a senior from Jordan, Montana, majoring in Business. Outside of rodeo, Tori is a senator in the Associated Students of Montana Western (ASUMW), an organizer for the Labor Day Rodeo in Dillon, and a peer mentor.

Tori exemplifies a strong commitment to service, both in and out of the arena. Her dedication to helping others—whether through supporting her community or mentoring —makes her an inspiring role model for her peers and the broader community.