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When Gene Lescantz converted a 1977 Blue Bird Bus into a tailgating motorhome earlier this year, Grizzly football became a family affair.

“I promised everybody I'd have it ready to go this year so we could tailgate properly,” Lescantz said last Saturday before the Montana Grizzlies' season opener, as tailgate season in western Montana officially got under way. “This is its maiden voyage.”

Hovering over the chili pot, which always runs hot inside this pre-game Coup deSwille, Lescantz explained that he became a dedicated Griz aficionado in 1970, after moving to Missoula from Anaconda to attend the University of Montana.

“I just fell in love with Missoula and the Griz,” he said. “We thought about moving someplace with a warmer climate in the winters, but decided it would be too far to drive for Grizzly football.”

Over the years, he's perfected the art of tailgating, employing a variety of RVs and motorhomes to entertain family and friends.

In the beginning, when the Grizzlies played off campus at Dornblaser Field, the pre-game party was considerably more spartan. Lescantz attended every game as a college student, but usually just with a buddy or two in tow, and without the luxury of a full-size camper.

But since tailgate parties are part of the camaraderie of attending a Griz game, Lescantz knew he'd have to take the next step to achieve the ultimate tailgating experience - and to accommodate his increasingly large family and its corresponding fanaticism.

“We needed something more for our tailgating purposes,” Lescantz said.

So it was.

At its inaugural excursion, the bus sported “GRZFANS” license plates, a maroon interior and a painted banner reading “Go Grizzlies” emblazoned on its side, which drew plenty of envious stares from the local rabble.

“I did the big work on putting things together, but the whole family pitched in on the Griz decorating,” he said. “And when you're tailgating, you get a lot of beer drinking, so I went ahead and installed two bathrooms.”

And for anyone wondering if Lescantz and his faction will cozy up to their Grizmobile at every home game, the man has your answer: “Does a bear doo-doo in the woods on Tuesday?”

Reporter Tristan Scott can be reached at 523-5264 or at tscott@missoulian.com

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