Podcast
The ButteCast with Bill Foley
Hosted by Bill Foley · EN
Let's get to know some of the characters who make Butte, Montana the "Richest Hill on Earth."
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No 370: Remembering Dan Sullivan
1w ago01:22:18Tap to summarizeThere are legends, and then there are legends.Dan Sullivan fell into the latter category. He was a legend among legends. He was a Butte Sports Hall of Famer and a Montana Grizzly Hall of Famer.He was a Hall of Famer in life.Dan passed away Thursday night at the age of 86, and we already miss him. We miss the stories. We miss the laughs. We miss the singing.Dan was such a legend that one nickname wasn’t enough. He was widely known as “Dusty Dan” and “Deep Court Dan.” I always thought the “Deep Court” moniker came from his days in the handball court, where he was known for rolling the ball out from deep in the court.As it turns out, however, that nickname came from a writer in Missoula who noted that Dan could score the basketball from very deep in the court. So, the nickname was fitting for two sports. Dan graduated from Butte Central in 1958. He was a basketball star for the Marrons before playing basketball for the Grizzlies. At the University of Montana, Sullivan roomed with his good friend and Butte High Bulldog legend Bob O’Billovich.After serving in the Army, Dan ended up teaching for decades at Butte High School. His law class used to fill up faster than a Springsteen concert sold out. He was that popular as a teacher.In February of 2023, Dan met me inside the Vault at the Metals for a great conversation.After his passing, I figured today would be a great time to bring back his episode of the ButteCast. I figured it will be for all of us to hear the voice of Dan Sullivan one more time.I will have more on his passing in my next column. It is going to take a few days to digest.Funeral arrangements are still pending. I encourage all individual members of the Butte Sports Hall of Fame to wear their Green Jacket when attending the funeral.Today's podcast is brought to you by Thriftway Super Stops. Join the Thriftway Loyalty Club today and save big. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →No. 369: Reece Cox
1w ago01:24:13Tap to summarizeIf a guy could make a living coaching American Legion baseball, then today’s guest would be a lifer. Reece Cox just seems like he was born to coach youth baseball.In fact, the calling was so strong that Reece put off starting his career as a physical therapist in Denver for a few months so he could coach the Butte boys one more summer.For the past decade or so, Reece has been one of the most influential people involved in the revitalization of the Butte Legion program.He started as a player during the first year of 3 Legends Stadium in 2017. He was part of Butte Miners teams that came within one game of the Class A State tournament three years in a row.The year after his playing days ended, he was a coach in the program as the Miners won the district, state and regional titles in 2022.Reece has coached the Butte Motormen and Butte Muckers, the two feeder programs for the Miners. He has helped develop players, and his teams have won a lot of games. They have won a whole lot more than they lost.Today, Reece is in the process of moving to Denver to start his career as a physical therapist. This comes after the 2020 Butte High graduate earned his degree and credentials at the University of Montana.He says this is a great opportunity for him to work hard to become the best physical therapist as he can be, but he says he will be back in the Mining City someday.Last evening, I met with Reece at the Jack Crowley Clubhouse at the Highland View Golf Course for a fun conversation.Listen in to learn that there is an art to taking a bean ball, something that Reece did better than just about anybody.Listen to hear why Reece postponed that career start to coach the Legion baseball team. Listen as Reece describes PT as basically just another form of coaching. Listen in to hear that Reece is undefeated in fights with his younger brother, Quinn, an accusation Quinn vehemently denies. Listen in to hear how Reece’s older brother, Shane, is deadly throwing playing cards. Listen in to why Reece decided to go into physical therapy in the first place.Like with coaching baseball, this just might be a calling.Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by the Jewelry Design Center. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →No. 368: Remembering Don Peoples Sr.
2w ago01:08:50Tap to summarizeThis past weekend, we celebrated the induction of the Butte Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026.This class of 12 individuals and five teams was the 20th class for the local shrine, which welcomed its first class of Butte sports immortals in 1987.Notably, it was the first class without its founder, Don Peoples Sr.Peoples, who served as chief executive of Butte-Silver Bow from 1979 until the summer of 1989, came up with the idea for the Butte Sports Hall of Fame during a conversation at a county Christmas party. He said he woke up the next morning, and it still seemed like a great idea. So, Peoples called Pat Kearney, and the rest is history.Peoples was also the chief executive who helped guide the Mining City through the tough economic times of the 1980s. He is the man who named us the “Can-Do City” and he pushed for Butte to be named an “All-American City.”Peoples was the patriarch of a great family full of athletes, coaches and some just awesome people.During the Butte Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet Saturday night at the Butte Civic Center, I said a few words about Peoples, who passed away at the age of 86 on March 18. Instead of a moment of silence, we gave him a long ovation to show our appreciation for all his great work.In light of that induction, which included his son, Don Peoples Jr., I decided to bring back the Don Peoples Sr.’s episode of the ButteCast. Mr. Peoples welcomed me into his home nearly four years ago to talk for my very first episode. That episode debuted on Sept. 12, 2022.At the time, Peoples Sr. was still riding a high from his grandson Dougie’s 27-foot buzzer-beating shot that gave Butte Central the Class A State boys’ basketball title that March.Listen in as Peoples talks about that legendary shot, his family and his work to help Butte survive the 1980s.Today's podcast is brought to you by Leskovar Honda, home of the friendly non-commission sales staff that always has your back. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →Tap 'er Light: The secret of Coach Street’s success
2w ago00:10:55Tap to summarizeJim Street has long been a legend in the Mining City.He epitomizes the saying “Butte Tough,” and he just might be the greatest coach who ever lived. In any sport.This weekend at the Butte Sports Hall of Fame induction for the Class of 2026, however, Street took that legend to a whole new level.That is what today’s column is about. You can read it for yourself at ButteCast.com.Opening music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com.
Transcribe →No. 367: Cory Cachola
2w ago01:27:36Tap to summarizeCory Cachola is a 1992 Butte High graduate who is doing some great things out in Portland, Oregon.I would tell you what he is doing, but I am not entirely sure. I just know much of his work involves the dreaded artificial intelligence, and those letters “AI” scare the bejesus out of all of us.Cory and I were journalism students together at the University of Montana in the 1990s. I can honestly tell you that he is the most talented writer I have ever worked with. In 1996, we worked together as interns at The Montana Standard, where we got a real introduction to the ways of the newspapers.He has been in Portland now for nearly a quarter of a century, but he is still very much a Butte guy. He went to Emerson Elementary, where he earned the nickname “Chewy” while playing “Kick The Ball.”At the Kennedy and Blaine schools, we played “Kickball.”Cory’s mother, Georgene, was my teacher at Butte High. She was the advisor for The Mountaineer, Butte High’s school newspaper. You might remember Cory’s sister, Lurene Kelley. She started her television journalism career at KXLF.Earlier today, I met with Cory over Zoom for a fun conversation. Listen in as we talk about the origin on his nickname and how those Emerson kids were just a little different.Listen in as we reminisce about our days at J School and the Standard. Listen in as Cory explains that AI is not necessarily a bad thing.Listen as we ask ourselves the very important question, “What would Neil Buckley do?”Today's podcast is brought to you by Casagranda's Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.Today's episode is also available on YouTube.
Transcribe →Tap 'er Light: It was just Butch being Butch
3w ago00:11:51Tap to summarizeThe Butte Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 20th class this weekend. It is a class that, in a lot of respects, is long overdue. The class includes the late Jane Pascoe and Greg Salo. It also includes Brian Bolton, Bernie Brophy, Shirley Chesterfield-Stanton, Susie Hogart-Harrington, John Kovacich, Scott Paffhausen, Kevin Parvinen, Don Peoples Jr., Chunky Thatcher and Butch Starin.Today I am writing about Butch. I have known Butch longer than any of the other inductees. I have known Butch so long that I do not remember not knowing him.Also, Butch has to miss the induction. His son is getting married that day. Talk about timing. I’ve been hoping Butch would get the call to the Hall of Fame for a couple of decades. When he finally does, he has a conflict that you could not possibly miss.Butch will be there for the Green Jacket Ceremony on Friday night, though. Somehow, Butch will probably steal the show. In my eyes, he always does. Good or bad, it just comes naturally to him.That is what today’s column is about. You can read it for yourself at ButteCast.com.Opening music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com.
Transcribe →No. 366: Janelle Garza
3w ago01:16:04Tap to summarizeJanelle Garza is one tough woman. That was evident when she completed the Copper Kings 100 in just under 34 hours last month.That is a 100-mile running race with nearly 14,000 feet of vertical gain and loss.Finishing that race in impressive fashion, though, is only part of the story of Janelle, who is the daughter of a pair of horse jockeys. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she excelled in soccer. She made her way to the Treasure State to study wildlife biology at the University of Montana in Missoula.After graduation, however, she struggled to find a job in her field. She spent one summer working as a wrangler at a dude ranch in Big Sky before she ended up working the environmental field. For almost two years, she has worked as an environmental compliance specialist for NorthWestern Energy. Janelle loves to work out, and she was well known for her weight lifting at the Butte Family YMCA. Eventually, that led to an invitation to join a Spartan Race.Suddenly, Janelle was hooked on running. She ran a 100-kilometer race last year, and that led to the Copper Kings 100. Oh, and Janelle and her husband, Reyes, have a business called Off Grid Health, Fitness, & Outdoors. Click here to let them help you with your journey to better health or just to enjoy the great outdoors.Earlier today, I met with Janelle inside the Vault at the Metals Sports Bar & Grill for a fun conversation. Listen in as Janelle talks about the journey that led her to Butte. Listen as she talks about transforming from someone who doesn’t like to run at all into a person who finished a 100-mile race. Listen in to hear that she isn’t done testing the limits of her body and mind.Today's podcast is brought to you by Thriftway Super Stops. Join the Thriftway Loyalty Club today and save big. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →No. 365: Remembering Greg Salo
3w ago01:28:33Tap to summarizeNext weekend, the late, great Greg Salo will finally take his rightful place among Butte’s greatest sports legends when he is inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame.To say that this induction is bittersweet is a major understatement.The Butte Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was officially announced during a press conference at the Butte Civic Center on Feb. 11. That was one day before the one-year anniversary of Salo’s passing at the age of 72.It is sad because the man I always called “Coach” will not be there to enjoy his long-overdue moment in the sun. If the Butte Sports Hall of Fame selection process was more like the Baseball Hall of Fame or the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he would have been inducted decades ago.The Butte Sports Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1987, and it has been playing catchup ever since. Salo was one of those guys who kind of got stuck in the middle.When the Hall of Fame began, he was competing against the likes of Bob O’Billovich, “Jumpin’” Joe Kelly, Sweed Dahlberg and Milt Popovich.As the years went on, he found himself competing against people like Josh Paffhausen, Don Douglas, Randy Street and Gary Kane.Salo is not alone when it comes to these great men and women who were stuck in the middle. The Class of 2026 has several as we try to fill these major voids in the shrine. But again, it is heartbreaking that he will not be there to don his Green Jacket.However, I will try not to dwell on the fact that Salo will not be there for the Green Jacket Ceremony and the Induction Banquet next week. Instead, I am going to celebrate the great athlete and coach. I’m going to celebrate the Butte legend. I’m going to celebrate a great man who treated every person he ever encountered like he or she was something special.Salo’s star shined bright from a young age in the Mining City. He earned All-American honors as a football player at Butte High.Not just all-conference or All-State. He was an All-American.Salo eared that honor while playing for the Bulldogs in 1969. That was his third straight year as an All-State inside linebacker for the Bulldogs. He also started at quarterback during that senior season, tossing nine touchdown passes.He was a key member of Butte High’s back-to-back State championship teams in 1967 and 1968.Salo, who also played three years on the varsity basketball team at Butte High, went to UCLA to play football. According to a newspaper story announcing his signing at UCLA, Salo said he picked the Bruins over about 30 other schools that recruited him.After one season in Los Angeles, Salo transferred to the University of Montana, where he played linebacker for the Grizzlies.Of course, more people probably know Salo as a coach. His long coaching run included almost a decade at Montana State, where he served as the defensive coordinator for the Bobcats. Then he became head coach at Butte High School, where he led the Bulldogs from 2002 through 2007.Salo was known as a bit of a no-nonsense coach who got the most out of his players. He knew when to chew a player out and when to give him a pat on the back.In September of 2024, I met with Coach Salo at the Butte Country Club for this podcast. Today, I am brining it back so we can hear his voice one more time now that he is about to become a member of the Butte Sports Hall of Fame.Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by the Jewelry Design Center. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →No. 364: Aiden Sorich
4w ago01:29:17Tap to summarizeIn July of 2021, Aiden Sorich won the Sorini 25 at the Butte 100 Mountain Bike Race. With a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, 20 seconds, the soon-to-be Butte High sophomore beat the second-place rider by 26 minutes. He was just 15 years old at the time.On that day, Sorich said it was his goal to win all three of the Butte 100 races in his career. That includes the 25-mile race, the 50-mile race and the 100-mile race.Not one cyclist would have questioned him then or now.On Saturday, Sorich, 20, will attempt to win the 50 as he takes part in the 20th riding of the Butte 100. The race starts and finishes at Homestake Pass.Sorich, a 2024 Butte High graduate, will enter his junior year at Montana Tech this fall. The Butte 100 is one of several races he will compete in this summer, all while working an internship for PEKE Engineering & Systems. He will ride in the Lewis & Clark Gravel Classic on July 25. That is a grueling race of 116 miles.Aiden did compete in any of the “traditional” sports while attending Butte High. He said he was only mildly athletic. Sorich, however, was an original member of the Butte Copper Sprockets mountain bike team. He had a highly-successful run for the Copper Sprockets, too. He also skis every chance he can get at Discovery Ski Area or Lost Trail Powder Mountain.Earlier today, I met with Aiden inside the vault at the Metals Sports Bar & Grill for a fun conversation. Listen in as he talks about how he got into riding bikes with his good friend Will Silk. Listen as he talks about competing in all three of the Butte 100 races and the different approach he takes for each one. Listen as he talks about why the Butte 100 has been so successful and how he is feeling about his chances of winning the 50-mile race this Saturday.Today's podcast is brought to you by Leskovar Honda, home of the friendly non-commission sales staff that always has your back. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →Tap 'er Light Mick Ringsak
4w ago00:11:45Tap to summarizeLast month, we lost a true American hero when Mick Ringsak passed away after a battle with cancer.Mick was a Vietnam veteran and a combat engineer in the Army. In Butte, Mick fought for a cleaner environment. He fought, and he helped us win.Mick was a self-described Eisenhower Republican, but he was never led by that silly notion of party affiliation. For 83 years, Mick was driven simply by what he thought was right, and he was never afraid to go to battle for his conviction.He fought for the people of Butte and Silver Bow County right up until the day that he died.That is what today’s column is about. You can read it for yourself at ButteCast.com.Opening music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com.
Transcribe →