The primary focus paid off in the end.

The three-year Battlin’ Bear captain made All-American honorable mention as a senior.

Big Back and the Bears won two conference titles and made one national tournament appearance alongside teammate and current RMC head coach, Bill Dreikosen.

“Sports really helped me prepare for life outside of school. In order to play sports you had to put in the hard work and be accountable,” Big Back said.

Big Back told The Gazette’s Bill Bighaus his senior year he gave drug awareness talks to students in Wyoming.

“I want kids to see me being successful and know that I grew up in the same situation they’re growing up in,” Big Back said in 1996. “If they have any excuses about why they can’t do it, then I’m the prime example that they can.”

Big Back graduated in 1996 with a degree in Child Education K-8.

Today, Big Back 48, is a heavy equipment operator for Westmoreland Coal Co. out of Colstrip and resides in Lame Deer with his family. 

“Seeing my skills grow as an operator have been very fulfilling over the years. Watching a job beginning to end is very satisfying. At the end of the day, mission accomplished and it’s dad time,” Big Back said.