Earlier this month, Scouting America announced that Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was named Scouting’s official recruitment ambassador. Selecting Montgomery for this role highlights how Scouting and sports complement rather than compete with each other.
“David’s inspiring story showcases the valuable impact Scouting can have,” said Roger Krone, Scouting America CEO, in a press release. “Because of the skills David learned while part of his local Cincinnati Troop, he was able to reach the pinnacle of Scouting, and also his athletic career.”
There are numerous examples across Montana of youth finding value and success in both sports and Scouting. Keeping it in the NFL, look no further than Bozeman native Will Dissly. The Eagle Scout and Bozeman High School graduate played six seasons for the Seahawks before signing a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Read: Here are the Eagle Scouts in the NFL in 2024
Or fellow Bozmanite Duncan Hamilton, an Eagle Scout who recently began his professional career running for Nike with Bowerman Track Club in Eugene, Ore.
More than his jaw-dropping times – which include being #2 All-time NCAA Steeplechase (8:16:23) and running sub-4-minute miles at home and abroad – Hamilton’s relentless work ethic is the story most often told.
According to unit leaders and fellow Scouts, while attending Scout camp at Camp Melita Island, Hamilton would rise before dawn, lace up his running shoes, and run for miles – in a circle – around the island.
“(Scouting and running) both teach you a work ethic,” said Hamilton. “Running, you have to do it consistently. You have to get out there every day and get a run done for any headway to happen.”
“As I put more effort into running and rose to the top of our high school team, I realized that I needed to be a leader for the group of people I was with every day. I gained a lot of those skills from Scouting.”
It’s not all about “going pro”, however. For the 99.9 percent of kids who won’t go pro, Scouting still offers a leg up. Across the board, we see youth excelling in both sports and Scouting, often citing how the two reinforce one another.
This past year Billings Senior wrestler, Demetrios Saliaris, was recognized for being an outstanding wrestler, having a 4.61 grade-point average, a member of STEM society, senior advocates, National Honor Society – an Eagle Scout AND earned every single merit badge possible (plus one that’s been discontinued).
In July of this year, Saliaris’ non-profit – Limitless Kids – donated $45,000 to the special needs program at Billings Senior High.
Visitors to Dillon may notice the white “Welcome” signs emblazoned with blue letters listing Beaverhead County High School state championships. Those signs were the Eagle Scout Project of Ryleigh Plovanic who vowed to rejuvenate the signs and add the 2023 State Champion sticker for football – which he did.
Along with being captain of the football team, Plovanic achieved his Eagle, was president of the Beaverhead Chapter of the FFA, went to state in track, and received a prestigious Sloan Family scholarship.
The list can go on, naming outstanding Scouts in all our cities and towns and how they excel in various sports and academics. The proof is there. As noted in the Tufts University Character and Merit Project, “Youth who participate in Scouting and youth sports are more likely to embrace prosocial values such as ‘helping others’ or ‘doing the right thing’ than youth who only play sports.”
Read: Ask the Expert: Can Scouting and Sports Coexist?
“I have nothing but good memories from Scouting,” said Hamilton. “It taught me so much. Not only the literal skills about outdoors or camping. But social skills, community skills, and leadership skills. To have a shared goal and shared interest between people.”
