Bozeman, Gallatin softball teams form rare Class AA co-op due to lack of numbers

The Bozeman and Gallatin high school softball teams have formed a co-op due to a lack of numbers within the Hawks’ program.

With just eight total players at Bozeman, including eighth-graders, the Bozeman School Board approved the merger at its March 30 board meeting.

It’s believed to be the first co-op between two Class AA schools, but not unexpected. Bozeman Activities Director Mark Ator suspected numbers would be low and had been in contact with the Montana High School Association since last year about a possible co-op.

“Obviously the numbers have been low at Bozeman High the last few years and we were in that situation again this year,” he said. “Worried about numbers, we actually have eighth-graders, we allowed eighth graders to play softball for Bozeman schools. Our numbers were still low, and we did not want Bozeman athletes to lose out on a season, so we started the discussion of the co-op with MHSA and both school administrations.”

While Class C and B schools have often formed a co-op, it’s an unusual step for AA, especially between rival schools. Ator, a longtime administrator in the state, could not recall another instance where it has happened at the AA level.

“I don’t think it has,” he said. “We’re the first of its kind and I’m not bragging about that.”

Bozeman’s players have already integrated into Gallatin’s program and are eligible to compete immediately, provided they’ve completed their mandatory eight practices. The co-op will be evaluated yearly by the MHSA, Ator said.

“They allowed us to (do it) this year. They’ll monitor,” he said. “We’ll be working with them closely.”

Gallatin has 18 players out and the eight from Bozeman bumps the roster to 26. Ator said the eighth-graders from both schools will likely compete on the JV team in an effort to develop both programs.

He’d like to get the Bozeman program back on its feet as soon as possible but admitted it may take some time.

“I honestly think next year we’ll be in a co-op but it’s year-to-year,” he said. “I’m hoping we can get things turned around in the next couple years.”

Three years ago, led by a strong senior class, Bozeman went 3-11 in the Eastern AA and snuck into the state tournament as the league’s No. 6 seed. About 15-16 players were on that team, but numbers took a hit with the departure of the senior class.

The Hawks went 2-15 in 2024 and fielded a JV team a year ago.

Ator said it’s been a struggle to retain players and coaches.

“We keep recruiting athletes,” he said. “We haven’t been able to get those numbers up, and we haven’t been able to hold on to coach long-term to help them develop the program.”

Gallatin is off to an 0-2 start, losing conference games to Belgrade and Billings West. The team was to play at Billings Senior on Saturday.