Bobcats Justin Lamson, Taco and Caden Dowler, Dane Steel, Rocky Lencioni among participants
By Leslie Kilgore and Fischer Genau
Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners is involved with the Bobcat Works program, and is the publisher of Explore Big Sky.
The growing partnership between Montana State University football players and local business leaders continued to gain momentum April 27 at Bobcat Stadium, where community members, coaches and student-athletes gathered to celebrate the expanding impact of the Bobcat Works program.
Held in the Stadium Club overlooking the football field, the event highlighted a unique initiative that pairs players with local and regional businesses for summer internships and professional mentorship opportunities. This summer, more than 20 participants include Taco and Caden Dowler, Justin Lamson, Dane Steel, Zac Crews, Rocky Lencioni, Takhari Carr and Rylan Schlepp.
The program was founded by several former players, and designed to help student-athletes prepare for life after football while strengthening ties between the university and the greater Bozeman community. Head coach Brent Vigen said the initiative has quickly grown from just two participating players in its first year to 20 student-athletes working with more than 20 businesses and organizations this summer, including Big Sky Bravery, First Security Bank, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, State Farm and Houser Engineering.
“This can set us apart,” Vigen said, describing the program as a meaningful way to support players beyond their athletic careers. “It’s big work.”
Vigen emphasized that while many players hope to continue football professionally, the program acknowledges the importance of building career skills and relationships long before their playing days end.
“I think for our players, they all aspire to be football players as long as they can be, and those days will ultimately run out, and then what? So anything we can do to enhance those opportunities beyond MSU football is what we want to be able to do. I’m so grateful to all of you who are a part of this,” Vigen said while welcoming the attendees.
Through internships, players gain exposure to professional environments, networking opportunities and interview experience while exploring potential career paths. Vigen said the initiative also helps athletes envision long-term futures in Bozeman by connecting them with business leaders and mentors throughout the community.
“We have many Bobcat fans in this community that want to give back, and ultimately, the hope for this program is that it can set us apart. It’s a testament to how much this place loves you back,” Vigen said.
Montana State running back Adam Jones spoke during the event about how the program changed his perspective on both Bozeman and life after football. Jones participated in the program’s pilot year in 2025.
“I didn’t really understand how special Bozeman was until I started meeting people through this program,” Jones said, thanking mentors and community members for investing time in the players.
Jones added that hearing the career stories of local professionals helped relieve pressure many student-athletes feel about having their futures perfectly mapped out.
Beyond internships, Jones described the relationships formed through Bobcat Works as a genuine support system built on honesty, mentorship and long-term investment in the players as individuals.
“You can reach out and get a genuine answer,” Jones said. “That’s something you can’t find everywhere.”
Among the Bobcats that will follow in Jones’ footsteps this summer are twins Caden and Taco Dowler. The Bobcat stars will both be working for Outlaw Partners with Caden assisting managing broker EJ Daws for Outlaw Realty, while Taco interns for Outlaw Partners COO Josh Timon.
“I’m hoping to honestly just be a sponge for information,” Taco told EBS. “I feel like Outlaw Partners is a little bit of everything in the community around here, and I’m excited to soak everything in and take a lot of notes.”
Another standout player participating in Bobcat Works is quarterback Justin Lamson, who will be interning with Big Sky Bravery.
“I just appreciate what they’re doing and I want to be part of it somehow,” Lamson told EBS.
This summer, players will balance their internships with training for the upcoming football season, and Lamson said he wants to give his full effort to both.
“They’re going to get all they can out of me and it’s going to be great,” Lamson said.
Jon Knokey, a former player and Bobcat Works founder who leads Bridger Capital, called the collaboration between the football program and local businesses something rare and uniquely representative of the Bozeman community.
“How do we bridge the gap between football, academics, and the professional real world? It’s pretty special to pause and share this story with the community, a football program vested in growing its players professionally over the summer, and local businesses coming together to invest their time, networks and energy to help young people thrive,” Knokey said. This summer, Knokey and Bridger Capital will welcome defensive end Jake Vigen as an intern.
As the Bobcat Works program continues to expand, organizers hope it will not only help student-athletes prepare for careers beyond football but also strengthen lasting connections between the university and the community that supports it.
