Fresh off a fourth straight NAIA football title Saturday, players come out for autograph party

After a long trip home in the wee hours of the morning, members of the Carroll College Saints football team got up early Sunday morning to sign autographs in Helena before many headed home for the holidays.

Team members and coaching staff got into the spirit Sunday on campus in the center lounge and then went on to Dillard's in the Capital Hill Mall where they signed footballs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, posters and hats.

Helena resident and Saints fan Glen Larson brought his two young sons for autographs and to get a little Christmas shopping done.

"We came out to see the team and congrat the guys," Larson said.

"It is our most fun day of the year," said Dillard's general manager, Terry Myhre of the four consecutive years that the department store has stocked commemorative gear and hosted the team for a signature frenzy.

He said he is proud to offer a place to sell their (Saints) merchandise and "share in the pride."

"It gets the clothes and colors on more people in town," Myhre said.

Aaron Zimmerman, father of defensive back Cody Zimmerman, loaded up on Saints gear before heading back home to work Sunday night in Colstrip. His sales receipt for the purple attire was over $150.

Josh Herrin, little brother to Sean Herrin, Saints running back, tagged along to Savannah, Tenn., with his dad to cheer on his brother's team.

Josh says the best part of the whirlwind travel was "celebrating with the team after they won."

Many of the athletic travelers had tired red eyes, but were still flying high on excitement as they made their way through town visiting with fans.

Saints Head Coach Mike Van Diest said he felt great Sunday morning while signing items for a line of people that nearly cleared the length of the entire department store.

"I'm still going on adrenaline," he said. "I'm glad to be back in Montana."

Saints fans are excited about the history this year's team made in football by winning four straight national titles.

Myhre said the design of the logo for the fourth NAIA title began nearly three weeks ago and was finalized two weeks ago. He left just after the game ended on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and headed to Bozeman where he picked up the truckload of Saints gear and was back in Helena by 8:30 p.m.

"U-Haul has a truck warmed up and waiting for me as soon as the game is over," he said. "Shirts were on the floor by 9 p.m."

Dillard's will be getting in Saints fourth NAIA title apparel all week, Myhre said, just in time for Christmas.

"You can order in the a.m. and receive it in the p.m.," he added.

Myhre was proud to host an exciting couple of hours for hundreds of Saints fans to meet the team, coaches and get their autographs.

"It's so much fun for us to be involved in a quality program," Myhre said. "We feel fortunate and the kids (players) have a heck of a good time."