Drury University Athletics

While Richard Birdwell was one of the architects of the Drury men’s soccer program, Mike Montana helped build on that foundation...and he went on to become one of the program’s top defenders of all-time. In the fall of 1992 Montana joined Birdwell to form what many still consider to be the best defensive duo in Drury men’s soccer history. Montana came to Drury from St. Louis Vianney High School where he was a prep standout and he did not miss a beat as he moved into the college ranks. A starter all four years for the Panthers, Mike helped Drury to NAIA postseason play in 1992 and 1993. In 1992 the Panthers were 11-6-1 and Mike was a NAIA All-District selection as a freshman. The 1993 team fashioned what is still the program’s best record (15-6) and that year Montana, only a sophomore, earned NAIA All- America honors. His junior season (1994) the Panthers competed for the first time at the NCAA-II level and slipped below the .500 mark, but with Montana as the team captain his senior year the 1995 Panthers were 11-8-1. Both years Montana was named to the NCAA-II National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Midwest Team. Montana finished Drury’s five-year accounting program and graduated on May 11, 1997 with a double major: business administration and accounting. Montana, who now resides in St. Louis, is the owner of a tax and accounting firm. He and is wife, Jill, have three children: Cameron (12), Abigail (8) and Payton (5).