Carroll College Athletics

Charles “Chick” Garner’s name is synonymous with a pair of legendary Saints’ football records. Individually, his freshman year he scored 33 points (5 touchdowns, 3 extra points) in Mt. Saint Charles’ 1927 win over Montana Normal (Western), a standard which still stands; while his 5 TDs has been tied six times. And then in 1931, as senior co-captain he helped lead the Hilltoppers to an undefeated, untied, unscored upon and unequaled 6-0-0 season, including wins over the University of Montana 2-0, and Montana State 6-0. 

Garner’s punting kept the Grizzlies in a hole all game long, and he ran for the winning TD versus the Bobcats. He twice scored three TDs in a game that year, in the 20-0 win over Butte Centerville, and the 19-0 triumph over Montana Mines (Tech). A 178-pound fullback from Pocatello, Garner was considered “one of the best college ball-carriers in the state,” with an outstanding kicking leg, as well. He was also a 2-year co-captain on the Hilltop basketball team. In 1937, Chick Garner returned to his alma mater and helped revive the football program after a 5-year hiatus, serving as Carroll’s head coach for two seasons.