Carroll College Athletics

Harlowton native Jim Trudnowski played his senior year of prep basketball at Helena Cathedral High, prior to enrolling at Carroll in 1953. He spent his freshman year as the Saint’s sixth man, but missed most of the next season due to a serious infection. In 1954-56, the 6’1” Trudnowski came into his own, averaging 16.3 points – with seven 20-point games, high of 27 – and garnering second team All-Conference.

As a senior, Trudnowski virtually “lit up the scoreboard.” He led the team in scoring 11 times, producing ten 20-point games (five 25-plus) while pouring in a career-high 30 counters vs. Rocky Mountain. During a 7-game stretch in mid-season, Jim averaged a lofty 22.14 points. He finished with 400 season points, a 19 ppg average (no. 2 in program history at the time), and was selected first team All-MCC. Trudnowski returned to his alma mater as head hoops coach from 1970-80, winning the Frontier title in 1977.