by Jean Schurman
I first met Mike “Otto” Thill in the spring of 1997, just after I began covering sports for the Bitterroot Star. Even then, with all of his ‘loud’ and seemingly aggressive coaching, it was evident he loved softball, and, he loved his players. It wasn’t long before he was telling me his coaching ideas, his history, and pretty much anything else I asked him about.
Softball became a sanctioned sport in 1986 but it wasn’t until 1997 that Class B schools could play against Class A schools, and in 1999, Class B and C combined to have their own division. Even though Florence first had to battle Class A schools, they held their own and won their first state championship in 1997.
In 1999, I think, Florence won their first straight up state title in Class B on a frigid, blustery day in Helena. The next year, it was another blustery day, this time in Conrad, and the Lady Falcons again brought home the trophy. At each post game interview, Coach Otto praised his players, his blue eyes twinkling, and started talking about ‘next year.’ But even with his focus turned to the next year, his first thought was of his players. They loved him and he loved them.
Some people didn’t necessarily like his demanding coaching style, but he was a firm believer in discipline and sportsmanship. I don’t think I ever saw him more proud than when his former player, Liz Ashworth, was honored for her Central Washington efforts in a game that saw a member of the opposing team hit a home run and sustain a terrible injury. She could not make it around the bases but was determined to try so her team would win the game. Enter Ashworth and another team member who carried her around the bases, stopping at each base and allowing the player to touch the base. Otto teared up telling me the story, he was so proud.
Otto set the bar high for Florence softball and they have gone on to win state championships 12 times since then. Joe McKay, Maurice Crain, and many others have all been impacted by Otto’s softball fever and have continued his legacy even though he moved on.
Through the years, he also mentored softball players throughout Western Montana. Most recently, he began working with a family of girls in Victor. The last time we talked, he was full of praise for the player, the sisters, and the parents. That’s the way Otto was; it was a family affair.
But softball was not the only sport he coached. For years he was the middle school boys basketball coach at Florence. And for those who were unsure if he had the skills, he would mention his Havre Blue Ponies basketball teams and being named an all-stater in basketball.
Last year he was the junior varsity coach at Victor and made an impact there. He had traded in the maroon and gold of Florence for the blue and gold of Victor. He was set to begin middle school basketball on October 20 and was really looking forward to that.
Just like he had been at everything in Florence, he now made the trip to Victor for every game possible. In fact, just last Tuesday, it was my granddaughter’s 13th birthday and it was the last game of their middle school season. Every time Zoey turned around, there was Otto, yelling across the gym, “Happy Birthday Zoeyyyyyy.” She was embarrassed but I suspect that memory will stay with her for a long time. Otto was like that, giving a memory to everyone, athlete or not.
I am going to miss that old fellow and so will many others. I just wonder, what is going to happen to the 36 quarts of salsa he just canned last week. He was a multi-faceted man and he will be missed.
Kevin says
Otto, the Comedian, Coach, Railroader, Saint, and the Legend!! No more waiting on the bus for that last person to shower after a game! Gonna be missed by anyone who knew him. Florence MT lost a great friend. RIP
Kevin says
We will be missing the Legend!! What a comedian, coach, friend, and Saint. No more waiting on the bus for that last person to shower.. Florence lost a gem!
Bryan Neuman says
I have known Otto for about 30 years both as a fellow coach at FCS, a coach to my daughter and most importantly a good friend. His love for all things softball made him a true treasure for everyone associated with the sport. It didn’t matter if you lived in Eureka or Ekalaka people knew him and loved him. He has been coaching my daughter the past 2 seasons and to see her grow as a player because of his tuleage has been amazing. He treated her like a superstar anytime that he would work with her but he also pushed her to get better. This past week I have come to realize that he had that same relationship with hundreds of other young ladies through the years and they all have they own personal stories. That’s what was special about Otto, he made you feel like a million dollars regardless of who you were and where you were at in your softball journey. It will take some time for my daughter to recover from this tragedy but we take solace in the fact that we know he is looking down upon her and telling her, ” Arm speed, head down, snap, power line and finish.” We love you Otto.
Andy Campbell says
The 2000 state tournament was in Cut Bank. I was the head coach for Conrad and we lost to Florence 3-2 in the semi-finals. Otto was not only a friend, but my mentor whether he knew that or not. We had a bond with Otto and the entire Florence team, rooting them on in the championship game against Frenchtown. My girls would have fun poking at Otto with comments like “Not bad for an old man!” until he would set them in their place with one of his behind the back pitches.
The world lost a great man who was dedicated to you sports and community.
RIP Otto,
Andy Campbell
Helena
Katherine Scholl says
Otto was our next door neighbor for over 20 years. He routinely came over to “look for work” with my husband and father (it was their joke). We would watch out for each other and keep an eye on each other’s places. We lived together on Otto Way – a road names by and for our friend, Mike “Otto” Thill.
Otto was always busy and excitedly telling us about each and every coaching opportunity he had – sometimes close to home and other times far away. He bought a camper so he could travel to these places. Otto would proudly talk about all those he coached and would regularly tell us about upcoming trips to attend graduations & weddings of his athletes he was invited. to. He was known by virtually everyone and proved the saying “Montana is a small town”.
I am heartbroken he’s gone since he was a person you always expected to be there. I am even more devastated we lost him suddenly to such a preventable, senseless, tragic accident.
Otto will remain in the hearts of all those who knew him but the world is dimmer without this kind, vibrant man.
Joe McKay says
Jean-outside of a couple of dates and a couple of locations where championships were won in corresponding years, your tribute is spot on. Thank you for the article- it means a lot to me and would have meant a lot to Otto.
Geni says
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️