Montana’s Credit Unions (MCU) and the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) faced off in a “Border Battle” to raise funds for CU4Kids as their states’ collegiate football teams prepared to clash on the field in the FCS Football Championship.

Fans got the chance to support their team and a good cause thanks to a friendly challenge that MCU President/CEO Tracie Kenyon received from DakCU President/CEO Jeff Olson,

Credit unions from Montana and the Dakotas placed wagers leading up to the Montana State University (MSU) Bobcats vs North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison FCS football championship game Jan. 8 with the understanding that all wagers would be donated to the winning state’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (CMN).

The multi-state effort raised a total $6,195, which was to go to the North Dakota CMN Hospital, since the NDSU Bison won the championship game 38-10.

In a final show of good sportsmanship following the big game on Saturday, Olson and Kenyon declared the fundraiser a “tie” despite the final football score, and mutually agreed to let each state keep the funds raised by their member credit unions for their own local CMN Hospitals, Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, Mont. and Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo, N.D..

“No matter the outcome of the football game, our mutual objective was to raise funds for our local CMN Hospitals, which ultimately makes us all winners,” stated Olson. “Plus, we had some good-natured fun in the process and added a little extra excitement leading up to the big game, while continuing to show our support for Sanford Children’s Hospital,” he added.

“We were excited about the friendly competition with DakCU and the opportunity to support CU4Kids,” said Kenyon. “Since college football is so popular in our state, this was a fun way to raise awareness about Shodair Children’s Hospital, an organization that has helped, healed and inspired so many children in the Montana community.”

Kenyon will have to wear a NDSU Bison team jersey during the states’ February MonDak Roundtable, their annual combined conference in Las Vegas.