BILLINGS — Elwood “Woody” Hahn, a central figure in Billings sports for more than six decades, died July 9 at the age of 87. His work as a player, administrator and executive left a lasting imprint on local baseball and college athletics.
What changes for Billings residents
Residents will see Hahn’s legacy in the institutions he helped build and lead: the Billings Mustangs, the athletic programs at what is now Montana State University Billings, and Dehler Park, the downtown ballpark whose construction he championed. Those venues and programs remain active reminders of his influence.
Career highlights and local impact
Hahn’s sports career began as a multi-sport athlete at Billings Senior High School. After playing college baseball at Washington State, he spent seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league system, including multiple years with the Mustangs. He later moved into sports administration in Billings and beyond.
- Billings Mustangs: General manager beginning in 1968, later president and co-owner.
- Education and college athletics: Physical education teacher and assistant athletic director for Billings School District 2; earned a master’s degree from Eastern Montana College and served as that school’s athletic director.
- Conference leadership: Key organizer of the Continental Divide Conference and a 19-year commissioner of the Pacific West Conference.
After stepping away from day-to-day roles, Hahn returned to the Mustangs’ leadership and played a major part in the successful push to build Dehler Park, which opened in 2008 and remains a focal point for community events and minor-league baseball in Billings.
Background and recognition
Born Sept. 18, 1938, in Savage, Hahn grew up in Glendive and Spokane before settling in Billings. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1956 and continued to be active in local sports circles for decades. Beyond baseball, Hahn was an avid golfer and long-time member of the Yellowstone Country Club. His long record of service earned him induction into multiple local and regional halls of fame.
| Year / Era | Role |
|---|---|
| 1960s | Player in Cardinals organization; Mustangs player (1960, 1962–63) |
| 1968–1978 | Billings Mustangs general manager |
| Post-1970s | MSU Billings athletic director; conference organizer and commissioner |
| 2000s | Mustangs president/co-owner; advocate for Dehler Park (opened 2008) |
Hahn’s influence reached beyond Billings as he helped shape NCAA Division II competition across the West while serving in conference leadership. That work made him a recognized figure in regional college athletics.
For Billings residents, Hahn’s death is the loss of a local steward whose efforts helped sustain and grow community sports infrastructure. His roles in education, professional and collegiate athletics tied generations of athletes and fans to the city’s sporting life.
