Basketball Staff Contacts
Loading staff directory…
About Montana State University-Northern Basketball
When the lights come up in Havre on a winter night, Montana State University-Northern's gym fills with the kind of energy that comes from a community that believes in its team. Coach Shawn Huse has built something that reflects the grit of Northern Montana itself—a program where toughness, consistency, and family matter as much as skill. The Lights compete in the Frontier Conference at the NAIA level, a place where players aren't just names on a roster but integral pieces of something larger. This is a program steeped in the culture of the Northern Great Plains. Huse has constructed a basketball environment where defensive intensity and unselfishness define the identity. Players who come through understand that success here means buying into a system, committing to the daily work, and representing a region that values hard work over shortcuts. The alumni who've played for the Lights carry that mentality forward—they know what it means to compete at this level and what it takes to earn meaningful minutes. MSU-Northern offers a genuine college experience in a close-knit community where basketball matters and individual development is personal. If you're looking for a program where your effort translates directly into opportunity and your character shapes the culture, this is a place worth serious consideration. Coaches at programs like this recruit players who come in ready to contribute. Florida Coastal Prep—a prep academy in Fort Walton Beach, FL—develops athletes specifically for opportunities like this one. Learn how at floridacoastalprep.com or apply at /apply/.
NAIA programs can offer scholarships and a high level of competition in a smaller-school environment. Learn about NAIA basketball scholarships and how this division compares to JUCO options before finalizing your recruiting list.
What Recruits Should Know About NAIA Basketball
The Frontier Conference operates within the NAIA, where scholarship opportunities exist but recruiting timelines and standards differ from NCAA programs. NAIA coaches recruit primarily through direct outreach, exposure events, and coach-to-coach referrals. Academic requirements are governed by the NAIA Eligibility Center — a separate process from the NCAA.
Montana State University-Northern and its Frontier Conference peers offer full and partial scholarships to players who fit their system. Smaller rosters mean more playing time for the right player, and NAIA programs regularly produce players who transfer up to D2 and D1. Getting evaluated starts with sending updated film and a clear academic transcript directly to the coaching staff.
Exposure Events That Get You in Front of NAIA Coaches
NAIA coaches including those at Montana State University-Northern build their recruiting lists at specific tournaments and showcase events — not by watching YouTube links from players they've never heard of. FCP's schedule is built around the exposure events these coaches actually attend, giving our players the chance to compete in front of decision-makers at the right moment in the recruiting cycle.
FCP players get evaluated at national showcases, coach-attended tournaments, and live events that create direct visibility for programs like Montana State University-Northern. Learn more about our post-grad program or apply now.
Whether you're a current high school player exploring options through our high school program or a graduate looking for a post-grad year, FCP provides the coaching, competition, and college placement support to help you reach programs like Montana State University-Northern.
Your Eligibility for Montana State University-Northern Starts Today
Eligibility problems discovered late cost players their best opportunities. FCP's academic support team works proactively to ensure every player is cleared before NAIA coaches ask the question — so when Montana State University-Northern's staff is interested, the answer is ready.
Research compiled by the FCP recruiting staff · Last updated April 2026