Bigfork MSU Bobcat faces assault charges

Bigfork native and Montana State University football player, Donald Tudahl, 21, pleaded not guilty at Flathead District Court on Aug. 2 to a felony charge of aggravated assault.

According to court documents from July 2, he was working as a bouncer at the Garden Bar on July 1, the night of the 40-person street fight, when a customer at the Garden Bar, got “lippy” and shoved him. Tudahl allegedly broke the customer’s nose and possibly his jaw by punching him in the face one time.

Flathead County deputies responded to an assault call later that evening.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said it is not unheard of for bouncers to get charged with assault, but that it’s not a routine call either. According to Curry, the customer received medical treatment that night and Tudahl was arrested.

The court documents also say that Tudahl left the area, but he returned and admitted to punching the customer and that he acknowledged he should not have done it.

“He (Tudahl) did admit he punched him in the face,” Curry said.

The July 1 incident and the charges of aggravated assault were brought to MSU’s attention on Aug. 9.

“He is suspended per our student athlete code of conduct,” Bill Lamberty, director of media relations and assistant athletic director at MSU, said. “If charged with a felony, he or she is automatically suspended until the charges are resolved one way or another.”

Tudahl played in all 13 games last season as the team’s long snapper.

Tudahl’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31. Unless charges are dropped before then he will be ineligible to resume playing for the Bobcats during his junior year. If convicted, Tudahl faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $50,000.