Around the mountain: CSU sporting a new lid for homecoming
CHEYENNE – Colorado State University is celebrating its 150th year of existence this season.
So why not bust out a new helmet to commemorate?
That’s exactly what our neighbors to the south are doing Oct. 5 when they host the San Diego State Aztecs for homecoming.
Since 1973, CSU has donned the ram horns on each side of its helmet, only straying twice, the first time during a 2007 game against Cal. That was to celebrate the school’s switch from Colorado A&M to Colorado State. Those helmets were green with the jersey number on both sides.
And who could forget the “state pride” uniforms the Rams busted out in 2017? You know, the ones with the Colorado state flag emblem on them. Who could forget these things:
The new 2019 helmets are white and will feature the standard Rams-head logo on both sides. There is a 150th sticker on the back and an “Edge” sticker on the front.
"What we're planning for the 150th is a unique celebration, and I think we're trying to be thoughtful," CSU AD Joe Parker said Monday. "It will be a blank white with some modifications to it, and that will give us a chance to use the investment in another blank white to give us some options as we move forward.
"I hope it creates some excitement for the fan base. I hope it reflects how we have pride in place. It's pretty unique when any institution is able to celebrate 150 years of its history."
UNLVNick Blake
“It’s almost every kid’s dream, even thinking about it a little bit, that playing for your hometown (school) could be a possibility,” Blake said. “Before, with the other coaching staff, me not getting recruited as much hurt a little bit, but I stayed the course.”
Blake finished his high school career in Los Angeles. After graduation, he returned home to play club basketball for the Las Vegas Knicks, where he averaged nearly 16 points per game to go along with 4.9 rebounds. Kansas State and Arizona State were also after the 6-foot, 6-inch guard.
Blake is the first recruit of the 2020 class for new head coach, T.J. Otzelberger.
FRESNO STATE
“The world needs more Cowboys” slogan certainly brought a ton of interest to the University of Wyoming, some good and some not.
Fresno State has just launched a campaign of its own, “Pride of the Valley.” The school spent $50,000 on a video. They also will have billboards and street signs.
Don’t count Fresno Bee columnist Marek Warszawski as one who is impressed.
He points to the divide between the school and the younger generation of fans. He says this campaign basically serves the already loyal Bulldog base, one he adds has been dwindling in the stadium seats over the last handful of years.
“Again, it’s a very good video,” he writes. “But the messaging feels targeted to reach the faithful and inspire the faithful, a group that seems to be getting smaller by the year judging by declining attendance at football and men’s basketball even though both have been successful.
“What about the casual fan, those with only a passing interest in Bulldogs sports, or millennials who would rather follow games on their phones than buy a ticket? Not sure this video, or lawn signs, does much for them.”
If you want to check out the full column, you can do that here.
BOISE STATE
Gordy Presnell is getting paid.
The Broncos women’s basketball coach, who has led BSU to three straight conference tournament championships and four of the last five, will earn a base salary of $300,000, making him the highest paid coach in the Mountain West. The deal is for five years.
That's plenty of reason to smile:
The annual $50,000 bump overtakes Fresno State coach, Jaime White, who is making $260,000 per season. BSU went 28-5 last season and fell to Oregon State in overtime during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
AIR FORCE
Remember the big Air Force fullback who ran wild over the Pokes for 116 yards and a touchdown on 17 rushes during the snowstorm last year in Laramie?
His name is Cole Fagan. And he is no longer with the program.
“Cole Fagan has been removed from the team pending an ongoing investigation,” the Falcons football team said in a statement. He was removed from the team in April.
This 6-foot, 1-inch, 230-pound bruiser could rumble:
Fagan was the Falcons leading rushed last season, finishing with 997 yards. Against CSU, Fagan had a career day, blasting the Rams to the tune of 260 yards. That was a single-game yards record for an Air Force fullback and the third-most in a game in team history.
That says something.
NEW MEXICODillon Sanders, who has spent the last three seasons at the University of Kentucky, worked as a quality control assistant and as a graduate assistant with the Wildcats’ linebackers. Kentucky head coach, Mark Stoops, was the secondary coach under Dana Dimel in Laramie from 1997-99.
Last season, Sanders helped coach, Josh Allen, the 2018 Chuck Bednarik Award winner and No. 7 overall draft pick of the Jaguars.
Sanders graduated from Northern Colorado and got his masters at Utah State.