VOLUME: 8 • ISSUE: 1
RODNEY STEWART AND ERIC BIENIEMY ARE THE PERFECT MATCH RYAN MILLER IS A BUFF FOR LIFE
HAYLEY HUGHES BRINGS SOCCER TO THE FOREFRONT MEDFORD MOORER HITS THE BOOKS
THE PAC-12 IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR A QUARTERBACK
CU FOOTBALL IS LAYING THE BRICKS OF A NEW FOUNDATION
Letter from the
Athletic Director
VOLUME: 8 • ISSUE: 1 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, BUFF CLUB Natalie A. Pigliacampo MANAGING EDITOR Doug Ottewill, Haas Rock Publications
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ongratulations to our outstanding head coach mark Wetmore and the entire men’s and women’s cross country teams for their historic and inspirational victories at the Pac-12 Championships last month in Arizona! the University of Colorado is the first Pac-12 school to win a title in the newly created league. We wish both teams the best of luck in pursuing a national championship in Indiana later this month.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Pat Rooney Vanessa Hughes Daniel Mohrmann ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN Becky Antcliff
experience. each issue will contain more than 60 pages and will be filled with stories, interviews and photographs specifically designed for you to see your support at work. enjoy reading another touching donor profile on fred and Lawren Bradford. they bring an impressive enthusiasm to our student-athlete scholarship donor program and leadership support to the entire campus that is most appreciated. thank you for being a loyal Buff Club member and playing an integral role in making so many special events and
WE ARE VERy PROUD TO PRESENT TO yOU THE EIGHTH VOLUME OF The STampede Mike Bohn
Please join me in welcoming our new associate athletic director of development, Kurt Gulbrand. Kurt’s first day with the Buffaloes was Nov. 7, and he has hit the ground running. You will enjoy his high energy, passion and professional acumen. he comes to CU from the University of michigan, where he transformed their advancement unit and is charged with leading our development team in fundraising efforts to support CU’s 16 Division I teams. Kurt will provide an immediate impact and be able to capitalize on the positive equity of Jim Senter’s leadership, who remains with the Athletic Department as a senior staff member. We are very proud to present to you the eighth volume of The Stampede. With the new quarterly distribution and improved design, our goal is to enhance your reading
memories possible. Please be on the lookout for your membership renewal packet in December. the Buff Club staff has done a fantastic job of pulling together information to assist you regarding renewals, priority points and our new user friendly DonorNet tool designed to make giving to Colorado athletics seamless and rewarding in the coming months. We look forward to seeing you at a men’s and women’s basketball games this winter. Go Buffs!
mike Bohn CU Athletic Director
PHOTOGRAPHERS CU Sports Information Chip Bromfield, Pro-Motion, Ltd. Getty Images Jathan Campbell Natalie Pigliacampo Tracy Ostrofsky ADVERTISING SALES Chris Dolge Casey Light Will McKinlay The Stampede is published and produced in association with: HAAS ROCK PUBLICATIONS, LLC PRESIDENT James Merilatt
PUBLISHER Doug Ottewill
PROOFREADERS Casey Light Chris Bianchi
The Stampede is published four times per year, as a 64-page quarterly. Buff Club, 369 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309 BUFF CLUB 800.621.2833 Subscription rate for The Stampede is a gift for $100 or more per year to the Buff Club. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Buff Club, 369 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309 Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011 / All Rights Reserved Printed in the U.S.A
THE STAMPEDE IS PROUDLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
We want to hear from you! Comments regarding The Stampede can be directed to buffclub@cufund.org or 303-492-2200.
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Departments 06 12 15 64
In Focus natalIe’s notes BuFF notes BuFFalo BIll
32 Q&a: MIke Bohn 2
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Features 18 22 26 38
Profile: ryan Miller (football) Profile: Hayley HugHes (soccer) Profile: Medford Moorer (Herbst acadeMic center acadeMic coordinator) Profile: fred & lawren bradford (donor)
46 cover story: enter eMbree
cu football is laying tHe bricks of a new foundation 4
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KING RICHARDSON Against Cal, Paul Richardson hauled in 11 catches for 284 yards, plus two touchdowns (including this one). Photo by Chip Bromfield
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HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE
At Colorado National Golf Course, there’s no mistaking where the Buffaloes roam. Photo by Chip Bromfield
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AMIDST THE GIANTS
In a rare exhibition match against the Slovenian National Team, Nikki Lindow delivers a nasty spike toward the opposition; in general, however, the Buffs were more than hospitable to their international guests. Photo by Chip Bromfield
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NATALIE’S NOTES
Thoughts and updates from the Buff Club’s Director of Athletics Annual Giving
he Buff Club would like to extend a special thank you to Marc Beshany and Wells Fargo Advisors for the very generous pledge they made to Ralphie’s Kids Roundup. I was able to introduce Marc to Emily Hahn, our community outreach manager, at the CU-Washington State game. She shared the story of how a gift to Ralphie’s Kids would impact the life of children who might not otherwise ever go to a college football game, let alone set foot on a college campus. Emily hosts 5,000 kids throughout the football season and into the women’s basketball season. CU athletics provides transportation, game tickets, food vouchers and fun souvenirs for the kids to take home to remember their field trip to CU. Not only thank you to Marc and Wells Fargo Advisors but to all of our donors who make gifts to Ralphie’s Kids in addition to their donations for season tickets. Thank you to Emily for coordinating such a tremendous effort!
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, warming up his players before they take the field against Washington State.
We love this view from the northeast corner of Folsom Field.
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Marc Beshany (second from right) from Wells Fargo Advisors and his family standing in front of the Ralphie’s Kids section in Folsom Field at the CU-Arizona game.
ANNOUNCEMENT! In December, please look out for your Buff Club membership renewal packet in the mail. The packet will have great information about CU’s improved priority points system and all of your donor account information for the upcoming year. The end of 2011 is a perfect time to solidify your commitment to the Buffaloes in 2012. 13
BUFFS NOTES Catching up with CU Athletics
FRUITFUL FALL
NUMBERS GAME
Women’s golf finished in the top 25
Telling the story one digit at a time
80,000
The total dollars required to provide the CU Marching Band with tubas.
284 ◄ Senior Emily Talley
The number of receiving yards amassed by Buffs wide out Paul Richardson against Cal. Richardson set the record for the most receiving yards in a single game with the 284 (the third 200-plus game in CU history) and tied the single game reception mark of 11. It was also his fourth two-TD game, third most ever at CU.
43,000
The golf season, which ended with a 14th-place finish at the SEC-Pac 12 Challenge, may not have ended exactly the way head coach Anne Kelly wanted, but it ended impressively nonetheless. In fact, the Buffs finished as the No. 20 team in the country.
The total number of square feet in the Buffs new basketball and volleyball practice facility.
“The good news is that we have the entire spring ahead of us,” Kelly said. “The win at Washington was definitely the highlight of the fall. We pick up in the spring right where we left off in terms of a high level competition with Arizona’s tournament, the Regional Challenge and the Sugar Bowl, among others.”
Number of Pac-12 volleyball teams in the nation’s top seven.
Adding to the good news is the fact that the Buffs will soon be able to utilize one of college golf’s newest and most innovative practice facilities. On Oct. 24, ground was broken for the George Boedecker, Jr. Golf Practice Facility at Colorado National Golf Club, the home of the Buffs. The facility features five hitting bays and a 2,000-square foot short game room.
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Number of saves made by CU goalkeeper Kayla Millar in a 1-0 victory over Cal, the Buffs first win in the Pac-12.
BUFF GEAR ITEM OF THE MONTH
Nike Colorado Buffaloes Black Conference Baffle Full Zip Performance Hoodie Jacket ($99.95 at CUBuffs.com!) Stun your opponents with your Colorado style and tell the cold weather to take a hike by sporting this Conference Baffle performance hoodie jacket from Nike! This heavy-duty jacket has everything you need to challenge the chilly temps – polyester-filled lining to keep you warm, a hood with a bungee drawstring and a snap button storm flap, Nike’s Storm-FIT technology so you can weather the elements and a doublecompartment pocket on the left chest with a headphone port for your MP3 player. The embroidered school wordmark on the front pocket caps off some diehard team spirit. Go on, throw this jacket on during the next frigid game event and let your team spirit comfort you as you cheer your Buffaloes to victory. 15
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BUFFS NOTES ROAD TRIP RECOS
COMPLIANCE CORNER ComplianCe aCronyms The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the University of Colorado (CU) have many acronyms that are used frequently, but often misunderstood by the public. I’d like to spell out and define some of these important acronyms for you to help better understand our department and rules to which we must adhere. psa Prospective Student-Athlete. Also knows as a recruit. PSAs are ANY students who have started classes for the ninth grade, regardless of athletics participation. Student-athletes enrolled in preparatory school and junior colleges are also considered PSAs. sa Student-Athlete. SAs are CU’s current student-athletes and the reason we love college athletics! SAs bring joy to the athletic department through their hard work, competition and success both on and off the athletic fields. Far Faculty Athletics Representative. Each NCAA Division I institution has a FAR on campus to serve as the liaison between athletics and academics. CU’s FAR, Dr. David Clough, plays a very active role in our athletic department while also fulfilling his duties as a faculty member on campus. Dr. Clough is also currently the president of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) and represents CU in matters of national importance. sar Student-Athlete Reinstatement. This is the process CU must go through should a violation occur and a SA be declared ineligible. Through this process, CU presents the facts of the violations to the NCAA and penalties are assessed before the SA can be reinstated. Penalties can include donating the value of the impermissible activity/benefit to a local charity, being withheld from competition or even losing all remaining NCAA eligibility.
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Vacations Buffs fans should take saF/saoF Special Assistance Fund/ Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund. These two funds are provided by the NCAA to institutions to help assist student-athletes who may be in financial need or fall into a hardship. SAF is available to studentathletes who show financial need. This fund can be used by student-athletes to help purchase necessary clothing, toiletries and also help fund a trip home for the holidays. SAOF is available to our SAs who may come upon a hardship while on campus. CU has funded flights home for a family member’s funeral, replacement of stolen items and life-skills events for our SAs with this fund. Any SA looking to utilize these funds must receive prior approval before doing so. iaWp/iaWrp Individual Associated With a Prospect/Individual Associated With a Recruited Prospect. These terms are key in men’s basketball legislation. IAWP and IAWRPs are those associated with prospects such as high school coaches, AAU coaches, teachers, ADs and many other titles fall into these categories. In recruiting men’s basketball prospects, interaction with and hiring of IAWP/ IAWRP is limited. Throughout the nation, IAWP/IAWPRs were being used by college coaches while benefitting from their influence with PSAs in their college decision-making. I hope these definitions help widen your knowledge of NCAA rules and acronyms. If you happen to see another acronym that you do not understand, please feel free to contact me. Go Buffs! Jill Gainey Associate Director of Compliance, Rules Education jillian.gainey@colorado.edu 303.492.6155
By Car… There’s no prettier drive in Colorado than the one up to Steamboat Springs. On Jan. 14, why not zip up I-70, skip by Kremmling and carefully navigate Rabbit Ears Pass? Depart early and arrive in time for the University of Colorado Spencer James Nelson Memorial Invitational, an all day Nordic classical CU hosts.
By plane… There’s arguably no better place for a better weekend getaway than San Francisco. Luckily, the men’s basketball team takes in a weekend double-header against Cal (Jan.12) and Stanford (Jan. 14). Arrive on Thursday in time to catch the action against the Bears. Take in the city, Alcatraz and wine country on Friday and Saturday. Then, cap the trip with a visit to Palo Alto. Call it a late Christmas gift to yourself.
By Train… That’s right, there’s a “train trip” opportunity on Jan. 14. Hop on the train that leaves Denver and goes to Winter Park so you can check out the alpine portion of the DU Invitational. If the train isn’t for you, take in the Nordic portion of CU’s home meet in Steamboat - ironically the very same day.
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Ryan MilleR
STUDENT
PROFILE
BUFF FOR LIFE Senior Ryan Miller bleeds black and gold
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ith the high turnover of athletes on any college football roster, it’s crucial for a team to feel a veteran presence. as Jon embree walked through the doors at the Dal Ward athletic Center last December, he knew the key to turning around the University of Colorado Buffaloes was to lean on his senior leaders. it seems fitting that senior offensive lineman Ryan Miller was one of the first seniors embree leaned on to help lead the team into the new era. Miller’s path to the Buffs began with his stellar high school career, where he earned countless honors as one of the best linemen in the country, as well as the state’s top recruit. He entered the program as the first hot recruit lured by then-head coach Dan Hawkins. But for Miller, the coach didn’t matter. His dream was to don the black and gold of the Buffs, and he knew that’s exactly where he was going the second the offer came in. “When i got that from Colorado, i knew i was going to Colorado,” Miller said. “Recruiting was a whirlwind and i just wanted that offer from Colorado. it was tough because i was a senior (in high school) and everything that happened with the scandal, so i was nervous. i wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but when i finally got that letter, it was a huge sigh of relief.” although Miller officially came to CU under Hawkins, the program as a whole made him a priority. Former head coach Gary Barnett was aware of the towering lineman from Columbine High School. as the recruiting process began, Barnett was in contact with Miller and it became apparent very early in the process that the Buffs wanted him just as much as he wanted them. “We evaluated him on his junior tape and he came up to some practices and he was
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a big, athletic youngster,” Barnett said. “He came from a good program with some great Colorado kids and we thought he was a sure-thing, can’t-miss player.”
By Dan Mohrmann
“it’s always good to have a player like Ryan. He’s played a lot of football, especially on the offensive line,” embree said. “Obviously coming in, i’m glad to have him. He’s a captain. He’s been really good.”
From the very minute he joined the Buffs, Miller, along with former Buff and current new england Patriot nate Solder, anchored a solid offensive line. During Solder’s final year at Colorado, he and Miller were the only players to be on the field for every offensive snap of the season. now, Solder
The offensive line is going to be the key for the Buffs to transition their offense to the pro-style set that embree and offensive coordinator eric Bieniemy want to run. The key component of their offensive game plan is the ability to run the football, a
finds himself in the ranks of the nFl and Miller keeps in constant contact with his friend, both giving and getting support – but not advice – for their respective journeys.
trait heavily influenced by the play of the offensive line.
He does bring a lot of leadersHip; He is very instrumental WitH our young centers.
“He’s just kind of letting me be. We talk as Ryan and nate, the good buddies that we are,” Miller said. “as far as the nFl stuff, not much on the advice standpoint, yet.” But before turning his eyes to the next level, Miller had to focus not only on the Buffs’ season, but the transition to a new coaching staff. embree knew coming in that the seniors on the team would be essential to both the success of the Buffs this season, as well as the development of the younger players. embree was very fortunate to have a player of Miller’s talents and leadership for his first season as head coach.
Jon Embree
Miller stands at 6-foot-8 and is listed at 295 pounds. He fits the mold of a beastly offensive lineman that can win the battle in the trenches and create holes for running backs to break through. embree believes early season struggles will eventually give way to the talent and resolve, especially behind players like Miller. Because it’s his senior year, Miller will not necessarily play a long-term role in the current offensive scheme of the Buffs, but he has been called on by embree to pass his knowledge of play on the line to the younger members of the team. although
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EvEryonE in hErE, wE all blEEd black and gold. Ryan Miller
Miller will leave the Buffs after the 2011 season, the skills and advice he has taught younger players will make his impact felt for years to come. “He does bring a lot of leadership; he is very instrumental with our young centers, helping them communicate. He’s done a great job with both of those guys (Daniel Munyer and Gus Handler) and has been 20
key in their development,” Embree said. “He’s also very good with the fundamentals of his position, and because of that, he’s been able to take that leadership role, be a captain, and do well with it.”
the team has not valued the leadership from its veteran players. Miller has taken it upon himself to use his time as a senior to establish a standard that he hopes future Buff teams will take on.
As part of his role as captain, Miller hopes to instill a strong senior leadership presence on the team. In the recent years where the Buffs have faltered, Miller believes
“(Coach Embree) placed a lot of expectations on all the seniors this year,” Miller said. “There has not been a lot of senior leadership on this team lately and I
think that it’s finally starting to come back around.” The future under Coach Embree looks to be bright, but there is no denying the work it will take to build the Buffs back into a national contender. Embree is hard at work – both coaching the current roster and trying to build his team of the future through recruiting. Part of building that team requires the experiences of a player like Miller. Miller is the ultimate definition of a “Buff for life.” Growing up in the Denver area, he had his sights set on attending the state’s flagship school to play football. He understood at a very early age that playing for CU is more than just joining a team. It’s becoming part of a family with a very extensive tree. That tree has once again been planted in Boulder with the return of Embree and his staff and will continue to build on the foundation of players such as Miller. If there is a single player on the roster that epitomizes the very essence and lifestyle of a CU football player, Miller is it. When it comes to incoming freshmen or recruits, Miller doesn’t waste his time trying to sell the beauty of Boulder or the fine academic atmosphere of the school. Once a player commits to the University of Colorado, Miller’s message is very simple. “Strap it on,” he says. “Strap it on because it’s going to be a lot of hard work, but there will be rewards at the end of it.” He doesn’t just leave his message for players coming from within the state lines. Part of the culture at CU encourages all players – from anywhere in the country – to become a member of the Buffs family the second they arrive on campus. Miller represents the ideal when it comes to local high school stars, as staying at home was important to him. However, his love for CU is easily passed on to others, especially when they’re considering coming from another state. “Everyone in here, we all bleed black and gold,” Miller said. “We all come from different places, but it’s a family here and this is what’s happening right now.”
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HaYleY HugHes
STUDENT
PROFILE
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IN PURSUIT OF POPULARITy Hayley Hughes wants soccer to become a highlight at CU
ecently, the world of women’s soccer has come into the foreground as a mainstream sport. The Women’s World Cup and the play of the u.s. National Team launched the popularity of the sport to heights not seen since 1999. But for sophomore Hayley Hughes, the sport has been in the spotlight her entire life.
Naturally, she bled green and gold. The idea of attending school in Boulder and playing for the Buffs didn’t arise until her Olympic Development Program coach decided she would be a good fit for the Buffs. That ODP coach was Bill Hempen, the former women’s soccer head coach or the Buffs. From a coaching standpoint, Hempen was naturally drawn to Hughes’ speed and her ability to move by other players in the blink of an eye.
The product of Mountain Vista High school grew up as multi-sport athlete, but discovered early in her athletic youth that soccer was going to be her sport of choice. Once she officially adopted the sport and gained the skill to earn a scholarship to the university of Colorado, she began a quest to excel, but also to build the popularity of Buffs soccer, both on campus and in the Boulder community.
“I don’t know the exact day (that I started recruiting her), but when you’re working with the alleged elite players in the state, she certainly stood out, because she’s the quickest little bugger I’ve seen from point a to point B,” Hempen said. “she had a
growing up in the Highlands Ranch area of Denver, Hughes loved to compete on the athletic field. Her speed naturally drew her to soccer, as well as track and field. she excelled in both sports, but it became apparent that she would have to choose one in order to pursue her endeavors at a higher level. although she loved track, she found that the team aspect of soccer was far more appealing. she liked that she could rely on teammates and, in turn, they’d rely on her.
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By Dan Mohrmann
has also worked with her teammates off the field to help promote the team and get the rest of the athletic department behind the soccer program. In the team’s effort to help build popularity, Hempen feels that Hughes is the ideal player to represent everything for which the Buffs stand. “she is the perfect kid. she’s small. she’s strong. she’s bright. she’s everything you want an ambassador for your team to be. she’s a competitor,” Hempen said. “You look at her and she’s cute as a button; but then you look at her on the field and she’s slide-tackling and elbowing and she’s pulling shirts. she’s a great student, a great athlete and she happens to be a really good soccer player.”
If you make one mIstake, you have a teammate to pIck you up.
Hayley Hughes
nickname, but I have to stop myself from saying it anymore because I don’t think she likes it; we called her ‘sparky.’ I actually call her ‘Dash’ because that’s how quick she is.”
“If you make one mistake, you have a teammate to pick you up or you have someone else to make the save so that you don’t feel so down on yourself,” Hughes said. “(In track), I ran the 100-meter dash; so if I didn’t have a good start or a good ending, then it was all on me. I like the accountability, but it’s nice to have teammates to go through everything with.”
Hughes’ speed has made her a valuable asset to the Buffs in her short time on the team. In her first year on the roster, she was the only freshman to start every game for Cu. she played well, ending the season as the third leading scorer for the Buffs. she also earned a spot on the Du Invitational all-Tournament team for her dynamic play during the early season bracket.
as a child, Hughes actually grew up cheering for the Colorado state Rams. Her grandfather was a professor in Fort Collins.
With one season under her belt, Hughes has continued to do her part on the field to make the Buffs national contenders. she
Hughes’s infectious personality comes into play, as well. although she can certainly compete as a scrappy and aggressive athlete, her personality yields a more friendly result. Her desire to win is actually outweighed by her desire to bring up the spirits of those around her. No matter the situation, Hughes is always trying to lighten the mood and be a bright a spot for teammates and classmates alike.
“she definitely is a character. she’s a funny girl and she’ll make you laugh. It’s nice to have someone like that around and it’s part of our chemistry,” sophomore teammate lizzy Herzl said. “If there’s a down situation, she’ll be able to pick it up and make everyone around her feel better.”
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She’S a great Student, a great athlete and She happenS to be a really good Soccer player. Former CU Soccer Coach Bill Hempen
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When she’s not busy running by the competition on the pitch or lifting the spirits of those around her, Hughes is fully engaged in the academic atmosphere the University of Colorado offers to its students. “I was surprised to learn about all the different majors you can have and how they are so highly regarded,” Hughes said. “There are a lot of schools that are really high-class here. I always thought engineering was the big thing (at CU), but I’m impressed with all the other academic accolades, as well.” The grind of playing a varsity sport for a Division I team and balancing a rigorous academic schedule can take a toll on a college kid. Through most of her life, Hughes has excelled at everything she has tried. The life of a student-athlete is proving to be no different. Though only in her sophomore year, Hughes has proven to not only be a valuable asset on the soccer team, but the kind of student the Buffs hope to see through the entire athletic department. “The biggest thing for me is just having a schedule. Last year, I did better GPA-wise in the fall rather than the spring because you always have something to do, and when you don’t, that’s your homework time, so it just keeps you to that schedule. In the spring, I still did fine; but in the spring, you have weekends and just a lot more time on your hands,” Hughes said. As one of the younger members of the team, Hughes still has a couple of seasons to make the Buffs a better team. Right now, she is enjoying the rise in popularity the sport is experiencing, and seeing how it is affecting her and her teammates in Boulder. “The major thing right is now that the World Cup is still fresh in our minds. I remember people telling me that soccer was stupid and they would never come to the game,” Hughes said. “Even my good friends were saying that. And then they would watch the World Cup on TV and get excited about the games. I hope that feeling doesn’t fade, but I think the World Cup was a big contributor to the rise in popularity that the sport and our team is seeing right now.” And in every aspect, Hughes is doing what she hopes the World Cup is doing. On the field and around campus, Hughes is making her sport more popular by the day. Editor’s Note: CU head coach Bill Hempen resigned on Nov. 16 following the conclusion of the season. This article was written before that and we felt it still reflected the soccer player and student-athlete that Hayley Hughes has become. 25
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Medford Moorer
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT Medford Moorer provides a voice of reason for CU’s student-athletes
he changing landscape of college athletics has brought some less than favorable attention to the business side of sports. Conference realignments have taken up the headlines and, more often than not, dollar signs are attached to the stories. In the pandemonium that has become the world of college sports, one important aspect has become very overlooked: The players involved are not professionals, but student-athletes.
It’s not uncommon for athletes to walk through the door of a top-tier athletic program with their eyes set on the big money contracts of professional sports. That’s where Medford Moorer comes in. Moorer is in his first year as an academic coordinator in CU’s Herbst Academic Center. He is a valuable asset to the studentathletes at CU and has the ability to relate to the young people who enter his office on a daily basis. Moorer certainly had his standout moments as a Buff, the most notable coming from an interception that he returned for a touchdown in the 2001 Big 12 Championship game against the Texas Longhorns. His playing days may be over, but Moorer knows the most valuable reward he received from CU was his education. He is now using that education to make those in a situation with which he’s extremely familiar aware of the importance of a degree. His job is to keep the studentathletes he mentors focused on achieving that ultimate goal. “Any time you have a former studentathlete in a leadership role and connecting with student-athletes, particularly with someone who is an alumnus of your institution, it makes a big difference,” CU athletic director Mike Bohn said. “Medford understands the value of a degree. When you think of some of the stereotypes that come with being a student-athlete, he can 26
break down some of that and show them that it helps when they see someone like Medford was once in their chair.” Perhaps the biggest advantage that Moorer has over the other coordinators is the fact that he understands – completely – their daily challenges. The ability to relate to a specific situation of those he is trying to help, he feels, makes the athletes more comfortable in seeking out his help. And most importantly, they welcome and listen to the advice and direction that he can offer. In his time as both an athlete and a coordinator, Moorer has seen athletes grow
By Dan Mohrmann
to be a resource to be used at the students’ disposal. He has no desire to loom over the shoulder of any student-athlete that enters the dal Ward Center, but he hopes they understand exactly what his job is and how it can benefit them. Moorer’s goal is to enable student-athletes to become a better asset for their team, as well as their school. “Some of the kids work differently with different individuals within an athletic department. I hope that any student is comfortable talking with me or anyone else in the department. We’re all here to accomplish the same goal – to help them as a student and help them to maintain their academic eligibility,” Moorer said.
Medford undersTands The value of a degree. Mike Bohn
hesitant to seek the help of the academic coordinators for a variety of reasons. He can show them that he is aware that such reasons exist, and that he, more than most, can sympathize with any struggle they might be having at that particular moment. “I know exactly what they’re going through on a day-to-day basis. Practice, offseason workouts, I know what it takes to be successful at the University of Colorado when it comes to academics, as well as being successful as a student-athlete,” Moorer said. “Having the relationship with some of the coaches, I get to work with these guys and let them know my point of view on how to be successful here.” Although academic coordinators can sometimes be seen as a “watchdog” figure, Moorer is well aware that he is considered
As much as Moorer would love for the athletes to simply walk into his office on their first day of school, he has seen the challenges he will face in his position. early in the job, Moorer has made the realization that it’s his job to get CU’s student-athletes to fully embrace the responsibilities that come with being a Buff. Although it’s one of the first “adult” situations they’ve been in, some youngsters need more encouragement than others; some haven’t faced the type of challenges that Moorer is prepared to guide them through. His main concern on this front is making the athlete embrace the maturity that must come with being in their position. In essence, they have decided to attend CU and compete in a game, but the prospect of representing the school on the athletic field is a greater burden than students realize.
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“(It’s a challenge) getting them to grow up, to transition them from high school to college,” Moorer said. “It’s a big transition for some, but not so big for others. That’s with any regular student, just getting them to transition and understand the time management they need to be successful here.” The lure of the professional ranks can present another challenge to an academic coordinator. Athletes seldom realize the slim odds of playing professional sports before they enroll in college and it’s not uncommon to see freshmen who believe they possess professional talent and decide early to place less emphasis on the academic side of their college career.
I know exactly what they’re goIng through on a day-to-day basIs. PractIce, offseason workouts. Medford Moorer
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“A lot of student-athletes come in here with that view, because as kids, that’s what we wanted to grow up to be,” Moorer said. “College is there, yes, but it’s their parents who want them to go. It’s their parents who want them to get the degree. But as kids, what did we think about? We thought about becoming a professional athlete.” Coming into college, those kids may be dreaming about becoming that athlete, but it’s the moment they come across Moorer that they realize that additional opportunities should be seized. As long as CU and other universities have those strong voices to keep student-athletes focused on being students first, the billion-dollar TV deals will be placed in proper perspective. Playing professional sports is a dream Moorer will always encourage, but on the other hand, his job is to make sure CU’s student-athletes leave Boulder with more than one option. “His credibility of understanding the pressures, time commitments and challenges they have as student-athletes allows him to be more effective in his role,” Bohn said. “The current athletes recognize that he gets it and he’s lived it, and he recognizes the ability to connect to and relate to young people can be very valuable.”
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EU P YO UR LO CAL SP ORTS RADIO LIN
CHRIS BIANCHI
6A-7A MILE HIG H MO RN ING RUSH AND JOSH PENNOCK 7A-9A - TH E MI LE HIGH CLUB
ERIC
MARK K IS Z LA N A M GOOD
MO RN ING MAYH EM ---- 9A-11A ----
MARCELLO DAN NY
G IL
EY WH ITE LON ER SPORTS NO
11A-1P PRESENTED BY PAULANER
IRV BROWN & JOE WILLIAMS 1P-3P - IRV & JOE SHOW AN D
3P-6P JIMMY TH WI E MARK D R IVETIM MAC AND D O O G MCINTOSH DOOGAN 6P-8P
ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
RENAUD & KARL
THE BRANDON
SPANO SHOW
NOTARO HUNGUS EI GHT PM TO TEN PM
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The
STampede
Q&a Mike
Bohn The ad sits down to talk about the state of the Buffs By Pat Rooney
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A
nyone who believes they had a busy year probably will not garner much sympathy from University of Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn. Not that Bohn isn’t the sympathetic sort, but it has been a dizzying year at the Dal Ward Athletics Center. In addition to the usual gamut of administrative duties, Bohn oversaw CU’s shift into the Pac-12 conference while the finishing touches were put on the new gem of the athletics department – the 43,000-square foot basketball-volleyball practice facility that was dedicated on Aug. 20. As the Buffaloes football team prepared for its first Pac-12 Conference game, Bohn sat down to discuss the winds of change blowing through the CU athletic department.
What have been your early observations of the Pac-12 Conference? Any surprises? The biggest adjustment has been the phenomenal interest in the Pac-12 that our fan base has had. The people want tickets. They want to actively be involved in our pregame tailgate environment. People are just excited about new places to visit, new teams. The connection to our alumni base has been very exciting. So we have actually had our hands full trying to adjust to that – trying to figure out our travel plans, our pregame environment., which has been wonderful this year. With the support of the president’s office, the chancellor’s office, the alumni association and athletics all partnering together, we all have major pregame functions at every away Pac-12 city to include the pep band. We’re excited about that. Has it been a bigger learning experience than expected? We feel like our hands are full because we have so many new relationships to build with donors in the area, with sponsors that maybe have headquarters there. For example, Safeway and Bank of the West are both based in the San Francisco area. There are terrific opportunities that we are trying to take advantage of, and we recognize that is a wonderful opportunity but, again, a big challenge for us just because it’s new. The Pac-12 had hardly begun before it almost became the Pac-16. Did you know further expansion was a possibility when CU joined the league? Commissioner (Larry) Scott has been very transparent and open about potential opportunities from day one in dealing with him. Obviously a year ago, there was some talk about a Pac-16 and there were some discussions with different things that were happening. But that is why he is the commissioner. He has wonderful skill and vision that we are very, very excited about. He works closely with the presidents and the chancellors, and obviously the group of athletic directors, to talk about opportunities that are put together. Obviously we are at 12, and he has made it clear that is where we’ll be for the foreseeable future. Now, it’s important for all of us to grow on the equity brand of
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I’m a competItIve guy, and I recognIze the competItIve recogn spIrIt of our fan base and our donor base, and also our entIre campus. We recognIze that We Want to buIld It the rIght Way. Mike Bohn
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JON IS MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT HIM WITH THAT FORMULA. Mike Bohn
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the Pac-12 and see where it goes from there. I have 100 percent confidence and respect in Larry Scott as our commissioner. His vision is phenomenal and his overall ability to manage the challenges associated with the national landscape has been, for a new commissioner who didn’t really come from the college ranks, very impressive. How will the conference affect your successful “non-revenue” programs? Certainly in the Pac-12, we have escalated the level of competition, and I think we’re seeing the results of that already in some of our sports. This is a competitive league. They call it the “Conference of Champions” for a reason. But yet what that’s doing is it’s dramatically changing our recruiting. Coach (Tad) Boyle, Coach (Linda) Lappe and Coach (Liz) Kritza, our three programs that can utilize our new practice facility, are seeing dramatic increases in the talent pool
and the commitments they are getting to their programs, which I think is a reflection on a lot of things. It’s obviously their hard work, their integrity and what they represent. I think it’s the new facility helping them, and the new league, as well. It has really presented us with a huge challenge, but yet a wonderful opportunity that in the long term will be a terrific move for our institution. Many Pac-12 programs enjoy great success in sports CU does not have. Is there any discussion about adding sports? We’ve been working on a long-term plan. We have a desire to want to add some programs, but we also recognize the fiscal culture we’re in right now, which basically mirrors a lot of the challenges that have been going on around the country. So as our financial position improves with our season-ticket base, we had a 22 percent increase this year, which was wonderful, and we’re really pleased with
that terrific support and we’ve been able to connect with a lot of our alumni base in the new markets – those things have given us a real shot in the arm, as well. As those things increase, we can take a look at potentially adding some additional sports. That is not something that is in the near future, but it is something that we are looking at. In the event that we add a sport, the first sport that we add will be a women’s sport. The college conference landscape seemingly shifts every month now. How difficult is it to balance what is best for the university while keeping pace with the times? That’s what really makes this position so exciting and challenging. I really feel a tremendous sense of responsibility and accountability to do exactly that. How we do that is we really do it with the way we’ve kind of pitched our program this year with
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the “Shoulder-To-Shoulder” initiative. We have a lot of people standing with us to help. The central administration and the campus leadership have never been more supportive, in my opinion. Their passion and their commitment on this league move and all the challenges associated with all the moving pieces, we have a lot of people standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us. That is vital for us to be successful. We recognize that we have a ways to go, not only on the scoreboard but with our facilities and our overall engagement with all the constituents through the entire institution. The faculty, the alumni, virtually every key constituent group has been all-in. I think that is going to be a key piece to our long-term viability as a program. Our strategic plan is being put into place with input from all those groups. We’re excited about how that is coming. This is the first season with former Buff Jon Embree running the football program. What were the deciding factors for you when Embree was hired? Jon stands for so many things about being a Buff, about being a great coach. He’s connected with his team and these seniors very, very quickly, and that is a tribute to him. I think the tipping point really was his ability to rally so many people around him, starting with his staff. It’s an impressive staff he has put together. Then, you start factoring in his ability to connect with other key members of our organization that make us go – boosters, donors, alumni, the student body. All those things. He really has the ability to galvanize the base that is so important to any successful program. Given the transition the entire athletic program is going through, was it important to hire a coach with distinct CU roots? It certainly was helpful, but I wouldn’t want to diminish Jon’s credentials and his commitment and work ethic and integrity and passion for what he does. That’s why when he started talking about the ability to bring Eric Bieniemy and Kanavis McGhee and Brian Cabral, being able to bring all those coaches together, and then to be able to bring an experienced quarterback coach from the NFL to come in and educate our coaches in Rip Scherer, that’s impressive. That’s the type of leadership and ability to bring young men and coaches together; that’s what is special to us. How tough is it to preach patience with all the excited CU fans on the West Coast? That’s really the challenge for us. I need to be patient, too. I’m a competitive guy, and I recognize the competitive spirit of our fan base and our donor base, and also our entire campus. We recognize that we want to build
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it the right way. Jon and his staff have taken some wonderful steps already with the number of commitments that they have at this time versus what was going on in the past several years. Unfortunately, football programs do not turn around quickly. I think there are elements to that that are easy to overlook or forget. We’re doing everything we can to overcome those previous challenges that kind of put us in this situation to not be as competitive as we’d like to. Jon is making the right decisions and we are doing everything we can to support him with that formula, that “Shoulder to Shoulder” initiative, we hopefully will do it quicker than maybe some think. He does have a young team, and he will be losing a senior running back, a senior quarterback, a senior receiver and a couple seniors on the offensive line. We all recognize the areas we need to improve to get this turned around. Looking at your basketball programs, are you excited to potentially build on the excitement and potential generated by both squads last year? Absolutely, especially with having the new facility and the excitement there. What Tad and Linda represent, as far as integrity, work ethic, passion and vision, is unprecedented. At Colorado, in one year they both have demonstrated that. It really has inspired so many people to want to be a part of it – sponsors, donors, season ticket holders, the student body. That’s why I’m really looking forward to continue to watch their work because they both had tremendous recruiting years. I think that is why we’re really fortunate to have them leading the program. Their integrity, and what they stand for, and their focus and commitment to Colorado and commitment to doing things the right way is incredibly refreshing. We’re honored to have them both leading their programs. How exciting is it to finally have the new basketball-volleyball practice facility in place? My hat is off to our architectural team, our on-campus team and our facility people who just worked to really make something happen that was long, long, long overdue. When you go through there, it appears like it has been there all along. I really have to salute our chancellor for, in the first week on the job, giving me the authority to put the operations center in there to start. Now, to be able to add on to that structure in such an impressive way that fits with the rest of campus has been just a special addition. We’re really, really proud of it. If you talk to our student-athletes and coaches that use it every day, they’ll tell you how special it is. We’re extremely proud of it. It’s paying huge dividends for us already. 39
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DONOR
PROFILE
T
ALL IN THE FAMILY
For Fred and Lawren Bradford, CU is more than just a place By Marty Coffin Evans
hey’re like family to us; we love the kids.”
If you turn around at a CU sporting event, you’ll likely bump into Fred Bradford (Chemistry, 1967). Fred and his CU sweetheart wife, Lawren (History, 1968), have been providing support for the athletic program for 20 years.
“We started doing small things moneywise for the Dal Ward Center and finally got into the scholarship program 17 years ago,” Fred explains. This translates into supporting a student-athlete, specifically a football player, during his four or five years of eligibility at the university. Fred and Lawren live in Galveston, Texas; initially that made it more difficult to attend games in Boulder. When their daughter, Lawrie (Business, 1993), decided to become a Buff, they had a great reason to journey north. Fred reminisces about bringing Lawrie to CU one October when they were looking at colleges. “Once she saw CU, we never saw another campus,” he chuckles. During Gary Barnett’s time here, Fred recalls supporting him wherever the need occurred. With a teacher mother and college football player father, Fred was “very interested in academic support for athletes.” As Fred says, “We owe it to our kids to give them a good education, keep them eligible and on the field.” Being a donor means meeting with their student-athlete, supporting him within allowable compliance guidelines and giving intangible gifts – love, acceptance, having faith in him, a listening ear and open arms. One of the Bradford’s current studentathletes is Rodney Stewart. Fred is in daily 40
communication with Speedy’s mother in Ohio. He maintains scrapbooks of their scholarship recipients, sends online news articles to the families of their out-of-state students and keeps the information flowing. Supporting a student through their years of eligibility brings both the athlete and donors very close. When the team spends the night before a home game at the Omni Interlocken Hotel, Fred will go over and wait to talk with Stewart. Sometimes, that’s around 10:30 p.m. after their meetings. “He has a lot of work to do and I try not to interfere,” Fred comments. A list of Fred and Lawren’s recent scholarship students reads like a who’s who of CU football. Included are Chris “Spanky” Morgan, Sean Tufts, Hugh Charles, Rodney Stewart and Blake Behrens, whom they share with CU alum, Linda Valdez (Business, 1968). Fred believes the scholarship program could expand if more donors were aware of it. A special attribute of the CU athletic scholarship program for the Bradfords is the one-on-one relationship they have with their students. “It’s just wonderful,” Fred exclaims. “People who give may not know their scholarship student. The students may not know the donor.” While some donors prefer to be private about their philanthropy, others enjoy the relationships that develop. Lawren and Fred want to be part of their studentathletes’ lives. “We care enough to go to meet them, and they know we’re there for them,” he says. Being there for Rodney this year means Fred will be attending all the home and away football games. You can expect Lawren to join in, as well, especially since
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I screamed when we got the call that rodney was our guy. Fred Bradford
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their daughter and granddaughter live in Littleton. “She’d find Hugh Charles in every televised football game,” Fred laughs about his granddaughter, Ripley. He proudly shows her picture with Hugh when she was a little tyke.
attending the scholarship luncheons and even attending press conferences for new football coaches such as Barnett and Jon Embree. Although the Bradfords didn’t have a part in selecting Speedy as their current scholarship recipient, they had watched him on film.
“We just love this. We get to be part of these kids’ lives at a very important time,” Fred continues.
“I screamed when we got the call that Rodney was our guy,” said Fred.
This means being there for their surgeries, going to their practices and games,
Being so close to these players can be a bit emotional, as they share the highs and
lows off and on the field together. Some highs have included attending Sean Tufts wedding, and seeing their players graduate and move on into their chosen careers. For many athletes, taking the next step after CU is challenging. Fred and others are working to connect former and current Buffs. “We provide both academic support while they are here and as much help as allowed when our players leave. Football is not going to last forever,” Fred concludes. 43
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EntEEr Ent
EmbrEE Embr EE CU Football is laying the bricks of a new foundation Every story has a beginning. Every tale of greatness has humble roots. In sports, or in life, there is always value in the “journey.” Getting from here to there is filled with ups and downs, but more importantly adventure. When former Buff Jon Embree was handed the reins and given the job of turning around the fortunes of CU, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. And it hasn’t been. But that doesn’t mean the Buffs aren’t on the right track. And it certainly doesn’t mean that the student-athletes at the helm of the transition haven’t given it their all. It’s simply the beginning of something great. And between now and then, there are great stories, personalities and important lessons. There is hope and history, struggle and triumph. In the pages that follow, you’ll learn of these things. And you’ll know that you’ve been there since the beginning.
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DYNAMIC Teacher and pupil unite in Boulder’s backfield by Pat Rooney
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I
DUO
t is mid-September and Buffaloes linebacker Douglas Rippy is preparing for what arguably is the biggest game of his University of Colorado career. There are a number of reasons Rippy is fired up. Not only is CU bracing for a rare opportunity to take on the vaunted Ohio State Buckeyes at their historic home, the “Horseshoe” of Ohio Stadium, but the marquee matchup also will be a homecoming of sorts for Rippy, a native of Columbus, Ohio. Rippy and the rest of the Buffaloes are only a few days from kickoff, and with his phone blowing up with ticket requests and well-wishes from the folks back home, the linebacker needs advice on how to put these distractions on the backburner. He looks no further than toward his cousin, CU running back Rodney “Speedy” Stewart, another Ohio native, who offered the simplest, most efficient solution: Turn off the dang phone. “That’s Speedy,” Rippy said. “Speedy is a smart man.” Smart, and immensely talented, too. Despite a slow start in the ground game at the outset of the 2011 campaign, Stewart still completed his senior season with one of the most-decorated careers ever put together by a Buffaloes football player. Additionally, Stewart and his first-year position coach, former Buff All-American Eric Bieniemy, are in a unique situation rarely witnessed in all of college football. Had Stewart not suffered an injuryplagued season that didn’t quite resemble his earlier years at CU, Buffaloes fans might have been treated to a remarkable scene: A literal 47
STAMPEDE passing of the torch from the Buffaloes’ storied past to a present day star who nearly made a run at a sacred CU record held by his very own coach. It is a monumental record, perhaps the most prestigious among any top-flight collegiate football program. Yet it is a record, and a moment, that both Bieniemy and Stewart claim has not been spoken about since Bieniemy was hired to return to Boulder in December. “It has never come up,” Stewart claims. “We just focus on winning.” As far as records and history goes, mum
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is the word between these two legendary CU runners. “We’ve never had that conversation,” Bieniemy said earlier in the season. “But the bottom line is if he focuses and comes to work like he’s doing every single day, records are made to be broken. This kid deserves that record. We just have to keep him healthy. I always knock on wood.” Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and Stewart didn’t stay healthy throughout the season. When it was all said and done, Stewart came up just short. Transitioning from one coaching staff to another always is
a tricky endeavor, regardless of the talent level and situation inherited by the new regime. The pairing of Bieniemy, CU’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach, with Stewart certainly helped smooth CU’s transition of power under first-year head coach Jon Embree. The relationship between the star running back and his legendary teacher also presents a unique dichotomy: Bieniemy is mentoring the man attempted to erase his name from the top spot of CU’s career rushing list. And although Bieniemy, who always has been as classy as he is fiery, could not come across as any more
earnest when he asserts that “records are made to be broken,” it still might have created a tricky dynamic for any team. Bieniemy, though, squashed that idea almost as soon as he returned to the Boulder campus. He returned on the heels of a fiveyear stint as the running backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings. During that time, Bieniemy helped guide Chester Taylor to a 1,200-yard season and helped oversee the emergence of Adrian Peterson as one of the most-prolific rushers in the NFL. Bieniemy immediately recognized these same tools in Stewart and challenged his new protégé to
start taking the small-but-largely significant steps that might eventually allow Stewart to reach those same heights at the next level. “I just asked him, ‘How good do you want to be?’” Bieniemy said. “When I thought about it, I saw a very, very good, talented football player, and I just wanted him to focus on a direction and a purpose. He is doing an outstanding job of focusing on that direction and purpose. The bottom line is, you can see it in his play. Each and every day, he comes out here and puts it on the line. Every day, he shows up on game day and he is showing you what he is about. Is he quite where he needs to be? No. The sky can
RecoRds aRe made to be bRoken.
Eric Bieniemy
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be the limit for him. But he’s making the right moves and he’s moving in the right direction. “I’ve had an opportunity to see great players work every single day. The thing that I tell him that Adrian Peterson as a kid – and he’s in his sixth year now – you would never know what type of person he is until you watch him practice. He doesn’t take anything for granted. That’s what I tell (Stewart): If you want to be great, you have to have a sense of purpose every day. Every day, you have to have a focus on what you want to get better at. And then on top of that, you have to have a sense of urgency about what you’re doing. What you’re doing (in practice) is that you’re rehearsing what you’re going to do on game day. He’s learning that. It isn’t by chance he’s making plays. Obviously, he’s a tremendous, talented player. But what he’s doing out here, he’s rehearsing everything. He’s making second efforts happen.”
I just asked hIm, “how good do you want
to be?” Eric Bieniemy
Stewart, for his part, has accepted this tutelage with open arms. For a prospect harboring legitimate NFL aspirations, who leaves CU as its second all time rusher with 3,563 yards, this was not an automatic friend request. Yet Stewart is not blind to the sort of talents Bieniemy has coached, and he is eager to add his name to that impressive list – with or without his coach’s record. “He’s the greatest coach of running backs ever,” Stewart said. “Just to have him teach me about my negatives and my positives, and have me work at those, that’s what great players do. Just to have him make me better, I feel like it is going to work great for me here and in my future. “I’ve taken that I have to take my job very serious and take advantage of every opportunity that I get. You only have a couple opportunities to be great in a game. And practice habits, as well – he teaches you how 50
CORE CORPS CU’s wideoUts provide a bright spot in the early days of the Jon embree era By Pat Rooney The receiving corps of the Buffaloes football team was not generating a lot of headlines at the outset of the season. Sure, sophomore Paul Richardson was expected to build on an impressive freshman campaign, yet by and large, the Buffaloes’ receivers were best described with two words – inexperienced and unproven. It took only four games for the group to show they may be more diverse and explosive than previously advertised. “Our receiving corps is very special,” freshman Tyler McCulloch said. “We’re all very close in our meetings and stuff. We’re always helping each other out. Kyle Cefalo, he was my host on my visit. I’ve been able to go to him for any help since I got here. We’re always helping each other.” During the first few weeks of the season, CU’s receivers displayed a knack for feeding off one another. After Richardson exploded for 284 yards and two touchdowns at Cal, he was held to 27 yards and four receptions against Colorado State. But, in a trend CU hopes will continue, seniors Toney Clemons and Cefalo filled the void, combining for 89 yards and two touchdowns to lead the victory in the state rivalry game. “After Cal, they all stepped up and they showed they can make plays, as well,” Richardson said. “Toney Clemons had a big day. Kyle Cefalo had a good day. We throw other receivers in the mix to see what they are going to do, and pretty much we’ve all stepped up to the plate. I’m proud of our unit.”
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He’s tHe greatest coacH of running backs ever. Rodney Stewart
to be good at practice, how to practice harder. Those are the things you need. It’s going to be big if I’m blessed to go to the next level. I have a coach who has already been there.” Stewart’s homecoming game at Ohio State did not end as triumphantly as he had hoped, as he was held to 55 rushing yards during a 37-17 victory by the Buckeyes. Still, Stewart compiled just enough yardage to become just the third rusher in CU history to surpass the 3,000-yard mark. During that contest, Stewart also supplanted Bobby Purify for third-place on CU’s all-time rushing list. After the Buffs capped their season by bringing home an impressive victory from Utah, Stewart’s stat line read 799 carries, 3,563 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns. His career as a Buff was nothing short of remarkable. Part of that progress was strictly philosophical – Embree, Bieniemy and the 52
rest of the Buffs offensive staff have made much greater use of the screen pass than CU employed under former coach Dan Hawkins – but it also displayed Stewart’s growing cache of skills under Bieniemy. Even though he wasn’t churning out the rushing yards in the gaudy manner he was accustomed to, Stewart still found a way to make significant contributions. “We see a tremendous football player,” Bieniemy said. “We see a guy who not only can run the ball when he’s aligned seven yards deep, but also has the ability to pick up a blitz, who also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s a complete football player. I just want him to keep working at it. He’s made tremendous strides. The thing is, he still has a long ways to go. The sky could be the limit for the kid because he has a unique tool. He has a unique gift.” Stewart’s slow start on the ground put a
damper on his quest to supplant his coach as CU’s all-time rusher. Through the season’s first four games, Stewart had collected 278 rushing yards, leaving him 918 yards short of matching Bieniemy’s record. Over the final nine games Stewart would have needed to average 102 yards a game to reach the record. After a series of nagging injuries, however, the “speedy” back came up just short - 377 yards to be exact. But records are for books and bragging rights and 25-year reunions. By no means was Stewart’s run at his coach’s record “unsuccessful.” In fact, it was just the opposite. What Stewart learned from Bieniemy will surely carry him to the next level, a place with which Bieniemy is more than familiar. While the Buffs season is over, it’s just the beginning for this dynamic duo. It’s a relationship where the player may learn from his coach for years to come.
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THE ROCK Senior Tyler Hansen has endured plenty of ups and downs en route to being one of CU’s most admired athletes by Vanessa Hughes
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T
o say Jon Embree was impressed by Tyler Hansen’s showing at the Pac-12 media day this past July would be an understatement. While highly touted quarterbacks like Andrew Luck of Stanford, USC’s Matt Barkley and Nick Foles of Arizona were the main attraction, Hansen had the same swagger as his conference counterparts. “So here are all these quarterbacks in the pack and I could just tell by the way Tyler was looking at them and interacting with them that he wants to compete with those guys,” Embree says. “If all those guys were on our team, Tyler Hansen wouldn’t blink. In his mind, he’d say, ‘All right, let’s go. I’ll show you I’m better than all you guys.’ And that’s what I love about him.” When Embree (who played tight end for CU from 1983-86) was named the Buffs head coach last December, he made it clear that the quarterback position was up for grabs. The new head coach issued a challenge to Hansen. “I told him that the quarterback job is going to be open. I expect him to compete for it and that I was going to give it to the best player,” Embree explains. “He said, ‘I have no problem competing. It’s been like that since I’ve been here and I want to show you that I’m going to be your guy.’” In three 2011 spring scrimmages, Hansen threw for 531 yards and five touchdowns and completed just under 74 percent of his passes. But perhaps the most telling statistic? He didn’t throw a single interception. As a result of his strong showing, Hansen was named CU’s starting quarterback at the end of spring practice. It wasn’t the first time Hansen’s been given the reigns. In fact, the 21-year-old was CU’s starting quarterback for parts of each of his first three seasons in Boulder. As a freshman in 2008, Hansen was slated to redshirt, but that changed in the seventh game of the season. In an effort to give the offense a boost against Kansas State, he took 55
over for Cody Hawkins late in the first quarter, thus removing Hansen’s redshirt. He started his first game the following week at Missouri, becoming just the fifth true freshman to start at quarterback in school history. In five games (two starts), he went 34-for-65 with 280 yards passing, one touchdown and four interceptions. In addition, Hansen set the school record for rushing yards by a true freshman quarterback with 261 (in just five games). It was déjà vu during his sophomore season in 2009, when Hansen’s redshirt was nixed again to take over for Hawkins. In eight games (seven starts), Hansen completed 129 of 231 passes for 1,440 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was named CU’s Athlete of the Week for all sports for his performance in the Buffs onepoint, come-from-behind win over Texas
A&M. In that game, he went 21-of-32 for a career-high 271 yards and one TD (the gamewinner to Patrick Devenny). Hansen also received the team’s Gold Group Commitment Award, which is chosen by the coaches. The honor recognizes excellence with class in a variety of areas. As a junior in 2010, Hansen was named CU’s starter and looked forward to a full season. He was off to a strong start, but in the seventh game, he ruptured his spleen on an option play against Texas Tech. Prior to the injury, Hansen put up some impressive numbers, highlighted by a 68.3 passing percentage (112-164) and just over 1,100 yards in the air. “I’ve definitely been more aware of how to protect my internal organs,” he says. In his senior serason, Hanson settled nicely into his role of starting quarterback under
Embree and new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (also a former Buff ). The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Hansen thrived in the Buffs new pro-style offense, thanks in large part to his
He’s a really awesome leader. Paul Richardson
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ConfErEnCE
of QuArTErbACkS In addition to Tyler Hansen, the Pac-12 is known for great quarterback play. Throughout the season, the conference featured nine of the nation’s top 37 signal callers Here’s a look at some of the league’s best: Stanford senior Andrew Luck is widely regarded as the best quarterback not just in the Pac-12, but in the country. Luck is a great leader, possesses a strong football IQ and is an all-around likable guy. He is expected be the top overall selection in next spring’s NFL Draft. Junior MAtt BArkLey of Southern California could also be a high draft pick. Barkley is in his third year as a starter for the Trojans and most experts feel this will be his final year in the college ranks. Barkley is an excellent passer with a huge upside. Another potential first-round quarterback is Arizona senior nick FoLes. Foles has a talented tandem of receivers in junior Dan Buckner and senior Juron Criner who’ve been lighting it up this year. At 6-foot- 8, Brock osweiLer of Arizona State is the tallest quarterback in major-college football. This has helped the junior passer become an effective signal caller, while also making the Sun Devils a formidable force. Oregon junior dArron thoMAs led his team to the national title game and earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors (behind Luck and ahead of Barkley and Foles) as a sophomore last season. The Ducks are putting up a ton of points in 2011, thanks in large part to Thomas. Three-year starter JeFF tueL of Washington State suffered a broken left collarbone in week one against Idaho State and was expected to miss six weeks. Last season, Tuel had nearly 3,000 yards passing, but was sacked a whopping 48 times. Marshall Lobbestael, has stepped up nicely in Tuel’s absence. Historically speaking, the Pac-12 is often thought of as the best “quarterback” conference in college football. To point, the conference has produced the likes of wArren Moon, cArson PALMer, former Bronco JAke PLuMMer, troy AikMAn, JiM PLunkett, drew BLedsoe, MArk BruneLL and, of course, John eLwAy.
friend and fellow Cali guy Paul Richardson. “The biggest thing with Tyler and I, when it’s time for us to make a play, we expect the play to be made,” says the sophomore receiver. “I feel like we’re joined at the hip. I trust him and he has all the confidence in me, so we
just go out there and show that we can make plays together.” Hansen, who’s from Temecula in Southern California, and Richardson, who grew up in the South Central L.A. area, ran a whole set of routes together three times a week during the
It’s been a crazy rIde, a lot of ups and downs. Tyler Hansen
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summer. That work certainly paid off against Cal in week two. Hansen threw for a career high and CU single-game record 474 yards. He tossed three touchdowns, including two to Richardson (66 and 78 yards). Richardson finished with an impressive 11 receptions for 284 yards, both CU records. Even though the Buffs lost that game 36-33 in overtime, it offered a glimpse of what this talented tandem can do. Richardson is not only grateful that Hansen gets him the ball, but he also appreciates how the quarterback sets a good example. “He’s a really awesome leader,” Richardson says. “Before, Tyler was just assuming the leadership role because he was the quarterback. I feel like now Tyler is comfortable stepping up and he’s comfortable with his voice being heard. So I learned how to become a leader by watching him; I’m proud of him.” Embree concurs. “(Tyler) means a lot to this program. He means a lot to this team. I think one of the best things you can ever say about a kid is that all of his teammates like him. When you’re wellliked by guys on both sides of the football and underclassmen and upperclassmen, that says a lot about you.” When asked if Hansen has a legitimate shot to play at the next level, Embree answered quickly. “I do, because he picks up offensive systems real well and his competitiveness, and there’s something about him that when he gets in an NFL camp, when coaches get around him, he’s the kind of guy you want.” He adds that Hansen reminds him of another No. 9, who’s now in the NFL, Saints quarterback Drew Brees. “It’s not always the best that make it. It’s the ones who won’t take no for an answer. It won’t be the first time he’s had to prove himself. It’s not like, ‘Oh man, they don’t think I can do it.’ He’s heard that a lot. So I think he does have a shot.” Whatever Hansen’s football future holds remains to be seen. What’s certain is that he will graduate in December with a degree in communications. Along with the full-time commitment of playing college football, he will finish school in three-and-a-half years, which he is very proud of. And though his time in Boulder has been quite an adventure, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s been a crazy ride, a lot of ups and downs,” Hansen admits. “My first two years, I was going to redshirt, got my redshirt pulled halfway through each year. Then last year, I get the starting position at the beginning of the year, I played well and then I get hurt. It’s been a wild ride, but it’s been fun. I’m glad I came here and I’m glad I got to experience Boulder and experience the University of Colorado.” 59
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FINISHING
THE JOB Captain Jon MaJor is happy to work hard under Jon eMbree By Pat Rooney Jon Major believes this season is all about completing unfinished business. And the Colorado native is thankful he has been able to act on this crusade under the new management team provided by first-year football coach Jon Embree. Major, a junior linebacker, was putting together a solid sophomore season before a sprained knee derailed his season at the midway point. Now fully healed, Major, like most defensive players, has excelled in the tougher, more physical atmosphere instilled by Embree. “There are no days off. It has been the most physical and most difficult winter, spring, through now that I have experienced,” Major said. “That’s the biggest difference. I feel like it has toughened up the guys and it knocks out the fear you might have going against someone else, because you know you’ve been through it. If you put in the work, it’s not going to be too much harder than what you do every day.” Major, a graduate of Ponderosa High School in Parker, Colo., is honored to be part of the new direction Embree is steering the program Major grew up watching. “Definitely, it’s an honor and hopefully this will be something that is successful and big,” Major said. “You know that this is ground zero and everyone is laying the foundation for what is to come. The whole flow of things, I guess. The ups and downs. That’s the beauty of it all, the romanticism of it. That is the biggest thing for me – sharing that with good friends.”
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THE THIRD
PHASE CU steps up on special teams
by Dan Mohrmann
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STAMPEDE With a new coaching staff comes a new system. New offensive and defensive schemes are almost a given, and the way a team is run on a day-to-day basis certainly goes through some kind of transformation. In the midst of all the scheme shuffling that comes with a new coaching staff, the effect it can have on the special teams tends to get lost. In the last five seasons, the Buffs have been less than spectacular on both sides of the ball – and on special teams. With the return of Jon Embree to Boulder, the process of returning the Buffs to a national power has begun. The process of rebuilding the football team is going to take time for both the players and the coaches. Embree and company have a vision of the kind of football team they want to be and they’re doing their best to implement their philosophy. The changes in offense and the renewed commitment to defense have been well documented. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and defensive coordinator Greg Brown are in the spotlight to turn this team around, but many forget that football is a three-headed monster – offense, defense and special teams. Special teams coordinator J.D. Brookhart shares the challenge of bringing the Buffs back to dominance. Through the early stages of the 2011 62
season, the special teams squad certainly showed their youth and inexperience. The silver lining is that both the coaches and the players know that a foundation has been laid in which they should be able to build on. Following the philosophy of Bieniemy’s offense and Brown’s defense, Brookhart is aiming to make his squad an attacking, physical group. “We have to make plays and we are going to be aggressive,” Brookhart said. “We have had opportunities to get some blocks on some kicks, but we need to continue to find weaknesses in our opponents’ special teams and take advantage of them.” When players reported for camp over the summer, it became apparent early that every aspect of the Buffaloes’ game would be subject to change and improvement. Senior defensive back Jonathan Hawkins – one of the Buffs’ key special teams players the past few seasons – realized an instant emphasis on special teams from the coaches. He learned quickly that the specials teams aspect of the Buffs’ game was going to be taken very seriously, and would be a vital asset to the success of the program. “There’s a lot of emphasis on (it) this year as far as making plays and it being a gamechanging package,” Hawkins said. “The coaches feel as though our special teams can
change the game, as well as help the offense and the defense with field position.” The Buffs hoped to add playmaking ability to the return game early in the season by putting the ball in the hands of both running back Rodney Stewart and wide receiver Paul Richardson. The two dynamic players have proven to be dangerous in open space and using them in the return game could give the team a shot in the arm when getting the ball back after defensive stops. The main problem in the return game has been finding a consistent threat on kickoff returns, something the Buffs will probably have to address both as the season progresses and in the offseason. “On punts, it’ll be Richardson and Stewart (through the season) but we’ll have to find the right decision on kickoff returns,” Brookhart said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with kickoff return situations, that’s been a difficult one for us.” On the flip side of the punting game, the Buffs have garnered the services of freshman Darragh O’Neill. Ironically, O’Neill is new to the duty of punting. An outstanding basketball and soccer player at Fairview High School, O’Neill’s natural abilities have been impressive. Though he’s worked tirelessly with CU’s special teams staff, he’s also spent a considerable amount of time with a former Broncos punter. It’s fair to say the best is yet to come for O’Neill, who’s already been better than expected. The shining beacon on special teams, however, has been the addition of freshman kicker Will Oliver. Embree joked when he introduced his recruiting class in the spring that he received some flack for signing a kicker, but it did not take Oliver long to make an impression on the Folsom faithful. In the Buffs’ 36-33 overtime loss to Cal on Sept. 10, Oliver booted a 52-yard field goal, bringing back memories of former Buff kicker and current Green Bay Packer Mason Crosby. Oliver does not look the part of a longdistance threat, but the coaching staff is well aware of his ability to split the uprights from near midfield. Oliver doesn’t let any pressure get to him in his kicking game, and comes off as a baby-faced kid who is just having fun playing football. “I’m just out there with a smile on my face, kicking the ball through the uprights. That’s what I’m here to do and I’m out here just having a good time. It’s supposed to be a good time, just going out there in front of everyone and I just enjoy it. That’s my mentality,” Oliver said. “Everyone’s cheering for you; they want you to succeed, so you just go out there, put a smile on your face and do what you have to do.” Through a difficult year, the Buffs have shown, at a minimum, that they have attained a scoring threat similar to the threat they had in Crosby during the mid 2000s. In fact, against
I’m just out there wIth a smIle on my face, kIckIng the ball through the uprIghts. Will Oliver
Arizona, Oliver surpassed Crosby’s freshman point total, which was a CU record. The building of a successful football team will naturally take time, but it is important for Embree and his staff to lay a solid foundation on which to build. Players like Oliver, O’Neill and Richardson have become that foundation
for the Buffs special teams. Now, it’s up to Embree, Bieniemy, Brown and Brookhart to construct a team that can win the battle on offense, defense and special teams. All three components are essential to winning programs, and a team is only as strong as its weakest group. 63
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THOUGHTS, OBSERVATIONS, NEWS, NOTES AND MUSINGS FROM…
BUFFALO BILL …A BUFF TO THE CORE
Look, you’re not the only one who’s disappointed in the Buffs record in football this season. I, for one, was hoping for a little better. But I was also realistic about where we were as a program. That said, I’m still very confident in Jon Embree. Before the Buffs were riddled by injuries, I liked some of the things I saw. Sure, the W’s didn’t outweigh the L’s, but I saw a team that was making small strides. Furthermore, they went toe-to-toe with some formidable opponents early in the season– sometimes not for all four quarters, sometimes for a series or two, but there were good signs nonetheless. Furthermore, I think the true measure of Embree may be found during the offseason. Isn’t that why Mike Bohn brought in Embree, who then brought in Bieniemy? Aside from their great appreciation for CU’s history, they both are known for their ability to recruit. Would I have liked to see a few more wins? Absolutely. But let’s talk after National Signing Day, when I believe everyone’s outlook will be positive. Can I please let everyone know just how much I love the Buffs football uniforms this year? Why? Because they’re classics. Over the years, CU, like most institutions, has played around with various uniform options. Never (aside from maybe the “baby blues”) has CU sported an “ugly” uniform. The Buffs have always looked great. But – by far – the uniforms CU wore during their national title run, which is the same style they wear now, are the very best. Props to Nike and the CU athletic department for nailing it in Boulder. FACILITY FRENZY If you haven’t been to campus lately, make sure to stop by the new basketball and volleyball practice facility. Simply put, it’s incredible. But that’s not the only facility the Buffs are adding to their list of real estate. The golf team is chipping in (pun intended, follow along…) – “inside” that is. That’s right, Colorado National Golf Course has added an indoor practice facility for the Buffs golf teams. 64
Just in terms of general rumblings, I’ve come across a lot of people who think the Buffs will be down this year in men’s basketball. Sure, they exceeded everyone’s expectations last year and then graduated quite a bit of offense. But, I’m not so sure Tad Boyle’s team will experience the dip that some people are predicting. What they don’t know is what a phenomenal job Boyle did in the offseason. Not only did he recruit another fantastic freshmen class, including the likes of L.A’s Spencer Dinwiddie, but he also brought in Utah transfer Carlon Brown, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior who will bring offense, physicality and experience. Furthermore, people tend to forget that when Boyle arrived in Greeley, UNC’s men’s basketball team was ranked 336 out of 336. He built UNC into a 20-win team that ultimately made the Big Dance last season. Drop off? I think not – not when Tad Boyle is on the job. Don’t look now, but keep an eye on Richard Rokos’ ski team. It seems like just yesterday, but the Buffs are already in defense of the NCAA championship they won in skiing last school year. As per the norm, the Buffs return a bevy of great skiers, and are more than capable of bringing home another championship. My personal pick for an individual champ? Vegard Kjoelhamar. Last year, Kjoelhamar was an All-American, but he failed to duplicate his 2009 individual national title in freestyle. Though he had a very successful season, Kjoelhamar is intent on getting back to the top of the podium when it’s all said and done. I for one, think he’ll do it. FORMER BUFF HIGHLIGHT: MASON CROSBY Look for former Buffalo kicker Mason Crosby to add another ring to his finger this February. Crosby, who kicks for the Green Bay Packers, earned his first Super Bowl ring last year, and I suspect he’ll do the same this year. Crosby plays for the team that boasts the best offense in the NFL (Green Bay’s defense is excellent, too), and he provides one of the biggest legs in the league – all of which spells R-E-P-E-A-T for the Packers.