What you need to know about CSU’s fall sports

By Emma Askren @emma_askren

A large part of the Colorado State University atmosphere revolves around sports. e Division I fall sports that CSU has to offer are football, volleyball, soccer and both men’s and women’s golf.

Last season, the Rams football team had a disappointing record of 3-9, which proved to be significantly below the average season compared to other Football Bowl Subdivision teams. In the FBS, the Rams ranked near the bottom at 125 out of 131 teams.

However, despite CSU’s belowaverage football team, the sport still plays a huge part in the athletic culture at CSU, with nearly all rivalries stemming from the early days of Colorado State football. e University of Wyoming and the University of Colorado Boulder are the two main rivals of CSU due to their proximity to Fort Collins.

While the University of Wyoming is considered to be the e rivalries between the Cowboys and the Buffaloes are evident in nearly every sport played at Colorado State, especially in football. e Rocky Mountain Showdown is the traditional football game between CSU and CU and will be held at Folsom Field in Boulder this year. e game is only held every couple of years, as both schools are in different conferences, making the game more competitive. e game will be held Sept. 16 this year, with tickets selling fast.

“younger brother” of CSU, the University of Colorado Boulder considers the Rams to be their own younger sibling. But CSU is the oldest of both schools, being founded in 1870 — compared to CU’s 1876 and UW’s 1886.

Volleyball is yet another popular sport at Colorado State and one of CSU’s most successful. Last season the Rams had a record of 19-11 and were extremely close to making it to the NCAA tournament.

CSU will play both CU and UW in volleyball this season, providing opportunities for fans to show support for the Rams as they play their biggest rivals. e first match of the season will take place at Moby Arena against the University of Kentucky in a whiteout game Aug. 25. is year marks the 10th year CSU has participated in Division I soccer and the first season the Rams are able to utilize the new soccer facilities that were finalized over the summer. e men placed 28th at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship and had an incredible first season under new head coach Michael Wilson, advancing to their first NCAA tournament in 12 seasons.

Another important tradition of CSU athletics is themed games. Colorado State has a rich history, and that is celebrated during sporting events. ere is an orange out to celebrate the Aggies, which was CSU’s previous mascot. ere are several other colorthemed games where fans wear a designated color such as green and gold, pink and even blue for Colorado State pride.

Soccer and golf are the final two fall sports that CSU competes in. While these sports are less popular than football or volleyball, the Rams are equally — if not more — successful in these avenues than football or volleyball.

CSU announced two new transfers on the team: Kate Dunne from Oklahoma State University is a sophomore defender from Denver, and Olivia Fout from Auburn University is a sophomore forward from Virginia Beach, Virginia. ese new additions bring added depth to the CSU roster as well as high expectations for the upcoming season.

“I really appreciate the culture and the environment that the coaches and girls are creating, and it is definitely something I am lucky to be a part of,” Dunne said in a release from CSU Athletics.

Colorado State also competes in Division I golf for both men and women. Both teams were fairly competitive last year, making it to the NCAA regional tournament.

On the women’s side, only one athlete made it to the NCAA tournament, but she had a historic season. Sofia Torres posted the best NCAA tournament finish in program history with a 24th place individual finish. Torres was also named to the Mountain West Conference All-Conference Second Team.

“She has played very solid and consistent golf all year,” head coach Laura Cilek said in a release from CSU Athletics. “She had a record-breaking season, and it was so fun to see her and all her hard work pay off.”

Colorado State has a wide variety of sports to offer in the fall season, with football and volleyball taking the spotlight. e first volleyball match of the season takes place Aug. 25 at Moby Arena, the first football game is Sept. 2 at Canvas Stadium, the first men’s golf tournament begins Sept. 9, the first women’s golf tournament begins Sept. 18 and the first soccer game is Aug. 17.

Reach Emma Askren at easkren @collegian.com.