CU Athletic Hall Of Fame To Induct Eleven In 2025 Class

BOULDER — The 20th class to be inducted into the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame this November will feature nine Golden Buffaloes who excelled in their day, representing five different sports and including one of the most popular administrators in athletic department history.

Also recognized will be two additions to each of the Hall's Legacy Wing and the revived Athletic Hall of Honor.

All have their special place in the school's history. The inductees, including one who will be honored posthumously, cover a period starting in the late 1930s through this past spring, representing seven different decades between all. The eight Hall athletes to be inducted hail from football (three), men's basketball (two), women's track (two) and women's skiing (one); the other three are two contributors and one administrator.

Five of the 11 are women, the most to be inducted in any class to date, with the Legacy Wing selections are two unique individuals who have been involved intimately a long time with the program for a combined 11 decades between them. The Hall of Honor inductees represent women's Nordic skiing and football.

The 2025 Hall of Fame class will be the 20th inducted into the Hall since it was conceived in 1998, and the 11 will join 166 individuals (including seven Legacy Wing inductees along with the 1959 ski team as a unit) who have been enshrined to date (25 previously have been honored posthumously). Those to be inducted this November into the Athletic Hall of Fame are (complete bios follow in this release):

They will be joined by two inductees who more than exceeded the criteria for the 4-year-old "Legacy Wing," co-founder of the BOLDERBoulder and a two-term member of the Board of Regents, Steve Bosley ('68) and longtime women's basketball radio analyst Carol Callan. Also to be recognized are two new members of the Athletic Hall of Honor, alpine skier Erin McEachren (2001-04) and football fullback Keith Miller (1992-96) in the fourth year since it was revived in 2022 after being dormant since 1989.

Athletic director Rick George has personally notified the living members of every class of their impending induction since 2014, as well as the next of kin for the one who has passed, including the veteran committee's selection. This year's choice was Jim Willcoxon, one of the first two basketball All-Americans under the legendary (and Hall of Fame coach) Frosty Cox in the late 1930's when CU was often referred to as one of the best programs west of the Mississippi.

All inductees were nominated by their peers or by members of the selection committee; several of the 30 semifinalists emerged from new names submitted over the last couple of years. There will now be 177 members (plus the '59 ski team, CU's first national champions in any sport) in the CU Athletic Hall of Fame since its inception in 1998, including nine in the Legacy Wing, and there will now be 77 in the Athletic Hall of Honor, which was founded in 1969.

The group – Athletic Hall of Fame and its Legacy Wing and the Hall of Honor – will officially be inducted during Hall of Fame Weekend over the course of Nov. 20-22 (final details pending); they will also be featured in the Pearl Street Stampede parade on Friday night and will be introduced at halftime of the CU-Arizona State football game on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Snapshots of all inductees follow, then the complete biographies of all 13 Buffalo legends to be celebrated this fall, as well as the all-time CU Athletic Hall of Fame members as listed by induction class later in this release.

Jeff Campbell

A 5-foot-9, 155-pounder out of Vail's Battle Mountain High School, Jeff Campbell's first love of the four sports he lettered in was football – despite the fact he was considered one of the nation's top 25 hockey players. He was invited to walk-on to the football team by assistant coach Lou Tepper, who had to convince Bill McCartney to have him come to camp to try out, "because I was so little," Campbell recalled. He earned a scholarship after just one week of practice (only two days of which were in pads), and arguably became CU's most celebrated walk-on in history.

"Soupy," as he soon would become known, would amass some impressive statistics, especially being a thorn in Nebraska's side playing a key role in wins over the Corn when they were No. 3 in both 1986 (20-10) and 1989 (27-21). He scored on a 39-yard reverse run to give CU a 7-0 lead in the '86 game, adding a 14-yard run for a first down in the fourth quarter that led to a Dave DeLine field goal and the final points in the game, keeping NU down by two scores. In '89, he had punt returns of 47 and 55 yards, both setting up touchdowns that gave CU leads at the time of 14-7 and 24-14, respectively.

Overall in his CU career, between rushes, receptions and punt returns, he had 139 touches for 2,186 yards, an astonishing 15.7 yards per play, with seven touchdowns. The most impressive of the lot was his 28.6 average on 28 catches for 802 yards.

"The selection means the world to me," Campbell said. "Out of all the things that I've done in my life, this is by far the best experience I have ever had. It is something that I will cherish forever. To have been with our group of coaches and teammates for those years is indescribable. Without Coach Mac, Lou Tepper, Oliver Lucas and Don Frease, I never would've had a chance to be here – and I can tell you I would not be where I am today without this program. They were more than coaches, they were mentors and friends. They pushed me to be the best I could be. Yes, they were hard and I sometimes felt I couldn't give anymore, but they would raise the ceiling and show me I could. It was an honor to be a Buffalo. I wouldn't be in this select group without my coaches, my teammates and my family.

"I came to the University of Colorado with just a chance and an opportunity, but that is all I wanted," he continued. "I left here with an incredible family that I have relied on over the years for many different things. So much of what Colorado Football meant to me was, yes, we were champions, we were the best in the country – but I can't imagine my life without my former teammates. My friends. The whole experience was beyond amazing. I'm so very thankful and grateful for the opportunity to have worn the buffalo logo on my helmet. It will forever be in my mind, the greatest accomplishment of my life."

Mason Crosby

The seventh two-time, first-team All-American in CU history, Mason Crosby finished his career in 2006 as CU's all-time leading scorer with 307 points. Fast-forward to 2022, he scored his 10 final points in his career with Green Bay with three field goals and an extra point kick against Detroit, finishing as the Packer's all-time leading scorer with 1,918 points. That made him one of just six players in history to lead both their college and NFL team in scoring. On July 24, he will be inducted into Green Bay's Hall of Fame.

Crosby also was CU's seventh (and last) three-time, first-team All-Conference performer, and in 2015, he was named as the second-team kicker on the Football Writers Association of America's 75th Anniversary All-America team. Including the scoring mark, he set 33 CU single-game, season and/or career records, including field goals made (66) and attempted (88), extra points made (109) and attempted (117), field goal percentage (75.0) and longest field goal made (60 yards). He made 12 kicks of 50 yards or longer (the previous high was three), and excelled in late game heroics, a clutch performer: he was 12-of-15 in the game's in the final 9½ minutes.

"I never set out chasing accolades like this, which is why being inducted into the Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame means so much," Crosby said. "It's a humbling moment to pause and reflect on how blessed I was to be a part of the Buffaloes tradition. I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Gary Barnett — not only for recognizing potential in me, but for helping set a course that ultimately led me to a career in the NFL and the honor of becoming a Super Bowl champion.

"When I think back on my time in Boulder, it's not just the games – it's the people," he continued. "The team camaraderie, the wins over Colorado State, and the incredible support staff who made sure we thrived on and off the field. None of this would've been possible without my parents. Their steadfast belief in me and sacrifices gave me the opportunity to be part of a program like Colorado. I carry their love and support with me every step of the way.

"Above all, I give thanks to God for every opportunity, challenge, and victory along the way," he added. "My faith has always grounded me, and I'm grateful for where He's led me – starting with those formative years in Boulder. CU will always hold a special place in my heart – not just because of football, but because it's where I met my wife. That chapter of my life started in Boulder, and it's been the foundation for everything that's followed."

Shalaya Kipp

A nine-time All-American across three disciplines (cross country, indoor and outdoor track), Shalaya Kipp emerged as a standout distance runner under coaches Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs from 2009 through 2014. She was the first Buff woman to earn four All-American honors in cross country, quite an accomplishment considering CU's history in the sport, and matched that number outdoors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase; the other came in indoors in the 5,000-meter run. In 2012, she made CU history as the first athlete – male or female – to win an individual Pac-12 title, capturing the steeplechase crown at the Pac-12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

In 2012, she captured the NCAA title in the steeplechase, starting a most memorable summer. At the U.S. Olympic Trials, she shattered her personal best by more than seven seconds, running 9:35.73 to claim the final spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for the London Games. In the Olympics, she ran 9:48.33 in the heats, placing 12th and narrowly missing the final. She just missed qualifying four years later for the games in Rio in 2016, but in-between racked up plenty of notable performances, including a second Pac-12 title in the steeple.

She was inducted into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame in 2015.

A member of CU's "4.0 Club" (grade point average) as a student, she has blended her running career – now concentrating on marathons – with earning her Master's degree in Integrative Physiology from CU in 2018, and her Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia in 2023. She is now a postdoctoral research fellow at the Mayo Clinic.

"Being selected for this honor still feels a little surreal because I vividly remember being a young freshman, full of ambition and dreaming of becoming one of "the greats," Kipp said. "CU was already established as one of the best track programs in the country – national record holders, conference and NCAA champions and Olympians have all walked through the same doors I was entering. I just remember wanting, one day to be one of them. Today, I can't help but think, wow, she (me) really did it!"

Kris Livingston

The first female administrator selected for CU's Hall, Kris Livingston spent her first eight years on the CU staff as the first-ever director of operations under Ceal Barry for the women's basketball program, joining the team in July 1997. That position entailed all sort of duties, from coordinating travel and road accommodation and practice times to team meals and working with other areas of the department.

When Barry retired from coaching, Livingston could have been out of a job, as new coaches usually have their own staffers to bring in. But Livingston had proved to be a valuable employee, one who displayed true care for the student-athlete; a vacancy was open in academic support, and she turned out to be a perfect fit – so perfect that when the Herbst Academic Center's (HAC) director position opened a year later, she made the easy transition into a job she would hold for the next 18 years with various title bumps along the way.

Thus her 28 years of service has made her the longest-tenured female administrator in CU athletic department history (not including coaches or secretaries/administrative assistants). In her role with the HAC, she oversaw all of CU's academic support services for anywhere from 350 to 380 student-athletes annually, and under her direction, CU athletes improved almost annually in semester and cumulative grade point averages, setting records almost annually up until the time she retired this past June. Her final title after five promotions was as the executive senior associate athletic director which she was named in 2021, and she also coordinated CU's 11 sports supervisors until her last days.

"I received a phone call from Rick George regarding the Hall of Fame, and quite frankly I was stunned!," Livingston said. "I've attended most of CU's Athletic Hall of Fame inductions over the years, and I never once thought about receiving this honor.

"Working in Athletics at CU was a dream career," she continued. "I had a wonderful role model in Ceal Barry, and I am forever grateful to her for hiring me. It was an absolute privilege to work with the CU coaches, staff, and student-athletes. This place is special, and I'm honored and humbled to receive this recognition."

Pam Owen McCartney

A member of Jerry Quiller's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, Pam Owen McCartney earned four letters (1989-1990 through 1992-1993), with her best event the pentathlon. She was the 1993 Big Eight Conference indoor pentathlon champion, setting the CU record in the process with 4,046 points, a record that would stand for 20 years. As the '93 Big Eight outdoor heptathlon champion, she accounted for 25½ of CU's 89 team points, as in addition to winning the heptathlon, she also placed in the high jump, 100-meter hurdles and the 4x400-meter relay, helping CU to a fourth place finish, its highest at the time in program history.

Her best individual event was the high jump, with her top effort of 6-0 is still tied for the second-best of all-time at Colorado; she qualified for the 1993 NCAA Indoor Championships in the high jump. A member of CU's '93 4x400-meter relay team, she helped set the school record at the time of 3:45.54; she ran on that relay team all four years in college. She was the runner-up in both 1991 and 1992 in the Big Eight indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon. Other personal college bests included: 14.13 (100-meter hurdles), 5-11½ (outdoor high jump), 2:16.67 (800-meter run) and a 55.7 split in the 4x400.

She is currently competing to this day in Masters Track and Field competition (ages 50-54): she was the gold medalist in the high jump (1.55m) and the silver medalist in the pentathlon (3,861 points) in which her total surpassed the 25- year old American Record at the 2025 Indoor World Championship. She owns the second-best high jump in the world for a woman age 50 and over (5'3¾ or 1.62m), which is the U.S. Outdoor Age Group record and recently finished the 2025 indoor season ranked No. 1 in the world in the high jump and No. 2 in the pentathlon.

"I'm filled with gratitude for all of the blessings that came from my time at CU," Owen McCartney said. "From being able to compete in the sport that I love, for the education that I received, for all of my amazing coaches and teammates, and for meeting my husband Tom. I've always been proud to be a Colorado Buffalo and I'm truly honored to be a part of the Hall of Fame!"

Joanne Reid

The daughter of a Winter Olympic bronze medalist and niece of a five-time winter gold medalist, Joanne Reid likely had the genes to do something great as a University of Colorado Nordic skier. By the time she graduated in 2013, she easily was considered to be on the proverbial "Mt. Rushmore" in Buff history when it came to Nordic women racers.

A four-year letterwinner on the CU ski team under CU Hall of Famers, coaches Richard Rokos and Jana Weinberger from 2010-13, she was a pivotal performer as a member of two Colorado national champion teams in 2011 and 2013. A seven time All-American (five first-team accolades), she ended her career in her final race as the NCAA individual champion in the 15-kilometer freestyle competition, skiing away from the field in winning by 27 seconds. It was a key outcome in the Buffaloes rallying from a 54-point deficit entering the last two races, turning the tables on Utah in defeating the Utes by 43 points.

Also a four-time All-Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association performer (three time first-team selection), she finished her career with 39 race starts with 36 top 10, 28 top five, 20 podium (top three) and 11 race wins. In 2013, she was named the CU's Female Athlete of the Year for all sports as well as the Female Collegiate Skier of the Year for the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. She turned professional in the Biathlon in 2015 and has been a member of Team USA since 2016, participating in two Olympics (2018 PyeongChang, 2022 Beijing) and a five-time participant in the World Championships. Most recently in 2023, she finished first in the sprint and in the pursuit at the U.S. Biathlon Championships in Casper, Wyo. (Her mother is Beth Reid Heiden, a 1983 NCAA cross country champion herself; her uncle is Eric Heiden, the five-time gold medalist in speed-skating.)

The Colorado Biathlon Association has honored her by sponsoring a festival in her name exclusively for women at Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby the last two years.

"It's a little surreal to be inducted into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame," Reid said. "It's the ultimate honor that you don't necessarily set out to accomplish during your career. It's truly an amazing honor to be just the fourth women's Nordic skier inducted, and to join three other amazing Buffs in Maria Grevsgaard, Anette Skjolden and my former coach Jana Weinberger. Nordic skiing and my more recent sport of biathlon are not usually about the spotlight, so for all of us who spent hours training and skiing together, this represents something bigger than results. It's about the people, the memories, and the love of the sport, and my time at CU was never short in those areas. Thank you to the selection committee, I am truly honored."

Barry Remington

Barry Remington had to overcome several serious injuries in his football career, including permanent eye damage when he stepped on a bottle of acid in the dark in the summer prior to his senior season. But for him, his last year would be remembered for what he accomplished rather than the maladies.

He entered that senior season ('86) just seven tackles shy of setting CU's all-time record; 127 takedowns later, he ended his career with 493 stops, including 245 solo, blowing past the previous records and establishing an overall mark no one has come close to (he's still sixth in unassisted tackles). Almost four decades later, his tackles mark is the sixth-oldest of all career numbers in the record book. The 127 stops had him second in the Big Eight Conference as a senior, when he was an Associated Press honorable mention All-American as a senior in 1986, when he was also a unanimous all-Big Eight performer.

One of his two career interceptions came late in CU's 20-10 upset of No. 3 Nebraska in '86, thwarting the last Cornhusker rally, captured live on an ABC cut-in (with CU's late ski coach Bob Beattie dictating the action (which prompted fans to rush the field with 16 seconds left on the clock). He posted three straight 100-plus tackle seasons, the first player in CU history to do so, and had five games of 20 or more tackles, the most by any Buff in school history (his career high was 23 at Oklahoma State in 1984).

"I'm very thankful and honored," Remington said. "Being a Colorado kid, going to Fairview, winning a couple of state championships in football and basketball, staying home to play for the Buffs – and now the Hall of Fame at CU – it's truly an honor. I'm looking forward to sharing this prestigious honor with my teammates, my friends, and of course, my family.

"I loved every second of it," he added. "Sure, I wish I had avoided a few injuries in my career, but to play in so many games and be part of the Buffs turning into a national power back then – man, how blessed were we to have Coach (Bill) Mac (McCartney) leading us. No question, this is something very special."

Richard Roby

A four-time All-Big 12 performer on some level and a two-time, first-team All-District player, Richard Roby (row-bee) exited his CU career (2004-08) as the school's all-time leading scorer. Playing three seasons under coaches Ricardo Patton and one under Jeff Bzdelik, he was a scoring machine with 2,001 career points in 119 games (16.8 per), with 1,103 of those in 64 conference games (17.2), the latter numbers that to this day remain third all-time all in the 30-year history of the conference.

He was consistent from year-to-year, averaging 16.0 points as a freshman, 17.0 as a sophomore, 17.3 as a junior and 17.0 as a senior; those ranked him, respectively, in the Big 12 as 10th, fifth, seventh and third. He was the sixth player at the time to lead CU in scoring as a freshman (and only the ninth-ever to average in double figures), and just the second player to be the Buffs' leading scorer all four career seasons (joining Donnie Boyce). Roby still ranks in the top 10 in several career categories (scoring, tie-first; 3-point field goals made, tie-second; field goals made, fifth; steals, sixth; free throws made and attempted, seventh; and with 92 blocked shots, he's 12th).

He played one season in the NBA G League and 11 seasons overseas on three continents, while also playing for Team Colorado in The Basketball Tournament.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected for induction into CU's Hall of Fame," Roby said. "This recognition is more than just a personal achievement – it's a reflection of every person, moment, and blessing that has shaped my journey. First and foremost, I want to thank God for the gifts, strength, and opportunities He has given me. Without His guidance and grace, none of this would have been possible.

"To my mother and my entire family – your unwavering love, support, and sacrifices laid the foundation for everything I've been able to accomplish. Thank you for being my rock every step of the way," he continued. "To the University of Colorado – thank you for giving me the chance to be a Buff and represent something bigger than myself. My four years there were some of the most formative of my life, both on and off the court. To the coaches and my teammates I had the privilege to play alongside – thank you for pushing me, believing in me, and becoming lifelong friends and family. The bond we built through the game continues to mean everything to me.

"And to everyone who believed in me, voted, supported, and advocated for me to receive this honor – I am sincerely grateful. Your faith in me means more than I can put into words. This induction is not just a celebration of past accomplishments – it's a reminder of the journey, the people, and the purpose behind it all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Jim Willcoxon

Jim Willcoxon (will-cox-son) as one of CU's first two All-Americans in basketball (with Jack Harvey the same year). There was no shot clock in basketball when he played – some final scores included the likes of 33-19, 29-26, 38-26, 29-18 and 35-33 – thus points were at a premium. Primarily known for his defense, he anchored Coach Frosty Cox's 1937-38 and 1938-39 Mountain States Conference championship teams: the Buffaloes were 29-10 over the two seasons, 20-4 in Mountain States (Big 7) play. He also led the Buffs to national prominence with strong showings on Cox' East Coast road trips that were designed to showcase the CU program. His hard-nosed style of play earned him both All-Mountain States and All-America honors as a senior, when he averaged 9.8 points per game over 18 games, second on the team (CU averaged 45.4); he averaged a team-best 10.7 in 12 league games (rebounds, assists and steals were years away from being recorded).

After graduating from CU, he played for the Phillips 66 Oilers on its national championship AAU team of 1940-41 before serving in the Navy during World War II as a commanding officer of an LCT (landing craft, tank) in the Mediterranean theater, leading his crew through five major invasions. He would return to CU to complete his Master's degree, and was an assistant coach for Cox during that time. He also was a football and basketball referee, primarily for Big 7 Conference games. He passed away in 1999 at the age of 80.

"Our family is tremendously honored to have James Carlton Willcoxon inducted into the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame," his daughter, Amy Moslander said. "We are eternally grateful that he was given the opportunity to play basketball for Colorado by a former All-American himself, Coach "Frosty" Cox. Coach Cox's expert tutelage was instrumental in helping Jim be named an All-American in 1939.

"Jim was a native Kansan who fell in love with the University of Colorado, and passed his love for CU down to his four daughters," she continued. "For decades, he led them in courtside cheers for the Buffs at the Big 8 Holiday basketball tournament in Kansas City. He also taught them the fight song, "Glory Colorado," and sang it with fervor. They then handed this love to their children, exemplified by a granddaughter attending CU and a grandson completing his Master's degree there.

"Jim Willcoxon, a.k.a. Big Jim, was a man of integrity. His faith in Christ, and his experience and achievements at Colorado laid the foundation upon which his resulting successes in life were built. We are so excited and greatly appreciate the prestigious recognition given to him by the University he so deeply loved."

The Legacy Wing inductees; though they come under that heading, they are full-fledged members of the Hall of Fame:

Steve Bosley

When he was the president of the Bank of Boulder, Steve Bosley co-founded the BOLDERBOULDER with Frank Shorter in 1979, a simple idea to hold a 10-kilimeter road race on the streets of the city. Over 2,200 finished the first race, and it doubled in size to 4,870 finishers in 1980, when the finish line was moved to Boulder High School's track. They had a success on their hands – a tremendous growing one at that. Working with late Eddie Crowder, CU's athletic director at the time, the finish line was moved to Folsom Field, creating one of the most unique settings for the winners to break the tape with seating for thousands of on-lookers in the stadium.

The race kept growing and growing until it peaked with 50,421 finishers in 2010, but remains steady with around 50,000 registrants and finishers in the upper 40,000's. With so many staying in the stadium to see the finish of the elite runners, in 1988 Bosley and staff added what would become the nation's largest Memorial Day celebration to honor those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It literally turned into another home game at Folsom Field, and televised locally, it is free publicity every year for athletics and the university. Bosley, elected to two terms as a Regent (serving from 2005 through 2016), was a positive voice for the department through times of thick and thin. He also hired several student-athletes to work both at the bank and the race through the years, and when the format included International competition, many CU runners, male and female, were selected to represent the U.S. team entries in those races. The partnership with CU dates back to 1976, when Bosley coordinated fundraising efforts to send Ralphie and her handlers to the '77 Orange Bowl in Miami, and then two years later, purchased a buffalo calf that was donated to CU and became Ralphie II.

"My great pride in the University of Colorado evolved with my commitments to CU," Bosley said. "My love and respect for athletic competition logically leading me to do what I could, on as broad a basis as possible, to support CU Athletics. As a Regent, I had opportunities to be even more involved in areas of support. The BOLDERBOULDER allowed even additional ways to show support. As was described when we moved the finish to Folsom Field, the race and CU Athletics came together in the spirit of a "partnership" which has spelled success for over 40 years, and more years to come. I am profoundly proud and grateful to be named a Legacy Wing inductee."

Carrol Callan

The late Larry Zimmer and currently Mark Johnson are generally known as the "Voice of the Buffaloes," with Zim behind the microphone for 42 seasons and M.J. now for his 22nd this fall. But Carol Callan recently took over the top spot for service, as the 2024-25 women's basketball season was her 44th calling Lady Buff (through '92-93) and Buff games as the radio analyst with five different play-by-play announcers ("Lady" was dropped from the women's nickname in '93).

She found her way to Boulder after graduating from William Woods University in Missouri, where she played on the school's first varsity basketball team, landing at Fairview High School as a coach and administrator. In 1979, CU's late head coach Rene Portland wanted more exposure to the program and coordinated the first radio broadcasts on CU's student radio station, with Callan a natural to serve as the analyst. That started her incredible run of over 1,200 games behind the microphone, missing just two seasons due to her obligations with USA Basketball. This is her fourth Hall of Fame, as she previously has been inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, the Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

"There are so many people to thank for this great honor," Callan said. "The Hall of Fame selection committee; the coaches, players, SID's and administrative staff who have made this experience so enjoyable; my radio partners at KBOL and Learfield who care deeply about the women's basketball program; the fans who listen to our broadcasts and have followed the team both home and away; and, my family who have been life-long women's basketball fans.

"I have a strong affinity for the radio having listened to St. Louis Cardinals broadcasts with Jack Buck and Harry Caray growing up," she recalled. "When I was at Fairview, Rene Portland came to Boulder and wanted games on the radio. She suggested contacting one of the high school coaches in Boulder to be the analyst, I jumped at the chance to have a front row seat watching a sport I love and serve the University I claim as my own. That is why this award is so special for me."

She took the time to list five of her favorite memories covering the Buffs:

"The first season of games included just four games broadcast on the campus radio station to the dorms only. You had to be sitting in the hallway under a speaker to listen."
"Steadily the University supported the growth of broadcasts moving from home games only to home games plus the Big 8 tournament in Salina, Kansas. Yes, I rode the bus with the cheerleaders and the band, and it was a big step."
"While I have been the analyst for the broadcasts, I have been pushed into play-by-play duty when travel delays or circumstances arose. At Iowa State years ago, I did the game alone using a phone because my partner and the equipment were delayed due to a snowstorm!"
"During the Ceal Barry years, we had the opportunity to broadcast the first sellout at the Events Center (in 1989) when hosting UNLV for an NCAA game. It was THE place to be for the Boulder community."
"Several upset victories and Elite Eight games are memorable, but it is the people I will always remember most. Airplane trips, bus rides, meals, conversation, laughs - these times together solidified friendships and reinforced memories more than just the box scores and stats."

The Hall of Honor was originally created in 1967 but discontinued in 1989; George approved bringing it back and it was revived in 2022. The award is presented to a person who, while attending the University of Colorado, was awarded a Varsity "C" and attained distinguished exceptional achievements and remarkable careers in his or her chosen field. The first female varsity athletes didn't graduate until the late 1970's, thus the first inductees were all men as most women were barely into their post-athletic careers. The two newest inductees:

Erin McEachren

Erin McEachren (mac-each-ren) lettered four years (2001-04) as an Alpine Skier under Hall of Fame coach Richard Rokos, she finished in the top 20 in 23 of the 26 races she completed, going out on top earning her first All-American honor in her very last race (sixth place in the NCAA slalom). What she has accomplished since dwarfs – in a good way – those accomplishments, and as a result McEachren becomes the third woman in the HOH (the first two were Heidi Burgett and Kate Fagan in 2022).

Erin's excellence extended well beyond the slopes: a two-time member of the Division I All-Academic Ski Team (2002, 2003), she earned prestigious honors such as the Buffalo Award of Distinction and the Leo Hill Academic Leadership Award. Her commitment to both athletic and academic pursuits exemplified the values of the CU community, and as a result, all of her accomplishments set the foundation for a remarkable career in the medical device industry, where she has become a trailblazing leader. She is presently the Vice President and General Manager of Enabling Technologies for the Cranial & Spinal Technologies Operating Unit at Medtronic, managing a $2.2 billion portfolio. In this role, she drives growth and innovation in transformative areas such as robotics, navigation, and advanced energy devices, pioneering solutions that improve patient outcomes globally.

Previously, she served as Vice President of International for Cranial & Spinal Technologies, where she led market growth in Western Europe, Japan, and Australia/New Zealand. In all, she has over 20 years of experience in the medical device sector, having held senior leadership roles at industry-leading companies, including Johnson & Johnson, NuVasive, Stryker and Alcon, where she developed deep expertise in medical devices, robotics, mergers and acquisitions, and financial investment. With a degree in 2004 from CU in Integrated Physiology and Biochemistry, she joined Stryker as a marketing associate and quickly rose through the ranks in sales and marketing across the U.S. and Europe. It enabled her to earn her Global Executive MBA in Globalization and Emerging Markets in a partnership between Georgetown University and Esade University Business School (Barcelona, Spain) in 2012.

"CU's Hall of Honor induction is a full-circle moment for me," McEachren said. "The athletic scholarship I received not only allowed me to pursue my passion for skiing but also gave me the tools and support to thrive in my career and personal life. This recognition is a testament to the incredible impact CU has had on me and my family. As a Canadian and international student, being selected is deeply humbling. CU welcomed me with open arms, providing the support and resources to pursue my career. It was here that my passion for innovation and medical devices began to take shape, and I'm honored to represent the values of this incredible university.

"I'm proud to be one of only three women to be recognized with this distinction," she continued. "As someone leading transformative healthcare initiatives at Medtronic, with the Enabling Technologies headquarters just down the road from CU, I see this induction as a bridge between the lessons learned on the slopes and the impact we're making in millions of lives worldwide.

"I would really like to thank our head coach, Richard Rokos, for his incredible guidance – not just during my time at CU, but in so many aspects of life after graduation," McEachren added. "His mentorship shaped me as an athlete and as a person, and I'll forever be grateful for his belief in me. "I'm so grateful to my incredible teammates and the Athletic Department for the unwavering support I received. Together, we created memories and learned lessons that continue to inspire me in everything I do."

Keith Miller

"The kid from Ovid," a small Colorado town a few miles from the Nebraska border and with a population that has always hovered around 250, Keith Miller went from being a freshman fullback in 1992 to bright lights of New York City where as an accomplished opera performer, he sang often at the New York Metropolitan Opera. From growing up on a farm to blocking for Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam to performing in Madama Butterfly at The Met, he truly epitomizes why the Hall of Honor was established.

Owner of a booming bass-baritone voice, he always had a love for music and turned to it after playing a few years of professional football in Europe. He auditioned for smaller roles and was awarded them, eventually gaining entry to Philadelphia's esteemed Academy of Vocal Arts. From there, his career took off, performing in over 350 operas all over the country to date.

"I am really speechless," Miller said. "Growing up in Ovid, the size of one of CU's dorms, the thought of playing in college wasn't even on my radar until the school secretary handed me a letter from (recruiting coordinator) Mike Glynn my sophomore year. I loved my hometown, but I felt trapped by the grind of farming – maybe four or five hours of sleep a night, and changing water at all hours of the day, taking care of cattle, etc. I just wanted a chance to do something different. That letter and then several coaches were just a few that by giving me an opportunity to play at CU, gave me a chance at a different life. That I was allowed inclusion into this has been the greatest accomplishment of my life, and all I can ever do is try and be of service to my fellow man and pass down some of what Coach Mac has given to me.

"The trajectory of a man's life when changed early on, may seem like inches, but miles down the road, sets you in different countries, different paths, and that is what CU football did for me," he continued. "I was pushed to my limits. One spring practice in '94 Rashaan Salaam and I were the only backs at one or our hardest practices ever, and we laid on the turf for 45 minutes after practice. I had never felt so grateful. It is one thing to dream of accomplishing goals, to see yourself accomplishing greatness, but when reality faces you, you question everything. Shay Davis and I were in the elevator the first week the varsity showed up and we looked at each other and said, 'All I want to do is run on that field one time, just one kickoff and be a part of this team!' I will never forget the awe I felt being surrounded by these phenomenal athletes. Then, slowly and through the work and guidance of Coach Mac, we became friends, and then earned a place with them as teammates. The true honor I feel is that I was able to don the same headgear as those amazing men and warriors and be part of a program that has been the greatest part of my life.

"Getting to know all of the staff, trainers, equipment managers through those practices, this has been a lifetime of treasured memories that lives with me forever and inspires me to try and continue to carry forward the responsibility that comes with being a Buff," he added. "When I see the torchbearers of the program like Coach (Brian) Cabral, I still to this day live in humility that I was able to wear the black and gold, and will do my best to uphold the tradition of the Colorado Buffaloes. I thank CU for the opportunity, for changing my life and teaching me through example what integrity is. God Bless you Coach Mac, Mike Glynn, coaches (Ben) Gregory, Cabral, (Terry) Lewis, (Greg) Brown) and (Dave) Plettl, and Larry and Brigitte Zimmer, as well as my teammates, some who have left us too soon, I thank you for the chance to be your teammate and will never forget you."