Pearl Street SLAMpede
First Pearl Street SLAMpede Dazzles In Downtown Boulder
October 16, 2026 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
BOULDER – All eyes were on downtown Boulder Friday night as Colorado's men's and women's basketball teams headlined the first Pearl Street SLAMpede.
Family weekend at CU Boulder brought together an amazing crowd on a beautiful fall night. Both basketball teams took part in the parade and pep-rally, being led through Pearl Street by the Golden Buffalo Marching Band and the CU Spirit Squad as they rode on the vintage gold fire truck. They then made their way in front of the Boulder Courthouse, where the skills showcase took place on a custom-created CU basketball court.
Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo, alongside head men's basketball coach, Tad Boyle, and head women's basketball coach, JR Payne, addressed the Boulder community before the skills showcase took place.
"What a night here in Boulder! What a night here on Pearl Street! Are you kidding me?" Lovo said. "This is the best setting in all of college athletics, and we're so thankful that you're here with us tonight."
"I can't tell you how much it means to our players, both men's and women's," Boyle said. "Tonight's about uniting the Boulder community with our basketball programs, and that's what this is about. So thank you for coming out."
"I think it's incredible," Payne said. "This is a place that loves their Boulder sports and loves their Buffs. So, overall, a great event."
The 3-point contest kicked off the night's showcase, with three shooters from each team competing against one another. The top shooters from the men's and women's teams, first-year Buffs Alex Dickeson and Lauren Harris, then faced off in the championship round and it was Harris who knocked down 19 threes to win the contest.
The excitement continued as the event moved into a joint knockout contest between both teams. Moving back and forth between the free throw and 3-point lines, freshman Justin Neely won the fast-paced game.
Lastly, the showcase ended with a thrilling dunk contest from the men's basketball team, in front of a live panel of judges. The contestants sent the crowd into a frenzy with various electrifying dunks. Sophomore Josiah Sanders was crowned champion following his final dunk when he threw down after jumping over the head of CU Boulder Chancellor, Justin Schwartz.
"It feels crazy. This is the most crazy thing I've ever been a part of in my life, and it's just great to see all the fans out here," said sophomore Ian Inman.
"That was super fun to do as a team. We spent some good time together and then got to connect with our fans as well," senior Zyanna Walker said.
The SLAMpede did nothing less than bring the Boulder community together as part of an exciting weekend, setting the stage for the upcoming basketball season. The night also included a live DJ, t-shirt tosses, and wrapped up with autographs with members of both teams.
Family weekend at CU Boulder brought together an amazing crowd on a beautiful fall night. Both basketball teams took part in the parade and pep-rally, being led through Pearl Street by the Golden Buffalo Marching Band and the CU Spirit Squad as they rode on the vintage gold fire truck. They then made their way in front of the Boulder Courthouse, where the skills showcase took place on a custom-created CU basketball court.
Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo, alongside head men's basketball coach, Tad Boyle, and head women's basketball coach, JR Payne, addressed the Boulder community before the skills showcase took place.
"What a night here in Boulder! What a night here on Pearl Street! Are you kidding me?" Lovo said. "This is the best setting in all of college athletics, and we're so thankful that you're here with us tonight."
"I can't tell you how much it means to our players, both men's and women's," Boyle said. "Tonight's about uniting the Boulder community with our basketball programs, and that's what this is about. So thank you for coming out."
"I think it's incredible," Payne said. "This is a place that loves their Boulder sports and loves their Buffs. So, overall, a great event."
The 3-point contest kicked off the night's showcase, with three shooters from each team competing against one another. The top shooters from the men's and women's teams, first-year Buffs Alex Dickeson and Lauren Harris, then faced off in the championship round and it was Harris who knocked down 19 threes to win the contest.
The excitement continued as the event moved into a joint knockout contest between both teams. Moving back and forth between the free throw and 3-point lines, freshman Justin Neely won the fast-paced game.
Lastly, the showcase ended with a thrilling dunk contest from the men's basketball team, in front of a live panel of judges. The contestants sent the crowd into a frenzy with various electrifying dunks. Sophomore Josiah Sanders was crowned champion following his final dunk when he threw down after jumping over the head of CU Boulder Chancellor, Justin Schwartz.
"It feels crazy. This is the most crazy thing I've ever been a part of in my life, and it's just great to see all the fans out here," said sophomore Ian Inman.
"That was super fun to do as a team. We spent some good time together and then got to connect with our fans as well," senior Zyanna Walker said.
The SLAMpede did nothing less than bring the Boulder community together as part of an exciting weekend, setting the stage for the upcoming basketball season. The night also included a live DJ, t-shirt tosses, and wrapped up with autographs with members of both teams.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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