Remembering Sal Aunese: Larry Zimmer

Related Links

Remembering Sal Aunese, 1968-1989

- Twenty Years Later Hagan, CU Community Remembers

- KOA's Larry Zimmer Reflects On Aunese

- ESPN Outside The Lines Story On Aunese & T.C. McCartney | Video 

- Let's Just Call Him Savior For The Buffs -- CU vs. Washington State, Sept. 27, 1987

- Buffs Late March Beats Iowa -- CU vs. Iowa, Sept. 18, 1988

- KOA Clip: Late TD Puts CU over CSU -- Oct. 1, 1988

- A Time For Prayers -- March 3, 1989

- Sal Aunese Succumbs To Cancer -- Sept. 23, 1989

- Sal Aunese Loses Brave Battle -- Sept. 24, 1989

- Friends Pay Tribute To Aunese -- Sept. 26, 1989

- Buffs Recall Aunese As A Fighter -- Sept. 27, 1989

- KOA Clip: Sal Aunese Tribute, CU at Washington -- Sept. 30, 1989

- Sal Aunese Chronology

- Letter From Sal To Colorado Football Team

Larry Zimmer
I will always remember Sal Aunese.  Many events surrounding his life and death are intertwined with personal memories.  First and foremost, I remember Sal as an outstanding young man.   He was personable and humble.   I remember him as the first quarterback in the McCartney era who truly could run the offense, which required an athlete who could be a good runner, but also be able to  pass the ball with accuracy.  Aunese fit the bill.  It allowed McCartney to evolve the offense from a true wishbone to what ultimately became the   I-Bone. Perhaps his greatest game in 1988 when the underdog Buffs traveled to Iowa City and upset the nationally-ranked Hawkeyes.

In the spring of 1989 when it was announced that Sal had inoperable cancer, I couldn't believe it.   He was such an athletic and healthy looking young man.   He remained a part of the team through the spring and supported his teammates even while going through treatments and growing weaker.   He still flashed that All-American smile.  The love that his teammates had for him and the love he had for them and for CU made a lasting impression on me and makes me realize why football is worth it.

It was evident early on that the 1989 Buffaloes team was going to be special.  As they rolled over Texas, Colorado State and Illinois, just before kickoff the team would point to Sal, who was in his wheelchair on the photo deck.   I mentioned this on each broadcast.

I had a bit of a personal thing going on as well.   My daughter wanted a fall wedding and I suggested that this wasn't a great idea, because I was pretty busy in the fall broadcasting the Buffs and Broncos.   She said something would workout.  Sure enough, in the spring the Texas game was moved from the third game of the year to the first game on Labor Day evening.   That made the fourth Saturday of the season an open date and the wedding was set.   As the wedding festivities wound down that evening and we were leaving the reception hall, one of the ladies who worked there called me over and told me that Sal had died.  She said she didn't want to mention it to me until everything was over.  Very thoughtful.  I will admit on an already emotional evening a few tears were shed.  The sad occasion of Sal's death and the joy of my daughter's marriage on the same day will always be remembered on September 23.

While the funeral service at Macky Auditorium was sad, it was also uplifting with the mixture of Samoan customs, the eulogy by Coach McCartney and the presence of Kristy and T.C.

The Buffs traveled to Seattle the following Saturday for the first road game of the season.   They were extremely quiet on the trip.   It was hard to read their feelings.   As I had described the team pointing to Sal on the photo deck for the first three games, I described when they took a knee and pointed to the sky.  And then I lost it.   I was able to regain my composure to broadcast the game and there was no doubt Colorado was playing with a purpose.  The Buffs rolled to 45 points, the most scored by an opponent at Husky Stadium at that time.  A couple of late touchdowns by the Huskies made the final score 45-28.  They were not to lose again during the regular season, going 11-0 and winning the Big Eight championship, only to lose to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

Sal lived in my memory in ensuing years through T.C.  Our broadcast booth was next to Lindy McCartney's booth and she always had T. C. on the other side of the glass.   My wife, Brigitte, gave him a little green stuffed frog.  It was one of T.C.'s favorite toys.