Half Century's Last Plati-'Tudes
 David Plati |
Plati-GÇÿTudes No. 88 ... The most famous Buff to wear 88? Quite a list to pick from; most recently, D.J. Hackett made the number stand out; it was Ed ReinhardtGÇÖs number in the 1980s; but the 1-2 punch of Herb Orvis followed by Dave Logan from 1969 to 1975 stands among all ... So, your author hits the big 5-0 later this month; to honor that milestone, see 50 totally random CU thoughts below from when I first walked through RalphieGÇÖs Door on Aug. 30, 1978.
Trivia Questions
The opening four mind teasers:
CUGÇöWhat do the first three players who scored in the spring football game have in common? (Note: the answer is NOT that they are all from Colorado!).
Who Am I?GÇöI helped lead CU to a 16-8 overall record and a second place finish in the old Intermountain Conference in 1980. I was 20-2 individually that year, my freshman year, and came back to go 22-3 as a sophomore. When my coach, Jeff Moore, left to go to Texas as it head womenGÇÖs tennis coach, I followed. Who am I?
MusicGÇöThis is the 30th anniversary of the Coors Events Center, and we just held a groundbreaking for the new addition to the building, its first real major change. The building officially opened on Nov. 8, 1979 with an exhibition game between CU and the Russian Nationals; the question is this: what was the first concert to play the building? Bonus QuestionGÇöRussia won the basketball game, 88-73; who led CU in scoring?
Name
That TuneGÇöWhat song is this lyric passage from: GÇ£Since then I've been
running around trying to find you,
I went to the places that we always go.GÇ¥
Hint: it was a Billboard Top 100 hit in
1980.
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Quick Hits
 Linda Lappe |
Man vs. Food Invades Boulder
 |
Overtime
Interesting to see that the NFL is finally modifying its overtime so the coin flip plus one big play doesnGÇÖt do one team in; weGÇÖve all seen a team win the toss, get a nice return to the 35, and one or two plays later theyGÇÖre on the opponent 30. Then two conservative runs and a 44-yard field goal. Game over. The new rule, where the game only ends with a touchdown (or safety) on the first possession, at least gives both teams a chance. Those teams that marched down eating up chunks of yardage likely will now just get the six instead of a three.
Now if only college would tweak its rule. IGÇÖd simply like to see the teams not already start in field goal position; back it up to the 40, and make earning at least one first down the prize for getting into field goal territory (after all, the Mason CrosbyGÇÖs of the world are few). I personally canGÇÖt stand a game that ended tied at 17 in regulation going on to be 37-34 in three overtimes; I am sure defensive coordinators will agree with me on that one!
Hoop (Stats) Leftovers
 Cory Higgins |
Individual highlights included junior Cory Higgins finishing 45th in the nation in scoring (18.9; fourth in the Big 12) and 13th in the nation in free throw percentage for those players with at least 200 attempts (83.3; he was 81st overall). Alec Burks was fourth in freshmen scoring (17.1, 104th overall) and in frosh field goal shooting (53.8, 33rd overall).
50 Random CU Thoughts
I turn the big 5-0 on April 19, so what better time than to collect 50 random thoughts from when I first joined the sports information office in 1978 until now (not to mention the space it will take up!). So here goes:
+ÿ My first assignment: Mike Moran (SID) went to lunch and asked me to have an updated football roster typed up by the time he returned. ThatGÇÖs right, everyone under 30: typed up on a typewriter. No insert, delete, cut or paste.
+ÿ That was on my very first day as a student assistant, August 30, 1978. Today is April 14, 2010, or 11,551 days later; minus the period I worked solely at the Denver Bears (June 1-Sept. 15) and before I was rehired as a student SID (Oct. 15), thatGÇÖs 11,414 days IGÇÖve spent as CU employee in one form or another.
+ÿ Since weGÇÖve been in the same exact building (with only one carpet change), and allowing for time being out of town, on vacation or those days I didnGÇÖt come in, safe to guess that IGÇÖve walked through the same door at least 8,000 times to go to work. Anyone know the Guinness Book of World Records for that?
(And, what the heck is wrong with me?!!)
+ÿ That cool feeling of working for the first time in a real press box, CU vs. Oregon, Sept. 8, 1978. Buffs win, 17-7.
+ÿ That not-so-cool feeling of trying to walk on the CU golf team, and in tryouts at Lake Valley, I ham-and-egg my way to an 83. Varsity guys are practicing out there the same day, shooting in the upper 60s playing two balls at a time. I am outta here!
+ÿ Moran trusting me enough to turn over credentialing the media to halfway through the football season.
+ÿ Moran forgetting I was still a freshman who then credentialed half of Sewall Hall with basketball passes when it was tough getting a student ticket into Balch Fieldhouse. (Smile, Mike!)
+ÿ My first road trip: to Stillwater with the menGÇÖs basketball team. I remember Dee Brewer was the headliner (piano player) at the Holidome. I do not count that on my all-time concerts attended list.
+ÿ Tim Simmons taking over the SID reins after Moran left for the USOC in early 1979. Tim liked to work into the wee hours of the morning. And GÇ£The BlowfishGÇ¥ wanted his office GÇ£mulletsGÇ¥ to learn how to do so as well. Fellow student assistant mullet and our next SID after Fish, John Clagett, and myself became his adopted sons during his CU stay.
+ÿ Fish sending me to Safeway to try and find some caviar for the Pravda and Tass news agencies with the Russian National basketball team. Except, the joke was on me after spreading fish eggs on about 50 Ritz crackersGÇöthey werenGÇÖt traveling with them.
+ÿ With the NCAA in town to announce some not so good stuff for football, Fish sends me with the hoop team to Iowa StateGÇöthe weekend the U.S. hockey team beat the Soviets. The pilot came on and announced we had won and said, GÇ£Drinks for everybody!GÇ¥
+ÿ June 11, 1980. Black or bloody Wednesday, when we cut seven sports. Seeing all the coaches sitting around one table in the old GÇ£bullpenGÇ¥ while Eddie Crowder reeled off what sports would stay and which would go. Baseball, gymnastics, swimming, all of which I had helped on as a student assistant at one time or another, were no more, along with wrestling.
+ÿ October 4, 1980. Oklahoma, 82-42. Sixty-three records, my job to dig all of them up.
+ÿ Working concessions at Folsom Field for concerts for Bruce McDowell. Now thereGÇÖs a pool of some interesting stories, most of which canGÇÖt be repeated in a family column. The things you see at a Grateful Dead concert.
+ÿ The Fire. January 23, 1982. Faulty wiring was officially the cause, though I still say it was someone dropping a cigarette into a stored foam pit for the pole vault. Regardless, the Fieldhouse Annex burns; track is completely destroyed, sports info suffers mega smoke and water damage (still visible if you jostle over the false ceiling). CU wonGÇÖt reimburse us for anything personal lost in the blaze, and I was bummed because I lost a cool coat I got at Christmas from my parents.
+ÿ Having to work a CU-Oklahoma State basketball game less than three hours after the fire, covering in smoke and soot. And then Oklahoma State SID Tim Allen singing Smoke Gets In Your Eyes to us on a few occasions.
+ÿ Leaving CU for the only period in my adult life to work as the PR director for the Denver Bears. Started part-time in January, and it became full-time after school was over. CU stopped paying me at the end of May, and some people werenGÇÖt overly thrilled I was leaving, so at that time, I had no plans to return.
+ÿ Things worked themselves out, I came back in September 1982 to run the football stat crew, then to do the menGÇÖs basketball guide, with the promise of a full-time assistantGÇÖs job upon graduation.
+ÿ And thus, on January 9, 1983, I started full-time at CU.
+ÿ The 1983-84 basketball season. So close, yet so far; 6-8 in Big 8 play, most of the losses single digits. Jay HumprhiesGÇÖ and Vince KelleyGÇÖs senior year. And of course, Billy Tubbs flipping off the crowd after they booed him for calling timeout so Oklahoma could score 100 in an overtime win. Then they left the hot water running full throttle in all the showers, flooding the lockerroom. Fortunately the late, great Wayman Tisdale was above it all, and to this day is the best opposing player I have ever seen come through Boulder.
+ÿ My goofy 1985 note, that CU was 20-0 when HalleyGÇÖs Comet was visible from Earth, wins the New York PostGÇÖs graphic of the year.
+ÿ Our first sellout in womenGÇÖs basketball, for our first NCAA home game against UNLV in 1989. We didnGÇÖt win, but it was great seeing the Events Center at capacity for Bridget Turner and Co.; it was a fantastic atmosphere. That was Ceal BarryGÇÖs breakout year as a coach, guiding the then-Lady Buffs to a 27-4 record and our first Big 8 title (going 14-0 in league play).
+ÿ Looking back, how fun it really was to gradually get better in football under Bill McCartney and the magical 1989 season, ascending to No. 1.
+ÿ The road trip of all-time, to Key West on Christmas Eve, 1989; the team had Christmas off, so bud Jeff Kosley and I thought weGÇÖd head south. The trip was a near disaster, it was cold, some guy we nicknamed GÇ£HeimiGÇ¥ kept following us around, and I found out a conch fritter was made from GÇ£that slug they scrape out of that sea shell right over there.GÇ¥ That, and there were like five women and 300 men on the island. Oops.
+ÿ Then my stat jinx kicks in... NBC brags how we were 31-of-31 on 3rd-and-1, and the first time it comes up in the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame GÇ£stoppedGÇ¥ us. If there was instant replay, though...
+ÿ Redemption a year later. Charles Johnson and Paul Rose stepping in for the injured Darian Hagan and Kanavis McGhee. Deon FiguresGÇÖ interception and running out the clock. Leading the lobby at the Sheraton Bal Harbour in GÇ£We Are The ChampionsGÇ¥ to sign off George WeberGÇÖs show on KOA. Between the 1989 and 1990 Orange Bowls, we spent close to a month in Miami. ThatGÇÖs when you realize you have a pretty fun job.
+ÿ Helping the legendary Fred Casotti, one of my mentors, write CU Century, my first dabble at working on a book. Within a year, I wrote my first, recapping our national championship year.
+ÿ That 1991 Nebraska game (19-19 tie in brutal cold). Wearing the tuxedo I had for the Ski Ball the night before for kicks, there I was with two of my assistants spraying some kind of solution on the press box windows trying to get them to the point where we could see through them. And after the fact the Football News voted me as the best dressed SID; most of my peers rightfully called me out on that one.
+ÿ
 David Plati with 1994 Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam |
+ÿ The four days after Rashaan won, the whirlwind stuff we went through, and finally returning home with the Heisman strapped into a first class seat, covered in an airline blue blanket, looking awfully ET-ish. I tricked Rashaan and said no one was coming down to meet us, but United actually let 15 players down the jetway after we landed to surprise him.
+ÿ And in 1996, escorting Matt Russell to the Butkus, meeting Deacon Jones (who personally told me how much he hates quarterbacksGÇöremember, he thinks he should have the sack record). Matt won and we both took home a Mickey Mouse tee marker to celebrate.
+ÿ Using my musical connections to get Rick Neuheisel on stage with Jimmy Buffett to play Margaritaville. Very few panned it at the time and there were 18,000 fans at FiddlerGÇÖs that night that thought it was pretty cool.
+ÿ Speaking of Buffett, the year before, Rick and I went to his show at FiddlerGÇÖs and brought him a jersey (turned out to be No. 19, RashaanGÇÖs number). We had pre-party passes and sent the jersey back to JB, who autographed it and sent it back out to us. We told his guy, Mike Ramos, now a good friend, the jersey was a gift. Now this was two days after GÇ£The Catch.GÇ¥ Jimmy wore the jersey out for his encore and mimicked the play, and FiddlerGÇÖs went nuts.
+ÿ Ah yes, the Catch. I remember Joe Williams ripping me at the time for not starting a Heisman campaign that next Monday for Kordell Stewart. I couldnGÇÖt do itGÇöSalaam ran for 141 yards, the most by an opposing back in The Big House in 21 years and there was no way I could separate them at that point (not to mention Michael Westbrook). We had three candidates at that point. Salaam vindicates my decision a week later with his 317-yard game in 100 degree heat at Texas.
+ÿ Few may remember (and why would you), but I also wore a tuxedo for Shelley SheetzGÇÖ final CU home game.
+ÿ CoSIDA Convention, Chicago, 1994. My peers sock it to me, charging the entire bar tab the next to last night in town for about 60 people to my room. I go to check out, and I owe $1700. IGÇÖm still getting even.
+ÿ College bud and good friend Steve Jones waving me under the ropes on the 9th hole at Castle Pines during the first round of the International to walk with him to the green. Boy, did I feel like a geek. How good are these guys? WeGÇÖre talking, but itGÇÖs his turn to hit; Jonesy actually excused himself out of our conversation, hit an 8-iron 220 yards to within 5 feet from the hole and then resumed our babbling.
+ÿ All the road trips with the golf team and the memories those created, mainly due to one of my best friends ever, the late Mark Simpson. Lung cancer claimed him in December 2005, and Lord knows he tried to quit. HeGÇÖd sometimes hide behind a tree while watching the kids play, and some would eventually walk on by and say, GÇÿHey coach. That tree youGÇÖre trying to hide behind is on fire.GÇÖ And speaking of fire, the man did love his spicy food and challenging those around him to expand their horizons.
+ÿ Simps and I fly down to the Phoenix in August 1996 as the surprise guests at a barbecue Bonnie Jones was throwing for Steve to celebrate his U.S. Open win two months earlier. WeGÇÖre on flights an hour apart so we both get to surprise him individually. One of those classic GÇ£looks on their faceGÇ¥ moments.
+ÿ Traveling on the road around Thanksgiving or Christmas, often solo prepping for the teamGÇÖs arrival, where Chevy Chase would have been proud; with not much open, cracking open a sandwich from a gas station was the only option for lunch or dinner.
+ÿ Then there was that one New YearGÇÖs Day where former coach Tom Miller had us fly out of Stapleton Airport at 6 a.m.; just stayed out late as can be at the Boulder CoastGÇÖs after hours New YearGÇÖs party and went straight to catch the team bus at the Events Center.
+ÿ Thanks to CU, I have been to HawaiGÇÖi six times in my life, and it never cost me a dime: two Aloha bowls and four Hula bowls as their director of game week communications. Very, very fortunate and appreciative, believe me.
+ÿ Working with the ski team. Everyone is so genuine and laid back. Great run of coaches, and perhaps the most interesting person IGÇÖve ever met in Richard Rokos (who has adopted me as his latest fitness project, by the way).
+ÿ And all those stories from trips with the team, probably topped by the Steve DiTolla-Kosley incident where my car slid into a ditch near DevilGÇÖs Thumb (the cross country area in Fraser) and those two who I was trailing in SteveGÇÖs blue Volkswagen Rabbit (now there was a car) kept driving off into the distance, leaving me behind. Bastards.
+ÿ All the golf trips to Turlock, Calif., and Stevinson Ranch for our GÇ£homeGÇ¥ golf invitational. Every year from 1999-2009, lots of great memories. One in particular is when we headed south for in-between the Western Collegiate and the Stevinson, and we were allowed practice rounds. While most of the team played Torrey Pines (rough duty), I took the seniors, Jeff Hanson and Kane Webber, to play L.A. Country Club, courtesy of ABCGÇÖs Keith Jackson. We played the tougher North Course, and Kane opened with an eagle and a birdie. Keith then says in his unique twang, GÇ£Son, youGÇÖre off to a great start, but if you think youGÇÖre on your way to shooting a 59, youGÇÖre severely mistaken.GÇ¥ Kane finished with a 73, Jeff a 76, think Keith shot an 81 and I was somewhere on the right side of your FM radio dial.
+ÿ Not gonna dwell on our GÇ£ordealGÇ¥ from earlier this decade, but what little good came out of it was to see how a team could bond together and have guys like Joel Klatt step up for their teammates and coaches.
+ÿ Sometimes in this biz, weGÇÖre most proud of our goofiest achievements. Arranging for the South Park guys to have Eric Cartman do the intros for the 2007 Nebraska game makes this list.
+ÿ In general, all the interesting and quality people you meet and get to work with. Staff, administration, athletes, media. Far too many to mention, but would include Eddie Crowder, who hired me as SID in the summer of 1984, his last hire as athletic director, players like Jeff Campbell and Shaun Vandiver, all the way to Olympians like Jenny Barringer, who not only represent the department and school, but the nation in a great light.
+ÿ Bill Marolt came in as AD a month after Eddie hired me, called me in, and said, GÇ£You are to treat skiing like it is football.GÇ¥ Of course, BillGÇÖs background included 10 years as our ski coach and then six with the U.S. ski team. That wasnGÇÖt really an issue with me, as my philosophyGÇÖs always been to treat all our sports as if theyGÇÖre the only one we have and to go to the max for them.
+ÿ And of course, the great friends and colleagues I met because of this job that weGÇÖve lost through the years, Simps, Count Casotti, Eddie Crowder, Ben Gregory, Tom McMahon, Jimmie Heuga, Bob Martin, Dick Connor, Todd Phipers, Ralph Moore, Skip Caray, Bruce Logan. They all help form who we are.
Graham Named To PatriotsGÇÖ All-Decade Team
 Daniel Graham |
The New England Patriots announced its 27 members of its 2000s All-Decade Team on April 1, and former Colorado tight end and John Mackey Award winner Daniel Graham was selected to the team comprised of the greatest Patriots from the franchiseGÇÖs most successful decade. Players selected to the 2000s All-Decade team represent a combined 37 Pro Bowl appearances and all but four of the members earned Super Bowl Championships with the Patriots. Graham, chosen as the tight end on the All-Decade Team, was originally drafted by the Patriots out of Colorado in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft and earned two Super Bowl rings with the team in 2003 and 2004. In his Patriots career from 2002-06, Graham played in 63 regular-season games (49 starts), while grabbing 120 receptions for 1,393 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Denver native also appeared in 11 postseason games with 13 catches for 143 yards and one touchdown. The All-Decade Team was selected by the New England Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Committee, a 22-person panel made up of reporters, alumni and staff.
Mask Project
Assistant CU track coach and two-time Olympian Casey Malone is participating in this yearGÇÖs Mask Project, an annual fundraiser for the Denver Hospice. CaseyGÇÖs design is unique to his participation in the discus, and was quite popular when bids opened on April 1. To look at CaseyGÇÖs submission as well as those donated by other notaries such as musician Stephen Stills (and to bid if desired), please visit www.maskproject.org. Bidding closes on May 2.
Hawk Q&AGÇÖs
CU football coach Dan Hawkins was one of the first to participate in the Denver PostGÇÖs new Fan Mail feature, where area coaches and athletes participate in an extensive question and answer session. Coordinated by Patrick Saunders, they shipped up a bunch of questions for Hawk; he answered all and we sent back down. For those who missed the feature when it ran on-line on April 2 (or in the paper the following day), below is a recap of the meat of it. The entire session is still on-line at denverpost.com (http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_14804097). He also did an extensive one with Fox Sports Southwest that can be found here: http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/pages/landing?QA-with-Colorado-Head-Coach-Dan-Hawkins=1&blockID=212553&feedID=3742. And now, the Post transcript:
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Hawkins: GÇ£We do our best to provide the first- and second-team guys nearly equal reps throughout spring, and many of the players will see action on both units. When you have proven players at a position with experience, it is a little easier to GÇÿnameGÇÖ a guy in spring. Whenever things are close, the competition always brings out the best in the real competitors.GÇ¥
Although Cody Hawkins demonstrates some leadership qualities and "other intangibles", his efficiency in practice does not seem to translate to offensive production on Saturdays, and it appears he has reached his ceiling as a quarterback. With younger guys such as Tyler Hansen bringing more potential and playmaking ability, isn't it time to give the younger guys the majority of the reps with the first team and allow them the opportunity to grow?
Hawkins: GÇ£Both players have had some great moments on the field. We need to continue to surround whoever the QB is with consistent playmakers and experience. It will be a terrific asset to have more depth and experience at the wide receiver and offensive line spots to help the quarterback improve ... regardless of who it is. The great quarterbacks are always the first to complement everyone around them for their success.GÇ¥
How have you changed as a coach since you came to Boulder? Will we see more passion from you on the sidelines this upcoming year? Do you think it is your job to pump up your team before the game, during the game, and especially at half time?
Hawkins: GÇ£Every situation is different, situational leadership. I take great pride in inspiring the team and recognize that it is important to utilize all kinds of motivational tools, and at times, I am extremely animated; but you pick and choose your spots. Coach Mac (Bill McCartney) has said, which I do believe, that you can only go the well three or four times max over the course of a season with great or emotional speeches to fire a team up. During most halftimes, the entire coaching staff is making adjustments. I believe a player with a plan of action has a little more confidence as to what he needs to do before the game and after halftime.GÇ¥
When you're evaluating a potential recruit or young player, how do you project the player's growth potential? A player's body and talent can fluctuate so much between the ages of 17 and 22, how do you go about evaluating that?
Hawkins: GÇ£The parents, specifically the mom will have a lot to do with that. Siblings can be a gauge as well. You can look at his growth the past couple of years and see how much difference there is year to year. Age (16 versus 18) determines how much growth potential a guy has. Depending on a personGÇÖs height, etc., you can usually predict out how much more room he has to grow. While some young men come out of nowhere and hit an amazing height spurt, which is not usually the norm.GÇ¥
Why have you been resistant to making coaching changes in your staff when the team continually under performs in the area of special teams?
Hawkins: GÇ£We are very proud of the evaluation process we do with our program. We seek feedback through surveys with all members of the program, coaches, players, administrators, every person who is in contact and has any kind of influence with our program on a daily basis. As with any personnel matter, there are many factors that go into the end result and improvement plan. Coach (Kent) Riddle is one of the most knowledgeable special teams coaches in the country who is fully committed to improving all facets of the game. Coaching changes might always be the easiest thing to do, but you need to look at the overall picture with so many consequences at stake.GÇ¥
Any chance we will change the uniforms back this season? I know I'm not alone when I say the ones we've been wearing the last couple of seasons are brutal.
Hawkins: GÇ£We are honoring the 1990 national championship team this year, and will be wearing the same uniform they wore at all home games. We know there are some out there who don't like the uniforms, but our players love them and their look, and so do the recruits. They are as sharp as they get in college football. We were able to add silver in them to honor the older Buffs and recognize one of our two official school colors.GÇ¥
Three important questions for Hawk: What do you take back from spending time at BYU's spring camp? What college football program to you admire the most from top to bottom? In your opinion, what are the specific team issues that need to be addressed to restore our program from a 3-9 record to a 9-3 record?
Hawkins: GÇ£We always go and research and learn from college and pro teams across the nation on a variety of subjects. ItGÇÖs an honor to engage my peers and exchange ideas and information in an effort to be more competitive."
ItGÇÖs tough to single out any one program because there are so many great ones out there. Personally, I am very impressed and pleased with many of the coaches who lead the young men in their programs across the nation.GÇ¥
GÇ£The margin between winning and losing is often razor thin and comes down to just a few plays. It always comes down to the mastery of details and the little things. Coach Mac told me once that in his national championship year, they were four or five plays from being 1-5 instead of 4-1-1. But that team made those plays. We must correct the mistakes and eliminate those plays in game that cause turns here or there, for example, an untimely penalty or a turnover in the red zone. Once you get a little momentum, a little confidence and energy picks up."
It seems to be forgotten among CU fans that Nate Solder was named first-team All Big 12 last season by the league's coaches. What aspects of Nate's play led to this recognition, and what improvements do you envision for him going into his senior season (and beyond)?
Hawkins: GÇ£Nate is a very special young man. He has great physical ability GÇö rarely do you see guys who are 6-foot-8 run like him. He has great feet. Nate is also one of the classiest people you will ever meet; he really has life in perspective. He is a great student and is very bright and a joy to coach. Nate is a svelte 300-pound lineman, but I believe as he continues to get used to his body size he will become more physical. You have to remember that Nate played tight end his first two years here before moving to the offensive line as a third-year sophomore, so heGÇÖs still a relative newcomer as an O-lineman."
I love the enthusiasm you bring to the program and the love for the kids, but do you think that given some of mental mistakes (i.e. troubles winning on the road and key penalties) that a change in the personality of our team is necessary to return to winning?
Hawkins: GÇ£Jake, the bottom line is that falls on us, the coaches. WeGÇÖll never call players out publicly, embarrassment is not a great motivator, and if the same mistakes continue to be made, it boils down to coaching. We are going to reinforce the positive things and work hard to correct any shortcomings, and correcting the mental mistakes requires reps and experience. Our frustrations on the road likely have more to do with assertiveness and confidence than anything else. We just have to keep reinforcing good habits and execution.GÇ¥
Having spent a few years at supposedly laid-back Colorado, are you surprised at the hostility you've faced from fans and reporters?
Hawkins: GÇ£I truly believe that the overwhelming majority of people have been very positive, supportive and constructive. Every day I run into people that are very encouraging and supportive, and I am most appreciative of that. Very few days go by when I donGÇÖt get a letter, call, or personal contact with supportive tones. Many of the media guys are awesome as well; you canGÇÖt paint a whole profession or people with a stroke. I like the fact that our fans want and expect a winner. I came here because of the championship tradition and the expectation of getting back there.
GÇ£I understand what you are getting at GÇö the reality of modern technology and information exchange has changed dramatically over the past 15 or so years. The great thing is definitely more information and exchange of ideas, but maybe a worrisome aspect is we seem turning into a society of critics and it seems like very few are happy about anything going on anymore. It really doesnGÇÖt matter the subject, there is less problem solving and more condemning and pointing fingers. It is a tough time in our country as well, the war, politics, the economy, etc., and many donGÇÖt seem to be too happy with anything these days. ItGÇÖs not just sports or Colorado, itGÇÖs everywhere. But I like our fans, and our students have been nothing short of awesome, and we have some very dedicated and generous financial supporters as well. Colorado is a special place, I am fully confident that if the entire Buff nation calls (athletic director) Mike Bohn and says what can I do to help, we will get there!"
You talk about details all the time. Do you really think that is the only problem or will there be something different about this year's offense ... like a long awaited running game?
Hawkins: GÇ£I believe we actually ran the ball well in GÇÖ06 and GÇÖ07, and itGÇÖs something we are always going to emphasize on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, particularly this past year, the way many of the games developed dictated how much we could run the ball. But yes, it always comes down to details, getting everyone on the same page and working as one allows any aspect of the game to perform.GÇ¥
Dan, there were such high expectations when you were hired to be the CU head football coach a little more than 4 years ago. I believe you have done an excellent job of restoring the integrity of the program GÇô however this has not translated into wins but rather into 4 consecutive losing seasons. What would you say to those fans who have lost faith in your ability to run both a successful and clean division one football program?
Hawkins: GÇ£We have won championships at every level of football, and I really believe that successful experience does not go away. Every place has a new learning curve, with situations and variables to adjust to, and that was no different with coming to Colorado from Boise State. I have looked at this job, this program, this place in its totality, worked very hard at trying to help and improve every aspect, both on and off the field. My staff and I have had more pain and frustration than anyone will ever know about not winning more games, but we continue to work hard, do things right, learn, adjust, and grow with our situation. Shoot, we wanted to be back in the Big 12 hunt in our first year (2006), so we are not patient either.
GÇ£Your support of me, Mike Bohn, the football and athletic programs and the University is more important now than ever. Remember Coach MacGÇÖs saying: the four most important words in the English language, GÇ£I believe in you.GÇ¥ I believed in Colorado at a very tough time in its history; letGÇÖs all believe in this place now when it may not be the easiest thing to do. The power and magic of people with a purpose will make it happen. I think the people on campus and in the Dal Ward Athletic Center know what we have done and what we are up against. Every situation has a different boiling point for success, and I believe we are getting closer to that point. We are at a critical point and we need the Buff faithful to be supportive of the program; if everyone rolls up their sleeves and rows in the same direction, we will reach the destination.GÇ¥
Last season is behind us and we all want to move forward. That being said, one criticism of the team last year was that they seemed to come out flat more often than not. The Buffs really didn't show much emotion (positive or negative) and some fans believe that is partially to blame for a few slow starts out of the gate. Do you and your staff believe this to be a problem and have you taken some steps to address the issue? If so, do you mind elaborating a little bit?
Hawkins: GÇ£So much of that boils down to confidence and assertiveness. When you get some of the dust knocked off you GÇö you wait for something to happen rather than make it happen GÇö I know our staff and team have learned and grown from that. There have been very few practices in my career that we do not emphasize a start fast and finish strong aspect. Most great teams and coaches in any sport have a steely eyed confidence and swagger, very precision like, and are not spending a bunch of energy on things that donGÇÖt matter. I hear what you are saying; I believe you will see that change when the execution results in small successes which lead to more confidence. Similar to the Kansas and Texas A&M games last year!
GÇ£Thanks for your interest! We need the Buff Nation now more than ever! Remember Winston Churchill and Apollo 13, 'THIS IS OUR FINEST HOUR!' Support your university and support your football program GÇö GO BUFFS!"
The OlGÇÖ Double Standard
DoesnGÇÖt matter which side of the Tiger Woods fence youGÇÖre on (you want to know all/you could careless), most in the media has claimed heGÇÖs been insincere in his apologies and for hiring PR consultants. Well, did anyone follow what transpired in Indianapolis the Friday before the Final Four? The Indianapolis Star ran a story entitled GÇ£Despising DukeGÇ¥ and included an illustration of its coach, Mike Krzyzewski, with horns and a target on his head. A press run of about 20,000 of the papers made it out to various parts of the state before it was pulled because, according to the StarGÇÖs sports editor, GÇ£when we realized it didnGÇÖt meet our standards.GÇ¥ Talk about lame and insincereGÇöthat bozo couldnGÇÖt figure that out before they put it on the presses? What likely should have been said was, GÇ£We were in the newsroom still laughing about it and patting ourselves on our collective backs when we got a call from the newspaperGÇÖs lawyers to pull the photo because itGÇÖs likely textbook libelous. I have a meeting with the publisher Monday to see if I get to keep my job.GÇ¥
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The P-GÇÿTudes Mailbag
The usual grab-bag of questions fired my way by P-GÇÿTudes readers and others that I thought others would be interested in:
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A: Well, history shows that after every losing season since 1970, weGÇÖve lost some season ticket holders, thatGÇÖs reality, and throw in that the economy is still in a mess and expendable income is not at a premium for many people. And especially in a market with so much competition for the sports dollar. We know that.
I would say if youGÇÖre in position to afford tickets and the donation to the Buff Club, ask yourself what do you enjoy most about game day? Bet itGÇÖs more than just one thing. A good portion of the people I know enjoy coming back to campus (thus why many despise the CSU game in Denver). IGÇÖve been to one game, one, as a fan at Folsom; I was 12, and the experience sold me for life; the other 200 or so IGÇÖve been lucky enough to GÇ£work.GÇ¥ Then you have the atmosphere of college football in general, not the manufacturing of this-n-that at professional games; marching bands, student sections, plus at CU, you get Ralphie. And this year, youGÇÖll get Uga (GeorgiaGÇÖs bulldog). WeGÇÖre honoring the 1990 team that game, and with any luck, thereGÇÖll be another game honoring a new inductee or two in the College Football Hall of Fame (keep your fingers crossed, weGÇÖll know later this month). For many, game day is also a family bonding experience, for others an escape from the work week to hang with friends and tailgate the day away or grab dinner in Boulder after the game. Those of you used to any or all of the above, I would simply ask, do you want to give all that up? After all, game days in Boulder can be quite mesmerizing.
And yes, it is supporting the programGÇöthe overall athletic program and the support groups for football. Truth is, the conference distribution check almost completely covers the football budget (in the $8 million range). When you account for ticket revenue, donations, concessions, licensing, etc., football is responsible for $27 million in revenue, and when you calculate the costs of the people and programs that support the sport, that figure jumps from $8 to about $13 million. Mike Bohn said early in his tenure in regard to the most of the sports at CU, GÇ£ThatGÇÖs your budget running up and down the (football) field.GÇ¥ Ticket sales are one of the components on how we fund all 16 of our varsity sports.
And as one who believes the team is on the brink of making something happen, what if we reverse fortunes? I would think the diehard Buff fan would be pretty bummed he or she gave up their tickets. I know something about that in an obscure wayGÇögave away my tickets to a friendGÇÖs cousin for the Minnesota at N.Y. Yankees baseball game the Sunday after my 20th high school reunion. Yep, May 17, 1998. WhatGÇÖd I miss, besides GÇ£Beanie Baby DayGÇ¥ at Yankee Stadium? Only the 15th perfect game pitched in major league baseball history when David Wells pulled off the feat. Aaaauuuuugggghhhhh!
Q: I recently attended the NCAA Ski Championships in Steamboat and came away with a real appreciation for how good the athletes are. Any chance they will return to Colorado in the future?
A: Steamboat Springs has hosted the last three NCAA Championships in the state of Colorado (1993, 2006, 2010, all co-hosted by CU with the NCAA). The site alternates between the East and West, and the 2012 event will be in either Bozeman or Anchorage; we will be bidding to host the 2014 affair, and again in Steamboat. ItGÇÖs a very popular location, and about 2,000 people turned out to watch the night slalom races, truly unique to the sport.
Q: Seems pretty quiet on the football scheduling front, no big announcements recently. What gives?
A: Well, weGÇÖre fairly scheduled out for the foreseeable future, but unless there are openings that need to be filled in the next year or two, everything is kind of on hold. No oneGÇÖs really talking several years out right now until we see what plays out with the conference expansion talk.
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A: That is something that has been misinterpreted by some; I went to the horseGÇÖs mouth, and hereGÇÖs what Mike believes about what our goals should be as it relates to the conference finish: GÇ£Our goal should always be to finish in the first division, or the top six, of the Big 12 Conference, because almost across the board in every sport youGÇÖre likely then a top 25 program, or certainly close to one. This is an ultracompetitive conference, but within that, on occasion we do seek to contend for championships and keep building our enterprise to include facilities through loyal indivisible donor and fan support that will allow us to sustain our successes.GÇ¥
The facts back up MikeGÇÖs belief; the Big 12 sponsors several sports, but in those where most or all 12 compete, the only strangleholds have really been Colorado (menGÇÖs and womenGÇÖs cross country), Kansas (menGÇÖs basketball) and Oklahoma State (menGÇÖs golf). When you look at all the schools that finish or rank in the Big 12GÇÖs first division, five or six almost always are in the nationGÇÖs top 25. We had a great run not so long ago where 10 or more of our (17 at the time) programs were ranked in the top 25 at one point during the season, While championships are the ultimate goal, 11 schools are going to be disappointed more often than not and there needs to be an appreciation for those times, as we say in skiing, you grab one of the other two spots on the podium (second or third). For example, we were pretty proud last year that menGÇÖs golf gave OSU a run until the final few holes in the menGÇÖs golf championship and settled in as the eventual runner-up. Of course youGÇÖre bummed at the time you didnGÇÖt win, but when you look back in retrospect, it was a good and successful season.
Q: My question is what has made CU a bigger player in football recruiting New Jersey of late?
A: Straight from Coach HawkinsGÇöGÇ£One reasonGÇöKent Riddle (tight ends/special teams coach). He has great connections there from his time at Army, and he is a great recruiter.GÇ¥ I remember bringing by Hawk to meet Jim Nantz and Phil Simms (CBS announcers) prior to a Bronco playoff game right after he got here, and Simms was saying then that he felt New Jersey was about to become a hotbed for prep football talent. So itGÇÖs a good thing Hawk already had a hook for the Garden State.
Q: IGÇÖve noticed those little cheap shots the Colorado Daily runs every day by good olGÇÖ anonymous types, and well over 90 percent are negative, and many personal. CanGÇÖt you get them to stop those? Why would they do it?
A: Yep, weGÇÖre in agreement that it is 100 percent cra*. Most responsible journalists will tell you thatGÇÖs not even close to journalism; but the editors get a kick out of them and say that it is, which people at their own paper say is pretty sad. We've asked them, but they won't discontinue the practice; not much we can do since weGÇÖre not really credentialing the paper anymore, they just re-run the Camera stuff. I could tell you if I attacked those guys here they would whine day and night, because itGÇÖs been my experience that those that run those are generally thin-skinned, you know, the dish it out but canGÇÖt take it crowd. Just believe in KarmaGÇöwhat goes around comes around and in the meantime, let it roll off your back.
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Former Golfer Update
Patrick Grady (GÇÖ09) won the Coca-Cola Wal-Mart Open, an Adams Tour event, on March 20, collecting $18,000 in the process. He turned in a 68-63-69-69GÇö269 scorecard, or 19-under par, and won by three shots. Two days later, he qualified for the Nationwide TourGÇÖs Chitimacha Louisiana Open by shooting a 64 in the Monday qualifying round. He opened up strong with rounds of 67 and 68, but closed with a pair of 74s; he tied for 27th but spent the first 45 holes more or less in the top two. So look for good things to continue to happen for Patrick.
Things That Make You Go Hmmm...
What have you done 1,000 times in your life? Think about thisGÇöthe next time Hale Irwin (GÇÖ67) tees it up in a Champions Tour event, likely April 16 in the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, it will be his 1,000th start combined on the PGA and Champion tours. Hale is still going strong, 17th on the money list in 2010, not bad for someone who turns 65 on June 3. Someone who can relate is Dale Douglass (GÇÖ59); heGÇÖs made 1,041 starts between the two, and the 74-year old former Buff has previously announced his last Champions Tour event will be next monthGÇÖs Senior PGA Championship at Colorado Golf Club in Denver (May 25-30).
Colorado Music Hall of Fame
I recently was asked to be a member of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame committee, something I jumped at since itGÇÖs a humbling privilege as well as something that involves by second love to sports, music. Check out the promo video at http://www.vimeo.com/9366142 (password: Caribou); many might not realize the great history music has in the Centennial State. WeGÇÖre currently working up fundraising plans, so some of you should expect to hear from me ;). The Hall of Fame will be permanently displayed at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield and is scheduled to open in 2011; once paid for, all eventual proceeds will benefit CUGÇÖs Imig School of Music.
Website(s) of the GÇÿTude
A friend sent me this site, and I have to say, there are a couple of places listed where I got nabbed: http://www.speedtrap.org ... IGÇÖve received a few GÇ£complaintsGÇ¥ because the www.sporcle.com site I had in last monthGÇÖs P-GÇÿTudes has helped contribute to some wasting even more of their day on the computer (want to really get hooked: try this sporcle game: http://www.sporcle.com/games/enough/70smusic). And by the way, Meat LoafGÇÖs new game show, Rock and Hard Place, is kind of like a 30-minute musical sporcle that pits famous musicians against each other in music trivia. ItGÇÖs a DirecTV original.
Congrats Shouts & Sympathies
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 Burdie Haldorson |
+ÿ Congrats to CU beat writer (and former Buff SID student aide) Patrick Ridgell, who was recognized twice for his work on the CU beat for the 2009 Associated Press National Sports Writing Awards. He was honored in the categories of breaking news story and game stories for newspapers with under 40,000 in circulation.
Former CU equipment manager Bruce Logan passed away in Lakewood at St. JohnGÇÖs Hospice on March 18 after a long battle with kidney disease. He was 54. Bruce served as a student manager from 1974-78, was head manager his senior year, and earned his degree in recreation from CU in 1979. He was named supervisor of equipment and grounds in 1980, and shifted to basketball solely in 1982, where he spent the next five seasons. A Boulder High School graduate, he is survived by his wife, Karen, and two grown sons, Kyle and Ryan.
Former Buff Dan Ralph (GÇÖ80) passed away from a heart attack on March 27 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he had resided since 1999. He played nose tackle for two seasons for the Buffs before transferring to Oregon; he played his high school ball at Northglenn. A memorial is set for April 18 at 3:30 p.m. at the Arbor House in Golden (14600 W. 32nd Avenue).
This TudesGÇÖ Number: 76.4
If you combine the menGÇÖs and womenGÇÖs programs, the basketball teams at Colorado led the NCAA in 2009-10 in free throw percentage at 76.4 (921-of-1205), just ahead of Indiana StateGÇÖs 76.3 (959-of-1257). The men were third in the nation (the highest a CU team has ever finished) at 76.6 percent, while the women were 14th in the NCAA at 76.1 percent; both teams led the Big 12. So congrats to both; missed free throws is the one basic fundamental that drives coaches to fans the craziest.
Trivia Answers
CUGÇöThe first three scores (TD, PAT, TD), were all scored by redshirt freshmen from Denver East High School, Quentin Hildreth, Zach Grossnickle and DaVaughn Thornton. As assist for this note from Ron Woolfork (GÇÖ93), who once had 4-+ quarterback sacks in a game for the Buffs, and to ZachGÇÖs mom, a CU alum herself, Cameron Lewis (GÇÖ83).
Who Am I?GÇöOne of CUGÇÖs first women's tennis stars, Kathleen Cummings. She was 87-19 overall in singles play (61-10 in dual match play), the two best percentages in CU history.
MusicGÇöMolly Hatchett and the Outlaws (who ironically play the Sprint Center in Kansas City next month opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd). Those in attendance say the show was not memorable. Bonus AnswerGÇöJohn Addison led CU with 16 points, with Jerry Williams adding 14 and Brian Johnson 12.
Name That TuneGÇöMisunderstanding, by Genesis.
GÇ£Plati-GÇÿTudesGÇ¥ features notes and stories that may not get much play from the mainstream media; offers CUGÇÖs take on issues raised by those who have an interest in the program; answers questions and concerns; and provides CUGÇÖs point of view if we should disagree with what may have been written or broadcast. Have a question or want to know CUGÇÖs take on something? E-mail Dave at david.plati@colorado.edu, and the subject may appear in the next Plati-GÇÿTudes.