Politics, culture, and whatever else crosses our NOVA minds
Hallelujah!
CSU’s Messiah - Jason Smith - played like a total stud in the Border War (basketball version). What a great game. Not just a double-double, but a HUGE double-double. 20+ rebounds and a couple of monster dunks. I’m a proud Ram fan tonight. The Rams played like they should have played the entire season, despite the show put on by Wyoming’s two incredible guards - best tandom in the country, in my view.
Huge win for us Ram fans.
Every time I get excited about CSU football, I have to suffer through my Rams having a monumental melt-down, which is what happened on Thursday night. 21-3 at halftime. A comfortable lead, on the road. No way they could lose. Wrong!
In the recent past, it’s usually been a melt-down against the Buffs down in Boulder. This year, we finally hold off the hated Buffs, and then blow a lead against the always solid Falcons and their maddening wishbone. Makes my blood boil. Especially since I couldn’t actually watch this game, thanks to the Mountain West Conference’s less-than-savvy media strategy, which includes broadcasting MWC games on the “Mtn” network, which I’m sure gets beamed into a few dozen households somewhere.
Frustrated here in NOVA…
CSU’s quarterback was sacked 6 times. Not good. And their offensive line was indeed “offensive.” Hanie barely had a chance to take a snap without having Buff defenders immediately in his face. They’ll have to do better if they want this season to turn out well.
Can’t imagine most Rams or Buffs are too pleased, but at least the Rams got the victory.
The link is a long tribute to CSU. Fum’s song is at the end.
Fum McGraw was a huge, monster of a man. As a little kid, I would see him at church and marvel at his decency, his HUGE hands, and his gentle -yet dominating - demeanor. To those of us at church, he was a gentle giant. But he was a GIANT, and we all knew it. He was even bigger than my old man, who played at CSU a few years after Fum was in the Pros knocking the snot out of folks. Fum’s song was a tribute to his alma mater, nothing more. It’s a shame that the media forced the administration to shut it down. Because Fum McGraw was the epitome of honor.
h/t to the CU Daily Camera for some interesting history.
The University of Colorado had a goat and donkey as mascots before settling on a buffalo after a contest in 1934. Colorado State University had an English bulldog, black bear and “aggie” as its mascots before Cam the ram became its permanent mascot by student vote in 1947. The latest Cam is the 21st rambouillet ram to hold the title.
I’m getting all pumped up for the Rams v. Buffs. I’d have a hard time getting pumped up for the Colorado Goats or Colorado Donkeys v. the Colorado State Bulldogs. I might be able to deal with a Black bear as a mascot. My Dad played defensive end at CSU when they were the “Aggies” in the late 50s, so out of respect for my father, and out of respect for the “A” on the foothills just West of Ft. Collins, I could accept that. But Rams and Buffaloes are far superior choices.
The article says that Cam was adopted as the mascot in 1947. But my Dad’s college yearbooks still called them “Aggies” at that point. Cam must have been an Aggie and a Ram at the same time.
Cam v. Ralphie? Both are bloated, fat-asses. But Ralphie is a lot bigger! Thank God the players are deciding this one. Cam might take some lumps, otherwise.
Here’s CSU’s coach. A man of honor.
Lubick cares deeply about the people around him - from the members of his coaching staff to every player on the roster. He has built Colorado State’s program into one of the nation’s finest with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to helping people attain success.
He has a philosophy he shares not only with his team, but with the community and Ram fans nationwide:
• Responsibility: Having each member of Colorado State’s program take responsibility for their actions and impact on the success of the team.
• Character: Lubick places a premium on student-athletes who display integrity and honesty.
• Respect: Earning respect among peers, fans, and colleagues remains more important to the veteran coach than gaining popularity.
• Keep Winning And Losing In Perspective: Sonny Lubick keeps his program on an even keel - not too high after a monumental victory, of which there have been many during his career, nor too low following defeat. Lubick has the presence in the program to keep his program focused on the goal ahead.
• Work Hard And Enjoy What You Do: Sonny Lubick’s work ethic, dedication and enthusiasm is contagious to those around the Rams’ program. He also firmly believes that individuals in any situation perform at peak levels when they enjoy what they are doing.
Just in case anyone thought that the actions of a few dumb-asses reflects upon their coach.
This is just really disappointing.
I guess it’s time for me to humble myself. For years, I’ve poked fun at the CU-Buffs. Gary Barnett was a scumbag, and his players occasionally reflected his poor leadership. I jabbed at my friends from Boulder about recruting mishaps, alleged rapes, and other alleged scandals.
Sonny Lubick, on the other hand, has been the epitome of a college coach with unfailing integrity and decency. He still is. Unfortunately, his program will now suffer and undergo unwanted scrutiny, all because of a few empty-headed nitwits that decided to engage (allegedly - innocent until proven otherwise here at TTA) in fraud. Lubick’s reputation will probably be unfairly sullied because of this, and that is a tragedy. This is a coach who has turned down offers at big-time schools because he cares about Ft. Collins and CSU. He’s a class act.
As much as I’ve ripped on the CU-Buffs over the years, I have to give credit to their players. They are focused on the game, and they responded to these allegations with class, maturity, and a good dose of compassion.
“I’m not happy to hear about that at all,” Colorado center Mark Fenton said. “Hopefully it doesn’t disrupt their team and they can move beyond that.”
Said Buffaloes wide receiver Dusty Sprague: “We’re all human; it can happen anywhere.”
Hats off to the Buffs players. I still hope they lose, but I admire their decency during a time when they could have taken advantage. I’m sure they will be out to punish the Rams on the field - as they should be - but I applaud their restraint. Well done, guys.
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