Colorado Daily

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Colorado Daily – Spring/Summer

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May 12th

… CU in a few minutes …

Kickoff time for CU at Georgia Tech (Thursday, 6:00 p.m., MT, ESPN)

From CUBuffs.com … For the fourth straight season in the Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders era, the Colorado Buffaloes football program has had a game selected as part of the television Upfront presentations, as ABC announced Tuesday that Colorado’s season opener at Georgia Tech on Thursday, Sept. 3, will kickoff at 6 p.m. MT/8 p.m. ET and be nationally televised on ESPN.

The game was one of four Big 12 contests announced during the annual Upfront presentations, where major television networks showcase premier sports and entertainment programming to advertisers ahead of the fall season.

Colorado continues to maintain one of the highest national television profiles in college football under Coach Prime. The Georgia Tech game will mark the 24th time in the Buffaloes’ last 26 games that CU has been selected for either the flagship ESPN channel or one of the major broadcast networks — ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC or TNT. Including appearances on ESPN2 and FS1, Colorado has now been selected for one of those national television windows in 26 straight games and in 35 of 38 contests during the Coach Prime era

Last season, Colorado’s home game against Georgia Tech was announced during the Upfront presentations, while in 2024 both the North Dakota State and Nebraska games were included in various network Upfront announcements. In 2023, Coach Prime’s Colorado debut at TCU was announced as part of FOX’s Upfront presentation.

The matchup at Georgia Tech is the second game of a home-and-home series between the programs after the Yellow Jackets earned a 27-20 win last season at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes will be looking to even the series in their first-ever trip to Atlanta and just the second game in program history played in the state of Georgia.

… Continue reading story here …

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May 11th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Can Albany defensive end Balansama Kamara be the answer for CU? “Life is about opportunities”

From the Daily Camera … As he recovered from a knee injury this spring, Colorado safety Ben Finneseth didn’t participate in practices.

He did, however, observe a lot and discovered he’s got some company in the leadership department. Included in that group is defensive end Balansama Kamara, a newcomer who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

“That’s my dawg,” said Finneseth, one of the Buffaloes’ top leaders this year. “When things aren’t going right, he’s going to be the first one to say something. He’s going to get in people’s ear about it.”

Kamara could also be one of the leaders on the field.

A 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive end who played the previous two years at Albany, Kamara is part of a big list of transfers hoping to boost a CU pass rush that struggled in 2025.

“I feel like my effort is everything,” Kamara said during spring practices. “It’s about how hard I go, and I play with a lot of passion. I feel like that’s the biggest thing when it comes to my game, my effort.”

A year ago at Albany, Kamara’s effort led to him earning first-team All-Coastal Athletic Association honors after posting 67 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, seven hurries and three forced fumbles.

The Philadelphia native began his collegiate career with two seasons (2021-22) at Temple. He redshirted in 2021 and played seven games in 2022, posting 15 tackles and half a sack.

Kamara then spent one season at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College before playing the past two years at Albany.

… Continue reading story here …

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May 9th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Two potential star receivers – DeAndre Moore and Joseph Williams – ready to join the fold after missing spring

From the Daily Camera … Two of Colorado’s top weapons at receiver didn’t participate in spring practices, as they were nursing injuries.

Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is well aware of what DeAndre Moore Jr. and Joseph Williams can bring to the table, though.

“I’m just excited to get those two back out there, not only for their play on the field but their leadership for the guys and their confidence, their swagger,” Marion said last month. “That’s what’s needed at receiver: receivers bring the energy every day. You need those type of guys on the field to get the team’s juice right.”

Injuries hampered the Buffs’ receiving corps throughout spring, but San Jose State transfer Danny Scudero has clearly emerged as a leader in the room. He led the nation with 1,297 receiving yards a year ago and made a strong impression on head coach Deion Sanders, Marion and others in his first few months with the Buffs.

“I’ve known DeAndre for a long time,” Marion said. “I recruited him out of high school and brought him to Texas. I always wanted to coach him because of the person he is. I know he’s a great player, but DeAndre’s, like, a dynamic person. And so obviously you guys will get to see that as he gets healthy and gets to play.”

Last year, the 6-2, 200-pound Williams transferred to CU and was second on the team in catches (37), receiving yards (489) and touchdown receptions (four).

“Our connection is the University of Tulsa,” Marion said. “I always make a joke with him, like, you saw me every day when you walked in that building because my picture’s up there. But I love Joe. He’s a great kid, his story is amazing, he works really hard.”

While Moore and Williams were on the sidelines this spring, both could play prominent roles in the offense this season, which kicks off Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech.

… Read full story here …

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May 7th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Lowering the bar: Conferences may be permitted to allow 5-7 teams to participate in bowl season

… In case you were wondering, CU’s latest APR rating, issued this past week, was 959, 107th in the nation, and 14th in the Big 12. Only Akron, at 919, would fail to meet the 930 threshold being discussed as a barrier to qualification … 

From ESPN … The NCAA’s Football Oversight Committee on Thursday voted to adopt a proposal that allows conferences the flexibility to choose a 5-7 team that has met certain academic standards to fill bowl game opportunities if there aren’t enough deserving teams.

Under the proposal, if all deserving teams have been selected for bowl games and all schools who meet an exception other than the exception for 5-7 teams have been selected, a conference that has an unfulfilled bowl commitment can choose which of its 5-7 teams will participate in that bowl. The conference must choose a 5-7 team that has achieved at least the minimum 930 multiyear Academic Progress Rate required to be eligible to participate in the postseason.

Currently, if a 5-7 team needs to be selected to participate, those teams become available as alternates in descending order of their multiyear APR.

Bowl season executive director Nick Carparelli told ESPN in January that there were 41 FBS bowl games last season, including the six College Football Playoff bowls. That left 70 teams that played in non-CFP bowls, and only three of them were below the .500 bowl-eligibility mark at 5-7. Carparelli said that over the past five seasons, an average of 81 teams played in FBS bowls with a 6-6 record or better.

The proposal is not final until it’s reviewed by the Division I Cabinet during its June meeting.

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May 6th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

Jordan Seaton’s path to becoming the highest-paid offensive lineman in the nation

From CBS Sports … There aren’t many surprises in transfer portal season when tampering is rampant, and transfers are rumored for months.

There are exceptions, however, and Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton was a massive one when he suddenly announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 12, only a few days before it was scheduled to close.

It was a bombastic addition to the portal free agency class, an all-conference left tackle and a potential 2027 first-round draft pick choosing to explore his options.

That Seaton transferred on its own wasn’t all that shocking.

Seaton rumors swirled in December, with several teams CBS Sports spoke with highlighting him as a potential portal candidate.

The timing was a surprise. Many people assumed Seaton would stay put with no movement more than a week into the cycle. Instead, he dropped a late boulder into the calming waters of the portal.

Seaton’s transfer process had the feel of NBA free agency.

The Washington, D.C., native held meetings with teams in Atlanta as SEC and Big Ten programs alike jockeyed for the chance to meet with him.

His demands were high. Industry sources speculated that Seaton could command $2.5 million or more on the open market. By the end of the cycle, industry sources believe Seaton secured a deal worth more than $4 million. His camp also asked for additional incentives, such as cars and real estate.

While LSU and Miami were two program sources highlighted when Seaton entered the transfer portal, he actually took his first visit to Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs’ offensive line coach, Phil Loadholt, served as Seaton’s O-line coach in Boulder during his true freshman season. The pair remain close, and that gave Mississippi State early momentum.

Miami got the next visit with Seaton as the Hurricanes sold Seaton on Mario Cristobal’s offensive line development and style of football. From there, Seaton headed to Baton Rouge. LSU desperately needed impact offensive linemen as Lane Kiffin had to overhaul almost that entire room, and Seaton was the last impact offensive tackle on the open market.

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May 5th

… CU in a few minutes … 

American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has voted in favor of 24-team playoff

From On3Sports … The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) board has voted in favor of multiple major changes to the sport, the organization announced Tuesday. They include the idea of a potential 24-team College Football Playoff and the elimination of conference championship games.

Last week, the AFCA Board recommended a College Football Playoff that included “the maximum number of participants,” as Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger first reported. The recommendation also included a discontinuation of conference title games and preservation of the Army–Navy Game’s exclusive window, with “flexibility” for other games to happen on that day.

In addition, the board recommended the College Football Playoff end by the second week of January. Last season’s national championship game took place Jan. 19, 2026, and next year’s is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2027. The AFCA also proposed reducing the minimum number of days between games to no fewer than six.

“The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has identified the length of the college football season as a critical issue that needs to be addressed,” the AFCA said in a statement. “As we modernize our game to better serve student-athletes, we have fallen short in structuring a season that concludes in a timely and sustainable way.”

Ahead of the third installment of a 12-team College Football Playoff, the idea of expansion continues to come up. While speaking exclusively with On3’s Chris Low, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said he was still 50/50 on the idea of a 24-team model, while Tennessee’s Josh Heupel said the expanded format “makes the most sense.”

The Big Ten circulated a proposed 24-team CFP last year and, in February, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported a document that detailed how a 24-team bracket would have looked last season. The field included a 23-plus-1 model, with the 23 best teams and one spot for the Group of 6, and the elimination of conference championship games.

… Read full story here …

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May 3rd 

… CU in a few minutes … 

OC Brennan Marion: “I’m very excited about what we can do with the guys that we have now here”

From the Daily Camera … Sac State threw just 222 passes last year – by far the fewest number in Brennan Marion’s six seasons as a head coach or coordinator. Subtracting sacks from the rushing attempts, the Hornets still ran the ball on 68.8% of their plays.

The number of pass attempts is likely to be much higher this year at Colorado, but Marion and head coach Deion Sanders still have to figure out who will throw those passes.

Throughout the spring, sophomore transfer Isaac Wilson and redshirt freshman Julian Lewis competed with the first-team offense. There is no clear-cut starter going into summer, so the competition will go into preseason camp in August.

Marion said Lewis and Wilson both did “a good job” this spring in learning the Marion-created Go-Go offense, which is new to both quarterbacks.

“I think the first few months they were figuring out how to do the job, right?” Marion said. “This is a new offense for them, it’s completely different.”

The Go-Go, which relies on a strong run game and deep passes, includes concepts from several different offensive schemes.

“We run a Friday offense, a Saturday offense, and a Sunday offense,” Marion said. “So you’re asked to be an NFL quarterback at times; you’re asked to be an old-school triple option wing-T quarterback, Friday night (high school-type) quarterback; and then you’re asked to do all the same Saturday plays that everybody else does (in college). So you’re asked to really run three different offenses. The learning curve for them, the understanding for them, I think that’s what they were figuring out first.”

Lewis and Wilson both have a ways to go to be ready for the season, though, and summer will be critical for both.

“For them to really take that next step is about them getting with their guys (receivers) and understanding, ‘Where does he like the ball?’” Marion said. “Getting this lineman who’s struggling a little bit, talking to him and making sure he blocks a little bit better for you, or the running back, telling him where he’s supposed to go in protection and knowing where each guy’s supposed to be, their spots.”

… Continue reading story here …

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May 1st

… CU in a few minutes … 

CU All-American and New England Patriots First-Round Pick Completes Degree Five Decades Later

From CUBuffs.com … It took 50 years to get here.

Almost exactly half a century since leaving campus, Pete Brock will walk into Folsom Field at the University of Colorado, graduating alongside the milestone he always had in mind—exactly 50 years after those he came into CU with did the same.

A first-round NFL Draft pick. A 12-year veteran of the New England Patriots. A Colorado Athletic Hall of Famer. One of the most decorated offensive linemen in program history.

But until now, he wasn’t a graduate.

“It was a box left unchecked,” Brock said.  “And I have very few of those left in my life.”

A FOUNDATION IN BOULDER

Brock’s Colorado story started with a decision—and a view.

Originally headed to Notre Dame, the Oregon native changed course after his visit to Boulder.

“When I topped the Boulder-Denver turnpike and saw the Flatirons and the Front Range, I thought, this is where I want to be,” Brock said.

He arrived in the early 1970s and quickly became part of a program on the rise, playing under Eddie Crowder and Bill Mallory and helping define an era built on toughness and unity.

“We worked hard, we played hard, and many of us became lifelong friends,” Brock said.

That bond has endured for decades. This weekend, teammates from across the country are returning to Boulder—not for a reunion game, but to watch one of their own finish what he started.

“That’s because of the camaraderie we had,” he said. “We were led to love each other.”

The Brock name became a fixture in the program. His brothers, Willie and Stan Brock, followed him to Colorado, cementing a family legacy that still echoes through Buffs history.

SMASH-MOUTH FOOTBALL AND FOLSOM MEMORIES

Brock’s teams reflected the identity of the era—physical, relentless and driven by the offensive line.

“If we threw the ball 13 times, that was a season stat,” he said.

One of his defining memories came in Norman, Okla., when unbeaten Colorado battled unbeaten Oklahoma in a game that embodied everything the Buffs stood for.

“That was the epitome of CU football,” Brock said. “Smash-mouth, wear defenses out. It didn’t matter the score—we were coming after you.”

Folsom Field in the 1970s had its own personality—part football, part unpredictability.

“The ’70s were kind of weird, and being in Boulder in the ’70s was even weirder,” Brock said.

His favorite moment? Watching an Iowa State mascot taunt Ralphie pregame before scrambling into the stands when the buffalo charged.

“That mascot couldn’t get away fast enough,” Brock said.

FROM BOULDER TO BOSTON

In 1976, Brock’s career took him across the country.

Selected No. 12 overall in the NFL Draft, he built a 12-year career with the Patriots, starting across the offensive line and becoming known for his versatility.

“I was living a dream,” he said.

He was part of one of the most dominant rushing teams in franchise history, helping set an NFL single-season record in 1978 that stood for more than four decades.

“To be an offensive lineman on a team that could run the football like that—it was beautiful,” Brock said.

After his playing days, Brock stayed connected to the game, helping found the Patriots Alumni Association and spending nearly 20 years in broadcasting.

A SECOND CAREER—AND AN UNFINISHED GOAL

Brock’s post-football life was filled with success in business, consulting and community work. But one goal remained.

“Graduating was always something I wanted to do,” he said.

For Brock, the timing of his return wasn’t random—it was intentional. The 2026 commencement marked 50 years since he left Boulder to begin his professional career, and he wanted to finish what he started on that same timeline.

Once he committed, he attacked it head-on.

Twelve credits in the summer. Fifteen in the fall. A compressed winter course. Twelve more in the spring.

Exactly 42 credit hours in one year.

“If I knew then what I know now, I don’t know if I would have done it,” he said.

Still, he pushed through—earning a 3.57 GPA and rediscovering something along the way.

“I learned how to learn again,” he said.

SEEING THE PROGRAM TODAY

Back in Boulder this week, Brock has also had a chance to see the current program up close under head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders.

He’s watched from afar as the program has evolved—and he likes what he sees.

“It’s been fun watching the evolution of the Deion Sanders impact here at the university,” Brock said.

More than wins, Brock pointed to something deeper.

“I heard him say once that one of the most important things he can do is make good men out of his players,” Brock said. “And I think he’s doing a great job of that. Wins will come, but you have to have quality citizens to make that happen.”

FULL CIRCLE

Now, nearly five decades after he first arrived, Brock is back where it all began.

He’s surrounded by family. Teammates. Friends who made the journey with him then—and again now.

“I’m overwhelmed,” he said.

The goal was never just to finish a degree. It was to finish it at Colorado.

“I wanted to graduate from the place that I started,” Brock said.

And when he walks into the stadium he once played in, it will be more than a ceremony.

It will be the final step in a story 50 years in the making.

“I made a promise,” Brock said. “If I finished it, I was coming back to walk.”

This weekend, he will.

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April 28th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

CBS Sports: CU’s best prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft

From CBS Sports … The 2026 NFL Draft was uneventful for 10 Power Four programs that didn’t have a player selected. That list includes Colorado, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Syracuse, UCLA, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin. It was most notable for the Badgers, as a 48-year streak with at least one draft pick — one of the longest active runs in college football — came to an end.

Looking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, most of these rosters don’t feature clear early-round prospects, and in several cases, there aren’t any obvious mid- or late-round candidates either. That puts added pressure on internal development over the next year, with many of these programs needing multiple players to take meaningful steps forward just to have a chance to get back on the board.

Below is a look at the top NFL Draft prospects for each of the Power Four teams that didn’t produce a pick last week.

Colorado

Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospects: Danny Scudero (WR), Boo Carter (S)

Half of the NFL Draft picks Colorado has produced under Deion Sanders were so good that they’ve already had their numbers retired in program lore. The problem is that there haven’t been many of them. Only four Buffaloes have heard their name called during the Sanders era, all coming in the 2025 draft class that included Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Colorado was shut out again in 2026, the fourth time in five years without a selection.

The offense does get a boost with the addition of Danny Scudero, who arrives from San Jose State after leading the FBS in receiving production. He immediately slots in as the most productive, proven pass catcher on the roster and gives Colorado a legitimate 2027 NFL Draft candidate if the production translates to a Power Four stage. Former Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter is another high-upside transfer for the Buffaloes secondary, a versatile piece that Deion Sanders has spoken highly of this spring.

… Continue reading story here ..

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April 23rd

… CU in a few minutes … 

Demetrius Hunter looking to anchor CU’s line: “It’s really just about trust and building relationships”

From the Daily Camera … Given his track record, Demetrius Hunter could have come to Colorado in January and taken control of the offensive line room.

Instead, he came in looking to prove himself before actually becoming a leader.

A transfer from Houston, where he was a starter for two seasons, Hunter is the odds-on favorite to start at center for the Buffaloes next season, anchoring a rebuilt offensive line.

“First of all, I just wanted to build trust with the guys,” Hunter said earlier this month. “I didn’t want to come in just being this guy trying to police a whole bunch of guys that I didn’t know.

“So I tried to gain that trust off the field, just building a bond with the guys, so when you get into the heat of battle and I have to get a little stiff and talk, they’ll allow me to help them. So it’s really just about trust and building that relationship as an O-line.”

Hunter is one of eight transfers on the offensive line and he’s one of seven seniors in the room, so CU has plenty of experience to step up as leaders. Hunter, though, could be the main cog in the middle.

“I’m seeing a guy who’s hardworking, trying to really master what we’re trying to teach him,” said CU assistant coach Andre Gurode, a former Buffs great as a player. “He’s learning how to read and discover the defense, understanding the safety rotations. But as (offensive line coach Gunnar White) said before, no one’s earned a spot, and we still got a great battle at the center position.”

… Continue reading story here …

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April 22nd

… CU in a few minutes … 

NFL Mock Drafts: Buffs on the outside looking in

From the Daily Camera … Overall, four players from CU were drafted in 2025, matching the most draft picks in one year for the program in the last 22 years. There were also four in 2006, 2011 and 2017.

This year, it’s very possible no Buffs will be drafted, which was also the case from 2022-2024.

CBS Sports and NFL.com both posted recent seven-round mock drafts that included no CU players. CBS, in fact, ranked 472 draft prospects, with no Buffs on the list. Another site, NFL Mock Draft Database, has cornerback Preston Hodge listed as CU’s top draft prospect, at No. 416 overall. There are only 257 draft spots available, however.

There are several Buffs who could get opportunities as late round picks or as undrafted free agents. That list includes wide receiver Sincere Brown, offensive linemen Zy Crisler and Xavier Hill, defensive lineman Amari McNeill, defensive ends Keaten Wade and Arden Walker and Hodge. Quarterback Kaidon Salter could also get a chance.

At 6-feet, 5 inches, Brown is a big target at receiver, and he’s got great speed, posting a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at pro day.

Hill is a 6-foot-3, 313-pound lineman who posted impressive numbers for his size in the vertical leap (30 inches) and 40-yard dash (4.99 seconds) at pro day.

“I trust my (game) tape, so just being able to put out those ability numbers, that’s all I wanted to do,” he said.

… Continue reading story here …

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April 20th

… CU in a few minutes …

The Athletic: CU has two of the top 20 wide receiver transfers in the country

From The Athletic … Receiver has typically been one of the deepest positions in the transfer portal, and this year was no different.

The 2026 crop of transfer receivers includes some game changers at the top, but there’s plenty of depth and playmaking beyond the elite pass catchers.

Like our previous position rankings, we constructed this list by accounting for players’ abilities, resumes and the impact they could make with their new teams in 2026.

5. Omarion Miller, Colorado → Arizona State

Height/weight: 6-2/210
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 45 receptions, 808 yards, 8 TD

What you should know: Miller certainly looks the part of a big, talented outside receiver who can be a consistent downfield and over-the-middle threat. After two seasons of modest production, he broke out in 2025 as Colorado’s leading pass catcher and was in the top 20 nationally in yards per catch (18). His contested catch rate (61.1 percent) was 11th-best among Power 4 receivers. His drop rate (7.8 percent) needs improvement. There’s a big void to fill with Jordyn Tyson off to the NFL, and Miller has the frame and traits for the task.

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9. DeAndre Moore Jr., Texas → Colorado

Height/weight: 6-0/190
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 38 receptions, 532 yards, 4 TD

What you should know: Moore was a reliable slot receiver while starting most of the last two years with the Longhorns. He brings legitimate production, experience and veteran leadership to the Buffs. Though not a burner, he consistently separated from defenders and used his body well to find open space. He should be an invaluable weapon for young Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis.

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19. Danny Scudero, San Jose State → Colorado

Height/weight: 5-9/175
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 88 receptions, 1,297 yards, 10 TD

What you should know: Scudero is a small but impactful pass catcher who was the picture of production last season, leading the FBS in receiving yards and finishing fifth in receptions. His impact wasn’t limited to games against Group of 5 opponents; he was productive against both Power 4 teams he faced, combining for 18 catches and 201 yards against Stanford and Texas. He’s a shifty slot receiver who is quick in and out of his breaks and can be utilized in multiple ways. He was second in the FBS with 11 drops, so that’s an area he’ll need to improve.

… Continue reading story here …

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April 18th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Bowl games to maintain historic tie-ins – CU and the Pac-12’s bowl tie-ins remain

From Bowlseason.com … Coming out of its annual meeting, Bowl Season today announced that its bowl games, as part of the broader bowl system outside of the College Football Playoff, will continue their existing conference-bowl agreements with the FBS Division I conferences for the 2026 postseason.

This decision follows the recent announcement by the College Football Playoff (CFP) to maintain its current 12-team playoff format for the 2026-27 season, while deferring a long-term determination on the future format until after the upcoming season.

As a result, the conference-bowl structure for the 2026 postseason will remain consistent with recent years. This decision ensures continuity across the bowl system, while still allowing for mutually agreed upon short-term modifications between conferences and bowl partners.

“We believe maintaining stability across the bowl system for 2026 is the most appropriate path forward given the CFP’s decision to extend the current format through this upcoming season,” said Nick Carparelli, Executive Director of Bowl Season. “This approach provides clarity for our stakeholders while preserving flexibility as we collectively evaluate the future of the postseason.”

Looking ahead, Bowl Season anticipates that conferences and bowl organizations will make longer-term decisions regarding affiliations and structure for the 2027 season and beyond once the CFP finalizes its future format.

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April 17th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Crawford Family Foundation donates $6 million to CU athletics

Press release from CUBuffs.com … A major philanthropic investment is set to strengthen CU Boulder’s athletic department and amplify its impact across the university, supporting student-athletes while enhancing the campus’s visibility and momentum on a national stage.

Through the Crawford Family Foundation, alum Jeff Crawford and his wife, Orsi, have committed $6 million to support CU Athletics over the next three years.

“Time and time again, the Crawford Family Foundation has supported CU student-athletes, and this generous investment is just the latest example,” said Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo. “I am so grateful to Jeff and Orsi for their unwavering commitment to CU Athletics and to the success of our student-athletes, in competition, in the classroom and in their lives long after they’ve left Boulder.”

As the national environment around college athletics continues to shift, the Crawfords’ generous gift — in combination with additional philanthropic support — will ensure CU Boulder can preserve and build upon the vibrant campus community that a comprehensive, high-level athletics program creates for students.

“This investment in CU Athletics reflects a broader commitment to excellence across CU Boulder,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “A strong, visible athletics program enhances our ability to attract talented students, elevate our national profile and strengthen the overall vitality of our campus.

“Gifts like this not only support our student-athletes but help position the entire university to thrive in a highly competitive landscape.”

Supporting key athletic priorities

Half of the Crawfords’ gift will go toward the Athletic Director’s Discretionary Fund, which is being renamed the George Family Athletic Director’s Fund.

This fund supports the greatest needs of CU Athletics, from top-caliber coaching support to star athlete identification and retention. It provides the athletic director and CU Athletics with the flexibility to support student-athletes in the evolving college athletics landscape, fully fund revenue sharing and respond nimbly to challenges and opportunities.

This fund is being renamed to honor and build upon the legacy of Athletic Director Emeritus Rick George, who stepped down from the athletic director role last fall after 13 years as head of the department.

“Jeff and Orsi have been dear personal friends for a long time, and I’m so thankful and humbled to have the Athletic Director’s Fund named for my family,” said George, who now serves as special advisor to the chancellor. “This investment is crucial to CU Athletics continuing to be an industry leader in student-athlete support resources, including the incredible work currently being done with the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program.”

The remainder of the Crawfords’ gift will support the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program, which was launched in 2021 with support from the Crawford Family Foundation.

The WHOLE Program — which stands for Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience — brings a first-in-class, comprehensive, evidence-based model of support for all of CU Boulder’s student-athletes. It spans physical, psychological, academic, leadership and career well-being, supporting student-athletes from the playing field to the classroom and far beyond.

“My experience at the University of Colorado as a student-athlete has been nothing short of incredible, and I attribute most — if not all — of that to the WHOLE Student-Athlete experience,” said Luke Dry, a senior CU track and field student-athlete. “I have learned, grown and thrived in all aspects of my life as a student-athlete due to resources I have available to me through WHOLE, and I know numerous other student-athletes at CU would say the same.

“WHOLE not only helped me become successful at CU, but has given me the skills, confidence and mindset necessary to succeed in life after graduation.”

The Crawfords’ investment will help sustain this trend-setting program and ensure CU Boulder continues to serve as the national model for student-athletes’ holistic well-being.

“The WHOLE student-athlete support that we get is incredible here at CU,” said Sydney Jordan, a junior women’s volleyball student-athlete. “They truly give us the support we need to be successful, not just while we are student-athletes, but also to prepare us for life after athletics. I am so grateful for all the resources we have at CU, but the WHOLE Student-Athlete Program really provides the whole package.”

A family tradition of giving back

The Crawford family’s connection to CU Boulder stretches back decades.

Jeff Crawford was a 1990 graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences and has been a loyal Buffs fan and advocate ever since. His late brother, Brett, also attended CU from 1990 to 1993. Now, both of Jeff’s and Orsi’s sons are also Buffs, continuing the family legacy: Jack graduated in 2024 with a degree in media studies, and CJ is currently studying finance and management in the Leeds School of Business.

“Because of my family’s legacy and love for CU, we have decided to give this gift to help CU compete in the extremely competitive landscape that is D1 college athletics,” said Jeff.

“This university is the flagship university in the state of Colorado, and we must have a robust athletic program to attract students who want a broad array of experiences while they attend college. Having successful sports teams can lead to increased applications and higher-level admissions, and it can provide additional marketing and promotion of the school — both nationally and locally — as well as raise school pride, increase diversity and help support fundraising efforts.”

With a history of support stretching back over 35 years, the Crawford family has contributed significantly across the university, from the athletic department to the Leeds School of Business, College of Communication, Media, Design and Information and the Parent Fund. Their 2018 gift to CU Athletics was instrumental in making CU’s performance nutrition program one of the best in the nation.

Both Jeff and Orsi hope their family’s generosity will motivate other donors to step up and support CU Athletics.

“My hope is that this gift inspires others to give — not only to support CU Athletics, but to say thank you to Rick George for all his years of service to the university, both in his role as athletic director and as part of the staff of the national championship football team in 1990,” said Jeff. “In this new era, we need a village to compete, and that will take donations from many CU supporters at all levels.

“We need to build a culture of giving to get to where we all want CU to be.”

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