Sometime before Sept. 9 – but after Sept. 2 – the Colorado and Colorado State football teams might work themselves into a frenzy for the Rocky Mountain Showdown’s return to Denver.
It’s just not time yet, as demonstrated Tuesday during a luncheon at the Colorado Convention Center.
There were the two chief executive officers of the universities, allies in seeking more state funding for their institutions. And there were the coaches, eager to get back to practice.
It was the first public meeting between CSU coach Sonny Lubick and CU coach Dan Hawkins, entering his first season with the Buffaloes. Lubick called Hawkins to welcome him when he was hired.
“I’m sure Sonny could echo my statements that we’re trying to get ready to play a game before we play the Rams,” Hawkins said.
Having coached at Montana State for 12 years, Lubick offered to give Hawkins some background on the Buffs’ opponent.
The coaches were cordial – unlike the forced pleasantries of the 1980s between CU’s Bill McCartney and CSU’s Leon Fuller at similar luncheons.
CSU won a game show-style trivia competition that pitted teams of coaches, athletic directors, conference commissioners and a “celebrity” guest.
Footnote
Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson doesn’t expect any more announcements on new carriers for The mtn. TV network until just before opening weekend. He said he has collected the phone numbers and pregame whereabouts of each athletic director so he can alert them to inform their fans.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
