An intense campaign to be positive is being waged in advance of Saturday’s football game between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University.
The presidents of the two rival schools, Hank Brown of CU and Larry Penley of CSU, are emphasizing sportsmanship and the academic benefits of competition. They even taped a conversation about competition. It will be shown during the game, which begins at 3 p.m. at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Also, student leaders from the two campuses are cooperating on a pre-game fundraising event.
“It’s to remind people that the key product to this sports contest is to build character and sportsmanship,” said Brown.
Brown and Penley are emphasizing the benefits to the state from the work of the two research universities, which compete for top students as well as $1 billion in research grants to study sustainable energy, cancer, infectious diseases and other issues.
Weeks before the game, student leaders and administrators at both institutions began collaborating to get out the message that although the two schools are rivals, the competition doesn’t have to be negative.
In the past, CU-CSU games made headlines after some fans became rowdy and violent. In 2003, for example, about 40 CU students attacked CSU’s marching band before the game at Invesco. Some threw beer bottles, cans and alcohol on band members, prompting an apology from CU officials.
“The majority of CU students are not going to allow some misfits to label them,” Brown said Wednesday.
The student-organized “Game Ball Run” campaign will begin with a rally at 8 a.m. Saturday on the west steps of the state Capitol, followed by students from both schools walking and carrying the game ball the length of the 16th Street Mall.Carrying banners with the motto “We Compete, You Win,” the students will walk to Invesco, where they will present the football to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and a game official.
In addition, any money raised by the students will be donated to the Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives, which works to keep youths out of gangs.
“This is our one chance to work together and do something positive for the Denver community,” said Jason Green, CSU’s student-body president.
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
