Sonny Lubick, who coached Colorado State University’s football team into conference and national prominence, and long-time Broncos receiver Rod Smith headline the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s induction class for 2009.
Lubick coached the Rams for 15 years, beginning in 1993. His teams posted a 108-74 record and won or shared six conference championships. Lubick was selected conference coach of the year three times and his teams played in six bowl games.
Smith is the all-time leading receiver for the Broncos with 849 receptions, 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns. Smith played from 1995 through 2006.
Others selected were Jerry McMorris, the president and chairman of the Colorado Rockies in the early years of the franchise. He joined the team’s ownership group at a critical time when Denver’s bid to gain major-league baseball was being considered by the National League’s expansion committee.
The selection committee also chose Ralph Backstrom, who’s career in hockey included coaching positions at the University of Denver and administrative assignments with the Colorado Eagles, who play their home games at the Budweiser Arena outside of Windsor, Co.
Long-time girls coach Lo Hunter, who’s resume includes, a prominent run in coaching volleyball, also was selected.
John Mosley, who became the school’s first African American football player when he entered Colorado A&M, in Fort Collins in 1940 also was selected. He was an all-conference player at guard for the early-day Rams. He went on to the rank of Lt. Co. in the Air Force as a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen in World War II.
