A revived and amplified crowd of Colorado football boosters and fans showed up for Jon Embree’s annual preview Thursday, hearing the coach highlight the speed the team found in recruiting.
“We brought some athleticism and speed to the team, and these guys will hit you, and I’m not talking about just the defensive players,” Embree said at the Hyatt Regency downtown Denver. The annual gathering amounts to a recruiting rundown for boosters.
There were 1,200 attendees, more than double last year’s turnout for what ended up as Dan Hawkins’ final season.
Former CU coach Bill McCartney also spoke, saying: “I can’t tell you how excited I was when I was coming here this morning.”
Rashaan Salaam, Colorado’s only Heisman trophy winner, returned for the first time in nine years, and the first time ever for an official CU function. He now lives in San Diego.
“(With the coaching staff) it’s going to be different with the alumni, and I’m going to be part of it,” Salaam said.
Spring game under the lights
The Buffaloes will play their spring football game on April 9 at night — with the lights on at Folsom Field.
It will be the first time in the team’s history the spring game plays at night.
“It’s a way to make it an event,” Embree said, “help bring some excitement back.”
