University of Colorado Athletics
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Buffs Get Mental
December 24, 2005 | Football
ORLANDO - The University of Colorado football team continued fine-tuning their gears on Christmas Eve leading up to the Champ Sports Bowl against Clemson on Dec. 27.
"We have gotten most of our physical work done," Interim Head Coach Mike Hankwitz said. "We mainly have to work on the mental aspect now."
Players and coaches have held normal practices at the Citrus Bowl Complex since Thursday, sandwiched around scheduled bowl events and visits to several Orlando theme parks, including Universal Studios and Disney Magic Kingdom.
The Buffs will hold normal functions through Christmas before finishing their season on Tuesday.
"They will get a nice meal and will be able to sleep in a little bit," Hankwitz said of Sunday. "We still have to practice, but that's part of being in a bowl."
Buffs "Give Kids the World"
Several Buffs took time to visit the Give the Kids the World Village in Orlando on Saturday morning before practice. Players from both Colorado and Clemson visited the non-profit resort which creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Players greeted the children with small stuffed Buffaloes and autographed mini footballs. There were also opportunities for playing put-put golf, riding a carousel and getting treated to enormous banana splits. In addition, the kids and their families are invited as guests to the Champ Sports Bowl on Tuesday.
"To come out here and see these football players as idols really brought a smile to their faces," sophomore running back Hugh Charles said. "I had fun on the put-put course, so I know they were having fun."
Give Kids the World provides accommodations at its resort, donates attractions tickets and shares meals for a week-long fantasy vacation. Since its founding in 1986, the facility has welcomed families from all 50 states and 50 countries.
"We go to hospitals and visit kids a lot with (running back coach Shawn) Simms," senior defensive tackle James Garee said. "These opportunities really show you how strong the human spirit is. [The kids] know they are terminally ill, but they are out here having fun anyway. Any problems people think we have about our team and our preparations for this bowl game are trivial compared to what these kids are going through."
"We have gotten most of our physical work done," Interim Head Coach Mike Hankwitz said. "We mainly have to work on the mental aspect now."
Players and coaches have held normal practices at the Citrus Bowl Complex since Thursday, sandwiched around scheduled bowl events and visits to several Orlando theme parks, including Universal Studios and Disney Magic Kingdom.
The Buffs will hold normal functions through Christmas before finishing their season on Tuesday.
"They will get a nice meal and will be able to sleep in a little bit," Hankwitz said of Sunday. "We still have to practice, but that's part of being in a bowl."
Buffs "Give Kids the World"
Several Buffs took time to visit the Give the Kids the World Village in Orlando on Saturday morning before practice. Players from both Colorado and Clemson visited the non-profit resort which creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Players greeted the children with small stuffed Buffaloes and autographed mini footballs. There were also opportunities for playing put-put golf, riding a carousel and getting treated to enormous banana splits. In addition, the kids and their families are invited as guests to the Champ Sports Bowl on Tuesday.
"To come out here and see these football players as idols really brought a smile to their faces," sophomore running back Hugh Charles said. "I had fun on the put-put course, so I know they were having fun."
Give Kids the World provides accommodations at its resort, donates attractions tickets and shares meals for a week-long fantasy vacation. Since its founding in 1986, the facility has welcomed families from all 50 states and 50 countries.
"We go to hospitals and visit kids a lot with (running back coach Shawn) Simms," senior defensive tackle James Garee said. "These opportunities really show you how strong the human spirit is. [The kids] know they are terminally ill, but they are out here having fun anyway. Any problems people think we have about our team and our preparations for this bowl game are trivial compared to what these kids are going through."
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