Colorado University Athletics
AD George Lauds Football’s Leadership, Buffs’ Fall Sports Efforts
October 11, 2016 | Football, B.G. Brooks
Success across the board makes for an enjoyable autumn at CU
BOULDER – At the halfway point of the 2016 season, Colorado football has made impressive progress. But football isn't alone in raising the bar during fall sports competition; the school's other sports also are enjoying a banner autumn.
First, football . . . Athletic Director Rick George believes he knows where the improvement began and what it will take for the Buffaloes to finish off a special season.
"This is a different team," George said Tuesday at a media briefing following coach Mike MacIntyre's weekly news conference. "The leadership in the locker room and from 'Mac' and his staff got us off to a great start."
George, in the midst of his fourth football season as CU's AD, likened what he's seen with the 2016 Buffs to what he saw during his tenure with the Texas Rangers – specifically leadership in the locker room. That, noted George, offered him a strong hint that this season presented the chance for a turnaround.
"The biggest thing that gave me confidence of this kind of start (4-2 overall, 2-1 Pac-12) was the leadership in the locker room," George said. "Having been at the Texas Rangers when we went to the World Series, the clubhouse has a big impact on how you do, because the athletes are together a lot.
"To have that kind of leadership in the locker room, it's the most mature team we've had since 2001 or something like that. That makes a big difference that people that've been there and are experienced. We've got a few people back and a few people have matured and there have been some surprises out there. I also think it's the quality of our coaching staff. Mike (MacIntyre) made some changes in the offseason. We've got coaches coaching different areas now and he restructured the staff. He's really made some great moves.
"The great thing is everybody is working together. Having (Darrin) Chiaverini and (Brian) Lindgren, Jim Leavitt and having his staff back intact having been with him for one year makes a big difference. I think it's the maturity level of our staff and mostly our student-athletes."
While George said he "likes where we are," the Buffs at 4-2/2-1 have more work ahead of them. Two more wins will make them bowl eligible for the first time since 2007 but they still have visions of winning the Pac-12 South and the league championship.
With six games remaining, the Buffs control their destiny in the South Division. No. 24 Arizona State (5-1, 2-1) visits Folsom Field Saturday night (6 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
"Mike's had a process and he stayed true that process and I think we're seeing the fruits of that," George said. "Let's remember that we're only six games through the season. We still have six games to go. There's a lot left to go. At the half way point, we're happy with where we are, but we've got a lot of work to do these last six games and most importantly Arizona State Saturday."
Collectively, George said CU's other sports have made this "one of the most successful falls" in school history. In addition to football breaking into the Top 25 at No. 21 (the Buffs dropped out after losing at USC), the volleyball team is ranked No. 19 (10-6 overall, 2-4 Pac-12) and the soccer team is ranked No. 23, marking its first Top 25 appearance since 2009. Soccer (11-3, 5-0) is on a nine-match winning streak.
Last week, CU had five teams ranked in their sports' respective Top 25s. The women's cross country team exited September ranked No. 2 while the men's squad ranked No. 6.
Men's/women's golf and tennis also have made strides this fall, with George noting, "This is the kind of culture we're trying to create . . . I feel good about where at from a competition standpoint."
Men's golf was No. 17 (GolfWeek) while women's golf – featuring Esther Lee, the nation's top-ranked player – was No. 32. In tennis, senior Nuria Ormeno Ruiz had recorded wins against three top-100 opponents at the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships.
George pointed to CU's facilities improvement projects – specifically the Champions Center and Indoor Practice Facility – as having an impact in verbal commitments across all sports.
AD BITS/PIECES: In an attempt to help boost attendance, CU has dropped its student Sports Pass price from $175 to $99. George said over 9,000 Sports Passes have been sold . . . . The Buffs' last home game – Oregon State – drew 47,893, the largest home attendance of the MacIntyre era. Saturday's attendance goal is to at least match that mark. As of Tuesday, George said "a little over 43,000" tickets had been sold . . . . Fans are being encouraged to arrive early for games, hence the "CU In 60" promotion. School officials are urging fans to be in their seats 60 minutes before kickoff, thereby alleviating some of the congestion at and around the stadium just prior to kickoff. George said a "few more" gates would be available on Saturday, with lots open at noon and stadium gates two hours prior to kickoff . . . . With the Pac-12 and DirecTV still at an impasse, George said DirecTV subscribers' best option to view Pac-12 competition is via SlingTV on the Pac-12 website. "Do I have fans who are frustrated? Absolutely," he said, adding that the conference is "working hard to improve distribution methods."
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
First, football . . . Athletic Director Rick George believes he knows where the improvement began and what it will take for the Buffaloes to finish off a special season.
"This is a different team," George said Tuesday at a media briefing following coach Mike MacIntyre's weekly news conference. "The leadership in the locker room and from 'Mac' and his staff got us off to a great start."
George, in the midst of his fourth football season as CU's AD, likened what he's seen with the 2016 Buffs to what he saw during his tenure with the Texas Rangers – specifically leadership in the locker room. That, noted George, offered him a strong hint that this season presented the chance for a turnaround.
"The biggest thing that gave me confidence of this kind of start (4-2 overall, 2-1 Pac-12) was the leadership in the locker room," George said. "Having been at the Texas Rangers when we went to the World Series, the clubhouse has a big impact on how you do, because the athletes are together a lot.
"To have that kind of leadership in the locker room, it's the most mature team we've had since 2001 or something like that. That makes a big difference that people that've been there and are experienced. We've got a few people back and a few people have matured and there have been some surprises out there. I also think it's the quality of our coaching staff. Mike (MacIntyre) made some changes in the offseason. We've got coaches coaching different areas now and he restructured the staff. He's really made some great moves.
"The great thing is everybody is working together. Having (Darrin) Chiaverini and (Brian) Lindgren, Jim Leavitt and having his staff back intact having been with him for one year makes a big difference. I think it's the maturity level of our staff and mostly our student-athletes."
While George said he "likes where we are," the Buffs at 4-2/2-1 have more work ahead of them. Two more wins will make them bowl eligible for the first time since 2007 but they still have visions of winning the Pac-12 South and the league championship.
With six games remaining, the Buffs control their destiny in the South Division. No. 24 Arizona State (5-1, 2-1) visits Folsom Field Saturday night (6 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
"Mike's had a process and he stayed true that process and I think we're seeing the fruits of that," George said. "Let's remember that we're only six games through the season. We still have six games to go. There's a lot left to go. At the half way point, we're happy with where we are, but we've got a lot of work to do these last six games and most importantly Arizona State Saturday."
Collectively, George said CU's other sports have made this "one of the most successful falls" in school history. In addition to football breaking into the Top 25 at No. 21 (the Buffs dropped out after losing at USC), the volleyball team is ranked No. 19 (10-6 overall, 2-4 Pac-12) and the soccer team is ranked No. 23, marking its first Top 25 appearance since 2009. Soccer (11-3, 5-0) is on a nine-match winning streak.
Last week, CU had five teams ranked in their sports' respective Top 25s. The women's cross country team exited September ranked No. 2 while the men's squad ranked No. 6.
Men's/women's golf and tennis also have made strides this fall, with George noting, "This is the kind of culture we're trying to create . . . I feel good about where at from a competition standpoint."
Men's golf was No. 17 (GolfWeek) while women's golf – featuring Esther Lee, the nation's top-ranked player – was No. 32. In tennis, senior Nuria Ormeno Ruiz had recorded wins against three top-100 opponents at the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships.
George pointed to CU's facilities improvement projects – specifically the Champions Center and Indoor Practice Facility – as having an impact in verbal commitments across all sports.
AD BITS/PIECES: In an attempt to help boost attendance, CU has dropped its student Sports Pass price from $175 to $99. George said over 9,000 Sports Passes have been sold . . . . The Buffs' last home game – Oregon State – drew 47,893, the largest home attendance of the MacIntyre era. Saturday's attendance goal is to at least match that mark. As of Tuesday, George said "a little over 43,000" tickets had been sold . . . . Fans are being encouraged to arrive early for games, hence the "CU In 60" promotion. School officials are urging fans to be in their seats 60 minutes before kickoff, thereby alleviating some of the congestion at and around the stadium just prior to kickoff. George said a "few more" gates would be available on Saturday, with lots open at noon and stadium gates two hours prior to kickoff . . . . With the Pac-12 and DirecTV still at an impasse, George said DirecTV subscribers' best option to view Pac-12 competition is via SlingTV on the Pac-12 website. "Do I have fans who are frustrated? Absolutely," he said, adding that the conference is "working hard to improve distribution methods."
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
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