Colorado University Athletics
ESPN's Schick 'Blown Away' By Champions Center
June 10, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Matt Schick is a journalist, an ESPN college football analyst and anchor, who — like all good journalists — prides himself in being an objective, unbiased, impartial observer.
But Schick is also a University of Colorado graduate (Class of 2001), and every once in awhile, a little of that black and gold blood bubbles to the surface when he's not on air.
Sometimes, it's even more than a little. Times like Thursday, when he and some friends had the opportunity to tour the Champions Center, the CU Athletic Department's new world-class facility.
“Blown away,” was Schick's first reaction. “Not to denigrate what was here before, but fact is, it was skin and bones. To see what it is now, to see what's in place — there's no doubt the program is teed up for success.”
Schick and his friends were in Boulder for the wedding of friend Jason Beck, a CU alum and Buffs football season ticket holder.
“Impressive,” Schick said. “I can't imagine any prospect coming on campus and saying, 'This other place has this but Colorado doesn't.' That's not going to happen. This is a generation of 'What can you do for me?' and this facility speaks to that. It's a place that is not only beautiful, but one that caters to every need a student-athlete could have.”
As a college football analyst, Schick has had the opportunity to see a number of other facilities around the nation. As a CU alum and member of the media in the Denver-Boulder area after graduation (he worked at Denver radio station 950 AM The Fan after graduation), he also has a special insight into what has made the university tick over the years.
“It's exciting as an alum to see people here on campus on the same page,” Schick said. “The question has always been, 'Do we want to win?' The answer now is, 'Yes, and how we're going to do it is this.'”
After graduating from CU, Schick started his media career at The Fan, then began his career in television at NTV in Kearney, Neb. (where he worked with another CU grad, Kami Carmann). He then made the move to KETV in Omaha, Neb., where he worked as an anchor, producer and reporter; and he also hosted a radio show there.
In 2012, he broke into the national ranks when he joined ESPN as a college studio host on ESPNU. It's been a career path that has quickly exposed him to the inner workings of college football in a variety of atmospheres, but in most places, he said, there's usually one constant theme.
“If you don't have people pulling in the same direction, you don't have a chance,” Schick said. “What they've done here is create the sense that everyone wants the same thing, and that's championships. If they don't win championships, it won't be because of the effort, time, money and fundraising they've put forth here. It's clear that they've established that foundation.”
During his visit, Schick spent time with Lance Carl, CU's Associate A.D. for Business Development and sports supervisor/football; and Kurt Gulbrand, CU Assistant Vice Chancellor for Athletics Development.
“I talked to both of them about what they've done in an environment when the program hasn't been successful on the field,” Schick said. “It speaks volumes to the effort and acumen of people running this place. It's impressive.
“As an employee ESPN, I'm supposed to stay impartial — but it's hard to walk through here and not get excited about what's to come at Colorado. If you have good people making smart decisions and not cutting corners, you can win — and I think Colorado can win. It's been too long.”
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
