Colorado University Athletics
'Wall of Champions' Installation Celebrates Buffs' Proud Legacy
May 15, 2017 | General, Buff Club, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — The "pride and tradition" of the Colorado Buffaloes runs long and deep. There is no questioning the imprint the Buffaloes have left on the college landscape over more than a century of competition at the highest level of collegiate sports.
But that tradition has not stopped in college. CU also has a proud tradition of sending its athletes on to the next level — in a multitude of sports — where they have also left their mark.
The success and legacy of those Buffs is reflected in the Wall of Champions, a recently completed display in the CU Champions Center that features eight 6 foot-by-3 foot installation pieces featuring each athlete: golfer Emily Talley, soccer's Nikkie Marshall, track standouts Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn, basketball player Chauncey Billups, football players Chad Brown and Nate Solder, and football player (CU) and skier (Olympics/Team USA) Jeremy Bloom.
The installation, part of the continual process of making the Champions Center a showcase for CU's proud tradition, also serves two specific purposes. One, it continues the process of connecting CU Athletics with the community. Two, it serves as a reminder and motivation for Colorado's current athletes.
"The Wall of Champions reflects the diversity of our sports and truly speaks to the community," said Emily Canova, assistant athletic director for special projects. "We have 17 sports at Colorado and I think community members can resonate with each sport — whether they do it themselves, have a child that participates or they follow a particular sport or athlete. It really represents the fact that everyone in our community can be a part of CU Athletics."
All eight featured athletes were no doubt stars during their collegiate careers. Each also then went on to become standouts in their sports at the professional level — and each has expressed appreciation at being honored with the installation.
"I feel incredibly honored to be part of the Champions Wall photographed next to some of the most inspiring athletes I know," Marshall said. "The University of Colorado has helped define me as an athlete and more importantly as a human being. I am grateful for every second I spent at this outstanding University and for all of the coaches, mentors, teammates and friends in this city who so tremendously impacted my life."
The Wall of Champions is the latest installation in a series of displays throughout the Champions Center that reflects Colorado's history. Each not only serves as a connection to that tradition, but also reminds current athletes that success at the next level is well within their reach.
Wall of Champions installation at Champions Center celebrates our proud legacy. (by @NeillWoelk) MORE: https://t.co/sjXlnUJiUi pic.twitter.com/9KNJmZwDED
— Colorado Buffaloes (@cubuffs) May 15, 2017
"For our student-athletes it serves as a wall of aspiration and also mentorship," Canova said. "We captured these athletes not in CU Buffs gear, but in the gear or uniform they are wearing for their professional team or the country they represent. It represents life beyond CU, as well as the legacy piece — once a CU student-athlete, always a CU student-athlete. It creates that continuum, that circle."
The athletes featured no doubt enhanced their reputations at the professional level while also keeping the University of Colorado in the public eye in the process — and some continue to do so. Last summer, Simpson and Coburn won historic bronze medals on the track at the Rio Olympics; earlier this year, Solder won his second Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots.
They all point to their time at Colorado as a period that helped define their careers.
"Winning teams have a winning culture," said Brown, who enjoyed a 15-year NFL career after playing at Colorado. "Championship teams have a championship culture. Stepping on this campus, you quickly learn that being a Buffs means being a part of a great championship history and culture. You lean upon past champions on your quest for yours."
Talley said her time at CU helped develop her not only as an athlete, but as a person.
"My four years spent in Boulder shaped me as an athlete and as a woman, and I gained the confidence to chase after the dreams I never thought were possible," Talley said. "Through my years competing for CU and then professionally I knew I had my Colorado family behind me, rooting me on, every step of the way."
The Wall of Champions is located on the third floor of the Champions Center. Here is what the featured athletes had to say about their inclusion in the installation:
Nikki Marshall, soccer: "I feel incredibly honored to be part of the Champions Wall photographed next to some of the most inspiring athletes I know. The University of Colorado has helped define me as an athlete and more importantly as a human being. I am grateful for every second I spent at this outstanding University and for all of the coaches, mentors, teammates and friends in this city who so tremendously impacted my life."
Emma Coburn, track: "I am so honored to be on the Champions Wall alongside these incredibly talented Colorado athletes. My first memories as a kid were cheering for the Buffs and it was such a pleasure to wear the Colorado uniform myself for 5 years. I was born a Buff fan, had pride while representing the Buffs in college, and will continue to be a proud Buff fan for life. Thank you for the honor!"
Jeremy Bloom, CU football and Team USA skiing: "It's a tremendous honor to be featured alongside the best athletes to have ever worn the black and gold."
Emily Talley, golf: "I will forever be honored to be a Colorado Buffalo. My four years spent in Boulder shaped me as an athlete and as a woman and I gained the confidence to chase after the dreams I never thought were possible. Through my years competing for CU and then professionally I knew I had my Colorado family behind me, rooting me on, every step of the way and could not be luckier. And talk about being recognized on this wall with these amazing athletes, I am honored beyond words. It has been so exciting watching my classmates break USA Olympic records and bring home Super Bowl rings. Absolutely inspiring and incredible! Amazed by all of these Buffs and especially proud to be one myself. GO CU!"
Jenny (Barringer) Simpson, track: "CU has such a rich history of amazing accomplishments specifically in running. It's such a joy to be a part of that greater legacy. Having my image on the 'Champions Wall' feels like I've made the family photo album. I appreciate the front-and-center honor but it also feels like a compliment from family."
Chad Brown, football: "Becoming a champion is special. Becoming a champion with your brothers is truly special. The guys that you have known for years, worked hard with, sweated with, bled with and cried with. Championship moments are not made alone, they are made as a team, as brothers. Winning teams have a winning culture. Championship teams have a championship culture. Stepping on this campus, you quickly learn that being a Buffs means being a part of a great championship history and culture. You lean upon past champions on your quest for yours."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
