Colorado University Athletics
Walseth Scholarship Endowments Big Boost For CU Hoops Programs
January 25, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Alumni C Club, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When the Colorado basketball program recently hosted a weekend reunion for players from the Sox Walseth era, it did more than give Buffs from past eras a chance to reconnect.
It also served as a poignant reminder that those players are still having a significant impact on the current state of CU Athletics.
Walseth is still the winningest coach in CU men's basketball history (261-245), a five-time Big Eight Coach of the Year, and owner of a 77-21 record as Colorado's women's coach. His name is also emblazoned at midcourt at the CU Events Center.
But Walseth's name is also guaranteed to be part of Colorado basketball for generations to come through two endowed scholarships in his name, one each for the men's and women's programs. The endowments are the result of Sox's wishes and the initial efforts of his children — Joe, Nick and Cindy — and his wife, Joan, along with the generosity of men's and women's players from his tenure at Colorado.
"After my initial meeting with the family and also the help of former players Burdie Haldorson, Bob Bauers, Charlie Gardner, Lisa Van Goor and Ken Charlton, we began reaching out to other former players, coaches and friends of Sox to help put the two endowments in place," said CU assistant athletic director/development Scott McMichael. "At the reunion weekend honoring the Sox era, it became very evident how much Sox meant to his family, players and staff. He touched so many lives in a very meaningful and positive way."
Haldorson — who led the Buffs to the 1955 Final Four before going on to become one of the first players in U.S. history to win two Olympic gold medals — called Walseth "a great friend." Walseth, an assistant coach at CU for Haldorson's first two years in Boulder, helped recruit the legendary big man out of Minnesota.
"He came back to become the head coach after I graduated, and we became great friends," Haldorson said. "After I came back here later and settled in Colorado, I saw a lot of him and spent quite a bit of time with him. It was a great friendship."
When approached about helping endow the permanent scholarships for both programs, Haldorson didn't hesitate.
"Colorado started my career and I just appreciated the chance to get a degree," Haldorson said. "It made a big difference in my life. We want these young men and women to have that same opportunity. That education and degree is something they will use for the rest of their lives."
Haldorson said the opportunity to "pay it forward" has been one he and his family have embraced. Three of his children earned their degrees from CU and a granddaughter is on pace to graduate this spring.
"I received a free education when I didn't have any money at all," he said. "Now that I have a little, it's nice to be able to pay something back to the university and make sure that people remember Sox."
The scholarship endowments are permanent funds that are invested and managed by the University of Colorado Foundation. They ensure that Walseth's name will always be associated with Colorado Buffaloes basketball.
Anyone interested in being a part of the Walseth endowment is encouraged to contact Scott McMichael (scott.mcmichael@colorado.edu) or the CU Buff Club for more information.