Gridiron Bash Postponed Nationwide

BOULDER ? Plans for the inaugural Gridiron Bash, celebrating college football and fan competition which was to take place at 16 universities nationwide, including the University of Colorado, have been postponed indefinitely.

The event in Boulder had been set for Friday, April 18, the night before the spring game. Those who bought tickets to Friday night’s events including a live performance by the Counting Crows will be allowed a full refund from their origination of purchase. Those who bought from CU can get a refund through the Athletic Ticket Office (303-492-8337 or visit in person; those who paid by credit card will be refunded automatically); those who purchased tickets on-line directly from the Gridiron Bash can log on to its website at www.gridironbash.com for information on how to obtain a refund.

The postponement does not affect the scheduled events of Saturday, April 19, including the “Coach Mac Challenge” to fill Folsom Field for the annual spring football game at 1 p.m. The game will also feature the signature runs of Ralphie V, as she makes her debut as the latest in a 43-year old line of live buffalo mascots for CU.

New York-based MSL Sports and Entertainment, the promoter of all 16 events, announced Monday that it had postponed the events “on the heels of the NCAA’s last minute interpretation of Gridiron Bash relating to student-athlete participation.” MSL is hopeful that event, which the NCAA deemed overall compliant outside of any student-athlete involvement, will eventually be approved and the events can be moved to the fall, though the musical acts may very well change at several of the locations. The events were also raising scholarship awards up to $1 million as prizes, part of which included fan voting via texting; those texts will not be billed.

“We’re most appreciative of all the parties, both on campus and off, that made it possible to put this together,” CU athletic director Mike Bohn said. “We were looking forward to making this a great event, and MSL is to be credited for coming up with a unique experience with the intent to showcase spring college football. We are all optimistic things can come together for either this fall or next spring, and are honored that we were one of 16 schools selected for the inaugural Spring Bash.”

“The issue over player participation has caused confusion among the schools during this critical window of time in which they had left to properly promote the event,” said Shawn Garrity, president of MSL Sports and Entertainment, creators and producers of Gridiron Bash. “With valuable time being lost awaiting NCAA clarification, we felt it was in the best interest of all parties involved to allow our participating universities and their marketing partners more time to adequately prepare for this event, the largest college football celebration in history.

“Lack of participation by the football team would be detrimental to the fiber and essence of what this event is all about,” Garrity continued. “We’ve been working for a year and a half to promise fans the spring football experience that includes players, coaches, marching bands, cheerleaders and great players past and present. Our decision to postpone was reached by our desire to preserve the long-term integrity of our brand and hold true to our promise that Gridiron Bash is not a concert, but a football celebration with the added benefit of a live music element.”

At February's Football Preview Luncheon in Denver, former CU coach Bill McCartney challenged all Buff fans in attendance, some 1,500-plus, to bring 50 friends and family members with them to the spring game in an effort to fill Folsom Field with 50,000 fans. Buff fans can now pledge their attendance online and invite their friends to do the same. Everyone who signs up will be entered to win four Club Seats to the Texas game on October 4; those interested can sign up by clicking the Coach Mac Challenge link at www.CUBuffs.com/springgame.

“We now turn 100 percent of our focus to meet coach Mac’s challenge,” Bohn added. “This can be a very special day and event for our program as we continue to build.”

There are several activities planned prior to the game; all activities are free and open to the general public. Here is the complete list for April 19:

10:30 a.m. ? Noon Healthy Kids Day Presented by CU Parent’s Association, Outback Steakhouse and Qdoba
Kids in 8th grade and under can meet their favorite student-athletes and participate in skill/fitness stations on Folsom Field. The first 500 kids who complete all required activities will receive a free CU t-shirt and lunch from Outback Steakhouse. All Healthy Kids Day Activities are FREE!

11 a.m. ? Noon Healthy Kids Day Autograph Session
Meet and get autographs from CU football players and other student-athletes on Folsom Field.

11:30 Pregame Party

CU-Boulder Chancellor Bud Peterson, CU Athletics and the CU Alumni Association in Boulder are hosting this pre-game party. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a FREE hot dog, soda, chips, and cookie. Gather with other Buff supporters for entertainment, great food, raffles, door prizes, school spirit, an autograph session with former Buffs and much more in Balch Fieldhouse.

Noon Byron R. White Club Level Open House
Everyone is welcome to head up to the club seats on the East side of Folsom Field to check out the great amenities and awesome views.

1 p.m. Spring Football Game Kickoff

Catch a sneak peek at your 2008 Colorado Football team. Admission to the Spring Game is FREE!

Colorado University Athletics