Colorado University Athletics
Sixth 2009-10 Winning Attitude Recipient Announced
BOULDER - Qwest, FSN Rocky Mountain and the University of Colorado have named Challenger Middle School (Colorado Springs, Colo.) eighth grader Nathan Lucas the sixth 2009-10 Winning Attitude award winner. Winners are selected from a pool of written stories submitted by middle school students explaining how their "Winning Attitude" made a difference in their communities.
Nathan showed his Winning Attitude by leading his baseball team to the championship this past summer. Nathan stepped onto the baseball diamond and immediately evolved into a leader. He helped his teammates at practice and during games to play smarter and harder as a team. As the team's catcher, he took on a leadership role by demonstrating how the game should be played with his words and actions. Not only did he inspire his team but he inspired his community as well. "As the season progressed, the local community of baseball watchers began to rally behind our team. They would tell me how they enjoyed our hard play, positive attitude, ability to handle adversity, and the fun we had with each other and the fans," Nathan said. In the championship game, when Nathan's team was trailing in the fifth-inning, he took control and called a timeout from behind the plate. He huddled his team together on the pitcher's mound and told them to forget everything that has happened leading up to that moment and focus on getting the last out. In the next two innings, Nathan's team took a 6-3 lead and went on to retire three-consecutive batters in the last inning to take home the championship.
Nathan and his classmates will be honored at halftime of the Colorado vs. San Francisco basketball game Tuesday, December 1st. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. airing on FSN Rocky Mountain.
This is the fourth year Qwest, FSN and CU have come together to honor middle school students around Colorado for the differences they can make in their communities by providing outstanding efforts in sportsmanship, community involvement and teamwork. Ten winning entrants and their classmates will win a trip to a CU home football game or a men's basketball home game along with a $1,000 contribution for their school from Qwest.
One grand prize winner will be selected among the 10 winning entrants and will receive the opportunity to host a school-wide pep rally emceed by an on-air talent from FSN Rocky Mountain. CU Coaches and student-athletes will speak at the pep rally and the CU cheerleaders and pep band will also be there to perform. The grand prize winner receives a $2,500 contribution from Qwest for their school.
To submit a story of a middle-school student having a "Winning Attitude," go to www.CUBuffs.com/winningattitude to download the entry form. All entries must be received by January 15, 2010.