Colorado University Athletics
Washington, Skiing Kick Off Pac-12 Spotlight Series
|
|
||
Washington Location: Seattle, Wash. Colors: Purple and Gold Chief Rival: Washington State |
 |
|
| Photo Courtesy: University of Washington | ||
NCAA Championships: Softball, 2009; W Cross Country, 2008; W Rowing, three; W Volleyball, 2005 12 Top Student-Athletes: Chuck Carroll, football; Anna Cummins, rowing; Steve Emtman, football; Bob Houbregs, basketball; Tim Lincecum, baseball; Hugh McElhenny, football; Giuliana Mendiola, basketball; Jacque Robinson, football; Hope Solo, soccer; Marques Tuiasosopo, football; Warren Moon, football; Arnie Weinmeister, football Other Famous Alumni: Business GÇô William S.
Ayer, president/CEO of Alaska Airlines; Donald Bren, largest real
estate developer in California; William H. Gates, Sr., lawyer,
father of Bill Gates; The Nordstrom Family; Irv Robbins, co-founder
Baskin-Robbins; Steven Rogel, CEO of Weyerhauser; Shining Moment: CU was considered college footballGÇÖs dominant team in 1990, but the following season belonged to UW. The 1991 Huskies finished 12-0 and shared the national championship with Miami, which also finished 12-0. But UW followers made their teamGÇÖs lopsided average margin of victory (41-9) among their chief arguments that the Huskies were the best. UW won road games against a pair of top 10 opponents (No. 9 Nebraska, No. 7 California) and easily defeated No. 4 Michigan in the Rose Bowl (34-14). Defensive tackle Steve Emtman won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award and later was the first overall pick of the 1992 NFL Draft (Indianapolis). Defensive back Dana Hall also was a first-round draftee (San Francisco). The Huskies were quarterbacked by Billy Joe Hobart and Mark Brunell. Don James was honored as the national coach-of-the-year in GÇÖ91 and would coach one more season at UW before resigning with a 153-57-2 record. Classic CU: Buffs Resolve Unflagging In Rout Of Huskies |
|
||
|
Bet You DidnGÇÖt Know: A student committee selected the Husky as the schoolGÇÖs mascot in 1922, replacing the GÇ£Sun DodgerGÇ¥ GÇô an esoteric reference to the local weather that fans found difficult to rally behind . . . UW football teams went unbeaten in 63 consecutive games from 1907-1917 . . . Don James, WashingtonGÇÖs winningest football coach, was a defensive coordinator for three seasons (1968-70) at CU under Head Coach Eddie Crowder . . . In one of the most emotional pregame scenes in Buffs football history, the entire CU team took a knee at midfield and raised helmets to salute late quarterback Sal Aunese, who had died of cancer the previous weekend. CU won the game 45-28 at Husky Stadium on Sept. 30, 1989 . . . UW is one of a handful of American universities that can boast tailgating by boat. Husky faithful have Lake Washington at their stadiumGÇÖs doorstep . . . The Huskies will play the 2011 football season at their historic stadium, then move to Qwest Field GÇô home of the Seattle Seahawks GÇô in 2012 while stadium renovation is underway. Qwest is 3.9 miles from the UW campus . . . Since 2004, UW menGÇÖs basketball has made six NCAA Tournament appearances under Coach Lorenzo Romar. ThatGÇÖs the most in an eight-year stretch in program history . . . UW dropped menGÇÖs and womenGÇÖs swimming on May 1, 2009. Quotable: GÇ£I think we could play against anybody who has ever played in college football.GÇ¥ GÇô Former UW football coach Don James on his 1991 team, which finished 12-0. Buffs vs. Huskies/By The Numbers: Football: Tied 5-5-1; M Basketball: UW leads 7-6; W Basketball: CU leads 6-2; Volleyball: UW leads 2-1; Soccer: CU leads 1-0; Tennis: CU leads 2-0. |
|
Above: B.G. Brooks looks back at the 1990 Colorado-Washington football game during CU's run to the national championship. Classic CU: Colorado Skiers Claim 1991 National Championship |
 |
|
Skiing is the one sport that is unique to the expanded Pac-12 Conference's newest members, Colorado and Utah. Officially, the teams will remain in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA), but the sport and the 29 national championships (27 NCAA) shared between the two schools in skiing alone is expected to be embraced by the expanded league which proudly boasts the moniker "Conference of Champions." Colorado and Utah are fierce, but friendly ski rivals. Since the sport of skiing went coed in 1983, Utah leads the NCAA with nine titles, with CU and Denver tied for second with six each. Colorado had 11 men's titles and Utah one prior to 1983, and each also has one AIAW (women's title). Individually, Colorado is the all-time leader with 83 champions, with Utah third (65). Fittingly Colorado and Utah were 1-2 at the 2011 NCAA meet, as the Buffaloes claimed their 18th overall national ski title in Stowe, Vt. Colorado led wire-to-wire, amassing 831 team points, the most in the current 3-year scoring format. The NCAA win was extra special for CU, which had dedicated its championship quest to fallen teammate Spencer Nelson, who the Buffaloes lost in a hiking accident on Aug. 15, 2010. |
CU In The Pac-12 . . . Ski Coach Richard RokosGÇÖ Take: GÇ£Our rivalry with Utah was there from the beginning. WeGÇÖve always been going back and forth, probably because weGÇÖre so close and weGÇÖve always challenged each other. But DU (University of Denver) still is our arch-enemy. WeGÇÖve been in a similar situation with Utah for years, being in the same (skiing) conference, but being in the Pac-12 with them will just create more competition. UtahGÇÖs strength is very much like ours ? the location gives them access to a number of ski areas near Salt Lake City and Park City. ItGÇÖs like Boulder and Denver and about five ski areas we can get to in an hour and a half or a little more. In recruiting, we (CU/Utah) are always fighting for the same piece of turf, the same skiers. Kids who donGÇÖt want to go East want to come to CU or Utah or DU. IGÇÖm hoping that some other of the (Pac-12) schools take a look at skiing, absolutely. IGÇÖd like to see Nevada get their program back (it was discontinued in 2009) and join us. There was great tradition there and it was a big blow to western skiing. ThereGÇÖs also Westminster College in Salt Lake City, and maybe Boise State joins us. And letGÇÖs hope the Washington and Oregon and California schools (in the Pac-12) eventually can get involved. ItGÇÖs just a matter of schools deciding to do it and making the commitment. IGÇÖm very excited about (Pac-12 membership). I can see the excitement all around the school. This move put a smile on the faces of a lot of people." Pac-12 Spotlight content provided by B.G. Brooks, CUBuffs.com Contributing Editor and the Colorado Sports Information Office. |
|
|
| Photo Courtesy: Mike Dunn |
 |