Colorado State University Athletics
Running back Bell misses pomp and circumstance, but no complaints
12/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 19, 2008
By Anh Ha
Today @ Colorado State
CSU has received its first bowl invitation since 2005. The date is set for Dec. 20 . . . hmm, sound familiar? Maybe it's because that's the same date as the fall 2008 commencement. Kyle Bell, graduating senior and CSU running back, is forced to choose between football and his graduation.
Official news
Bell and fellow teammates were attending the annual football team banquet on Dec. 7, when they received the official announcement. Everyone was near 99 percent sure they were going to New Mexico, but no one had been given a concrete answer.
"Once we got the official invite and knew who would be playing, it was a relief in the fact that now we can focus on what we have to do to prepare and go down there and get a win!" said Bell.
Conflict brings back high school memories
Excitement and celebration filled the atmosphere, then, the realization hit Bell - play in the first bowl game in years or go to his college graduation?
"I was a little disappointed. After all, I had to miss my high school graduation because it was during state baseball playoffs, so I was like 'not again'," said Bell.
The decision
"But you realize that a bowl game is a very special opportunity and I'm pretty sure I will remember that a lot more than a graduation ceremony," said Bell. "Not taking anything away from that, but I still graduate," adds Bell.
He is hoping for a miracle that will allow him to attend both events. He wants to play in the bowl but he wouldn't mind being with all his friends who've gotten to know during his college years. But he cheerfully says that he'll be "there with them in spirit!"
Breaking the news to well-prepared parents
Bell's parents didn't need to be informed of the news - "they knew right away." His parents were watching to see where the CSU football team would be going. Disappointment was inevitable, however, the experience with his high school graduation made it easier to handle.
Celebrations
Bell does not know how he will be receiving his diploma but is guaranteed by the journalism department head that he will be honored as an "outstanding graduate in journalism" during the department's pre-graduation ceremony.
A party for friends and family to celebrate is being planned for sometime after Christmas.
Bell welcomes all to his graduation bash, "Anybody who want to come, just hit me up for directions!"
Plans after CSU
Bell will spend Christmas with his family and have a couple of weeks of relaxation to refresh himself because in 2009, he will head back into training and hopefully achieve his goal of taking football to the next level.
"It's always been my dream and I'm going to work as hard as I can to get a shot," said Bell, "We'll see where I'll be headed."
