CSU summer football blog: Freshmen report Tuesday

Aug. 3, 2010

Coors Field photo gallery | 2010 preseason practice schedule

By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Superstitious CSU fans disappointed in last year's finish, take note.

Since Head Coach Steve Fairchild threw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday at Coors Field, "helping" the Colorado Rockies to an impressive 9-3 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the local nine has won four straight. Not only did the Rockies snap a season-long eight-game losing streak on the day Fairchild threw a "complete pass" to catcher Chris Iannetta, but the Rockies also have outscored opponents 40-17 since that pitch.

Fairchild and his wife, Nancy, were guests of Claude France and Shred-It, which sponsored the game at Coors Field. As part of the sponsorship, France asked Fairchild to throw the first pitch. After the pregame ceremony, Fairchild was a gracious guest on the air with KOA Radio's Jerry Schemmel and Jack Corrigan, and with Drew Goodman and George Frazier on FSN's television broadcast.

Rookies are first: While most of CSU's Class of 2010 has been on campus for nearly a month, the newcomers will officially report Tuesday, when they check into their dorms. Those players will attend an administrative meeting, take physicals if needed, and get any academic questions answered before a welcome bar-b-cue dinner. Per NCAA rules, parents and families will pay for the dinner.

Tuesday evening, the newcomers will have an eligibility meeting with CSU's compliance department, then attend an academic student services orientation early Wednesday morning.

While newcomers are at that meeting Wednesday, returning players will check into their dorms. The full team will meet for the first time Wednesday afternoon, when Fairchild will present his expectations for the 2010 season.

The first practice is Thursday morning at the team's main facility, south of Moby Arena, at 7:45 a.m.

Players to miss first workouts: Academics come first at Colorado State, and to prove that's not just lip service, several players, including Ricky Brewer and Lou Greenwood, are expected to miss the first two days of practice. Those players are finishing a summer session that unfortunately conflicts with the start of fall practice. Finals for those summer courses will take place Friday.

All players are expected to be at practice Saturday.

Marketing efforts: The CSU athletic department continues to aggressively market the Denver area, as part of the university's Denver Initiative. The latest effort is an energetic new commercial that began airing on Rockies broadcasts during Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Fans will continue to see the spot over the next several weeks.

In addition, the Rams again will appear on several billboards throughout the Denver area, with preseason all-conference linebacker Mychal Sisson the designated representative.

Life's a beach: The Coors Light Steve Fairchild Coach's Show is back for another season on the Rams' Radio Network. However, the show has a new time and a new location, sort of.

Owners of the Stonehouse Grill in Old Town Fort Collins opted to change the name and menu of the restaurant over the summer. Now, at the same address, the venue is known as the Beach House Grill.

The 2010 premiere of the show, with new host Brian Roth, is Wednesday, Sept. 1. The show has a new time as well, 30 minutes earlier. The hour-long show now begins at 6:30 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to attend free of charge, or call in with questions for the coach if they can't be there in person.

Ticket update: Less than 1,500 student tickets remain for the CU game, the Cinch Jeans Rocky Mountain Showdown Sept. 4 at Invesco Field in Denver. The bus transportation offered in conjunction with the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) has sold out. To order game tickets, students should visit the special student ticket page on CSURams.com.

For the general public, many good seats remain available to both the CU game and the Rams' other five home games in Fort Collins. For more information, visit the general ticket page at CSURams.com or call 1-800/491-RAMS.

Marriott discount extended to Denver for CU game: The athletic department has launched a new relationship with Marriott and fans are among the beneficiaries. In addition to discounted rates at Fort Collins Marriott properties, Rams fans can now enjoy great rates at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California, the weekend of the Rocky Mountain Showdown and at other times during the year.

That hotel is offering a $99 rate to Rams fans the nights of Sept. 3 and 4, and another discounted rate throughout the year. Reservations can be booked on marriott.com with the C49 promotional rate code.

Marriott also has launched a new Web site to assist CSU fans with their travels to Fort Collins: http://meetingsinthewest.com/promo/Fort-Collins-CSU/.

The Russell gear is coming, the Russell gear is coming: Fans interested in purchasing CSU's newest line of Russell shirts and accessories, including an orange heritage collection, will soon have their patience rewarded. That gear is expected to be in the CSU Bookstore and available through the online store at CSURams.com in the next few weeks.

Meet the Rams Day: CSU fans can take photos and collect autographs from CSU players on the field following the team's 12 p.m. scrimmage Aug. 14 at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. In addition, Ram Town inflatables and other activities will be available during the day. The event is similar to a spring game, when weather doesn't cancel the athletic department's plans.

Fans will not be able to park in the tunnel lot that day, or enter the field entrance below the south scoreboard. Instead, they should park on the west side, in the white or yellow lots, and enter through the west gates.

Kickoff luncheon approaching: The annual CSU Fall Kickoff Luncheon is back and will take place Aug. 23, at 11:30 a.m., at the new home of the Rams, the Fort Collins Marriott. Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk is expected to speak, with several others. The emcee for the event is Roth.

Representatives from each of the Rams' 16 varsity sports are expected to be in attendance. For reservations, call the CSU athletic development office at 970/491-4666.

Hickman, Klingerman won't return: Fullback Jason Klingerman has left the team. Wide receiver Jyrone Hickman has transferred to North Alabama.

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