Colorado State University Athletics
Carpenters built passion for Rams
3/19/2013 12:00:00 AM | General
March 19, 2013
The following article was published in the latest edition of The Horn magazine. For information on how you can receive upcoming issues of The Horn, call 970-491-4666.
By Gary Ozzello
Jan Carpenter has a nearly inseparable partner with her most of the time when she walks into the doors of the McGraw Athletic Center, Moby Arena, or through the gates of Hughes Stadium. Some might be quick to venture it’s her husband of many years, Len. True, Len is alongside Jan nearly all of the time.
But Jan also carries with her each trip to a Colorado State University athletics venue — in Fort Collins or on the road — a copy of CSU athletic historian John Hirn’s coffee table book, Aggies To Rams. In it, since the book published in 2009, Jan has collected more than 400 autographs from former Rams players, coaches and staff members. Jan figures she has less than of a handful of autographs from Rams greats to finish her project inside the cover of the book.
“Just a couple more and we can close it out,” she says proudly.
Jan will close out her project sometime in the near future. What won’t ever close in either Jan’s or Len’s heart is their lifelong passion for Colorado State, especially athletics.
The Carpenters are long-time Ram Club donors, as well as Legacy Club members, whose contributions provide financial assistance to CSU’s athletic scholarship fund.
“It’s so rewarding to know you can help a student-athlete,” Len said. “They are outstanding people, such good kids, and so appreciative of the opportunity and the support.”
Len and Jan know well how important opportunity and support can be. Having grown up together in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, they attended Sangre De Cristo High School together.
Len enrolled at Colorado State in 1964, later earning his undergraduate degree from the College of Natural Resources in wildlife biology. He earned his doctorate in range science. Jan joined Len in Fort Collins in 1965 and majored in English education and was a long-time educator.
From the time they set foot on campus, both have been fixtures at athletic events, dating back to basketball games in South College Fieldhouse and football games at Colorado Field.
“We were fans even as students back in the ’60s,” Jan said.
“We were here even before Moby Arena and Hughes Stadium,” joked Len.
And during that time, an indelible impression was made on each. Len remembers CSU’s dramatic 12-10 win over then No. 10-ranked Wyoming in the famous “Bounce Pass” game at Colorado Field. Coach Mike Lude’s team used a trick play to score the game-winning touchdown over the nationally ranked Cowboys.
Jan noted she and Len have met nearly every critical participant in that 1966 play and grabbed autographs from each person.
Jan, likewise, enjoyed the football games, but also fondly remembers Jim Williams’ powerhouse teams inside the fieldhouse, watching players such as Lonnie Wright toil on the hardwood.
“We’ve sure been here a long time, and we’ve always been involved in athletics and really enjoy it,” Len said. “Basketball was our first passion, but we love football, women’s basketball and volleyball too.”
They both talk passionately about Colorado State’s 32-31 win over Oregon in the 1990 Freedom Bowl, the Rams’ first trip to postseason since 1949.
Their involvement through the Legacy Club program has also allowed them to get better acquainted with student-athletes and coaches.
“It has opened doors and allowed us to get to know the student-athletes and the coaches on a more personal level,” Len said. “You put it all together, and that’s why we’re passionate fans.”
“We both benefited from our education at CSU, and this allows us to give back. We can devote our time to the University.”
Except for a seven-year stint in Kremmling, Colo., where Len was working, their life has been attached to CSU athletics.
“It’s so meaningful to get to know the athletes and their families,” both said of their involvement as donors. “We’re good friends with so many, and that’s one thing that makes us passionate about the program.”
They’ve also had the chance to see father-son duos in action. They watched more than two decades ago as Stan Hornung played for the Rams’ football squad. His and wife Jennifer’s son, Pierce, is a standout on the men’s basketball team, and the Carpenters have come to know the Hornungs through the years.
“It makes it so enjoyable for us to know the person behind the jersey number,” Jan said.
