Colorado State University Athletics
Ram Club Newsletter
1/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
Donor Spotlight - Larry and Kay Edwards
By Gary Ozzello
 |
 |
Loyalty has always been important in the lives of Larry and Kay Edwards, two long-time devoted Ram fans and donors.
Whether it's their family, which includes four adult children and plenty of grandchildren, a successful business or CSU athletics, loyalty is important to the Fort Collins couple.
Larry opened The Light Center 44 years ago, and ran the successful business until passing the torch to daughter Jennifer Guerriero 14 years ago.
"We always had a long-term attitude about business," Larry explained. "It was all about return clients. We wanted to always treat people right. You would be amazed how many of our clients come back year after year."
Likewise, Larry and Kay took a long-term approach to supporting CSU, not just the Rams' athletic program, but academics as well.
"We love living here, and we like supporting CSU," Kay said. "I don't think a month goes by that Larry doesn't say how happy we are in Fort Collins. It's a great place to live."
Kay has spent most of her life in Fort Collins. Born in Nebraska and raised here since six, she attended Washington Elementary, currently the site of CSU's Early Childhood Learning Center, then Lincoln Junior High School and Fort Collins High School.
Then it was on to CSU, where she earned a degree in Occupational Therapy in 1960, and a master's 19 years later. She also taught at CSU for seven years.
Larry, meanwhile, attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney before working in the corporate world in California. But he had plenty of trips to Colorado while attending high school and college, and soon relocated in Fort Collins.
He joined his former high school classmate, Bob Clark, in opening Midwest Divers in Fort Collins, before opening The Light Center in 1971.
"It's my alma mater," Kay jokes, "but he's adopted it."
Larry and Kay have been attending games as long as either can remember, dating back to the 1970's, and realize the importance not of simply winning or losing but the types of student-athletes the university produces.
"We really love supporting the athletic department," Kay said. "The department brings in student-athletes who are wonderful. We enjoy the association, and love to see and meet the people they bring in."
Larry agrees.
"It's about education, and that filters down to the kids," he explained. "CSU is turning out excellent graduates. Yes, I want to win, but it's more important than wins and losses. There are so many great stories out of CSU."
Fort both Larry and Kay, it is also about the people.
"Fort Collins has been very good to us. It's about the people," he said. "It has allowed us to do these things in support of CSU. We're Ram fans!"
Annually, Larry and Kay provide scholarship support through athletics to student-athletes. When the McGraw Center was built in the late 1990's the pair also supported the capital campaign, and likewise, are providing support of CSU's new stadium.
Their support runs across campus as well, with support provided to various academic areas.
Larry and Kay's passion for CSU runs so deep, they have passed it along to their four children, and in turn, the torch has been passed to the grandchildren, who are also Ram fans.
"We've shared our love of CSU sports with our grand kids," Kay said. "They come to the games, keep statistics, and really like to meet the players."
One of their favorite Ram stories features former men's basketball player Ryan Yoder. One evening years ago noticing Yoder's parents milling about the Moby Arena floor after a game, Larry and Kay introduced themselves to the player and his family.
That began a relationship they still cherish today. Ryan Yoder became friends with Larry and Kay, occasionally joining them for dinner.
When his career ended at CSU, he entered into business locally, and Larry and Kay remain proud to know him.
Q&A with Adrianna Culbert
As a donor to CSU Athletics, the Ram Club wants you to have the chance to get to know the amazing student-athletes you support. Your financial contributions make their experiences possible, and we hope that you will share in our pride as we hear from Adrianna Culbert, an outstanding representative of Colorado State University!
|
 |
1. I'm not sure many people realize how much time you and your teammates invest into school and your sport. What does a typical day look like for you?
For a volleyball student-athlete, three days out of the week we lift at 6:30 in the morning, then most will have classes in the morning, and for the most part, all the way up to practice in the afternoon. We practice two-and-a-half hours and then treat. The rest of the day we get to relax and spend a lot of time studying in the Academic Center.
2. What has been the most enjoyable experience of this year, outside of athletics?
This past summer I was able to take part in an internship with the administration marketing department. I really enjoyed my time there, and it gave me real-life experience and more knowledge about what I want to do with my degree after I graduate.
3. How would you describe the impact of having an athletic scholarship for you and your family?
I am so unbelievably grateful for my athletic scholarship. It means so much to me and my family, especially coming from a single-parent household and having six siblings where money has always been tight. The fact that I am able to come out of this experience with a degree and no debt takes away a huge financial burden away from my family, which makes me eternally thankful.
4. What is the most difficult class you have taken at CSU? And which one has been the most enjoyable, and why?
The most difficult class I have taken at CSU is Economic History of the United States. The most enjoyable so far has been my Introduction to Marketing class, because it made me realize what I want to do for the rest of my life, and how much I enjoy marketing.
5. What is an example of how a coach has helped you to develop over your career at CSU?
Brook Coulter, my assistant coach, has helped me progress my game so much while I've been at CSU. She was a smaller player for her position when she played, like I am now, and she is always giving me new ways to maximize my ability and out-think my opponents. She has helped me become a much smarter, more all-around volleyball player in the past three years.
6. What is your favorite memory of competing at Moby Arena?
My favorite memory is playing Wisconsin this past season in the White Out game. Moby was a sea of Rams fans all in white, and that feeling of them all cheering us on every step of the way was incredible.
7. Who do you consider to be the most important mentor in your life so far, and why?
My most important mentor in my life is my mom, because she has taught me everything I know and has made me into the person I am today. She is the strongest woman I know, and has done so much. She has sacrificed so much to make sure all of us could have the best opportunities in life. She is also my No. 1 fan, and is always behind me in everything that I do.
8. What are your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to continue to play volleyball professionally overseas for a couple of years. After that, either coach collegiately or start my career in marketing.
9. If you could compete against any other athlete, from any time in history, who would it be and why? Who would win?
I would want to compete against Kerri Walsh, because she's the greatest player to ever play the game. It'd be amazing to say that I competed against the best. She would definitely win, though.
10. What does it mean to you to be a member of the CSU (Rams) community?
I feel so privileged to be a Ram. CSU volleyball, and CSU athletics as a whole, is a special thing to be a part of, not just because of the tradition of winning but because of the relationships I have made being here. At CSU, you're not just a number as an athlete, but everyone cares about you as a person and wants to see you succeed more than just on the court. Knowing that everyone in the Rams community is behind you in all that we do is an incredible feeling.
11. You have the attention of the entire Ram Club community - what would you like to say to them?
I want to say thank you for all that you do. We wouldn't be able to have the success or the amazing memories made along the way without all of you. It really means a lot that all of the hard work we put in every day can be shared with not just the team and coaches, but with all of you who come out and support us at every game. Also, without you, we wouldn't have our amazing Moby Magic.
Ram Club Introduces the 110% Team
The Ram Club community has a chance to deliver record setting results during the 2015 year by participating in the 110% Team. Beginning with early renewals in December, Ram Club donors have stepped up to contribute an additional 10 percent based on their previous year gift to support student-athletes with a goal of generating an additional $50,000 in support for the year. Those who participate will be eligible for weekly awards and gifts which will be distributed each week of the entire year to those who have accepted the challenge of creating an added impact for the Rams. The 110% Team is also open to new donors who contribute at least $110 to support CSU Athletics.
With a goal of raising a total of $2.25 million in support of scholarships and intercollegiate operating support in 2015, the Ram Club is poised for a record breaking year. While the cost of scholarships continues to rise the Ram Club is working to offset these and other costs that allow Rams student-athletes to earn their degrees and develop as athletes. Donors who make CSU Athletics a part of their philanthropic plans are offered exclusive access to seating at events, special hospitality, and member-only events that are designed to enhance your experience as a fan.
For more information about the Ram Club and the 110% Team, please visit the new Ram Club website.
