Rams Relief: Helping Transform a Student-Athlete’s Future

Ellison Hubbard isn't exactly sure what he'd be doing right now in this juncture of his life if the senior wasn't playing football for Colorado State.

Not that specifics would really matter, especially with the backdrop of what his life has been like these past three years. Not just game day, but in the classroom pursuing a degree in journalism. For all of it, he knows he owes a great deal of gratitude to alumni and members of the Touchdown Club and Startling Lineup, team boosters who help the program reach its goals.

"I'm definitely grateful. If I wasn't here, I'm probably at home working at a store," Hubbard said. "I'm grateful to have these donors and to be able to pursue sports journalism. There's not many opportunities I could have received like this."

In a very unprecedented time in all of our lives, Colorado State Athletics and the Ram Club are asking all of our valued supporters to donate or make a gift which will have a life-altering impact on our student-athletes. The financial crisis is real for everyone, yet our primary goal remains to create the greatest experience for our student-athletes. Your gifts will help lessen the impact they feel as they pursue their athletic and educational goals.

Head coach Steve Addazio is new to the program, but he has already witnessed the impact the boosters have on his student-athletes. He wants his team to travel like they are on a business trip, and he knows many of the young men he recruits do not own suits.

He knew it would tax the budget, but Addazio feels it is an important step to take for his players benefit.

"The budgets are really tight right now. Athletic departments have taken big, big hits," he said. "It's not appropriate in these times to be going for some of these things like we did with the suits, but this is an important thing, and the boosters felt great about it and wanted to help, so they helped and took care of it. Probably now, more than ever, with budgets tight due to the lack of fans, their role becomes even more important."

The money boosters provide will help brand the program, Addazio said. It will also aid in recruiting, professional development and even perks like a special meal after a victory.

These are not touches which go unnoticed from the players, current and future. Through charitable giving, it all makes an impact.

"It definitely shows they care for us, want us to play football and get an education. That means a lot to me," Hubbard said. "They help me to go do my schoolwork, the journalism degree I want to obtain, along with all the things other players are pursuing. That really enhances us, not just in football, but off the field, setting us up for life."

Addazio has preached family since taking over the football program. From the first day, he said that called for coaching the players hard, but loving them hard, as well. While the family in the locker room is tight, the extended family are a group of people Addazio knows can make a huge difference for what his players will accomplish athletically and beyond, especially the open invitation to former football letter winners whose past accomplishments and support can continue to be felt as the program heads into a new era.

For success to be achieved, especially through hard financial times, the entire family is as important as ever to Addazio.

"I think the Touchdown Club and Starting Lineup are organizations that have a tremendous amount of pride and enthusiasm for your program, and they're there to help you with the little things sometimes that you need that you can't get under normal situations," he said. "They are great groups which help support you with things that come up, and you know they're 100 percent behind you and committed to CSU. It's always great to be one, big-aligned family."

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